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Conservative core seeks a contender
The Los Angeles Times ^ | January 20, 2007 | Mark Z. Barabak

Posted on 01/20/2007 11:06:08 AM PST by Clintonfatigued

For decades, the conservative movement has been the animating force of the Republican Party, providing the ideas and energy that catapulted candidates to the GOP presidential nomination and, often, the White House.

But as conservatives survey the 2008 field — and, particularly, the early Republican front-runners — many are despairing. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani have all broken with conservative orthodoxy at one time or another. Many activists have neither forgiven nor forgotten.

"There's absolutely no contender that is a bona fide conservative," said K.B. Forbes, who has worked for a number of conservative candidates and causes since the 1990s. "We have insiders, squishes and moderates running for president."

The candidate closest to the heart of social conservatives, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, plans to formally launch his White House bid today with a speech in Topeka. But even those who admire Brownback, and especially his Senate leadership opposing abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research, question the viability of his candidacy.

"Brownback has to prove he can win," said Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Land sees different problems for the three leading GOP hopefuls. "Most social conservatives at present are uncomfortable with McCain," he said. "They're appalled by Giuliani." As for Romney, Land said, "He has to convince social conservatives he's become one of them."

It's a striking state of affairs, given the ascendance of the conservative movement since 1964. Although he was crushed in the general election that year, Arizona's Barry Goldwater wrested the Republican Party from its Midwest and Eastern roots, starting a realignment that eventually turned the GOP into the party of Ronald Reagan, the Sunbelt and the

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008
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To: billbears

Paul is an absolute disaster on foreign policy. He ain't going anywhere.


161 posted on 01/20/2007 1:21:32 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Leonine

I like your tagline.


162 posted on 01/20/2007 1:21:40 PM PST by onyx (DONATE NOW! -- It takes DONATIONS to keep FR running!!)
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To: onyx

We found each again in this big crazy mixed-up world! My homepage flag salutes you.


163 posted on 01/20/2007 1:22:53 PM PST by RedRover (They are not killers. Defend our Marines.)
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To: onyx

Equally.


164 posted on 01/20/2007 1:22:58 PM PST by Leonine (If I don't worry, will I be happy?)
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To: onyx

Now that's a sure winner....needs some of your rainbow effects though....


165 posted on 01/20/2007 1:24:11 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: RedRover

You charmer you!
Huge *smooch* or maybe a long one...lol.
I'll find you later, my luv.


166 posted on 01/20/2007 1:24:43 PM PST by onyx (DONATE NOW! -- It takes DONATIONS to keep FR running!!)
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To: Leonine

The dynamics of 23 years ago no longer apply in the year 2007. There is a whole new crop of voter age people out there who are coming in to their own.

The result is a whole new political demographic. There is a new approach that must be met if any political party hopes to succeed. That's what this whole forum is all about, the exchange of ideas and opinions.

It is not a place to vent hostilities or force opinions on others. It is a place to sort out differences and hopefully gather every one together in a collective effort. Nothing more, nothing less.


167 posted on 01/20/2007 1:24:58 PM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (Show me a 'true' Conservative and I'll show you someone with bad knees)
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To: sheil7134

Nope.


168 posted on 01/20/2007 1:25:56 PM PST by raftguide
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To: onyx
>>>> .... to even suggest ...

Right. How dare I........ Silly you.

169 posted on 01/20/2007 1:28:08 PM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't vote for liberals.)
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To: timer

You know, hadn't thought about him, but I could support Haley!


170 posted on 01/20/2007 1:28:09 PM PST by raftguide
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
"The dynamics of 23 years ago no longer apply in the year 2007."

That is exactly the argument that H. W. Bush used in his losing bid against Reagan in the 1980 nomination.

171 posted on 01/20/2007 1:28:30 PM PST by Leonine (If I don't worry, will I be happy?)
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To: Leonine

Going further back in time is not where we need to go. We have 2008 to worry about. And, I do mean WORRY.


172 posted on 01/20/2007 1:32:18 PM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (Show me a 'true' Conservative and I'll show you someone with bad knees)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
"It is not a place to vent hostilities or force opinions on others."

Actually, it is. Read the note to new freepers again. Nonetheless, I'm not hostile; you've misread me. I will defend myself, however.

"...gather every one together in a collective effort."

Is that your job? I'm not being jocular or hostile.

173 posted on 01/20/2007 1:34:48 PM PST by Leonine (If I don't worry, will I be happy?)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

I'm not the one who is still in denial over the election results. You are. I will defend your right to speak out. I just don't agree with your POV.

My objective on FR is to promote and advance conservatism. Period. Not liberalism. Many people don't pay attention to current events and don't know anything about recent political history. Posting the truth and the facts for the information challenged, is the job of any good conservative.


174 posted on 01/20/2007 1:35:24 PM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't vote for liberals.)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
We have 2008 to worry about. And, I do mean WORRY.

Exactly right!

175 posted on 01/20/2007 1:36:38 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: David Isaac


Are not Romney, Rudy, and McCain "stars" because the MSM has made them so.




It's not the MSM driving these guys it's the Repub polls... their charisma....and their ability to raise cash.


176 posted on 01/20/2007 1:37:54 PM PST by Blackirish (David Dinkins:"Rudy as President is kind of frightening.My question will be, will I move to Bermuda")
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To: freedomdefender

Well, maybe you're right, but here in Freeperland (which is where I get a big part of my news) it sounds like conservatives lost their mind and stayed home en masse.


177 posted on 01/20/2007 1:38:37 PM PST by loreldan (Without coffee I am nothing.)
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To: Reagan Man
You seem to have a tendency to put yourself above other people and are quite biased towards people you seem to think aren't up to your standard. The facts are, we're all equal here. Don't forget that fact.

The idea that you are trying to 'promote and advance' Conservatism is all most of us here are trying to do. You won't convince anyone that your way of thinking is the correct way, by making attacks and insults to get your point across.
178 posted on 01/20/2007 1:42:48 PM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (Show me a 'true' Conservative and I'll show you someone with bad knees)
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To: Leonine

I did not direct any of that statement on you personally, I meant it a general behavioral standard that should be followed by all.


179 posted on 01/20/2007 1:44:59 PM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (Show me a 'true' Conservative and I'll show you someone with bad knees)
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To: Leonine

The dynamics of 23 years ago no longer apply in the year 2007."
That is exactly the argument that H. W. Bush used in his losing bid against Reagan in the 1980 nomination




They were debating 2007 way back then?


180 posted on 01/20/2007 1:48:35 PM PST by Blackirish (David Dinkins:"Rudy as President is kind of frightening.My question will be, will I move to Bermuda")
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