Posted on 05/08/2012 4:14:42 AM PDT by Kaslin
Last week, I showed how the Republican Party likely would lose the presidential election in November if it were to use conventional campaign tactics. However, I also explained an unconventional strategy that could usher in victory for the GOP and our republic -- a tactic used by President Abraham Lincoln.
This week, I want to elaborate more on Lincoln's concept of a team of rivals -- and who could be a part of it -- and also share with you the inspiring dream my wife, Gena, had that we both hope comes true.
For those who missed Part 1, a book that highlights Lincoln's brilliant action is titled "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian. Lincoln's idea and action was simply this: Once elected, Lincoln brought together his former GOP competitors (each representing a political faction in the country) and created a united force that ultimately healed the divisions in the land and propelled America forward.
Why couldn't that happen again, especially in a country as divided as ours? And why couldn't the GOP nominee propose such a plan to boost his election probability?
The past GOP presidential competitors were and are a unique blend of gifted and talented people. How often did you think and hear others say during the GOP debates, "There are strong elements I like in all of them"? You may not have wanted to see all of them at the desk of the Oval Office, but wouldn't you want to see most help the next president in some capacity?
Who doesn't appreciate the resolve and moral resiliency of former Sen. Rick Santorum and Rep. Michele Bachmann? Who wouldn't want to see our country benefit from the business background and leadership of Herman Cain? Who doesn't like the emboldened constitutional spirit and frugal fiscal passions of Rep. Ron Paul? Who wouldn't value Texas Gov. Rick Perry's advocacy for jobs and against frivolous lawsuits via tort reform? Who wouldn't want to see the foreign affairs experience of former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman better America's global relations? And who wouldn't want to utilize the brilliance, bold ideas and experience of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich?
And what do you think would be the reaction of President Barack Obama and the entire Democratic Party, as well as their mainstream media minions, if the collective group above stood with Mitt Romney and said: "Vote for Mitt and you'll get all of us in his next administration. All for one, and one for all."
I recognize that candidates cannot choose Cabinet members or others in their administration before they are elected, but that does not mean they cannot pledge to. That is why I would ask Romney these two questions: If elected president, would you appoint your Republican rivals as a part of your administration, to utilize their skill sets as President Lincoln did with his rivals, in order to unite and restore our republic? And would you be willing to parade them on the campaign trail against President Obama to rally the country by showing a united GOP front?
Leadership guru John C. Maxwell says, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way." For too long, too many of our politicians (especially presidential candidates) have expected us to sacrifice our political preferences and convictions and simply rally at their sides merely because they are the nominee. They show the way but don't go the way of sacrificial leadership, which might make it easier for patriots of different persuasions to follow them. Politicians' pride prohibits public swells.
It's time for Romney to show in sacrifice (not merely in promise) that he is willing to serve our country for the next four years not only as president but by appointing his rivals to significant positions. I believe wholeheartedly that his sacrifice would galvanize the GOP base and others against the Obama campaign machine.
Incidentally, about six months ago, Gena had a dream that Romney was the GOP nominee, and during his first public debate with President Obama, up arose this team of GOP rivals behind Romney, who surprisingly introduced them. The action did rally the country behind him, and then he defeated Obama.
And for those who might call us "dreamers" for such an idea, very well then. We consider it an honor to join the ranks of all those who have dreamed for a better way, day and time -- men such as George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
We always will prefer the way of wisdom of great leaders and visionaries, including the words summarized well in "The Angels' Little Instruction Book," by Eileen Elias Freeman: "Pay attention to your dreams -- God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep."
How ? By bringing force to bear at the convention, raising the proverbial hell and taking our case to the elected officials, delegates and the like in denying Willard the votes needed for nomination. Willard is offensive to the base, period. He cannot hope to overcome that. You cannot sway millions of voters with a rejoinder of, “Yeah, he sucks... BUT...” 2008 should’ve been a lesson, and yet it willfully went unheeded. If McCain couldn’t do it, Willard, who makes McCain look like a cross between Jesse Helms & Gen. Patton, sure as hell won’t.
Now, as to whom to replace him with, we need someone who can unite the party and the fractured grassroots. That someone would be Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who is already nationally known and a bonafide hero. Coming off a recall he is likely to prevail in will make him the biggest star of the party this summer. Getting that buffoon loser off the ticket and replaced with a hero & winner like Walker will go an enormous way to sacking Zero in November.
