Posted on 08/30/2009 6:50:33 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
I got an e-mail from a prominent Republican asking why I am so anti-Republican these days. Since many of my friends ask the same thing I thought I would share my reply:
I think the party got seriously on the wrong track during the George W. Bush years, as I explained in my Impostor book. In my opinion, it no longer bears any resemblance to the party of Ronald Reagan. I still consider myself to be a Reaganite. But I don’t see any others anywhere in the GOP these days, which is why I consider myself to be an independent. Mindless partisanship has replaced principled conservatism. What passes for principle in the party these days is “what can we do to screw the Democrats today.” How else can you explain things like that insane op-ed Michael Steele had in the Washington Post on Monday?
I am not alone. When I talk to old timers from the Reagan years, many express the same concerns I have. But they all work for Republican-oriented think tanks like AEI and Hoover and don’t wish to be fired like I was from NCPA . Or they just don’t want to be bothered or lose friends. As a free agent I am able to say what they can’t or won’t say publicly.
I think the Republican Party is in the same boat the Democrats were in in the early eighties — dominated by extremists unable to see how badly their party was alienating moderates and independents. The party’s adults formed the Democratic Leadership Council to push the party back to the center and it was very successful. But there is no group like that for Republicans. That has left lunatics like Glenn Beck as the party’s de facto leaders. As long as that remains the case, I want nothing to do with the GOP.
I will know that the party is on the path to recovery when someone in a position of influence reaches out to former Republicans like me. We are the most likely group among independents to vote Republican. But I see no effort to do so. All I see is pandering to the party’s crazies like the birthers . In the short run that may be enough to pick up a few congressional seats next year, but I see no way a Republican can retake the White House for the foreseeable future. Both CBO and OMB are predicting better than 4% real growth in 2011 and 2012. If those numbers are even remotely correct Obama will have it in the bag. Also, Republicans have to find a way to win some minority votes because it is not viable as a whites-only party in presidential elections. That’s why I wrote my "Wrong on Race" book, which no one read.
They also moved to the right after the 1994 mid-terms, and the 2006 Dems ran as center-rightists. Even Obama talked about tax cuts and stopping earmarks. I just find it laughable when pundits say conservatism is finished, yet you see Democrats run as conservatives to win elections, and then you have Bartlett (and Powell etc) bloviate that Republicans are losing independents and moderates precisely because of the "hard right" (i.e. conservatism).
"In many ways, the war in Iraq is looking more and more like the last days of the Vietnam War. It is becoming increasingly clear that the situation is hopeless and the administration’s strategy is incapable of achieving victory. Yet the president insists that additional resources can still turn the situation around. Although he has little credibility left, many continue to support him in some vain hope that the sacrifices of our soldiers can somehow be vindicated and given meaning."
How's that crystal ball working for you now, Bruce?
>> What a dolt... and to think he worked with President Reagan? Good heavens he is a kool aid drinker or a closet liberal.
I wonder if he’s dating Peggy Noonan? She’s on the same, er, koolaid (or whatever it is they drink or smoke).
http://ncpa.org/
National Center for Policy Analysis
Has this man ever been part of a winning campaign? It is difficult to believe that he did anything other than work for someone already in office. Yet his piece seems to be all about him, as if by catering to him a candidate could win an election. I wonder if he could come up with some example of how calling Glenn Beck a nut has won an elction for someone?
Who knows? Maybe he also voted for 0 due to some weird tradition, or something. I wouldn’t put it past him.
When someone is this disconnected from reality there is no talking to them.
yeah he probably DID vote for Obama and is probably fighting off his feelings of “how could you do such a stupid stupid thing? Look at obamacare!” that many independents are feeling now.
Bashes “birthers” when they should be called “truthers”.
He's mad because Americans want the POTUS to abide by the Constitution and not what his puppets, the MSM says.
All-in-all I can state that this guy still doesn't get it.
He got one thing right
peggy hates palin but she hates obama more. here’s what she wrote at the end of her palin bashing piece:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716984620819351.html
“Here’s why all this matters. The world is a dangerous place. It has never been more so, or more complicated, more straining of the reasoning powers of those with actual genius and true judgment. This is a time for conservative leaders who know how to think.
Here are a few examples of what we may face in the next 10 years: a profound and prolonged American crash, with the admission of bankruptcy and the spread of deep social unrest; one or more American cities getting hit with weapons of mass destruction from an unknown source; faint glimmers of actual secessionist movements as Americans for various reasons and in various areas decide the burdens and assumptions of the federal government are no longer attractive or legitimate.”
Mr. Bartlett is incorrect. He is a Republican. A 21st Century RINO!! I have not been Republican since President Reagan. I greatly miss that Great American.
What’s Bartlett’s definition of the Religious Right - anyone who’s a Christian and votes Republican? Does he understand that those are the very people who helped his boss (Ronald Reagan) get into office? And Reagan didn’t shy away from these people...his ‘Evil Empire’ speech was given at an evangelical convention.
And why is it Obama can invoke God’s name in the health care debate (”We’re partners with God”) and get away with it?
The Left demonizes any group that disagrees with them: if you’re a Christian and a conservative, you’re a zealot; if you show up protesting at town hall meetings, you’re Un-American.
Methinks Bartlett has been brainwashed by that kind of mentality.
What’s Bartlett’s definition of the Religious Right - anyone who’s a Christian and votes Republican? Does he understand that those are the very people who helped his boss (Ronald Reagan) get into office? And Reagan didn’t shy away from these people...his ‘Evil Empire’ speech was given at an evangelical convention.
And why is it Obama can invoke God’s name in the health care debate (”We’re partners with God”) and get away with it?
The Left demonizes any group that disagrees with them: if you’re a Christian and a conservative, you’re a zealot; if you show up protesting at town hall meetings, you’re Un-American.
Methinks Bartlett has been brainwashed by that kind of mentality.
To the point of such anger that they show themselves to be bigoted, the tone and the words they (Noonan, Parker, Frum, Bartlett, etc), use are offensive.
The worse I have ever called them is elitist...which they are, admittedly.
I have no use for this turd. Flush.
“What’s Bartlett’s definition of the Religious Right”
a Christian who supports Israel
The center of what, Stalingrad?
He must have hit his head on something which caused a little brain damage. The current administration has fallen off the left edge.
He bitches about how the GOP no longer reflects Reagan's values and then says this?
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