Posted on 01/27/2012 3:18:48 PM PST by Timber Rattler
We have witnessed something very disturbing this week. The Republican establishment which fought Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and which continues to fight the grassroots Tea Party movement today has adopted the tactics of the left in using the media and the politics of personal destruction to attack an opponent.
We will look back on this week and realize that something changed. I have given numerous interviews wherein I espoused the benefits of thorough vetting during aggressive contested primary elections, but this week’s tactics aren’t what I meant. Those who claim allegiance to Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment should stop and think about where we are today. Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater, the fathers of the modern conservative movement, would be ashamed of us in this primary. Let me make clear that I have no problem with the routine rough and tumble of a heated campaign. As I said at the first Tea Party convention two years ago, I am in favor of contested primaries and healthy, pointed debate. They help focus candidates and the electorate. I have fought in tough and heated contested primaries myself. But what we have seen in Florida this week is beyond the pale. It was unprecedented in GOP primaries. I’ve seen it before – heck, I lived it before – but not in a GOP primary race.
I am sadly too familiar with these tactics because they were used against the GOP ticket in 2008. The left seeks to single someone out and destroy his or her record and reputation and family using the media as a channel to dump handpicked and half-baked campaign opposition research on the public. The difference in 2008 was that I was largely unknown to the American public, so they had no way of differentiating between the lies and the truth. All of it came at them at once as “facts” about me. But Newt Gingrich is known to us – both the good and the bad.
We know that Newt fought in the trenches during the Reagan Revolution. As Rush Limbaugh pointed out, Newt was among a handful of Republican Congressman who would regularly take to the House floor to defend Reagan at a time when conservatives didn’t have Fox News or talk radio or conservative blogs to give any balance to the liberal mainstream media. Newt actually came at Reagan’s administration “from the right” to remind Americans that freer markets and tougher national defense would win our future. But this week a few handpicked and selectively edited comments which Newt made during his 40-year career were used to claim that Newt was somehow anti-Reagan, and isn’t conservative enough to go against the accepted moderate in the primary race. (I know, it makes no sense, and the GOP establishment hopes you won’t stop and think about this nonsense. Mark Levin and others have shown the ridiculousness of this.) To add insult to injury, this “anti-Reagan” claim was made by a candidate who admitted to not even supporting or voting for Reagan. He actually was against the Reagan movement, donated to liberal candidates, and said he didn’t want to go back to the Reagan days. You can’t change history. We know that Newt Gingrich brought the Reagan Revolution into the 1990s. We know it because none other than Nancy Reagan herself announced this when she presented Newt with an award, telling us, “The dramatic movement of 1995 is an outgrowth of a much earlier crusade that goes back half a century. Barry Goldwater handed the torch to Ronnie, and in turn Ronnie turned that torch over to Newt and the Republican members of Congress to keep that dream alive.” As Rush and others pointed out, if Nancy Reagan had ever thought that Newt was in any way an opponent of her beloved husband, she would never have even appeared on a stage with him, let alone presented him with an award and said such kind things about him. Nor would Reagan’s son, Michael Reagan, have chosen to endorse Newt in this primary race. There are no two greater keepers of the Reagan legacy than Nancy and Michael Reagan. What we saw with this ridiculous opposition dump on Newt was nothing short of Stanlin-esque re-writing of history. It was Alinsky tactics at their worst.
But this whole thing isn’t really about Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney. It is about the GOP establishment vs. the Tea Party grassroots and independent Americans who are sick of the politics of personal destruction used now by both parties’ operatives with a complicit media egging it on. In fact, the establishment has been just as dismissive of Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. Newt is an imperfect vessel for Tea Party support, but in South Carolina the Tea Party chose to get behind him instead of the old guard’s choice. In response, the GOP establishment voices denounced South Carolinian voters with the same vitriol we usually see from the left when they spew hatred at everyday Americans “bitterly clinging” to their faith and their Second Amendment rights. The Tea Party was once again told to sit down and shut up and listen to the “wisdom” of their betters. We were reminded of the litany of Tea Party endorsed candidates in 2010 that didn’t win. Well, here’s a little newsflash to the establishment: without the Tea Party there would have been no historic 2010 victory at all.
