Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Common Tator
I see your points, but I think you and others here tend over-generalize and fail grasp that there IS a genuine sub-current in the rank and file that the "pro" (read: insular) Mr. Rove does not see.

I have worked for Conservative causes and candidates as far back as Nixon. I have served in local and state races and ALWAYS voted a Conservative ticket. Originally coming from a Democratic working class background, I have formed an independant view and voted consistently for a long-term, solidly conservative strategy. At times, this has included voting with a clothespin on my nose.

Having said all of that, I would caution you from minimizing the innate distrust that many, many of the grassroots share about the leadership in Washington and at the state levels. These conflicts must not be reduced to caricatures of reactionary emotion versus long-term strategy and political realities. Political analysts of all stripes have long, long track records of being fabulously wrong.
87 posted on 05/09/2003 6:57:16 AM PDT by WorkingClassFilth (Defund NPR, PBS and the LSC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies ]


To: WorkingClassFilth
Having said all of that, I would caution you from minimizing the innate distrust that many, many of the grassroots share about the leadership in Washington and at the state levels.

Before a campaign starts people like you describe become disgruntled with electable Republicans. But as the Democrats campaign for their nomination, they produce either of two results. The people you describe either are driven to vote so the leftist democrats do not get elected or they don't vote at all.

The truth is for every right wing pro gun vote garnered by unlimited gun possession, 5 votes from the quesy center are lost.

The fuction of Rove is two fold. First he must try to make the issues such that the far left is driven from the Democratic party and well over half the center is drawn to the Republicans.

Our government is about politicians doing what the majority of voters want. Politicians will always try to do what a majority of voters want. You can con convice a candidate who has teh moxie to win with ideology. You must convince them that a majority of voters share your views.

Many people on the right crave a dictator. They want a candidate that will act on his own opinion, rather than the views of the voters. That is exactly what every dictator does. Here in the states, politicicans do what the voters want. If they don't they get defeated. Many confuse what they think is just and right, with what hte public wants.

If you can mold public opinion to your view, the politicians will follow. For nearly 70 years that is what the Democrats have done. The Right looks for principled leaders.. .that is people who do not respond to the will of the people. The Democrats try to persuade a majority to their view.

It is fruitless to try to convince Rove that your position is right. You have to convince him a majority fo the public supports your view. This is a nation with a representative form of goverment. Elected officials are not supposed to do what they want. They are to represent the views of the majority in moving the levers of power.

122 posted on 05/09/2003 5:26:53 PM PDT by Common Tator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson