Posted on 03/08/2006 7:08:13 AM PST by beeler
True, the small-government libertarians represented by Cato have always been the odd men out of the Bush coalition.
I don't see any politico critters floggin' it, so they must not think it's the flavor of the times ...
Political animals of all stripes seem to think what sells is that "if elected, I can steal more of your neighbor's $$ and give to you than my opponent can ... "
I want an outsider Yankee skinflint
Are you saying that the supreme court is the only reason I should remain a party line republican????
To win the Repub primary he will move to the right on all these issues. I doubt he he'll be "pro " any of these.
"It might also have had something to do with speaker No. 2, conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan. Author of the forthcoming "The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It; How to Get It Back," Sullivan called Bush "reckless" and "a socialist," and accused him of betraying "almost every principle conservatism has ever stood for.""
This character recommended on his blog that people vote for Kerry in the 2004 elections. He was unhappy about Bush's stance on homosexual marriage. Now, he wants us to believe that he is a "true conservative," eh?
Right.
I wouldn't call Bush a socialist. He's more of an internationalist.
When the Repubs nominated Bush for the first go-around, he was on shaky ground with the conservative wing, considering his pusillanimous father's record. He gave a good show in his first term as he needed us. Aside from Alito ( which was half-hearted and only under duress) and Roberts who was really good, he only gave the figurative finger.
We got stick with Gonzales, more invaders, a bogus border policy, a bogus "guest worker" plan, allowing Muslims to continue to infiltrate America, and even allowing our prots to be run by them.
Okay, but Bush was supposed to be the Reaganite alternative in 2000. Certainly in contrast to McCain. Forbes and Keyes might have been more Reaganite, but they never stood a chance to win.
Once a politician is in the Washington loop, he's already a part of the system and not likely to challenge it. Governors are a safer bet for President than Senators: not only do they have proven administrative skills, they're also apt to be more independent.
Bush came to politics and the presidency a strange combination of outsider and insider. He was an outsider because he'd spent most of his life outside Washington and outside politics. That would have been a good thing. But his family connections made him an insider and he inherited some of his opinions from his father's advisors.
For 2008, a real outsider would be a good thing, but those are hard to find. Beware of Washingtonians who've cultivated the outsider pose without being really independent and beware of "outsiders" who get their ideas from the old gang of "insiders."
The Cato Institute are clearly DU Trolls.
Try illegal aliens.
Internationalist?
Do you mean "Globalist"?
I've been voting republican since Nixon....I fell on my knees and thanked God when Reagan was elected. So I've seen how this country has creeped into socialism over the long haul.
I am sorry that many of my fellow conservatives follow Bush off the cliff like lemmings. Come tomorrow I will still vote republican but none of you will keep me from warning that America is going down the tube.
We are on the edge of Bankruptcy and the Fed just prints more green backs. Why? The dollar is no longer the world's currency? Why?
The Patriot Act is the greatest threat to the constitution ever...and some of you refuse to believe who was behind it.
The Arabs are still coming to America...the mexicans are still walking right in. (and who else)
Wake Up People!!
I always go to the polls but if I didn't that issue would get me there. But if anything resembling the Sphinctor/Bush Gold Card Shamnesty passes, Republicans are taking a real gamble that the increased turnout would work out in their favor.
I suspect both of Wyoming's Republican Senators, being the Chamber of Commerce sock puppets that they are, will vote for shamnesty. One of them is up in 2006 and if he votes for shamnesty he will receive a punishment vote to the Dimocrat from me. I'll forgive him for his disgusting vote for Medicare Prescription Drugs but I'm non-negotiable on the illegal immigration issue.
"...and I am not hearing of any similar initiative movement this year that will bring out the conservative base."
Try illegal aliens.
Marking.
Don't forget The "Gold Card" For Illegal Aliens.
Here in California, we have the same problem. If I didn't have DiFi and Babs to deal with I'd be more sympathetic.
"I'll forgive him for his disgusting vote for Medicare Prescription..."
I don't know if I have that much forgiveness left.
Probably too early to tell; here in California, conservatives will be learning how to "no vote" certain offices. Governor, for example...
Exactly. The Libertarian party exists in la la land. The libertarian ethos is an important component of conservatism; in a vanity I'm working on I compare it to being half of the foundation of conservatism, the other half being the Judeo-Christian paradigm. Either by itself is not enough to run a constitutional republic on. Libertarians tend to run with conservatives more than with liberals because the most important underlying tenant is individual responsibility. It is unfortunate that the party has been hijacked by people who are more concerned with legalizing drugs rather than in terminating every Federal program that does not contribute to national security or interstate commerce.
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