Posted on 03/04/2009 2:22:38 PM PST by chuck_the_tv_out
In the wake of the Republican Party's second consecutive electoral defeat, the question that seems to be everywhere is: "How do we reinvent conservatism?"
Most conservatives are willing to concede there is in fact a problem, but I'd simply suggest the question is itself misguided: We don't need to reinvent conservatism; we need to return to it.
The past few months have given rise to a tug of war of sorts on this very matter. On one side, we have those who think the Republican tent is simply not large enough to house a viable political coalition. On the other side stand those who think the key to our future success lies in getting back to basics. I myself fall squarely in the latter camp.
In many ways, a political party is little more than a brand, and brands thrive or wither based on how consistently they deliver on what they promise. Can we make the honest argument that the majority of those who campaigned as conservatives have governed as such? No. The Republican brand is damaged goods because Republicans have damaged it. Unless and until we get back to the principle of saying what we mean and meaning what we say, that won't change.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
yup.
if the GOP wants to win, they need to become conservative
See, the headline is the problem. The GOP has tried to reinvent conservatism so many times that the majority of people do not believe the Party understands what it is. Perhaps if the GOP RETURNED to conservatism instead...
And find some courage.
If the GOP wants to win, they need a purge of all non-conservatives, east coast elitists and all of the old beltway crowd.
We need young idealists committed primarily to fiscal conservatism with muted social conservatism Be personally conservative but don’t wear it on your sleeve. Be patient; gain power first, then impose the agenda. Be committed first to winning. It worked well for the socialists; now look what they are doing.
Does the GOP deserve our support?
Analysis coming from the man who called Rush an “idiot.”
Move on.
If you want to be a leader:
You have to have principles, and you have to be capable of explaining them and defending them. You have to know how to persuade, and you have to know how to stand tough and advance tough.
If thats not you, stay home. We don’t need you. You’re just taking up valuable space.
The Pubacan party needs to forget about trying to attract groups (Jews, Hispanics, gays, left-handed dwarf motor boat mechanics, etc) and get back to trying to attract people who want a better life as a result of lower taxes, smaller gubmint, US production of oil, coal, minerals, timber, tuna and black-eyed peas.
Not as is. Only IF they publish a true conservative plank and promise to adhere to it, publicly identify all RINOs, disown the Log Cabin Republicans, and fire Steele.
“If the GOP wants to win, they need a purge of all non-conservatives, east coast elitists and all of the old beltway crowd.
We need young idealists committed primarily to fiscal conservatism with muted social conservatism Be personally conservative but don’t wear it on your sleeve. Be patient; gain power first, then impose the agenda. Be committed first to winning. It worked well for the socialists; now look what they are doing.”
Damn henkster! You should be the GOP Chairman! You have nailed the perfect approach imho.
When did Sanford call Rush an idiot?
Yo don't have to reinvent coservatism. One needs to reinvent the GOP to be conservative.
Easy to sell out for personal gain and impossible to regain trust so you can sell out again.
Republicans are in the late stages of RINO cancer and they deny they have the disease.
Throw out the RINO leadership. That is returning to the conservative principles. Politicians like McCain lead the conservatives right down the “moderate” (left) pathway. Then threw Palin under the bus.
"I don’t want him to fail. Anybody who wants him to fail is an idiot, because it means we’re all in trouble."
Lack of comprehension seems to abound these days on both sides of the aisle.
The Democrats are giving them all they need to revive the Party.
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