Reagan, as I already pointed out, is EXACTLY the kind of candidate we need in as many places as possible. He's a happy warrior who sounds reasonable. He makes ideas that people who are currently not with us sound like something they could support. He came across as stable, friendly, approachable. NOTHING like a firebrand preacher like EW Jackson or Alan Keyes. Can you seriously not see the difference? Think of a guy like Scott Walker in Wisconsin (the home of the public sector union). He took on those powerful unions and won, and he did it by sounding calm, reasonable, thoughtful, pragmatic, etc.
Reagan also was open to compromise when necessary - willing to take a deal if he could get 75% of what he wanted. He was an well learned conservative ideologue who understood pragmatism was necessary in politics. You listen to purists here who believe it's all or nothing. Every day people on FR are writing off another conservative for saying something they don't agree with. It almost seems like, among many grass roots conservatives, that there is more criticism of people either on our own side or allied with us than there is attacks on the left.
We've now reached a point where the Declaration is more relevant than the Constitution. Think with that and proceed accordingly.
Again, your alluding to some sort of civil war, and it's just not likely to happen. And if the voting public even suspects that conservatives believe that it is necessary, the vast majority will never, ever vote for us. Think what conservatives and originalists must have thought during FDR's reign. FDR was a real socialist. Ever read his second bill of rights? Read your history man. That guy was a real socialist.
I agree this nation has lost its moorings and we are headed for collapse. But it isn't likely to happen anytime soon and it isn't the kind of thing the public believes. Just look at Europe - that is the path we are on. You may not realize just how far a the can can be kicked - even with a moribund, broken economy.
I'll bet you were one of Mitt's staunchest supporters on FR during the last election. I'd probably have a hard time finding a single cross word from you about John McCain. Scathing posts about the Bush's in your posting history? I'll bet I'd have a hard time finding any of those either.
Well, you'd be wrong on all counts.
I can't argue with you about Reagan, but let's slow down a bit here.
You keep mentioning EW Jackson and Alan Keyes as examples of "fire breathing" right wingers who scare off the moderates and fence sitting Democrats.
If I'm not mistaken, neither of those men is active as a potential candidate in any political race I'm aware of, so just what bearing they have on the conversation escapes me. What purpose does your warning serve, when the two prime examples of what you're referring to, aren't even a factor in today's political scene?
Give me the names of some active, potential, or recent candidates (or elected politicians) who fit the "fire breathing" profile you're talking about. Tell me which of them is scaring off the moderates and fence sitting Democrats the GOP ought to be trying to reach.
While you're at it, why not give me the names of some active, potential, or recent candidates (or elected reps) who seem like reasonable, articulate conservatives to you.
I'm asking this, because you seem to be providing a counter argument to something I don't think I said.