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Rush Limbaugh: Why Republicans Lost
news.com.au ^ | 9 November 2006

Posted on 11/08/2006 4:50:12 PM PST by Aussie Dasher

Republicans lost control of the House, and perhaps the Senate, because they abandoned their conservative principles and in the end stood for nothing, Rush Limbaugh said today.

In his Wednesday broadcast, America’s top talker said that until Republicans begin asking themselves what’s wrong with themselves they are never going to fix their problems.

When things go wrong, Rush said, "you must look inward and ask first, ‘What did we do wrong? What could we have done better? What mistakes did we make?”

Commenting that although Republicans lost, "Conservatism did not lose, Republicanism lost last night. Republicanism, being a political party first, rather than an ideological movement, is what lost last night.”

The Democrats, he said "beat something last night with nothing. They advanced no agenda other than their usual anti-war position. They had no contract — they really never did get specific. Their message was one of ‘vote for us; the other guys have been in power too long.’”

Rush further admonished, "There was no dominating conservative message that came from the [Republican] top and filtered down throughout in this campaign.”

He added that if there was conservatism in the campaign, it was on the Democratic side: "There were conservative Democrats running for office in the House of Representatives and in a couple of Senate races won by Democrats yesterday.” He cited James Webb as an example.

He also said it was conservatism that won fairly big when it was tried yesterday, but it was Democrats who ran as conservatives and not their GOP rivals. He added that the Democratic leadership had gone out and recruited conservative candidates because they knew liberals could not win running against Republicans in red states.

Rush quoted Thomas Sowell as explaining that the latest example of election fraud is actually what the Democrats did — they nominated a bunch of moderate and conservative candidates for the express purpose of electing a far-left Democratic leadership.

"The Democrats could not have won the House, being liberals,” Rush said. "Liberalism didn’t win anything yesterday; Republicanism lost. Conservatism was nowhere to be found except on the Democratic side.”

The root of the problem, Rush said, is that "our side hungers for ideological leadership and we’re not getting it from the top. Conservatism was nowhere to be found in this campaign from the top. The Democrats beat something with nothing. They didn’t have to take a stand on anything other than their usual anti-war positions. They had no clear agenda and they didn’t dare offer one. Liberalism will still lose every time it’s offered.”

Republicans, Rush said, allowed themselves to be defined. "Without elected conservative leadership from the top Republicans in the House and Senate republicans are free to freelance and say the hell with party unity.”

That leads, Rush said, to the emergence of RINOs — Republicans in name only.

Republicans in Congress, Rush explained, were held captive by the party’s leadership in the White House. They were put into a position of having to endorse policies with which as conservatives they disagreed.

"The Democratic Party,” Rush went on to say, "is the party of entitlements; but the Republicans come up with this Medicare prescription drug plan that the polls said that the public didn’t want and was not interested in. That is not conservatism. Conservatives do not grow the government and offer entitlements as a means of buying votes. But that’s what the Republicans in Congress had to support in order to stay in line with the Party from the top.

"It is silly to blame the media; it is silly to blame the Democrats; it is silly to go out and try to find all these excuses,” Rush said. "We have proved that we can beat them … we have proved that we can withstand whatever we get from the drive-by media. Conservatism does that — conservatism properly applied, proudly, eagerly, with vigor and honesty will triumph over that nine times out of 10 in this current political and social environment. It just wasn’t utilized in this campaign.”

Rush also blamed the failure to embrace conservatism on Republican’s fear of being criticized from those in the so-called establishment. Republicans, he charged, go out of their way to avoid being criticized, fearing they will be characterized as extremists and kooks.

As a result conservatism gets watered down, and the GOP loses the support of the nation’s conservative majority Rush stated.

Anything can beat nothing, Rush concluded, "and it happened yesterday.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: defeat; gop; leroygonefederal; reasons; rushlimbaugh
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To: Owen

Not so simple. There was no more corruption in the GOP than the Dems and the little that there was, was rooted out before we knew the story.

