[americanophile]

I think we will be more successful in turning the tide if we organize around positive rather than negative principles; if we declare what principles (not candidates) we are for. Not everyone may agree on every point, or the best vehicle to achieve those ends, but rather than continually dividing the conservative movement, or launching into inquisitions, we should strive not to make enemies with those who agree with core conservative principles and who seek a return to our republic's roots.

[paulycy]

if we organize around positive rather than negative principles; if we declare what principles (not candidates) we are for.

Agreed. We need to make a distinction between timeless conservative principles and the partisan political choices available for any one particular vote.

When these two categories get mixed then all we get are posts in which otherwise sane FReepers scratch each others' eyes out over some failing or other of some candidate.

There are obvious RINOs, then there are RINOs that a FReeper might vote for over a lib or a leftie, then there are (rarely) conservative Dems that might be a better choice over a socialist-lite RINO, then there are elections in which no principled Conservative could vote no matter who was running.

Principles vs. partisanship should be clearly defined and separated IMO.