Second, let's agree that, as NN has pointed out, we don't have a helluva lotta time in which to make an impact and change the direction of government (i.e., Washington).
Third, recognize that one of the primary problems of a third party movement is that it will invariably leave the Democrats in charge for the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, Tea Party conservatives have two choices:
1. Split off and form a third party movement. Essentially, secede and start a political Civil War. Which will cede the battlefield to the liberals for at least a decade...
2. Start a full-court press to take over the Republican party machinery -- the equivalent of a full-throated insurrection. Which desperately needs to bear fruit within a relatively short time frame.
Yeah, I know, the GOP-e has created some rules expressly designed to negate the latter approach. But, under the circumstances, seems to be the only practicable course.
Ask yourselves, how in hell did the radicals come to control the Democrat party? Presumably, the Dem-e of the time was no more interested in being superseded than the GOP-e.
Recall that, in 1968, the radicals were protesting in Grant Park -- across the street from where the Democrats were conducting their convention. By 1972, they had taken over much of the party's machinery...and actually got their candidate nominated. By 1976, with the help of Watergate, they were able to elect a President -- and, from thenceforth, achieved complete complete control of the party. To that end, recall that, in 1992, Bill Clinton was actually styled as a "New Democrat" -- an alternative to the what had become a "far left Dem-e".
Seems to me, that going off half-cocked and forming a third party only serves to punish the GOP-e -- without satisfying our own goals.
Alternatively, can we duplicate the left-wing's own success in taking over the Democrat party? I confess, I don't know. And I don't know how to do it.
But we do know that it CAN be done. And does it not seem our only practical choice?
What would be the logical elements of such a strategy? The 2014 primaries assume a special importance, of course. Further, should we withhold our contributions to the RNC and the Senate and Congressional campaign commmittees and, instead, fund our candidates directly? Should the "initial strike" be a stealth campaign -- or should it be announced in advance? Do we need an acknowledged "leader of the revolution" or shall we stay with the Tea Party's diffuse "grassroots (un)organization"? Should we all run for precinct captain?
All this, and more, needs to be addressed.
Don’t think I am belittling your well thought out post with a flippant/short reply but at it’s core your questions/issues boil down to this....
1: To duplicate the Dem takeover by the RadLeft, we would have to use their tactics. Thus, we become that which we claim to despise. So that’s out. Most on the right will not resort to pure criminal/marxist tactics.
2: There is this fantasy that we can somehow do whatever we ‘need’ to do and have it be pain free. That is not remotely possible. Further, we are not ceding the battlefield for 10 years.
We already ceded it the nanosecond we compromised ourselves and allowed liberalism to overtake the GOP several years ago.
The Dems are in total control of all 3 houses. Because Bohner and the GOP do not oppose them.
That being the unarguable truth, when cave after compromise proves it, we lose NONE/NOTHING of ANYTHING by abandoning them.
NOTHING.
So we take this several year rebuilding period, assuming the country survives/which we are literally powerless to do anything about at the moment...toget our heads out of our asses and BE the conservatives we want in office.
Is ANY person of conservative bent going to rise up when the ‘conservative’ base goes along with every lib idea the GOP throws out there? Lets face it, many of us warned that rah rahing romney would kill the party. And so it has. No one of integrity is willing to stick their necks out for such an untrustworthy ‘base’.
The GOP just crapped all over us and many are still saying “But but but we got nowhere else to go instead of manning up and saying “WE’LL BUILD A PLACE TO GO!”
When we get our act together, the rest will follow. When we put principle over party, the votes will follow. And if they don’t, we are truly done.
>> First, let’s stipulate that the GOP-e absolutely sucks
We shouldn’t need to stipulate the obvious, but it seems necessary in this thread for some reason.
My definitions:
- GOP: basically the GOP establishment/structure including the operational hierarchy that extends downward to the local level
- RINO: GOP establishment candidates, pundits, operatives, and elected officials.
- Republican party: the constituents and the candidates ‘we’ elect, not the establishment.
Very well stated. You make a very good argument for trying to defeat the GOPe from within instead of doing the 3rd party bit. There’s no doubt it would take years for a 3rd party to have an effect, leaving the Left to continue destroying our country from within at their leisure. Either way, my personal belief is that fair elections are over anyway. And since I think it’s now inevitable that we’re going to crash & burn, part of me just wants to hurry up and get it over with. Why prolong the inevitable?
I don’t have any answers... All I know for sure is that I cannot and will not reward the GOPe the next time they force a RINO on me. I’ll vote at local and state levels, but I’m done with giving positive reinforcement to a group of morons who have sold their souls to stay in power. They disgust me, even more than the Dems do, if that’s even possible. At least the Left believes (and KNOWS) what they stand for. The limp-wristed GOPe won’t even stand up for Allen West and massive voter fraud!
I do remember the ‘68 riots; I think it helped shape my current conservative views, in a way. I remember thinking, even at a young age, “Good heavens. I hope these idiots don’t grow up to be in charge of our govt some day!” And yet, here we are.
Thanks for your great reply, and sorry it took so long for me to get back. Been really busy for past few weeks. :-/