Fortunately, the Dems are being run by lightweight Pelosi, ancient Murtha and corrupt Reid. It's not like the Tip O'Neill days.


181 posted on 11/08/2006 6:56:26 PM PST by AmishDude (Libertarians didn't lose it for us. They're losers who work against what they claim to want.)
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To: az1roadrunner
but, on the other hand, for the next couple of years our congress, particularly the house should produce some amazingly crazy stuff! Entertainment should be increased.

Frankly, I would agree and sit back and enjoy the fun if I didn't think yesterday's result has significantly increased the possibility that my kids are going to be killed by a terrorist nutcase.

182 posted on 11/08/2006 6:56:43 PM PST by KevinB
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To: Aussie Dasher

Puh-leeze. Depending on one's definition of "true conservative" (mine has nothing at all to do with wearing one's religiousity on his sleeve... more along the lines of limited gov't, personal responsibility, fiscal prudence, security, etc) lots of "true conservatives" got beat. Sorry, they did Rush.

But is Rush upset? I doubt it - he was far more entertaining back when he had an enemy. These last few yeasr I've tuned out. Now I may tune back in.

He knows there are probably a million others like me. Mr drug-addict thrice divorcee? Give me a break - it's a bout Rush.

It always has been.


183 posted on 11/08/2006 6:57:07 PM PST by whattajoke
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To: Aussie Dasher
The ONLY theme I saw last night was corruption. Corruption was the issue that swung the houses over.

There was a mass of people who voted against corruption, and a bloc of folks who voted for corruption. The people who voted against corruption were nearly all Republican voters, and they got together and tossed out a whole bunch of Republicans who had been compromised by fact or appearance of corruption. Corruption is unacceptable in public office, in their view.

Then there was the bloc who voted FOR officials even more compromised by corruption and infamy -- Menededez, Kennedy, Rendell on and on. In the astute political wisdom of those folk who walks amoungst us, and sit besides us at our tables this coming Thanksgiving, corruption is a sign of vim, vigor and vitality and they favor it! Those kind of folk are the Democrats, nearly all.

The line is clear. Republicans are intolerant; intolerant of corruption, crime and misdemeanor in public office. Democrats are welcoming and inclusive: the favor the corrupt and corruptible, the criminal and the victim (the criminal in office and the victim in the polling booth and tax rolls), the bribee and the bribe groomer.

184 posted on 11/08/2006 6:57:14 PM PST by bvw
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To: chimera

For the last time, Allen didn't "use a racial epithet" and wasn't "stupid" for doing so. He used a nonsense word and was railroaded for it.

Do you realize that the attacks on Allen were all against his mother?


185 posted on 11/08/2006 6:58:00 PM PST by AmishDude (Libertarians didn't lose it for us. They're losers who work against what they claim to want.)
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To: DoSomethingAboutIt
You're right, but I think its appropriate to ask why we lost so we can readjust in the future

I think people are making it more difficult than need be. The Republicans have had total control for 6 years and still didn't get it about illegal immigration. That IS a big issue to a LOT of people. The midwest is hurting economywise, the war in Iraq was seen as taking too long and the farce of having a war on terror while having open borders.

I think people thought they would give the Republicans some time to see what they could achieve since they had total control. After 6 years I think people decided - ENOUGH! It isn't uncommon for a president to have to deal with the opposing party in control of Congress and I think people just figured it was time (after 6 years) to give the other party control of Congress.

I think those worried about impeachment over Iraq are looking at the wrong reason.


IN VIOLATON OF THEIR OATH OF OFFICE

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion." Article IV Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.

Each of these elected men and women swore on a Bible to represent Americans and uphold the Constitution. Today, the majority of these elected officials are in violation of their oath of office. Beyond this violation, with severe consequences for their law abiding U.S. citizen constituents—is the poor example they set-­absence of honor and legality

Then again, since the dems and Bush are on the same page reguarding guest workers/scamnesty, who knows, maybe they will overlook it.