That won’t do squat. Willard would pick someone personally non-threatening to him (his ego). A total cypher/lackey. Either a non-entity (and there are plenty of those) or some RINO tub o’guts like Gov. Christie of NJ. About as inspiring a ticket as an acid bath.
you are not alone. I too am standing on the hill, staring down at the not so shining city. Now there are two of us. How many more will stand beside us?
“How ? By bringing force to bear at the convention, raising the proverbial hell and taking our case to the elected officials, delegates and the like in denying Willard the votes needed for nomination. Willard is offensive to the base, period. He cannot hope to overcome that. You cannot sway millions of voters with a rejoinder of, “Yeah, he sucks... BUT...” 2008 should’ve been a lesson, and yet it willfully went unheeded. If McCain couldn’t do it, Willard, who makes McCain look like a cross between Jesse Helms & Gen. Patton, sure as hell won’t.
Now, as to whom to replace him with, we need someone who can unite the party and the fractured grassroots. That someone would be Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, who is already nationally known and a bonafide hero. Coming off a recall he is likely to prevail in will make him the biggest star of the party this summer. Getting that buffoon loser off the ticket and replaced with a hero & winner like Walker will go an enormous way to sacking Zero in November.”
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You were asked to be cogent, rational, specific, realistic, and legal. You have failed on all these counts, with the possible exception of legal, depending on what you mean by “bringing force to bear at the convention”.
If you care, try again. I’ll try to help. How, mathematically, are you going to stop Romney from getting the required number of delegates? Be specific, state by state. Cite polls that show this can be realistically done in the remaining states.
Since I fail to meet your threshold (whatever that is), why don’t you lay it out step by step given the template I have set for you above with the intended goal in mind ? One other comment: given the abhorrant, byzantine manner with which delegates are apparently “won” (or “awarded”) and that nobody seems to be able to coherently fathom the rhyme or reason in how it varies from state to state, this clearly has become an anti-democratic process that seems predetermined by the party elites in contrast to the grassroots preferences. The entire system needs to be scrapped and a more equitable manner that reflects the will of the majority of the primary voters (and closed primary at that) put in place.
Don't bother us with realism! We don't need no stinkin' realism!
And we don't need no stinkin' rationality! And we don't need no stinkin' cogency! But I digress . . . .
“Reagan’s dead, j@ack@ss. Get over it.”
What a horrible thing to say. You’re right. Carpirabob, Reagan’s ideals will live on forever and he stands as a role model for all that is good about the Conservative movement.
I also agree that Romney is a product of fear just like Obama was. White guilt. People thought that if they didn’t vote for The One, they would be looked on as racist.
I do not intend for my precious vote to be defined by fear, anxiety, anger or any other negative emotion. That’s what the GOP-E is counting on and it won’t work with me.
Considering my principles are biblical and agreed to by many of the Founders' quotes read on this board, those come first before acting on any fear of Obama. I'm beholden to God first and foremost. God, family THEN country - in that order. I'm glad to sacrifice political expediency and fear of Obama on the Almighty's altar.
I won't be found guilty of making the country or saving my own interests an idol before God any longer. He that seeks to save his life is going to lose it, and he that loses his life for the sake of Christ (and His principles) are going to find life. I'll not put fear of Obama in the vain hope of replacing him with another slightly lesser evil ahead of God.
And what principles are these that allow you to ignore reality for some fantasy candidate that doesn't exist?
Spiritual and tactical survival for one. You are still playing a rigged game while the enemy is three hundred steps ahead of you.
Reagan's dead, j@ack@ss. Get over it.
I think that is exactly what the Obama camp, the propaganda media and the GOP-e Ruling Class have been insisting Conservatives must accept for years. How not surprising that a Romney pusher cites the same and then goes on to insult with the same contempt Romney has for Conservatives. Instructive to say the least.
Step up and be counted, your country needs men not whining children that quit when the game isn't going their way.
You haven't been listening. I'm not playing their rigged game or the trap they have all set for you. But when you stand bewildered and in shock at what comes down around you - You will find that men like me are already prepped and waiting to go beyond where you will allow yourself to acknowledge we are, having taken the steps that history have warned us about long in advance of your realization of what time it actually is.
Lol, fm.
