We’re not called ‘conservative’ for nothing. Like the generals fighting the last war, we’re determined to stay with what worked, instead of updating what worked to the present reality.
Talk radio is consumed this week with Newt. He was conservative when conservative wasn’t cool. He did remarkable things when he was in power. But he’s stuck in the mid 90s; others of us are stuck in the 80’s. Those templates are not going to work in the 20-teens.
During the Reagan years the left devised a new political tool: Borking. We’ve seen successors in Quayle and, notably, Palin. The tactic will be used on each and every GOP candidate who emerges. We need to develop an effective counter, and/or someone with Reagan’s ‘teflon.’
I want a brash candidate out there who will not back down. I’d rather a Trump who doesn’t pass the ideological purity test but does have this country’s interest at heart, is educable, and would confront Obama up close and in his face, than a 100% ideologically pure conservative gentleman. Gentility has gotten us where? Politics is a rough and tumble game, and the GOP damned well better learn how to play it.
Excellently said, and bears repeating!