Romney moves up as Potential McCain VP

NPR ^ | July 20 | Ron Elving

[Reagan Man]

"I do not believe I have proposed anything that is contrary to what has been considered Republican principle. It is at the same time the very basis of conservatism. It is time to reassert that principle and raise it to full view. And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles, then let them go their way.”

~~~ Ronald Reagan, March 1, 1975

[ejonesie22]

Most excellent.

Guess that Reagan was a purist, too bad, he should have been president, but purist never win.

[Redcloak]

As I recall, Reagan quoted “the sausage principle” at least once...

“People who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either one being made.”

[Reagan Man]

In the 1980`s, Reagan stopped liberalism and the welfare state in its tracks. However, he didn't have the power to end big government, as we know it.

If Reagan had a GOP majority and control of the House purse strings, like Bush43 did for six years, he might have been able to properly address the overall bloated federal bureaucracy by applying federalism to the notion of limited government.

Again, Reagan was a conservative who got his way 75% of the time. Not the mark of a pragmatist.

[ejonesie22]

What a purist loon that Reagan was. A person like that could never win high office....

[greyfoxx39]

When is the mormon church going to apologize for 150 years of racism? Just in time for Mitt to get the VP nod? Or, more likely, NEVER!

Christians have apologized...mormons never.

[greyfoxx39]

Don’t applaud too soon...SOMEONE ran to teacher!

[jveritas]

There is a very nasty Romney hater that I have not seen for while on this forum. He is against Romney purely because Romney is a Mormon.

[ConservativeMan55]

I know who you are talking about..

[Reagan Man]

The principles of conservatism are sound because they are based on what men and women have discovered through experience in not just one generation or a dozen, but in all the combined experience of mankind. When we conservatives say that we know something about political affairs, and that we know can be stated as principles, we are saying that the principles we hold dear are those that have been found, through experience, to be ultimately beneficial for individuals, for families, for communities and for nations -- found through the often bitter testing of pain, or sacrifice and sorrow.

We, the members of the New Republican Party, believe that the preservation and enhancement of the values that strengthen and protect individual freedom, family life, communities and neighborhoods and the liberty of our beloved nation should be at the heart of any legislative or political program presented to the American people."

~~~ Ronald Reagan, Speech to the 1977 CPAC Convention: "The New Republican Party

[Redcloak]

So you’re saying that he pragmatically compromised 25% of the time. Not much of a purist, was he?

[Mojave]

As I recall, Reagan quoted “the sausage principle”

Link or cite, please.

[Graybeard58]

The ONLY way I can not vote for LIBERAL, McPain is if he DOESN’T CHOOSE LIBERAL Mitt as VP. Otherwise, I stay home and don’t vote.

There is reciprocity in the world.

Ditto.

[ejonesie22]

Sad how quickly that is forgotten, and sadder still what it takes to bring it back every couple of generations.

[ejonesie22]

The thing about Reagan and many Conservatives at the time, is they compromised after the battle had been waged, after they gained everything they could and pushed for a little more, not before the first arguments were made.

Were if that were still true today.

[Diogenesis]

Compare, and contrast, side by side
Thanks for the quotes from President Reagan.

"I'm not running as the Republican view or a continuation of Republican values. That's not what brings me to the race. (Romney Video, accessed 9/19/07)	"We don't intend to turn the Republican Party  over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged  to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all."" --  President Ronald Reagan
"I'm very clear I think, to the people across the Commonwealth - my "R" didn't stand so much for Republican as it does for reform." (Romney Video, accessed 9/19/07)	"A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs  which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers." --  President Ronald Reagan
"Look, I was an Independent during the time of Reagan/Bush. I am not trying to return to Reagan/Bush." (Mitt Romney, 1994 Senate Debate, Boston, MA, 10/25/94)	""I do not believe I have proposed anything that is contrary  to what has been considered Republican principle.  It is at the same time the very basis of conservatism.  It is time to reassert that principle and raise it to full view.  And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles,  then let them go their way.”" ~~~ Ronald Reagan, March 1, 1975
Romney's    fake troopers sporting fake badges Romney: “Make all the promises you have to...”	"Join me in a dream of a California whose government isn't characterized by political hacks and cronies and relatives --an administration that doesn't make its decisions based on political expediency  but on moral truth. Together, let us find men to match our mountains. We can have a government administered by men and women who are appointed on the basis of ability and dedication --not as a reward for political favors. If we must have a double standard of morality, then let it be one, which demands more of those in government, not less."" -- President Ronald Reagan
	Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." President Ronald Reagan:

[NittanyLion]

Not a problem friend...sorry for the strong retort.

[Reagan Man]

Philosophical pragmatism is a political ideology unto itself. Just like philosophical conservatism. Again, Reagan was not a pragmatist. Yes, Reagan compromised, but only as a last resort.

Like all conservatives, Reagan would have enjoyed 100% success implimenting the conservative agenda, but he settled for 75%. A high success rate.

Still, there is nothing wrong with striving for whatever you can get. After all, political conservatism means conserving things like traditional American values and beliefs. Things like the Constitution.

You got a problem with that?

[Grunthor]

Well of COURSE Romney lost to Fred! When it was starting boil down to a choice between Mitt or Juanito? Hell, I’d vote for Mitt every damned time!

[FreeReign]

And a pragmatist is not a conservative. Period.

I don't agree.