Is Free Republic too "Republican?"

Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

Is Free Republic too "Republican?" I've been receiving a lot of complaints lately that FR is not really conservative, it's Republican. Is that a bad thing?

When I started FR (see the wayback machine) I don't think I even used the labels conservative or Republican. But, even though I was a registered Democrat at the time (I registered when I was very young), I was definitely anti-Democrat. And definitely anti-big government, anti-government corruption, anti-government abuse, anti-liberalism, etc. And I still am.

As FR became more and more popular, people started referring to it as a "conservative" web site and so eventually I posted the label to the front page. If it no longer applies, big deal. What's in a label? I'll change it to "Republican" if demand warrants.

I'm still anti-big government, anti-government corruption, anti-Democrat and anti-liberalism. I just happen to believe that in the current political environment we stand a better chance of defeating the left (liberalism/socialism/marxism, etc) by using the Republican Party to defeat the Democrats. The organization is there. The platform is there. The winning candidates are there. The dollars to run winning campaigns are there. The momentum is there. And the vast majority of the conservative voters are there.

Makes perfect sense to me. I want to defeat the left, and I want to do it as quickly as possible. I'll go with the organization that can get the job done.

My current goal is to defeat liberalism by defeating the Democrat Party. If that labels me a Republican, then so be it. If the vast majority of the FReepers want it so, then Free Republic will officially become the newest "Republican wing" of the Republican Party.

Long live Republicanism. Long live the Republic!'

What say you, FReepers?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Makes perfect sense to me. I want to defeat the left, and I want to do it as quickly as possible. I'll go with the organization that can get the job done.

Makes perfect sense to me as well.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

I hear ya but if Jim were to put this in the latest posts page for a vote- trolls, democRATS and who knows who will ruin it.This thread is the only way.

[Freedom2specul8]

Jim, do you have any reservations on the current administration's stance on making the patriot act permanent? I think they should just extend the temporary expiration date....This is a huge issue..a scary one too. I can tell you what I would have thought if clinton had came up with it. (but you can probably guess)

[RedBloodedAmerican]

They're just pissed because they don't have lunatics like Keyes or Boocannon in power.

[nonliberal]

All the Bush Kool-Aid drinkers on here make it seem that way. I can assure you JimRob, that FR is a decidedly CONSERVATIVE message board.

[Liberal Classic]

``What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.''

On the other hand, my concern is that once this is officially a "Republican" web site and not a "conservative" web site, some of the good will that now exists between Republicans and the Reform, Constitution, and Libertarian folks will diminish. Once it's Free Republican, why not zot the "loserdopians?" They don't belong here, right?

[Physicist]

That seems to make you a RINO...

No, I'm NAREIN*.

At present, the Republican Party is the best alternative to the Democrat Party

Exactly, but the day could soon come (some people say it's already here, but I don't) when the Republican Party doesn't represent any alternative to the Democrat Party at all. There's nine cents worth of difference between them now, but you'll take eight if it comes to it. Anyone for seven?

a person that the Republican party can't rely on

Damn straight. They have to earn my vote.

[billbears]

I have hope for you Non. You'll be a Copperhead yet

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Don't misunderstand. I can see the scenario where in order to get ANY pro-life legislation, one must hold their nose and vote for the pro-abortion Republican. Consider the situation if Chaffee were a Democrat. No more Republican Senate. Not even the thought of a partial-birth-abortion ban bill. I think the RINOs in this scenario are the useful idiots.

[kevao]

I'll change it to "Republican" if demand warrants.

Mr. Robinson, if FreeRepublic really is anti-big government, anti-government corruption, anti-government abuse, anti-liberalism, etc., than I vote NAY. In my opinion, the mainstream Republican Party has become rather indistinguishable from the Dems on many issues of late. It's not that I'm planning to bolt the Republican Party; it's just that there is "Conservative" and there is "Republican" (RINO). I prefer the former to the latter.

