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GAFFNEY: Conservative crossroads - Return to Reagan coalition roots or lose in 2012
Wash Times ^ | 2/16/11 | Frank Gaffney

Posted on 02/16/2011 2:56:25 AM PST by pissant

To all outward appearances, the just-concluded Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was a huge success. It was attended by a large, boisterous crowd, a substantial part of which was student-age - a promising indicator of the movement’s appeal to the coming generation. A number of luminaries, including several prospective presidential candidates, addressed enthusiastic audiences clearly invigorated by November’s successes at the polls.

CPAC’s apparent vigor, however, obscured the fact that the conservative movement is at a crossroads: Will it continue to be comprised of, and appeal to, all three elements of Ronald Reagan‘s winning coalition - fiscal discipline, traditional family and other social values, and a national security approach rooted in the philosophy of “peace through strength”? Or will it be reduced to a libertarian-dominated, small-government agenda that ignores or repudiates Reagan‘s conservative values and robust defense platform?

Upon the answer rests not only the future of this vital movement, but of America. For if conservatives get this strategic question wrong, they not only are unlikely to enjoy the support of the electorate come 2012. They will not deserve that support.

Unfortunately, the evidence that libertarian impulses were ascendant at CPAC was not only to be found in the straw poll victory of their exemplar, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. It was also apparent in who was - and who was not - participating as sponsors of the conference and/or some of its events.

The former included GOProud, Muslims for America and the so-called “Conservative Inclusion Coalition” - organizations that, in the name of “inclusiveness,” are insinuating into the conservative movement individuals and initiatives that are divisive and anathema to many who hew to Ronald Reagan‘s beliefs and policies.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cpac; frankgaffney; reaganism; ronpaul
The real question is will Paul run as a liberaltarian again, as he did in 1988?
1 posted on 02/16/2011 2:56:29 AM PST by pissant
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To: pissant

A real CONSERVATIVE,
Not another old fool like McLame or dull Dole.
A real conservative not a poser like Huckabee, Romney, or others of their ilk.
A real conservative or GO FISH.


2 posted on 02/16/2011 3:24:32 AM PST by Joe Boucher ((FUBO))
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To: pissant

Gaffney’s right - we all hang together, or we all hang separately.

The liberaltarians who think we should only be concerned about the economy, and who want to send the SoCons (and, to a lesser extent, the DefCons) packing, are way, way off base.

Frankly - I couldn’t care less about the economy IF it means “saving” the economy, only to have a country that’s not worth living in from these other standpoints. What would be the point?


3 posted on 02/16/2011 3:27:17 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (When evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will believe in abject nonsense.)
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To: pissant

Hear, Hear,..posted to facebook!

J. J. S.


4 posted on 02/16/2011 3:41:28 AM PST by JSDude1 (December 18, 2010 the Day the radical homosexual left declared WAR on the US Military.)
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To: pissant

gaffney and horowitz were also brave enough to call out grover norquist as the negative force that he is


5 posted on 02/16/2011 3:54:25 AM PST by hilaryrhymeswithrich
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To: pissant
The real question is will Paul run as a liberaltarian again, as he did in 1988?

Weren't you the one who up until last year or so was pimping that stupid Falcon Party all over FR? I really don't think you of all people should be bitching about third parties.

6 posted on 02/16/2011 6:07:08 AM PST by jmc813
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To: jmc813

Who is bitching, skippy? Paul and the liberaltarians can do whatever they want. If they actually put up a conservative libertarian instead of a lunatic, I’d certainly take him over one of the RINOs.


7 posted on 02/16/2011 6:42:53 AM PST by pissant ((Bachmann 2012 - Freepmail to get on/off PING list))
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Gaffney Warns Conservatives for 2012
scottfactor.com | 02/17/2011 | Gina Miller
Posted on 02/17/2011 5:29:26 AM PST by scottfactor
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2675143/posts


8 posted on 07/03/2011 4:37:53 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's the Obamacare, stupid! -- Thanks Cincinna for this link -- http://www.friendsofitamar.org)
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