Posted on 05/03/2009 6:05:21 AM PDT by Born Conservative
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Saturday that it's time for the Republican Party to give up its "nostalgia" for the heyday of the Reagan era and look forward, even if it means stealing the winning strategy deployed by Democrats in the 2008 election.
"You can't beat something with nothing, and the other side has something. I don't like it, but they have it, and we have to be respectful and mindful of that," Mr. Bush said.
The former president's brother, often mentioned as a potential candidate in 2012, said President Obama's message of hope and change during the 2008 campaign clearly resonated with Americans.
"So our ideas need to be forward looking and relevant. I felt like there was a lot of nostalgia and the good old days in the [Republican] messaging. I mean, it's great, but it doesn't draw people toward your cause," Mr. Bush said.
"From the conservative side, it's time for us to listen first, to learn a little bit, to upgrade our message a little bit, to not be nostalgic about the past because, you know, things do ebb and flow."
The Florida governor joined former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor on Saturday at a small pizza parlor in Arlington for the inaugural event of the National Council for a New America (NCNA).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
LOL - I just sprayed Ramen noodle soup (all I can afford after taxes) all over my keyboard.
Dear Jeb: Go pound sand you loon.
If one wonders why the pubbies have the problems they have look no further than the leadership. They don’t have principles they have messages. They think adopting the beliefs of their enemies and the nations enemies is the way to move forward. Lamar Alexander on Fox is talking now about a big tent. He says it is the way to be a party not a club. Inferring that the conservatives are are fringey club members and that the way forward is moderation. Lamar, Bush, and Romney are moderates as are many more. Their belief structures got us in this mess because they truly believe in progressivism not the limited government our founders exposed. I suggest an alternative strategy, have principles, understand why you have those principles, learn to articulate those principles, when you campaign tell the truth about what you believe, when elected honor your word. Don’t ever lie, don’t dissemble. Follow this and the pubbies will be in power for generations and our nation will be restored. Follow the party’s current, cowardly leaders beliefs and the Republicans really are finished.
More evidence that we don’t need a third Bush in the White House. Jeb, learn what a “timeless principle” is, even if the while idea of “principles” is difficult for you to understand.
Outstanding quotes
Reagan won because he took the party away from these mealy-mouths. That was his genius. He didn’t go to the party; he moved the party to HIM. If we want conservatism to shine through, we must grapple for the soul of this party and take it away from the sell-outs.
If this group is supposed to be an idea of a new ‘contract with America’, 1. Count me out, and 2. It won’t work.
We will have to fight for this Party one voice at a time, one primary at a time, one seat at a time. I’ve heard over and over again, especially here, that it’s time for conservatives to step up and stand out. I agree.
I’d like to say thank you and God speed to Jack Kemp for being an integral part of the Reagan Revolution. I saw this in the thread for him, and agree: if Reagan had picked KEMP for VP in ‘80, what Jeb Bush thinks wouldn’t matter in the slightest. Reagan made the Bushes national figures. A little loyalty, it seems, should be in order. After all, We ARE a party of VALUES.
Not only does conservatism work every time it’s tried, it’s the right message for America. When we don’t put forward our values in bold colors, people look for alternatives. In retrospect, it’s not surprising that Obama won: he ran on a message of caring for our neighbors and tax cuts. It matters little that his real agenda isn’t aligned with either idea: when WE don’t put forth OUR ideas, the other side wins, by default.
And then. THEN, we have sycophants spouting that they HAVE something. Yes, they do. They have an uncontested and flawed message. Conservatism, like capitalism, works best with competition. When we excel at offering choices, the best choice, our values, wins.
Of course, we have to actually OFFER UP A CHOICE. This group is offering pastels so pale, they might as well be a white flag. Not me. Bold colors going forward.
If Bobby Jindal spends 5 more minutes with this group of mealy-mouthed morons then he’s off my list of potential “good guys”!
I marked him off any list I have when he started gushing about how great Obama is.
But, I predict in the near future you will see several well known Republicans change their party affiliation and job on the Obama bandwagon”
Where to start on this? But anyone who is for Open Borders and a multitude of Languages being spoken here and everyone on earth placed in a higher regard than Americans..
Oh and Calling us racists is a democrat!The big spending is just bonus points.
The pickup truck and cowboy hat shtick was a hoot.
The insider party groupies invented that facade, and the easily led swooned over those props.
The insider party groupies invented that facade, and the easily led swooned over those props.”
True I was only referring to the Bush birth place. They used the Texas/American Theme all three contributed and enabled the current situation.
It’s time to leave the Bushes behind!
If you haven’t read the article, then, yes, I have no problem with you telling me that words are not being put in Jeb’s mouth.
Thank you!
Sickening...eh?
What’s even worse is that McCain is on board.
We had enough of his “help” last year.
That stupid lowlife traitor imbecile. NO MORE BUSHES ... EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
No more RINOs ... EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good point! But that’s how it works with the elitists. They get to start on the 10 yard line and fight the last 10 yards, while a Reagan starts on the goal line. Then they bring their elitist pals on board for automatic touchdowns. That’s the GOP (and the Democrats).
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