Beck, in my opinion, harmed his cause a bit.
I can’t watch Beck anymore. His wild emotional swings are just a bit much.
Mark Levin: I have no idea what philosophy Glenn Beck is promoting. And neither does he
Mark Levin Fan ^ | February 21, 2010 | Mark R. Levin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2456317/posts
I was invited to be the opening speaker at Saturday’s CPAC session. I had accepted but then, to my amazement, I learned that the John Birch Society would be one of many co-sponsors. This takes the big-tent idea many steps too far for me. So, I withdrew. Apparently, others were not so moved. That’s fine. But it wasn’t for me. Bill Buckley and Barry Goldwater, among others, chased the Birchers from the movement decades ago. And they’re not a part of the movement. So, to give them a booth at CPAC was boneheaded.
I want to commend Bill Bennett for his wise piece this morning on the Corner. I agree with him.
I have no idea what philosophy Glenn Beck is promoting. And neither does he. It’s incoherent. One day it’s populist, the next it’s libertarian bordering on anarchy, next it’s conservative but not really, etc. And to what end? I believe he has announced that he is no longer going to endorse candidates because our problems are bigger than politics. Well, of course, our problems are not easily dissected into categories, but to reject politics is to reject the manner in which we try to organize ourselves. This is as old as Plato and Aristotle. Why would conservatives choose to surrender the political battlefield to our adversaries — who are trashing this society — when we must retake it in order to preserve our society? Philosophy, politics, culture, family, etc., are all of one. Edmund Burke, among others, wrote about it extensively, and far better that I possibly can. But all elements of the civil society require our defense. Besides, why preach such a strategy when conservatism is on the rise and the GOP is acting more responsibly?
Moreover, when he does discuss politics, which, ironically, is often, how can he claim today that there is no difference between the two parties when, but for the Republicans in Congress, government-run health care, cap-and-trade, card check, and a long list of other disastrous policies would already be law? The GOP is becoming more conservative thanks to the grass-roots movement and a political uprising across the country, which has even reached into New Jersey and Massachusetts. Why keep pretending otherwise? My only conclusion is that he is promoting a third party or some third way, which is counter-productive to defeating Obama and the Democrat Congress. These are perilous times and this kind of an approach will keep the statists in power for decades.
And what of his flirtations with Ron Paul’s lunacy respecting America’s supposed provocations with her enemies, including al-Qaeda? Why should such a fatal defect in thinking be ignored? Do we conservatives agree with this?
Finally, Beck is fond of congratulating himself for being the only or the first host to criticize George Bush’s spending. This is demonstrably false. I not only attacked his spending, but the creation of the Homeland Security Department, the prescription drug add-on for Medicare, his “moderate” tax cuts, as well as his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, “comprehensive immigration reform,” and so forth. And I was not alone — Rush and Sean did the same, for example. And as someone who fought liberal Republicans in the trenches when campaigning for Reagan in 1976 and 1980, I don’t need lectures from Beck, who was nowhere to be found, about big-spending Republicans. But this is not about me, or Beck, or Beck’s past drunkenness (which he endlessly wears as some kind of badge of honor). It is about preserving our society for our children and grandchildren. Beck spent precious little time aiming fire at Obama-Pelosi-Reid in his speech, and it is they who are destroying our country.
On as a positive note, I am personally happy to see that Beck has cleaned up his public act — as best I can tell, no more boiling fake frogs on TV or pretending to pour gasoline on someone — and the rest of it. But I do think his speech, which contained nuggets of truth heard before and read elsewhere, including on Rush’s show and in my book and many other books, may have distracted from some of the more compelling and coherent speeches at the event, including Marco Rubio’s superb speech. I fear the media will see to this. I hope not.
I would have to ask how many Republican Senators put a yea on the legislation that led to TARP...
And how many Republicans voted for the Omnibus?
Beck is right and I have to ask why Levin really didn’t show up at CPAC...
Since Levin wrote extensively about Beck - it would be interesting to know when Levin made his decision to not show since the Birchers were a known sponsors to CPAC a long time ago — Beck was given the prime spot at the last moment
Much adieu about nada. In 2 days it is forgotten if it was ever a big media event to begin with. My guess is 95% of the voting public never knew this took place.
It’s cracking me up the see the hard line (R)s on the forum attacking Beck for pointing out some of their obvious flaws. This is why the GOP is doomed to failure again. No desire to truly admit how they’ve completely strayed from the ideals of small government, and certainly no real desire to reform themselves. Just trying to fool the pissed off public enough to get back into power, then play nicey-nice with their pals the (D)s. They have a golden opportunity right now, and they are going to squander it big time.
Everybody seems using straw man argument here. Want to make GOP looks bad? Throw in Dede’s name. Want to make GOP looks good? Throw in Rubio, Hayworth, and so on. IMO, GOP is both. Anyone who always see GOP as either black or white (only good or only bad) is overacting, IMO.
