Posted on 02/07/2008 10:29:29 AM PST by Dane
Zot me if you wish, but after all the vitriol towards me on FR, the last two GOP candidates left are McCain and Huckabee, the irony was too good to pass up.
JMO, but a lot of Freepers acted like the left with their stern demand that every person must adhere to a 110% litmus test.
With now McCain's sealing up the nomination and blaming everyone else and their dog, maybe you all should look at yourselves, despite the claims of 20 million listeners or being a top web site, the results are in and your brand of conservatism is not selling where it counts, the GOP primaries.
Hey,
Drop me us line in a few weeks and let us know how that “snarkiness” thing worked out for you.
In my post, I chose to "support" O'bama, because that will make him drop out ;-)
That leaves Hillary. O'bama is a blank slate, people will hang all manner of hopes and dreams around his neck and he will wear them all.
Nobody has any such illusions about Hillary. Some people love her, sure. But everybody knows what they're getting, and that makes her more beatable.
It seems Rush could not overcome the ocean of soft-headed liberalism washing our shores this year.
Oh please, the RINOs were alive and kicking LONG before George W. Bush, or even his father, entered the White House. They didn't call them ROCKEFELLER Republicans for nothing. If anything, it's the Reagan Republicans who are the "Johnny-come-latelies". That's why they had to work so hard to get conservatism into politics. The Country Club Republicans were entrenched, and didn't want to give up power.
McCain will not win. We are just getting warmed up. We will revitalize this party with a new era of Reaganism. You lose.
As for Mitt, it looks like he has a good shot at leading that movement in 2012.
Romney/Santorum 2012
Washington, D.C. – Today, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Governor Romney announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign for the sake of Republican unity and the future of our country. In 2008, Republicans must stand united if we are to prevent Senators Clinton and Obama from taking the White House. As a nation at war and facing uncertain economic times, the American people cannot afford the Democrats and their agenda for retreat and economic slowdown. With today’s speech, Governor Romney outlined the significance of this election and the need for the Republican Party to remain strong.
Governor Romney’s Address To CPAC (As Prepared For Delivery):
“I want to begin by saying thank you. It’s great to be with you again. And I look forward to joining with you many more times in the future.
“Last year, CPAC gave me the sendoff I needed. I was in single digits in the polls, and I was facing household Republican names. As of today, more than 4 million people have given me their vote for President, less than Senator McCain’s 4.7 million, but quite a statement nonetheless. Eleven states have given me their nod, compared to his 13. Of course, because size does matter, he’s doing quite a bit better with his number of delegates.
“To all of you, thank you for caring enough about the future of America to show up, stand up and speak up for conservative principles.
“As I said to you last year, conservative principles are needed now more than ever. We face a new generation of challenges, challenges which threaten our prosperity, our security and our future. I am convinced that unless America changes course, we will become the France of the 21st century – still a great nation, but no longer the leader of the world, no longer the superpower. And to me, that is unthinkable. Simon Peres, in a visit to Boston, was asked what he thought about the war in Iraq. ‘First,’ he said, ‘I must put something in context. America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been conflict, the nation that wins takes land from the nation that loses. One nation in history, and this during the last century, laid down hundreds of thousands of lives and took no land. No land from Germany, no land from Japan, no land from Korea. America is unique in the sacrifice it has made for liberty, for itself and for freedom loving people around the world.’ The best ally peace has ever known, and will ever know, is a strong America.
“And that is why we must rise to the occasion, as we have always done before, to confront the challenges ahead. Perhaps the most fundamental of these is the attack on the American culture.
“Over the years, my business has taken me to many countries. I have been struck by the enormous differences in the wealth and well-being of people of different nations. I have read a number of scholarly explanations for the disparities. I found the most convincing was that written by David Landes, a professor emeritus from Harvard University. I presume he’s a liberal – I guess that’s redundant. His work traces the coming and going of great civilizations throughout history. After hundreds of pages of analysis, he concludes with this:
“If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference.