I spoke up before the South Carolina primary to urge voters there to keep this primary going because I have great concern about the GOP establishment trying to anoint a candidate without the blessing of the grassroots and all the needed energy and resources we as commonsense constitutional conservatives could bring to the general election in order to defeat President Obama. Now, I respect Governor Romney and his success. But there are serious concerns about his record and whether as a politician he consistently applied conservative principles and how this impacts the agenda moving forward. The questions need answers now. That is why this primary should not be rushed to an end. We need to vet this. Pundits in the Beltway are gleefully proclaiming that this primary race is over after Florida, despite 46 states still not having chimed in. Well, perhaps it’s possible that it will come to a speedy end in just four days; but with these questions left unanswered, it will not have come to a satisfactory conclusion. Without this necessary vetting process, the unanswered question of Governor Romney’s conservative bona fides and the unanswered and false attacks on Newt Gingrich will hang in the air to demoralize many in the electorate. The Tea Party grassroots will certainly feel disenfranchised and disenchanted with the perceived orchestrated outcome from self-proclaimed movers and shakers trying to sew this all up. And, trust me, during the general election, Governor Romney’s statements and record in the private sector will be relentlessly parsed over by the opposition in excruciating detail to frighten off swing voters. This is why we need a fair primary that is not prematurely cut short by the GOP establishment using Alinsky tactics to kneecap Governor Romney’s chief rival.
As I said in my speech in Iowa last September, the challenge of this election is not simply to replace President Obama. The real challenge is who and what we will replace him with. It’s not enough to just change up the uniform. If we don’t change the team and the game plan, we won’t save our country. We truly need sudden and relentless reform in Washington to defend our republic, though it’s becoming clearer that the old guard wants anything but that. That is why we should all be concerned by the tactics employed by the establishment this week. We will not save our country by becoming like the left. And I question whether the GOP establishment would ever employ the same harsh tactics they used on Newt against Obama. I didn’t see it in 2008. Many of these same characters sat on their thumbs in ‘08 and let Obama escape unvetted. Oddly, they’re now using every available microscope and endoscope – along with rewriting history – in attempts to character assassinate anyone challenging their chosen one in their own party’s primary. So, one must ask, who are they really running against?
- Sarah Palin
OK, Huck was in it too for about 5 more minutes. Then he promptly gave his support to McCain. It was the best of 3 very, very lousy choices. People have been correcting you about Rush on this entire thread. You’re obviously determined to not pay attention so have a good evening. Might want to stop listening to Rush since he doesn’t seem to do things the way you want him to.
Cindie
I think the world of Sarah Palin, but I have not appreciated her coyness in her support of Newt. She stated the people of South Carolina should vote for Newt “to keep the primary season going,” which is not the same as saying “so Newt has a better chance of winning.” But at the same time what’s happened in terms of opposition to Newt is exactly what was predictable as the primary season “kept going.”
I think that Sarah is keeping her options open. Santorum is also in the race and she likes him too as a consistent conservative fighter. It is too early to say how Newt or Rick will end up.
Yep, he cited a source from 2008. Well, in 2008 I would have supported Mitt also compared to McCainiac before he picked Sarah! I didn’t vote for McCainiac per se, only for the ticket because I couldn’t break her out of it on the ballot. Some here will claim that I was a Mitt supporter ever since because of what I just said. They are morons.
JC
Rush has not taken Romney’s side, and in fact has been rather critical of him.
He does seem to be leaning towards Santorum but he has not taken any cheap shots at Newt.
I haven’t discussed this with anyone but rush keeps saying that he doesn’t think anyone can know whom he’s supporting privately, but I’ve thought it could be Santorum too.
Three time governor Mike Huckabee lasted a month longer than than Romney and bested him.
Romney was the worst of the 2008 choices, and is still the worst choice.
I have been listening to Rush since the 3rd day that he went national in 1988, I am glad that so many of his listeners heard him accurately, as I did, and agree with me on this thread, which you evidently did not read.
Did you read post 242?
If Santorum is as big a scumbag as you claim, why would you possibly want him to publically support Newt? That sounds dumb to me!