186 posted on 11/08/2006 6:58:51 PM PST by Netizen (When a candidate fails to appeal to enough voters, to get elected, whose fault is that?)
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Comment #187 Removed by Moderator

To: Aussie Dasher

btt


188 posted on 11/08/2006 7:02:48 PM PST by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: Aussie Dasher

A post I made on the election thread last night!

To: jpsb
As I have already posted on this thread, all Republicans had to do was to be conservative. Many of them can't seem to do that. Unfortunately, Bush's border stance has effected many congressional races. His stance has not been conservative. Also many Republicans, cast off their conservative shackles and tried to get the moderate vote. Republicans have not differentiated themselves enough from democrats. Also Bush, with the bully pulpit, did not bring home the "why" of Iraq to the American public.

I know there are many around here who won't support that theory, but it remains out there, nevertheless.



4,441 posted on 11/07/2006 11:38:34 PM EST by TheLion
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189 posted on 11/08/2006 7:03:04 PM PST by TheLion
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To: A Federal Republican

Trust me...I am going to enjoy this a lot. Other "conservatives" have played their hand in the past and been purged from the ranks when the truth was revealed.


190 posted on 11/08/2006 7:04:58 PM PST by CWOJackson
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To: Keith in Iowa
"<>>>Why did Rick Santorum (rock solid conservative) lose?"

"His loss was a political assassination by the media."

Allen got the same damn treatment!

191 posted on 11/08/2006 7:05:44 PM PST by TheLion
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To: Aussie Dasher

There was more to the loss than that, but what Rush has said is correct.


192 posted on 11/08/2006 7:05:49 PM PST by Clintonfatigued (Corporatism is not conservatism)
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To: chasio649
I think i will absolutely spew on my monitor if i see another freeper say "Condi 08"

Don't spew on your monitor, spew on the freeper. Do we know where Condi stands on the issues? Amazing how so many are eager to vote for someone that hasn't expressed their position on the issues. Speaks volumes.

193 posted on 11/08/2006 7:06:29 PM PST by Netizen (When a candidate fails to appeal to enough voters, to get elected, whose fault is that?)
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To: Aussie Dasher
Here's an excellent FReeper analysis.
194 posted on 11/08/2006 7:08:51 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Who invented rock and roll hiccups?)
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To: Netizen

Speaks volume

------


yes it does....Republicanism Rush talked about...which he is guilty of BTW.....i hope he turns over a new leaf and starts telling it like it is no matter who it hurts...but then again it could slow his calls for the cocktail circuit.


195 posted on 11/08/2006 7:09:18 PM PST by chasio649
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To: Aussie Dasher
Conservatives Who Lost:

Charles Taylor (NC) - ACU rating 92

Chris Chocola (IN) - ACU rating 96

Don Sherwood (PA) - ACU rating 84

John Hostettler (IN) - ACU rating 100

Mike Sodrel (IN) - ACU rating 92

Anne Northup (KY) - ACU rating 96

Gil Gutknecht (MN) - ACU rating 92

J.D. Hayworth (AZ) - ACU rating 100

Richard Pombo (CA) - ACU rating 92

Jim Ryun (KS) - ACU rating 96

Melissa Hart (PA) - ACU rating 88

As usual, Rush is interested in one thing: HIS OWN REPUTATION! Now that the Dems have taken over, Rush is rushing to tell everyone that even though HE was "carrying the water" for a bunch of feet-of-clay Republicans, none of this loss was his fault.

How so, Rush? You supported the Republicans and they lost... and now you are free to say that they lost because they abandoned conservative values? Sounds like Rush abandoned those same conservative values in order to pal around with the powerful Republicans.

Now that they are out of power, Rush rushes back to his conservative values. No congressional bigwigs to play a round of golf with? Limbaugh used to be a conservative leader. Now he's a camp follower who seeks the company of those in power.