“What is it about American culture that has led us to become the most powerful nation in the history of the world? We believe in hard work and education. We love opportunity: almost all of us are immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came here for opportunity – opportunity is in our DNA. Americans love God, and those who don’t have faith, typically believe in something greater than themselves – a ‘Purpose Driven Life.’ And we sacrifice everything we have, even our lives, for our families, our freedoms and our country. The values and beliefs of the free American people are the source of our nation’s strength and they always will be.
“The threat to our culture comes from within. The 1960’s welfare programs created a culture of poverty. Some think we won that battle when we reformed welfare, but the liberals haven’t given up. At every turn, they try to substitute government largesse for individual responsibility. They fight to strip work requirements from welfare, to put more people on Medicaid, and to remove more and more people from having to pay any income tax whatsoever. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. Dependency is a culture-killing drug. We have got to fight it like the poison it is.
“The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for pornography – even celebration of it – and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today’s grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school and in life. A nation built on the principles of the Founding Fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home.
“The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it.
“Europe is facing a demographic disaster. That is the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Some reason that culture is merely an accessory to America’s vitality; we know that it is the source of our strength. And we are not dissuaded by the snickers and knowing glances when we stand up for family values, and morality, and culture. We will always be honored to stand on principle and to stand for principle.
“The attack on our culture is not our sole challenge. We face economic competition unlike anything we have ever known before. China and Asia are emerging from centuries of poverty. Their people are plentiful, innovative and ambitious. If we do not change course, Asia or China will pass us by as the economic superpower, just as we passed England and France during the last century. The prosperity and security of our children and grandchildren depend on us.
“Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. Oil producing states like Russia and Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran are siphoning over $400 billion per year from our economy – that’s almost what we spend annually for defense. It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency. America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmadinejad.
“And our economy is also burdened by the inexorable ramping of government spending. Don’t focus on the pork alone – even though it is indeed irritating and shameful. Look at the entitlements. They make up 60% of federal spending today. By the end of the next President’s second term, they will total 70%. Any conservative plan for the future has to include entitlement reform that solves the problem, not just acknowledges it.
“Most politicians don’t seem to understand the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families. They act as if money just happens – that it’s just there. But every dollar represents a good or service produced in the private sector. Depress the private sector and you depress the well-being of Americans.
“That’s exactly what happens with high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government. Did you see that today, government workers make more money than people who work in the private sector? Can you imagine what happens to an economy where the best opportunities are for bureaucrats?
“It’s high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government.
“And finally, let’s consider the greatest challenge facing America – and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad. In one wing of the world of Islam, there is a conviction that all governments should be destroyed and replaced by a religious caliphate. These Jihadists will battle any form of democracy. To them, democracy is blasphemous for it says that citizens, not God shape the law. They find the idea of human equality to be offensive. They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad.
“To battle this threat, we have sent the most courageous and brave soldiers in the world. But their numbers have been depleted by the Clinton years when troops were reduced by 500,000, when 80 ships were retired from the Navy, and when our human intelligence was slashed by 25%. We were told that we were getting a peace dividend. We got the dividend, but we didn’t get the peace. In the face of evil in radical Jihad and given the inevitable military ambitions of China, we must act to rebuild our military might – raise military spending to 4% of our GDP, purchase the most modern armament, re-shape our fighting forces for the asymmetric demands we now face, and give the veterans the care they deserve.
“Soon, the face of liberalism in America will have a new name. Whether it is Barack or Hillary, the result would be the same if they were to win the Presidency. The opponents of American culture would push the throttle, devising new justifications for judges to depart from the Constitution. Economic neophytes would layer heavier and heavier burdens on employers and families, slowing our economy and opening the way for foreign competition to further erode our lead.
