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GOP Strength Rests in Its Core Beliefs by Ken Blackwell
townhall.com ^ | November 26, 2008 | Ken Blackwell

Posted on 11/26/2008 8:41:09 AM PST by Publius804

GOP Strength Rests in Its Core Beliefs

by Ken Blackwell

"It's that time again. Throngs of delirious Democrats are invading the streets and suites of Washington to celebrate their victories in November.

"Across town, members of that other party gather in hushed bands, mourning their loss of power, employment and staff. The more prolific have taken the op-ed pages of every newspaper as their pillories, to flog themselves for their defeat.

"As a member of that other party, enough is enough. It is time to look forward, not back."

I wrote those words for a column in February 1993. Back then, the future of the GOP could not have looked dimmer. The party needed to refocus and recharge. The following year Republicans took control of both chambers of Congress and state legislatures across the country.

Now, after two disastrous election cycles, it is clear the Republican Party must refocus again. A reenergized GOP must make Republican principles appealing both to its base and also to the changing face of America. If the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan wants to return to power, it must become the party of the 21st century.

Right now, like then, we are conducting a detailed post-mortem to figure out what went wrong.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; blackwell; ccm; conservatism; democrats; gop; kenblackwell; newgop; rebuilding; republicans
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1 posted on 11/26/2008 8:41:10 AM PST by Publius804
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To: Publius804
Right now, like then, we are conducting a detailed post-mortem to figure out what went wrong.

If you don't know, it's a good sign you're part of the problem.

2 posted on 11/26/2008 8:42:26 AM PST by EternalVigilance (AIPNEWS.com - America's Independent Party: "Peace through superior firepower!")
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To: Publius804
The GOP did show its core beliefs: surrender to the Left.
3 posted on 11/26/2008 8:43:49 AM PST by Old Sarge (For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be an American)
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To: Publius804

Let’s just vote Joe Stalin in and avoid all the bloodshed.


4 posted on 11/26/2008 8:50:13 AM PST by boxer21
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To: Publius804

Ken Blackwell equals biggest republican statewide loss in my lifetime and maybe ever.

He lost by 30 points I think.


5 posted on 11/26/2008 8:53:43 AM PST by staytrue (YES WE CAN, (everyone should get in the practice of saying it, it will soon be manditory))
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To: Publius804

“Unfortunately, Republicans have not been true to Republican principles.”

BINGO!


6 posted on 11/26/2008 8:53:55 AM PST by roaddog727 (BS does not get bridges built - the funk you see is the funk you do)
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To: Publius804

I’ll be back after the RINOs are all gone, I’m allergic to the smell.


7 posted on 11/26/2008 8:58:11 AM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT, A MATTER OF FACT, NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: Publius804
The Walking Dead GOP in its current state:


8 posted on 11/26/2008 8:58:12 AM PST by TADSLOS (McCain Courted Socialism and Brought Us Marxism Instead)
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To: EternalVigilance

Amen!

LLS


9 posted on 11/26/2008 8:59:41 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (GOD, Country, Family... except when it comes to dims! I am an UMA-unity my a$$)
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To: staytrue

Yep, he articulated those principals and lost in a landslide. Almost as bad as Keyes against Obama.


10 posted on 11/26/2008 9:07:20 AM PST by joesbucks (Sarah Palin: "I believe John McCain is the best leader that we have in the nation right now,)
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To: Publius804

Core beliefs? Let’s see:

- Out of control spending. Check
- Increasing the size and scope of Federal Gov. Check
- Military intervention around the world. Check
- Empty slogans rather than priciple. Check

Gee, what could have gone wrong?


11 posted on 11/26/2008 9:08:21 AM PST by AmericanHunter
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To: Publius804

Republican core beliefs don’t matter any more. The bottom line is that Democrats outnumber Republicans with the foreseeable future being far worse. Looks like a huge multimillion increase for the Democrats after the coming amnesty for illegals.


12 posted on 11/26/2008 9:13:27 AM PST by golf lover
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To: Publius804

We need to become FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE — not BELTWAY REPUBLICANS, but HOMETOWN CONSERVATIVE. That is people who would replace pork with tax cuts and give the towns control of EDUCATION and housing!!


13 posted on 11/26/2008 9:39:38 AM PST by MaineConservative (Conservatives -- if you want CHANGE run for Congress in 2010!! I am))
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To: staytrue
"Ken Blackwell equals biggest republican statewide loss in my lifetime and maybe ever."

If my memory serves me correctly it was due to the RNC abandoning Blackwell for a number of reasons: he was "unelectable" because he was "too conservative", and Ohio was furious at the Republican party because of convicted felon Gov. Taft who had an approval rating in the single digits. The RNC abandoned Blackwell - but no Republican really stood a chance in Ohio that year.

14 posted on 11/26/2008 9:52:37 AM PST by LiberConservative (Typical white guy)
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To: LiberConservative

my memory is Blackwell ran behind EVERY STATEWIDE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN 2006.


15 posted on 11/26/2008 12:24:11 PM PST by staytrue (YES WE CAN, (everyone should get in the practice of saying it, it will soon be manditory))
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To: MaineConservative

How about a Palin/Blackwell ticket in 2012 ?


16 posted on 11/26/2008 12:25:47 PM PST by staytrue (YES WE CAN, (everyone should get in the practice of saying it, it will soon be manditory))
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To: AmericanHunter

You got it right. No firm principles.
Today’s “conservatives” are all to the left of FDR. Name a few who want to roll back the government to where it was before Roosevelt. No firm principle despite all their yammering to the contrary. The left can compromise it’s was to tyranny. We will never compromise our way to liberty. Every time evil compromise with evil evil advances. And every time that good compromise evil advances.
RINO’s are actually just R’s.


17 posted on 11/26/2008 12:25:49 PM PST by all the best
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To: joesbucks

Maybe we should run a Keyes/Blackwell ticket in 2012.


18 posted on 11/26/2008 12:50:00 PM PST by staytrue (YES WE CAN, (everyone should get in the practice of saying it, it will soon be manditory))
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To: staytrue

Now that would be a winner?


19 posted on 11/26/2008 12:53:25 PM PST by joesbucks (Sarah Palin: "I believe John McCain is the best leader that we have in the nation right now,)
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To: golf lover
Republican core beliefs don’t matter any more. The bottom line is that Democrats outnumber Republicans [...]

That is all true- But Conservative core beliefs do matter. And Conservatives outnumber liberals by 2 to 1, if not more. That should give you a clue.

20 posted on 11/26/2008 1:06:15 PM PST by roamer_1 (Proud 1%er... Reagan Conservatism is the only way forward.)
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