Your response sounds so defeatist. If the problem is that the United States is simply a leftist country, then what difference does it make? Conservatives can simply blame the leftist tilt of our party and the country for our losses, and accept our permanent minority status.
I don’t buy it, because I don’t believe the country is leftist, in fact I don’t think a majority of the country is anything.
If I am correct, what we need is another Reagan, someone who can positively articulate conservative principles in a way the resonates with the majority of the country who have no real ideology of their own.
But it is up to conservatives to find, nurture, correct, and present this new conservative leadership. Instead, I see conservatives shooting each other in the back at every opportunity, writing off every possible representative whenever a single flaw is found, and generally making it unpleasant for everybody in the process.
If I were a new Reagan, I don’t think I’d have much interest in appealing to the new conservative base, because they are unreasonable, intolerable, and toxic. The only acceptable course they tolerate is isolation and alienation. For a candidate to get the support of these self-proclaimed guardians of conservatism, they must demonstrate their fealty by taking actions and making statements that will earn them the animosity of all those the conservatives find “unwashed”, meaning they must essentially make themselves unappealing and unelectable in order to get support.
This is folly and absurdity, but it amazes me how many very bright people don’t see this — just as it amazes me how many very bright people think you can win elections by rejecting a majority of support.
Purity is a wonderful thing. And yet if we refused to drink anything except 100% pure water, we would be dead. Likewise, if the purist conservatives refuse to accept anything but what they perceive as pure, 100% unadulterated conservatism, they too will be dead.
Your belief that the liberals are 99% in charge of the Democratic party, that every democrat elected is liberal, and that 15 percent of the republican party is liberal is ludicrous to me. I’ve spoken to many democrats who are liberal who have the same reaction to members of their party as you have to most republicans.
Really. Well, your overall response sounds like you chose to ignore what I posted in favor of your usual forum sermon, "The Evils of Conservatism". LOL You're not fooling anyone, mister moderate. Your ongoing cheap pot shots at conservatism are noted and well documented for all to see.
Also, I haven't given up on the GOP, just yet. Simply making it crystal clear what I believe might transpire in the next decade or so, should the liberal establishment continue gaining ground within BOTH major parties. Anyone who can't see the leftward shift America has taken in the last 75 years, or the strides that center-left policy has made since the 1960`s, is living in the outer limits of the twilight zone.
Look, if you want to ignore the facts, if you want to ignore history, I can't stop you. If you think there isn't a reconstituted liberal Rockefeller-wing within the GOP, then what explains the promotion of liberal Republicans like Giuliani and Romney in the last election cycle? If you think the Democratic Party is not populated by 99% liberals --- maybe its 97% or 98% --- then what explains them nominating liberals for president since the end of WWII?
Some more facts.
40%-50% of Americans choose not to vote, for whatever reasons. Now that is defeatism. Many of the remaining Americans who do choose to vote, don't pay attention and therefore, are not well informed. Most conservatives and traditionalists blame this on the public school system advancing a politically correct leftwing agenda. Its easy to see why so many Americans have gained a liberal minded political conscience. Especially with younger Americans falling prey to the constant liberal drumbeat from all aspects of society covering the last 45 years.
In addition, you can't overlook the Independent voters. Available data shows they constitute 25%-30% of all voters. These are the voters who swing elections for either of the two major party candidates. They are what GW Bush called, "compassionate conservatives". They live their lives as conservatives, but don't believe they can tell anyone else how to live. A tough nut to crack, for the party of "no". Make that the party of "right", if you know what I mean. Appeal to the Independents and you'll have their vote for a generation or more. Reagan understood that.
Reagan also understood for the GOP to succeed, its social and fiscal (economic) wings must stayed united and the moderates must have no voice in any decision making. Reagan talked about this in his run up to the 1980 election.
For anyone interested, you can read about what Reagan had to say in two speeches he gave in the 1970`s: The New Republican Party, 4th Annual CPAC Convention, February 6, 1977 and Let Them Go Their Way, 2nd Annual CPAC Convention, March 1, 1975.
Reagan was crystal clear and so am I. He believed in the Constitution, Federalism and conservatism. And he was a highly successful two-term Governor and President.