[Freedom2specul8]

I have always thought the current administration had a huge chance to defeat the dems.. I just wasn't sure after the clinton fiasco. (I'm a registered independent) But after watching Our current Fine President perform his duties after 911, after watching Hussein get dumped...and seeing his attempts to help create a roapmap to middle east peace...I feel there is much strength, courage and knowledge from President Bush. (not to mention higher morals and standards) It's been an exciting 3 yrs......to feel confidence in our executive branch..after NO confidence for 8 yrs? It's been a great relief. I've been told that President Bush isn't conservative... Whether he is or not.. the important thing is that he is getting the job DONE!

[clamper1797]

Nay .... leave as it is ... Conservative by nature ... Republican ... by spirit AND ... anti-liberal by God

[Freedom2specul8]

Keyes is not a lunatic. He's a Christian...

[Baseballguy]

Dont change the name. The Republic for which it stands is the true goal. I really like getting the other side of the news. Most that post here have a rational thought that I can relate to.

Mainstream media tried to pull you down and justly you prevailed. There might be hope for our court system. The greatest power is knowledge. With the internet and web we have tools that can be escaped.

My goal is to recruiting more to this sight with like beliefs....

[Freedom2specul8]

A Neat post bump!

[MWS]

I sadly have to agree with most of the people on this thread, that becoming an officially Republican website is generally a bad idea. What does it mean to "officially" be Republican? It means you throw your lot in with the Republicans, through thick and through thin. Ultimately, it means setting yourself to be taken for granted. I don't know about anyone else here, but when Republican Strategists are sitting, thinking up new strategies to win elections, the last thing we want them to do is say to themselves, "Well, we can COUNT on the Free Republic contingent of voters... they will vote for us no matter what we do!" When someone can take your vote for granted, they marginalize your ideas, because they count on your vote and want to win the votes of those who oppose your view as well. Being "officially Republican" is the recipe for allowing the Republican Party to be infected by more liberalism.

In addition, by becoming officially Republican, we alienate those in our midst who do not want to be Republican. In officially towing the Republican line, we might cut out valid criticisms of the Republican Party, dismissing it on the grounds that it was written by "trolls" (and this from a proud Viking Kitten!)

It seems to me, if anything, that we would be far more reasonable to create a third party (not necessarily embrace any of the existing ones) and be the official site of that. We would support that party. That way, we would be open to throwing support behind Republican party candidates when they support our principles (which, normally, should be the majority of Republican candidates) and look for alternatives when some candidates are obviously wolves in sheep's clothing. Maybe this idea sounds silly, but it sounds like a far better alternative than automatically bowing to the Republican Party and being taken for granted.

[JohnGalt]

I think FR was once a collection of anti-ruling partyists-- strictly reactionary. The site spends too much time posting in 'defense of the state articles', very little on civil liberties and property rights, and mostly for the past week, has been attempting to rationalize the war in Iraq.

I think the implosion on this board over the Road Map is coming, and I say that as an anti-war conservative Christian libertarian Bush supporter, straight R voter. I am not even sure at this point that conserving the Republic is the best strategy for preserving the republic.

Its not so much the support of the GOP that I am concerned about, its the support of the state or the myth that power does anything but corrupt.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Lincoln Chafee

[Baseballguy]

Yes that is the true goal of a Republic. One for all and that. What is sure is, as Americans should realize, when faced with social issues it should be taken care of locally. Because different cultures should be dealt with quickly and not bueracraticly.

[Eastbound]

"My current goal is to defeat liberalism by defeating the Democrat Party. If that labels me a Republican, then so be it. If the vast majority of the FReepers want it so, then Free Republic will officially become the newest "Republican wing" of the Republican Party."

Time for the Constitutionalists and the Libertarians to join the Republican Party. Should be a lot easier to refine the party within with such an admixture. Think of the possibilities. Everybody gains except the libs and the demo-fascists. Thirty percent of something is better than zero percent of nothing.