VOTERS to GOP: Welcome To Obamanation
Posted on 02/22/2008 5:48:40 AM PST by Kaslin
Updated: 9:46 PM 02/21/08 Obama Scores, Clinton Flops on Copy Cat Spat Updated: 9:16 PM 02/21/08 Notes on Obama's Immigration Debate Talk Updated: 8:40 PM 02/21/08 <a href="http://ads.townhall.com/accipiter/adclick/CID=00014ba3d8d6daef00000000/site=TOWNHALL/area=TownHall.Web.Columnists.DouglasMacKinnon/POSITION=TOWN_SKY/AAMGEOIP=68.112.78.1"> <img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/creative/MortgageMinuteAdSkycalcsky.swf" alt="" width="160" height="600" border="0"> </a> GOP to Conservatives: Drop Dead By Douglas MacKinnon Friday, February 22, 2008
As with small children, many of the entrenched, beholden, or power-hungry hierarchy of the Republican party, simply wish conservatives could be seen, but never heard.
In a very telling headline, The Washington Times recently reported, “McCain Refuses to Pander.” In the first paragraph of the article, the paper said, “John McCain's campaign manager yesterday said the candidate will not pander for conservative support…” Yeah, we know. Message received.
For those conservatives or talk radio hosts who still don’t get it, or who are still not prepared to compromise their principles for the party, then some elder statesmen have some names they’d like to call you. Chase Untermeyer, the former high level official for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and the current president, said in a recent column, “At both the national and local levels, there are those who declare that certain Republican elected officials are insufficiently conservative and must be purged. Senator John McCain is getting the worst of these blasts right now, with some self-appointed tribunes of Reagan’s legacy saying they might even prefer Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – scarcely followers of the Gipper – to McCain.”
For those conservatives who admire President Reagan but would dare question the record of McCain, Mr. Untermeyer, labeled each a “SQUIRREL.” As in “Snarky Quibbler who Undermines and Ignores Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Legacy.”
“Snarky.” I guess if you went to Harvard, called yourself “Chase” instead of Charles, and mingled with the elites of the world, then “Snarky” is a name you might assign to conservatives who have an honest disagreement with John McCain. If you’re someone like me, who grew up in poverty, barely got an education, and never met an Ivory Tower elite worth a warm bucket of spit, then you might substitute the word “ethical” for snarky.
When I first came to Washington, I had the honor to work in the White House as a low-level writer for Ronald Reagan. While certainly lacking the pedigree of Mr. Untermeyer, I did share one or two special moments with that President. In a conversation that Peggy Noonan was kind enough to chronicle in her bestselling book entitled “When Character Was King,” President Reagan and I spoke in the Oval Office about the alcoholism of our fathers, poverty, and the cruelty of life. It was actually because of Ronald Reagan’s wisdom, kindness, and suggestion, that I was able to reach out to my estranged father.
Understanding that, I’m more than proud to plead guilty to using Ronald Reagan as the template for true conservatism. As such, I just don’t think there is any way that anyone can accurately equate Reagan’s conservative legacy with McCain’s moderate voting record. Does saying that make me a bad person? Am I now an Untermeyer “Squirrel?”
The thought of voting for Clinton or Obama makes me nauseous. We are a nation at war with Islamists who mean to exterminate us. To vote for Clinton or Obama is to vote for the authority to wave the flag of appeasement or surrender. I have no intention of voting for the next Neville Chamberlain.
John McCain is a good person. I do believe he has the best interests of our nation at heart. That said, as an American, it’s my right to disagree with him on substance. John McCain heroically fought and sacrificed to give me that right, and for that, I am forever grateful. On issues such as immigration, taxes, judges, global warming, drilling in Anwar, and the detention and prosecution of enemy combatants, I take issue with some of his past comments, votes, or current positions.
Unfortunately, the message I’m getting from the Republican establishment is that conservatives should bite their tongues, do their duty, and await the crumbs that may come their way in a McCain administration. Is that what it’s come to? Party loyalty before principle?
In endorsing McCain the other day, former President George H.W. Bush said, “…no one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Senator John McCain.” Really? No one? Does this incredibly decent former president truly believe that McCain is better prepared to lead this nation than say, his own son, Jeb? Or Mitt Romney?
In his endorsement, the former president also said, “…I believe now is the time for me to help John in his effort to start building the broad-based coalition it will take for our conservative values to carry the White House this fall.”