“Even though we face an uphill fight, I know that many in this room are fully behind my campaign. You are with me all the way to the convention. Fight on, just like Ronald Reagan did in 1976. But there is an important difference from 1976: today, we are a nation at war.
“And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.
“I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.
“This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters – many of you right here in this room – have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.
“I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism.
“It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.
“To this task, accepting this burden, we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the Earth.
“Thank you, and God bless America.”
Are you happy because you hate Rush, or because you’ll be able to hire all the illegal aliens you want? Either way, you’re no conservative and no American.
Add to this the success of the march through the institutions which has produced voters like - well - you.
No, but he WAS the candidate with the most conservative record that had a chance to win. At least, he is strongly conservative on many issues and could be trusted to nominate judges.
What you don't want to admit, apparently, is that Romney raised taxes/fees more than Huckabee per year, implemented socialized health care that is costing that state hundreds of millions of dollars per year and presided over an awful economy in that state. Yes, Huckabee's economic record was far better than Willard's, too.
Good list ... mainly spot on but ...
Thompson = ran un-energetic not-well-organized campaign that left him 3rd in IA and SC. Could he beat an Obama who gets 10,000 people at events and has huge volunteer operation?
I dont see how a bad campaign = electable candidate.
Romney = conservatives are so wrong about the flipflop attacks from hillary. Do you realize how absurd it is for hillary to run ads basically telling people “Hey, Romney is not really as conservative as he told those primary voters” - it would backfire totally.
The only people bent out of shape over the fact that Romney changed on a few positions are the litmus test extremists looking for perfection, and anti-mormons looking for an excuse. Romney’s record has been solid fiscal conservative, his campaign platform was a Reagan one. He would have been a solidly conservative President.
We missed a chance to elect a fine President in him.
The most electable candidate IMHO was Romney or McCain.
Romney because he is attractive articulate and has superb executive leaderhsip resume, McCain because he is well-known has a moderate / maverick image, has experience and has war hero background.
So we got the safer, stodgier and more RINO of the two.
I guess time will tell.
I think it’s time to support Obama, the last front runner Washington doesn’t want.
With Obama in the White House that will generate another conservative revolution, and truly unite us!
From a Fred Thompson supporter...
Huckabee is a WORSE candidate than even the RINO McCain.
Worse on taxes, worse on crime, no better on immigration.
And clueless on foreign policy, to the point of being another Jimmy Carter.
Huckabee is awful, God-awful. Why do keep polishing a turd?
He’s got 15% of delegates and WILL NOT WIN. Give. It. Up.
“What you don’t want to admit, apparently, is that Romney raised taxes/fees more than Huckabee per year”
Why would someone admit to a Huckabee lie/distortion?
Romney was fiscal conservative, Huckster was a tax-and-spend liberal:
http://taxhikemike.org
No. Stop Hillary now.
We get a ‘twofer’ if Obama is nominated.
1. Hillary is knocked out.
2. Obama is the nominee is beatable because he is
- inexperienced
- clueless
- very liberal
Obama is a black Jimmy Carter.
Yeah, he attacked Huckabee's record while giving Romney a free pass on his record, lies and flip-flops. So, you know very well that he was helping Romney.
Further, Hannity, Coulter, Ingraham and NRO all did support Romney.
It was despicable attempt to create a test-tube candidate out of a liberal, NE governor and manipulate that race.
Lady, I ain't no come lately. I am gone and out the door. As much as it would gives you pleasure to call me names, I ain't even the same room as you, which is called the Republican Party irregardless if it is the small room called the Teddy Kennedy Wing.
Hmmm. Might Romney be bucking for the Veep slot? Since he was so gracious as to drop out for the good of the party’s shot at the White House, might the movers and shakers of the party lean on McCain to choose him? It would be kind of like Reagan and GHW Bush in that they were strong rivals, but Reagan needed the support of the party leaders, so he accepted Bush as Veep.
CPAC SPEECH
VIDEO here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23051773#23051902
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