JC
"We're 100% behind Gingrich, but..." and then, bible verses. Exact same people who keep putting up threads how "I don't like Romney, but..." and there's a homily on how we should never criticize another's religion.
Meanwhile Romney benefits from their ecclesiastical "death of a thousand cuts".
Speaking for myself, I'm sick of reading their BS through their sanctimonious shroud, and wish the big guy would ZOT 'em all. That's my noob view from the cheap seats.
Next time just toss it into the canal and let her try to insult the gator that gulped it down. I’m sure he would have been properly impressed!
JC
Emotional thinking will kill us.
The RINO’s have used fear in general elections to get conservatives to vote for RINO’s and stay away from third party conservative candidates.
They exaggerate the situation to push us to vote for a liberal Republican candidate.
Canada had a third authentic conservative party for some 10 years from the early ninetes into the new millenium and its still around.
Good one; thanks for the chuckle!
JC
“My war is with the GOP-E.”
As is mine, and all enemies of the Constitution, foreign and domestic.
“How do you propose we get control and restore our constitutional republic if the GOP continually works against us and essentially sides with Obama and Co?”
Vote for Ron Paul. He will cut $1 trillion from the federal budget in the first year. He will eliminate 5 Departments — Energy, Education, Commerce, HUD, Interior, as well as the TSA. He will reduce the federal workforce by 10%, and balance the federal budget without increasing taxes by Year 3. It’s time to drain the swamp, folks.
Thanks, wardaddy.
I echo his sentiments, Moorings. Heartfelt kudos for your insight.
Dumb post!
JC
Romney is a white Obama. Newt did not ask for this and was only attacked for doing well in the debates by saying above the fray.
I am sickened beyond words right now. Newt has a lot of flaws, but this is total bs, especially when it is done in favor of Romney who is a snake and a slug.
For me, Romney “vetting” involves his flip-flopping statements on issues from health care to gun control to human life.
Heck, Mitt told folks in Massachusetts that he believes in a “woman right to choose”, now he says something like “I’ve always been pro-life.”
Which statement is the true one?????????
Before I read your post I would say 'Yes, hands down'; now Santorum doesn't look like a conservative at all. If those links were attributed to Newt, he'd be long gone and further up on this thread there are more links on Santorum. He looking more like smoke and mirrors. Both santorum and mitt have not be vetted, at all.
Santorum is top heavy, between his halo and ego, there is no room for patriotism. And where in his religious beliefs is lying considered a virtue. Is he a mormom, also?
I think you are probably correct, they republican party will be “no more” after this.
“Then we’re going to lose it all!
We’ve lost it already.
Republican GWB 4 trillion dollars added to the debt.
Deomcrat Obama 6 trillion dollars added to the debt.
What’s the difference. Republian or Democrat, either way Americans lose.
Time of a new party.
If the choice is Obama or Romney, you will choose _America________?
WOW! Are you ever way off on your anaylsis! No wonder why Sarah has been so successful - she sees and says things as they really are!! You need your oil checked BIG TIME.
Mitt has NOTHING to come against Barry with! Even right down to his no accountability, he never saw his ads with HIS endorsement on it, he’s clueless what investments he has in his OWN name. WTF kind of businessman is he? “It’s Bushes fault” all over again. Those excuses he gave to Newt/America will be ripped to shreds by Barry and his handlers. And Mitt won’t be having the media to protect him if, God forbid, that day comes. The reason Newt asked in the first place.
It will be MinceMittMonday - the result of Bloody Thursday.
Clue-the media won’t allow Mitt to be vetted, just like Barry. If you watched the debates - one would have to be blind not see that.
Newt’s record of achievements speak for themselves as Mitt’s lack of them does. He’s running on what he calls a conservative trait of being married for ‘x’ amount of years and produced ‘5’ kids - WOW! This guy is as dumb as a box of rocks. You can’t make this stuff up but Mitt can!
It’s no wonder he’s no visionary - his vision is solely on himself, not America. He’ll use the successes of the visionaries but criticize those who have it. What a con man - what got him on that stage and has kept him there is his lying and backstabbing - his veins are full of evil and not a drop of patriotism.
What we sow, we reap - more than we sow, later than we sow.
I, personally, will not vote/sow for evil. Evil will not thrive on my back/my life.
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