Well said, Rush.
Also, I don't think that "Stay The Course" ever was a good campaign theme for the war in Iraq.
Bush should have said, "We all want to get out of Iraq. There are three specific things we are looking to make happen so we can bring our troops home...:"
But unfortunately, all we heard was "Stay the Course."
Well now that they own the glass house, I guess we can throw stones for a change. Offense is the word now. Watch them screw up in the next two years when they don't get anything done at all and we will have another Republican President in 08.
I don't know .....people are changing. I live in a community where the Homeowners actually WANT US TO INCREASE the MONTHLY MAINTENANCE.....to 'pretty the place up!!' I was speechless.....this isn't just one meeting....they are FIGHTING to increase the maintenance fee!!
Don't fake your link. Newmax is not an Australian news outfit.
From what I can see, Rush ain't wrong!
Rush is very much right. I've had my problems with Rush as of late, but I made it a point to listen to him today.
Conservatism does not lose. When it comes down to brass tacks, I firmly believe that Americans want conservatism. If the Republican Party has lost, it has been insofar as the Republican Party has left sound conservative principle.
What I am going to say is going to make me quite unpopular around here. I'm certainly not a "troll" though... I've been here since May 2001 and was VK when VK was just becoming cool. I have no love of Liberals or Liberalism - I've never voted for a Democrat in my life.
I think, however, that it is of the utmost importance that we, as Conservatives, evaluate wherein we have deserted the Fundamental Principles of Conservatism. Now, I know that one's first impulse is to jump to questioning RINOs, moderates, and "Liberal Republicans"... but such thinking is every bit as much flawed as blaming the MSM or the Democrats. That's a "blame others" approach, and that's not what we, as Republicans, do.
The fact is, we, as the "Republican Base", have deserted Conservative Principle, at least insofar as the perception of the American people are concerned. Perception matters. I'm not saying that any of us have stopped being Conservative, but rather that we have not shown how what we have supported over the past few years has been connected to fundamental Conservative thought.
For example, Conservatism isn't about building governments in other countries. President Bush ran on that in 2000. Now, necessity arose due to 9/11 where we had to build governments in both Afghanistan and Iraq. While it was necessary, one cannot argue that it is traditional Conservative Principle, unless one argues that 9/11 spelled the end for such principles. As far as many Americans are concerned, we've been using approaches similiar to those embraced by the Democrats - "the Government solves problems".
Don't misunderstand me - I'm not saying that's what we've actually done, merely that somehow we've allowed that impression to get out to the American people. We've allowed the American people to get the impression that the Republican Party stands for nation building, warrantless wiretapping, imprisonment without trial, stealing candy from babies, ETC. That's NOT what we're about. Heck, it's not even what we've been doing the past several years. But that is the impression we've allowed to get out, and perception is everything. Somehow or another, the Democrats have trumped us in appearing to be the "conservative party" on these issues.
We have ourselves to blame here. Not the RINOs, not the "moderates", not the "liberal Republicans" or the "MSM"... we screwed up. I firmly believe that each and every person here is of a strong enough character to admit that fact so that we can take the blame on our own shoulders. We have got to act more Conservatively... and when we do, we need to make a better explanation to the American people WHY what we do is in accordance with true Conservative principle.
I made the comparison on another thread, and I'll make it again. This is equivalent to buying a brand new refrigerator, stocking it with food and beer for Thanksgiving, and having it break down the night before. Now, one can get p***ed off, and rightfully so, especially when one is cleaning up the mess. But eventually, the man with character realizes that he needs to fix the fridge and make new plans for the next night. Wallowing in problems and blaming others is the Democratic approach to problems - Republicans self-examine and fix the damn thing.
So let's fix this problem so it doesn't happen again in 2008!!!
This year with the good economy there were no pocketbook issues.
Times are good.
The President didn't even claim credit for the hot economy all year until it was too late !
It's Bush's fault.
BUMP
I can understand and empathize with Rush's comments earlier today that losing the Congress is "liberating" in some sense.
After all, it was difficult recently to defend Pres. Bush's inane "comprehensive" immigrant proposal, or the Dubai/UAE ports deal, or the selection of Harriet Myers as the "best" person for the SCOTUS.
The only silver lining in all this is that having a Democratic Congress these next two years will provide ample ammunition to locate, develop, and support a solid conservative Republican candidate to run for President in 2008.
Let the Games Begin!!
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.
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.
btt
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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There was more to the loss than that, but what Rush has said is correct.
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.
Preaching to the choir. Rush is no longer relevant, except for being a lightning rod for the opposition.
Rush should go back to his opening...
AMERICANS HELD HOSTAGE!!!!
Day Two: Various elected Democrats today vowed to create a National Health Care system, thereby providing full doctor care to any and all people living on US soil.
No, Rush is on the money. Wish he had a been a bit more critical before the election tho...
I mean, I agree with you, Rush is on the money. lol
The President should have engaged all of America in how vital and critical this war is and made us all a factor in obtaining victory.
He should have appealed to our Patriotic Spirit, rather than Mrs. Clinton's form of Patriotism, as criticizing the President, which is all we got from the democrats and the old media for 5 nasty years.
And, furthermore, the President took a wild left turn when he proposed the administration's "Guest Worker Program", leaving our borders wide open, unprotected, and sending the National Guard without the tools to protect us from the invasion of illegals.
The problem the democrats have now is coming up with an agenda other than investigating the heck out of the Bush Administration, and again pulling out our troops just like the scumbags did in Viet Nam. If that's all they've got besides the usual gay marriage stuff, and more entitlements, and more nannyism, IMHO, I don't think they will hold the Congress.