Let's try to do without the personal attacks...for a change. Let's agree to debate this as gentlemen, okay?
I am a Goldwater Conservative. Not a Jerry Falwell or Tom Tancredo Conservative.
And if Ronald Reagan were alive and lucid today...he would agree with me. He understood that the country has a penchant to go Left. He understood that getting 51% of what you wanted is a victory of sorts.
The Religious Right had been very influential in bringing us Ronald Reagan in 1980. But he would have won in 1984 regardless of their support. Since then...IMO, they have a over-inflated sense of themselves.
Now that the contrast between the parties is clearer...and Cultural War is being fought in the open...we need to win elections....not cling to one-or-two issues...demanding litmus tests of our candidates.
Fixed it for ya.
Goldwater lost in a landslide to LBJ because he didn't understand how to focus his message and advance conservatism. And he was a lousy candidate.
Reagan won two landslides because he built a consensus that united Americans behind common goals. One of those goals was to advance pro-life issues and the Religious Right helped to elect Reagan twice. Goldwater was pro-choice. Later in his life, old Barry came out in support of homo rights and even defended Bill Clinton. Truth was, Goldwater hated Reagan for his successes.
From your #66 to me:
“You’re no different that the poor sap in the movie Deerhunter.”
From you #97:
“Let’s try to do without the personal attacks...for a change. Let’s agree to debate this as gentlemen, okay?”
Now what came first, and who set the tone for this exchange? Now that that has been clarified...
Anyone who thought Jerry Falwell ever influenced a large number of voters never understood the “Religious Right”. Some Republican candidate will win a majority of that vote, but other candidates also win votes. Several people have posted data showing that Romney did well among that group, even though others say Romney would cost Republicans most all their votes.
But the pro-life vote exists in every state, in the most conservative states, in liberal states, and very much in the battleground states. If you think Republicans can just flake off the religious vote in Ohio, Indiana, Florida, and other similar states, and still win, then maybe you haven’t thought this through.
All those Dems. who might vote against Obama, just who are they? I think they’re white union members, or voters who believe they should still vote for the most pro-labor party. So they vote for the Dem., though many are otherwise conservative. But just because some might vote against Obama doesn’t mean they want to be long-term Republicans. We always have a few brilliant Republican economists advocating eliminating the minimum wage, just the thing to win those pro-labor, conservative Dems.
Just what group of voters do you think these middle-of-the-road Republicans are going to pick-up? And, don’t think some of the more conservative Republicans won’t sit out an election where the Republicans have become some mushy middle. Voters will be lost during a move toward the middle. Specifically what voters will be gained?
I am a Goldwater Conservative.
...And if Ronald Reagan were alive and lucid today...he would agree with me. He understood that the country has a penchant to go Left...
Now that the contrast between the parties is clearer...and Cultural War is being fought in the open...we need to win elections....not cling to one-or-two issues...demanding litmus tests of our candidates.
So many contradictory statements! I'll just ask a few questions:
1) Did Mr. Goldwater pick a Democrat for his running mate?
2) Did Mr. Reagan, in either presidential election, pick a Democrat for his running mate?
3) "Now that the contrast between the parties is clearer...and Cultural War is being fought in the open," shouldn't we demand a simple "litmus" test for the two people on our presidential ticket - membership in the Republican Party?
In fact, "McCain...and Lieberman" are NOT "the perfect choices" for anything. The so-called 'maverick' could just as easily be called 'erratic.' And Lieberman is a Democrat...
If Ronald Reagan were alive and lucid today he wouldn't be a Republican.