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 ...
Paul is an absolute disaster on foreign policy. He ain't going anywhere.
I like your tagline.
We found each again in this big crazy mixed-up world! My homepage flag salutes you.
Equally.
Now that's a sure winner....needs some of your rainbow effects though....
You charmer you!
Huge *smooch* or maybe a long one...lol.
I'll find you later, my luv.
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.
Nope.
Right. How dare I........ Silly you.
You know, hadn't thought about him, but I could support Haley!
That is exactly the argument that H. W. Bush used in his losing bid against Reagan in the 1980 nomination.
Going further back in time is not where we need to go. We have 2008 to worry about. And, I do mean WORRY.
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.
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.
Exactly right!
Are not Romney, Rudy, and McCain "stars" because the MSM has made them so.
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.
I did not direct any of that statement on you personally, I meant it a general behavioral standard that should be followed by all.
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
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