The GOP is going to ask us to just trust them again.
Yes, there is a difference between what comes out of the mouths of the GOP and the RATS, but in practice, the results are almost the same.
How could there be much difference between the results produced by the GOP and the RATS -- they have the same owners.
BTW, every time I see Bill Bennett, he looks more and more like Jabba the Hut.
Have to go along a bit with Beck...saw Orin Hatch talking crap on the TV. He was angry..real angry...that a few questioned him during a town hall meeting. Hope it didnt upset his facelift, sprayed on make up or his DC social life.
Then there is McConnel...who caves at anything. Or lil dickie burr of NC who loves acorn and has no opinion on anything. Throw in McCain, Graham and a few others and this proves what Beck is saying. As long as the above are in control all the JD Hayworths/Marco Rubios will just be tokens.
Huh? I watched the whole speech and didn't hear that.
What about Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey? The lesson he is teaching the New Jersey legislature this week about government spending could have come straight off of Beck's blackboard. He should be proud of this. Why is he ignoring it?
Has he not heard about J.D. Hayworth challenging John McCain in the Arizona primary?
So MUCH BS--so little time!!!
ALL those examples are relatively new, including Scott Brown
AND what does Wright, Levin, Bennett and all YOU Beck Bashers think was behind all these victories and what is presently driving the Conservative Agenda?
IT AIN'T BENNETT(when was the last time anyone heard from Bill?); it ain't Levin though I like and admire him; and it certainly AIN'T ANY of the good ol boys from the GOP!
If there is ONE person who can be looked to for having promoted, encouraged and supported the Tea Party Movement and the resurgence of Conservatism, it's Beck!
Let's at least give credit where credit it due
And while on the subject of RINO's, can anyone name me FIVE Pubes in Congress who have flatly refused earmarks and pork?????
Can anyone name me more than Three members of Congress (Michelle Bachman and Coburn are the only 2 that come to mind) who has continually, vociferously and PUBLICLY, denounced and attacked ALL of Dear Leader's, Dingy Harry's and San Fran Nan's agenda and not only one here and there such as Death Care of Cap & Tax???
The LEADERSHIP both within and outside Congress remain business as usual; we need a big tent; we need to reach across the aisle; can't we just get along; you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours; SPINELESS, wusses!
I rest my case!
PS: Personally, I would wager a lot, that the majority of Conservatives (Not Republicans as there is a BIG difference) loved Beck's speech and those here who are relentlessly attacking Glenn are probably RomneyBots or Paulinistas, who either of those 2 stand about as much a chance of being elected in 2012 as I do!!!
Without Beck blaming both sides (and face it both sides deserve blame) independants would have tuned him out. That’s not WHY Beck is saying it - but because he phrases it that way the disenfranchised and people who don’t call any party a home were willing to listen to what he has to say. Because he was not cheerleading for the GOP.
Beck’s TV show has introduced a lot of people to the Constitution and our founding fathers. Because face it, the school system does a really terrible job at that. And while I love Levin and respect Bennet they do not have the audience to reach as many people as Beck has.
Beck singlehandedly became a lightning rod for the lefts crazy attacks and that’s only because he touched a nerve and threatened their plans and progress.
Beck is too emotional. He’s theatrical and dramatic and he’s trying to get people to watch his TV show and listen to his radio. But I believe he is passionate about saving our country - and the left LOATHES him so he must be doing something right.
ROTFLOL. This was set up for Mitt Romneycare.
It seems that the author cannot distinguish between Republicans and the Republican Party. Rubio has the support of the Republican base, while Crist has (maybe nowadays, had?) the support of the Republican Party.
So when Beck says that the Republican party hasn't had their wake-up call, he's right. But the Republican base, ie: Conservative, had their wake-up call in 2006. How much longer until the Republican party actually listens and says, "Mea Culpa"?
Bashing republicans isn't meant to be a slight to those who are talking heads or just recently risen to power because of the previously states politics. It's meant to be a verbal check on those who have failed to live up to the standards conservatives expect them to hold.
I don't fall for Becks world is a goner pov but his bashing of both dens and republicans is, in my opinion, completely warranted.
What is the Republican party’s message? Does anyone have a clear concise plan? I’d like a hard copy please.
What do they propose doing? Eliminating unconstitutional departments? Cutting the budget by 10% a year if they regain power? Republicans as a party have mislead me before. The ever increasing revenues they had while in control were pissed away with the drug care plan and pork projects to buy votes instead of being returned to the people. I won’t be fooled again.
I too wonder if Republicans 'got the message'....
Thanks for posting this. Good stuff, Brugmansian.
Sad, the guy really stood a chance of long time success.