The GOP unpopularity was caused by wimpiness and ineffectiveness. Had they had balls to push conservatism they would have won big. Cheney is right, and Ron Paul is one major idiot. He is the one that needs to STFU.
Imho Actrfshr is fundamentally correct, and I also think Paul saying “not be so critical right now” is a far cry from “telling Cheney to shut up”.
I partially lay the blame on the GOP and by extension Conservatism on A)Pres Bush not hitting back on the chorus of critics B) GOP free spending and lack of a core of principles.
The Paul/Cheney dynamic is the fight at the core of Republican Party, is the GOP Libertarian/Nationalism or is it WoT/Globalism?
At this point I honestly have no idea, and no leader is emerging to lead one line of thought or another, I enjoy Cheney’s Bluntness, I am fascinated by Paul’s Idealism.