“Conservative values.” That’s all this election is about for millions of Americans who choose to put country before party. As such, they are entitled to have McCain further define or clarify his “conservative values.” He needs to earn their vote.
Like Untermeyer, former President Bush questioned those on the right who question McCain. He called such criticism “grossly unfair” and an “unfair attack.”
If some in the party succeed in quashing the conservative voice, then they will have silenced the conscience of America. Surely, John McCain will stand shoulder to shoulder with conservatives to prevent such an outcome.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the forthcoming novel, The Apocalypse Directive.
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As with small children, many of the entrenched, beholden, or power-hungry hierarchy of the Republican party, simply wish conservatives could be seen, but never heard.
In a very telling headline, The Washington Times recently reported, “McCain Refuses to Pander.” In the first paragraph of the article, the paper said, “John McCain's campaign manager yesterday said the candidate will not pander for conservative support…” Yeah, we know. Message received.
For those conservatives or talk radio hosts who still don’t get it, or who are still not prepared to compromise their principles for the party, then some elder statesmen have some names they’d like to call you. Chase Untermeyer, the former high level official for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and the current president, said in a recent column, “At both the national and local levels, there are those who declare that certain Republican elected officials are insufficiently conservative and must be purged. Senator John McCain is getting the worst of these blasts right now, with some self-appointed tribunes of Reagan’s legacy saying they might even prefer Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – scarcely followers of the Gipper – to McCain.”
For those conservatives who admire President Reagan but would dare question the record of McCain, Mr. Untermeyer, labeled each a “SQUIRREL.” As in “Snarky Quibbler who Undermines and Ignores Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Legacy.”
“Snarky.” I guess if you went to Harvard, called yourself “Chase” instead of Charles, and mingled with the elites of the world, then “Snarky” is a name you might assign to conservatives who have an honest disagreement with John McCain. If you’re someone like me, who grew up in poverty, barely got an education, and never met an Ivory Tower elite worth a warm bucket of spit, then you might substitute the word “ethical” for snarky.
When I first came to Washington, I had the honor to work in the White House as a low-level writer for Ronald Reagan. While certainly lacking the pedigree of Mr. Untermeyer, I did share one or two special moments with that President. In a conversation that Peggy Noonan was kind enough to chronicle in her bestselling book entitled “When Character Was King,” President Reagan and I spoke in the Oval Office about the alcoholism of our fathers, poverty, and the cruelty of life. It was actually because of Ronald Reagan’s wisdom, kindness, and suggestion, that I was able to reach out to my estranged father.
Understanding that, I’m more than proud to plead guilty to using Ronald Reagan as the template for true conservatism. As such, I just don’t think there is any way that anyone can accurately equate Reagan’s conservative legacy with McCain’s moderate voting record. Does saying that make me a bad person? Am I now an Untermeyer “Squirrel?”
The thought of voting for Clinton or Obama makes me nauseous. We are a nation at war with Islamists who mean to exterminate us. To vote for Clinton or Obama is to vote for the authority to wave the flag of appeasement or surrender. I have no intention of voting for the next Neville Chamberlain.
ohn McCain is a good person. I do believe he has the best interests of our nation at heart. That said, as an American, it’s my right to disagree with him on substance. John McCain heroically fought and sacrificed to give me that right, and for that, I am forever grateful. On issues such as immigration, taxes, judges, global warming, drilling in Anwar, and the detention and prosecution of enemy combatants, I take issue with some of his past comments, votes, or current positions.
Unfortunately, the message I’m getting from the Republican establishment is that conservatives should bite their tongues, do their duty, and await the crumbs that may come their way in a McCain administration. Is that what it’s come to? Party loyalty before principle?
In endorsing McCain the other day, former President George H.W. Bush said, “…no one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Senator John McCain.” Really? No one? Does this incredibly decent former president truly believe that McCain is better prepared to lead this nation than say, his own son, Jeb? Or Mitt Romney?
In his endorsement, the former president also said, “…I believe now is the time for me to help John in his effort to start building the broad-based coalition it will take for our conservative values to carry the White House this fall.”
“Conservative values.” That’s all this election is about for millions of Americans who choose to put country before party. As such, they are entitled to have McCain further define or clarify his “conservative values.” He needs to earn their vote.
