GOP Shouldn't Seek Approval From The Left

Townhall.com ^ | March 16, 2009 | Thomas Sowell

[Kaslin]

As if it is not enough that they have been decimated by the Democrats in the past couple of elections, the Republican survivors are now turning their guns on each other.

At the heart of these internal battles have been attacks on Rush Limbaugh by Republicans who imagine themselves to be so much more sophisticated because they are so much more in step with the political fashions of the time.

New Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele's cheap shot at Rush's program as "ugly" set off the latest round of infighting. That is the kind of thing usually said by liberals who have never listened to the program.

Regular listeners to the Rush Limbaugh program or subscribers to the Limbaugh newsletter know that both contain far more factual information and in-depth analysis than in the programs or writings of pundits with more of a ponderous tone or intellectual airs.

Why Michael Steele found it necessary to say such a thing — except as a sop to the liberal intelligentsia — is one of the many mysteries of the Republican Party. Steele has since apologized to Rush, but you cannot unring the bell.

More important, the mind-set it betrays is at the heart of many of the problems of the Republican Party, going back for years, long before Steele appeared on the scene.

An element of the Republican Party has felt a need to distance itself from people who stand up for conservative principles, whether those with principles have been Ronald Reagan, Rush Limbaugh or others.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Creationism, plus all its guises; and taking away choice, are big LOSERS

Let's see....something like 85% of Americans believe in some form of "creationism" (i.e. either YEC or intelligent design), and roughly 55-60% (depending on how the questions are worded) self-identify as pro-life, and even greater numbers support reasonable regulations on abortion.

Try again, troll.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for the ping jaz. Good one.

"Yet the Republicans have never articulated that argument, and their opportunism in trying to get black votes by becoming imitation Democrats has failed miserably for decades on end."

[jazusamo]

Busy tonight, aren’t we, RQSR. :-)

[Grizzled Bear]

Forget the GOP. GOP does not equal conservative.

That's why I'm ready to start "The Grizzled Party."

Could I really do worse than the GOP?

[oldbrowser]

LOL! Just imagine: Steele opens his mouth and says something incredibly stupid, and already he’s had to apologize to Rush, AND he’s been b-slapped by the most important conservative intellectual in the entire country!

Steele just got spanked in public. I hope he takes it like it was intended and starts taking the GOP back to its principles.

[rockinqsranch]

LOL!

[Victoria Delsoul]

New Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele's cheap shot at Rush's program as "ugly" set off the latest round of infighting. That is the kind of thing usually said by liberals who have never listened to the program.

I agree with that.

[nomoremods]

I love this man; he is my absolute favorite columnist and thank God he’s on our side! Thanks for posting this.

[razorback-bert]

Wow, a touchdown, home run and a hole in one, all in one column.

[TAdams8591]

"The teachers' unions, environmental fanatics and the ACLU are just some of the groups to whose interests blacks have been sacrificed wholesale. Lousy education and high crime rates in the ghettos, and unaffordable housing elsewhere with building restrictions, are devastating prices to pay for liberalism.

Yet the Republicans have never articulated that argument, and their opportunism in trying to get black votes by becoming imitation Democrats has failed miserably for decades on end."

Good points and is an excellent solution to points raised in Shelby Steele's most recent article.

Good to read Dr. Sowell's thoughts on this. This is at the top of my list of things that disturb me about some conservatives/Republicans.

I'm so glad he defended Ann Coulter. The attacks on her are so tiresome, particularly the ones from other conservatives.

[TAdams8591]

First sentence should read,”and are excellent solutions to points.....”

[TAdams8591]

It amazes me so many conservatives and Republicans are willing to PUBLICLY BETRAY fellow conservatives and Republicans to and in front of Liberal Democrats. It's as if they believe the conversation is private and the subject of their critical comments won't find out.

Here's a clue: We can ALL HEAR you! : )

[jazusamo]

I'm so glad he defended Ann Coulter.

I felt exactly as you when I read it.

The latest example is John McCain's daughter,

I thought it also telling that he only named her as JM's daughter or maybe I'm reading something in that's not there.

[TAdams8591]

Maybe he's giving her a break due to her age and obvious lack of experience.

What were you thinking, Jaz? : )

[jazusamo]

You’re probably right, I didn’t think of that.

Though he supported McCain over Obama he made it clear on several occasions he wasn’t a fan of his. I thought he may have just been jabbing him but that’s not like Dr. Sowell.

[TAdams8591]

Maybe it was a subtle reminder from Dr. Sowell that apples don’t fall far from the tree. : ) That is like him.

[jazusamo]

Yes, that is like him and I think an accurate reminder. :)

[Allegra]

Have you ever timed yourself opening a brand new DVD? That includes getting the cellophane off and then removing those pesky security tapes.

Do you ever cuss while opening one?

I mean, those things can be so annoying.

[antceecee]

You either did not read what Dr. Sowell had to say or are too stupid to understand it. Then again you could just be an Obie-changey-hopey-kool-aid-drinking troll.

[takenoprisoner]

“They gave space to Ron Paul!”

It’s comforting to realize liberals like yourself fear Ron Paul too. You darn well should. Since, according to some, he is the fiscal conservative to be feared more than even the marxist in chief himself. Plus, he likes a shrimp pork combo platter. How whacko is that when he could have had a Texas fajita which includes steak, shrimp, pork, and chicken for the same price?