So, why did all those conservatives above lose if sticking to conservative values would have won the day for Republicans? What's the answer to that, Rush?

Our national character has been decimated by the popular culture's mantra of avarice, sex, indolence, violence and atheism. The time has come to rebuild the national character of America. Here are the rules to get started:

1. Start today by turning off your TV.

2. Pull your kids out of public schools and spend the money to educate them privately... or do it yourself.

3. Do not allow popular culture into your homes in any form.

4. Walk into the nearest Bible-believing church and stay there.

5. Instill a sense of honor in your children instead of the constant drumbeat of monetary success.

6. Have your children look to our Founding Fathers and the military for heroes and role models instead of crass prostitutes like Britney Spears, Madonna and Michael Jackson.

7. Refuse to remain in the presence of those who use foul language, defame honorable men or ridicule our country.

8. Restore God to His rightful place at the very center of your life and live your faith!

That's just the beginning. There is no other choice. Nothing less will turn the tide of greed, licentiousness and sloth that afflicts our nation. It's a grassroots way of changing things that will impress those who are weak and fearful, and perhaps inspire them to strength and courage.

196 posted on 11/08/2006 7:09:27 PM PST by Dr. Thorne
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To: jpl
and furthermore they don't take into account the significant biases of people who von't and don't want to answer the exit poll.

How can an exit poll reflect the bias of a person that won't or doesn't answer the poll?

197 posted on 11/08/2006 7:09:28 PM PST by Netizen (When a candidate fails to appeal to enough voters, to get elected, whose fault is that?)
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To: Celtman
Is this a big enough blow to wake the GOP up? Maybe they needed to lose bigger. As bad as it is that the demons won, if they had taken even more seats maybe that would get the BS, PC, Lib'erness, corruptness, lifetime attitude outa the GOP.

I want a Conservative Gov, all three branches and we sure were not headed there before the election.

Sure in the short term this power gain by the dems will cause some turns in the wrong direction but the big picture [future] requires a real Conservative Gov at the helm not the slimeeness we have witnessed in the last 7 years.

198 posted on 11/08/2006 7:10:44 PM PST by free_life
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To: DoSomethingAboutIt

You said: You're right, but I think its appropriate to ask why we lost so we can readjust in the future




We have to get rid of the corruption ourselves!


199 posted on 11/08/2006 7:10:48 PM PST by Technical Editor
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To: Owen
...find a squeaky clean candidate to target him or her and get them out of our seats.

We here in Bucks County, Pa. saw our 1-term Republican Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, a "squeaky clean" father of six, a man who prior to 2004 served 10 years as a conservative elected County Commissioner, a humble man who never cheated, spoke harshly, or uttered one word of derision against anyone -- and he lost on Tuesday by 1,400 votes. (approx. 125,500 to 124,100).

Michael Fitzpatrick supported President Bush's Iraq policy, with some caveats such as we need to develop a fresh policy to win, etc. (a stance most Iraq war supporters accepted, including myself)

Fitzpatrick also won accolades and endorsement from the Sierra Club for previously developing and funding a plan to purchase approx. 200,000 acres of farmland for Open Space.

He was resoundingly pro-Life, and a devout Catholic, and was beloved of Democrats and Republicans alike the past 10 years for his keen interest in creating parks and improving our 'environment'.

On Tuesday night, the volunteers at our local Republican campaign headquarters were calling and calling stacks and stacks of phone numbers of normally reliable Republicans, yet they would not come out to vote.

Why? I am certain it was not Michael Fitzpatrick.

I believe that the Republican dilemma is that most people know in their hearts that we MUST continue a shooting fight with Muslim extremists in Iraq or elsewhere, but they just cant stomach to see our fresh young American boys coming home maimed or dead.

Freedom exacts a heavy price. Unfortunately, an additional 10-percent of Americans on Tuesday loudly stated that they refuse to pay the price.

200 posted on 11/08/2006 7:11:08 PM PST by Edit35
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