Like Untermeyer, former President Bush questioned those on the right who question McCain. He called such criticism “grossly unfair” and an “unfair attack.”
If some in the party succeed in quashing the conservative voice, then they will have silenced the conscience of America. Surely, John McCain will stand shoulder to shoulder with conservatives to prevent such an outcome.
“The election is not here yet. We still have the right to not like any of the choices. The FR is still a place where we can express our distaste of McCain with good reason.”
Bears repeating in all CAPS.
Well, I thought we were talking about the GOP in general and their general view toward Conservatives.
The candidates we have now just prove the point. The GOP will never allow another candidate to be promoted simply on the grounds that they are Christian. That’s as it should be, but too many Conservatives have that line of demarcation ... which divides the Conservatives, makes a bunch of racket and brings the MSM vultures running to gleefully spin it however it best serves their interests.
But the flash point that is religion is becoming more and more of a liability, and the GOP has no option but to steer hard away from it. Anything that sounds patently “conservative” nowadays is equated with “religious nut”.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have church rallies. Go figure. Their brand of religion isn’t view as “kooky” it’s viewed as “homey” and cultural and authentic.
It’s been an artful and tedious process by the MSM but nonetheless effective. Thus, the darling of the Media, John McCain. Who must be scratching busily at all the flea bites.
Explain to me, in name of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, getting Hillary or Obama elected President is in the best interest in this country?
I am not looking out for the party, I looking out for the country.
We have choices in life, it’s not always easy to decide. McCain was NOT my first 5 choices, but that’s being a grown up. But saying that electing Hilabam president is in tune with consevrative principles is insane.
LLS
Wrtie in RuPaul if want.
You think Hilabama will be better?
Can’t go there with you. McCain is calculating, extremely intelligent, ruthless and focused. Everything I want in a fighter pilot or a leader. I’d rather he lead us into perdition in a straight line, than to stumble into backwards with an idiot like Obama.
The people of Iowa and New Hampshire had their chances to vote for him and didn’t.
I believe god can do anything. But I don’t believe for a second that God, for the good of Christians or Jews, picks our leaders for us. If you are voting for someone because you think God wants him to be president. By all means tell the rest of us how you came by this pearl of wisdom.
Oh let me guess, a candidate that carries the same bible you do, therefore he MUST BE THE CHOSEN ONE.
No just another observation that there is little difference between the three candidates.
This is the 1970’s crowd pushing their move back to parties being irrelevant. McCain is a creation of the DBM not the voters. Remember overr 25% of the people who voted in republican primaries were NOT republicans.
Not snarky, just a realization that 2008 is only about congress, the Presidency is over.
McCain does not get money, not get volunteers, does not get grass roots. He has to pay for volunteers just like any other Democrat.
And for the record McCain IS pandering, he is pandering to the left. (environwackos, taxes, gun control etc.)
[footnote: haven’t you noticed how condi rice has been deposed as functional sec. of state and has been couped out of power? the career desk jockeys are in charge of US policy abroad.]
God has protected America the last seven years. Why?
Oh Please...you’re playing the “victim” card? Barf Alert!
-—You think Hilabama will be better?-—
I thought it didn’t matter what I think. I’m just supposed to pull the lever for any stooge put in front of me.
See post 73
I also heard Freepers blame Rush, Ann, Sean, etc. These people still have one vote like the rest of us. Each voter has the responsibility to become informed. The truth is available among all the clutter. The Clinton years have should the voter who lies and who tells the truth. Satan has deceived America with their own personal feeling. The Christians that think Huck is good and Mitt is bad. The Republicans that think McCain is one of them. The DEMS who think Hillary or Obama will change Washington. The deception to complete and wide spread. This country is headed for a global government and we are electing corrupt weak immoral people on both sides who are going to sell us out. No one can convince me that McCain is moral. He has a weak soul. He caved in Vietnam and he caved in Congress just to be popular. Hillary and Obama have sold their souls also. We need someone with great internal strength. None of the three front runners qualify.
What a bunch of crap. It’s not about the Party...it’s about the country.
You can either support a Socialist...or you can support a canidate that is conservative 85% of the time.
I’m not sure that this is completely true. Sure, the GOP is not going to nominate a preacher (i.e. Huck) but will nominate someone who uses their religious values as a moral compass....Keep in mind GWB was elected twice - even amidst the height of his hatred in 2006.
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