Good luck with that!
Four more years of Obama and this country will be at knife points. Do you understand that? If you think a civil war is some grand and glorious adventure you are a lunatic.
The upcoming election is the most important since 1860; it will determine the future of this country for generations.
You can sit it out if you choose, but I consider that an act of cowardice, or to paraphrase Patton:
"and when your grandchildren ask you what you did in 2012 you can say, "well, I shoveled shit in Louisiana"
Well somebody has to say because its true.
Romanticizing about Reagan makes no more sense than waiting for the return of King Arthur.
Wake up and choose a side.
And, oh yeah, there's only two. If you ain't on one you're on the other.
That's just facts.
Your insipid posts illustrate everything I have been saying about MittWitts.
All you people got is fear. Fearmongering and declaring that if you don’t vote for Romney, you are voting for Obama. That’s it, that’s all you and Romney got. You got nothing else except “Romney is not Obama”. Nothing to vote FOR, only petrifying fear in empty hope Romney will reverse what Obama has done.
You’re a bunch of lemmings, easily manipulated in your fear, lashing out with fear and insults and threats; ‘Vote Romney or else!’.
Well it aint enough to get any of us to pull the lever for your boy, in fact it just continues to solidify us further in opposition, recognizing more fully that Romney’s tactics are not any different than Obama’s. This whole election is nothing but a sham, window dressing for an outcome the Marxists and Ruling Class have already gamed.
You are free to practice insanity and live your life scared whitless of Obama, playing the game the Ruling Class has boxed you into playing so you can deceive yourself into thinking you are saving us all from The Won.
Whatever comes, is going to come regardless, and God is in charge. I put my faith and trust in Him, and I’m not going to sin and betray those principles out of fear again. My votes will go where they are deserved, and voting Romney is no different than voting Obama in my estimation.
The election is between a Democrat ( Romney) and a Communist (Obama).
The Democrat would and has campaigned harder against Americans and Republicans than he ever has or will against Communists.
He will in all probability, lose to the Communist rather than run a meaningful campaign against him.
Newt?
Santorum?
Perry?
Cain?
Bachman?
Paul?
You see the simple fact is that all of the above would get massacred by Obama. How do I know?
Because they couldn't beat Romney w/i a conservative electorate. So.......
here in the real world your options are Obama or the more conservative Romney. I'm not part of a conspiracy nor am I part of the "ruling class", in fact I don't particuarly like Romney either but that does not change reality.
Ronald Reagan said you should not sacrifice the good for the perfect. Reagan had the foresight to be flexible when necessary.
and just what was it Jesus said about stiff necked people?
You go on and keep practicing insanity.
I’m sure it feels good to you.
My options are ‘None of the Above’ as far as the Presidential box goes this November. I don’t give a crap you don’t like that we won’t pull the lever for your Socialist of choice Romney.
As I’ve said, between Obama and Romney, it’s not a choice, it’s a trap.
But you and yours play into it well. You are welcome to goosestep to the Socialist chosen for you. We refuse to accept that poison and surrender God’s principles to your political altar of fear.
As to ‘stiff necked’, if you were paying attention in Sunday school, Jesus was referencing a people who refused to follow the Law of God in favor of their own traditions and political expediencies (see Herod, Sanhedrin, Pharisees etc.).
Interesting you would like to try and accuse those of us who refuse to vote for Romney because of his Godless record for all that is anathema to our faith and heritage with being the same stiff necks because we won’t bow down to your golden image this November.
I have my own Jesus quote for you: “Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, hypocrites; as it has been written: “This people honors Me with the lips, but their heart is far away from Me” - Mark 7:6
Especially in the voting booth for the Presidency this November.
You didn’t answer my question; which candidate did/would you support?
It doesn’t matter which Conservative I support, you have already been convinced by the Ruling Class that only a Socialist like Romney can beat a Marxist like Obama.
In truth, since Obama, his media lackeys AND the GOP-e orchestrated Romney for the purpose of annihilating Conservatism from political influence in the GOP, it’s Romney that is going to lose in a landslide to Obama.
Of course after the votes are counted in Spain by a company funded by Soros. It’s the Cook County way gone national, and you have no clue how badly you’ve been had.
But keep trying to convince yourself Romney was the most Conservative out there. The rest of us aren’t buying it, OR casting a vote for the slime this November.
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