GOP Needs 'Courage of Convictions' (Katon Dawson's case for RNC Chair)

The Politico ^ | November 28, 2008 | Katon Dawson

[St. Louis Conservative]

The election has come and gone, and we’ve all seen the reports of the Republican Party’s untimely demise. Some say Republicans were too conservative, that we’ve become a regional party and that we’re clinging to an old playbook. As a Republican, I can tell you that nothing could be further from the truth, and we are alive and kicking.

That doesn’t mean the Republican Party isn’t in need of new ideas, new messengers and a new focus in order to move forward as a party. Losing elections brings change, and change is coming to the Republican Party. What really cost Republicans at the ballot box during the past two election cycles was forgetting a lesson many of us learned from our parents - say what you mean and mean what you say.

As a small business owner, I know first-hand the power of this principle. You can’t say you offer superior customer service when complaints are piling up against you at the better business bureau. You can’t say you offer the best value in town when your products are defective. It’s not good enough to talk the talk; you’ve got to walk the walk.

This is why the Republican Party finds itself in the minority in Washington and in many of the 3,141 counties in America. Our elected officials, candidates and party leaders dutifully repeated the principles of our party, but once in office, too many abandoned those principles. Whether it was abandoning our commitment to fiscal responsibility, turning a blind eye to serious character flaws in some of our candidates, or providing a handout to big business at the expense of the American taxpayers, we seemed to lose the courage of our convictions. As President Reagan’s speechwriter Peggy Noonan has been quoted, “part of courage is simple consistency.”

[Texas Eagle]

Whether it was abandoning our commitment to fiscal responsibility... or providing a handout to big business at the expense of the American taxpayers, we seemed to lose the courage of our convictions.

I know this applies to my Congressman. I called his office and told his staffer that if he votes for the UAW bailout like he voted for the Bank Bailout I would do everything I could to see that he was not re-elected the next time he runs for office even if that means supporting his RAT opponent.

I left my name and address but have yet to receive the courtesy of a reply.

[econjack]

These incumbents seem like they think that, once in office, they can ignore us. Sadly, they can. We continue to put the same old RINO’s back into office each time. We have no one to blame but ourselves. To change this is going to mean work at the primaries to challenge the incumbents with fresh blood. I don't see any other way.

[DH]

“That doesn’t mean the Republican Party isn’t in need of new ideas, new messengers and a new focus in order to move forward as a party.”

Moving “forward” is what killed the party. We need to move “backwards” to the point that moderates and RINOs were rare in the party.

Let’s move back to the “old” laws that we no longer enforce and prosecute under. Let’s move back to the “old” morality that we once had. Let’s move back to the lawful society we had in the 50’s where you could leave your keys in the car and didn’t worry about your children being molested by their school teachers.

Most important, lets move the “lifers” of the party out and get people who know how to actually FIGHT and REPRESENT the voting base!

Until then, as far as I am concerned my 40 years of supporting the party is long gone.

[GOP Poet]

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[Zevonismymuse]

What really cost Republicans at the ballot box during the past two election cycles was forgetting a lesson many of us learned from our parents - say what you mean and mean what you say.

This is a good thread to remember the platitudes with which we were raised. My mother had many helpful sayings:

"Nobody likes a crybaby." She tended to say this to me when I was crying.

"Nobody likes a tattletale." She tended to say this to me when I was tattling.

Most importantly my parents knew to never reward any behavior they did not want to see more of. And my parents generously rewarded behavior in which they wanted us to engage. Seems like pretty easy math to me.

We just need to get back to solid conservative values and use these principles to devise plans for coping with current challenges.

[plain talk]

even if that means supporting his RAT opponent.

I followed you up til that comment which is where you left me. You think the rat opponent is not going to support a UAW bailout either? What might be more effective is to state you will support a more conservative opponent in the Republican primary. I think that might have more impact. That is what I intend to do.

[SoConPubbie]

As President Reagan’s speechwriter Peggy Noonan has been quoted, “part of courage is simple consistency.”

Anyone willing to quote the Palin-Hater Peggy Noonan is suspect in my book.

[goldstategop]

Its Howard Dean's 50 state strategy. We can't be a national party unless we are competitive in every county in America - yes, even in San Francisco and Suffolk. We have to run even when it is hopeless. If we write off America, America will write us off, too. It may take a generation but the only way to build a strong conservative party is from the ground up. "All politics is local." Let's never forget it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Texas Eagle]

What might be more effective is to state you will support a more conservative opponent in the Republican primary.

I was bluffing. Besides, if my Rep., Wally Herger, decides to run again he will run virtually unopposed in the primary.

Although I suppose I could've said I would support his Republican opponent in the primary and then support the RAT if he, Herger, won the Republican primary.

I'll keep that in mind in the event I have cause to have future communication with my Rep.

[plain talk]

Yep - many of us have that same problem of reps that run almost unopposed. We need more conservative competition in those primaries which may help prod these guys and gals. cheers.

[PalmettoMason]

Anyone willing to quote the Palin-Hater Peggy Noonan is suspect in my book.

I agree 100%