Trump is a liberal arts his core who will campaign as a converted conservative and would govern as a center left pragmatist.
So everything is anything after all - Who knew? /s
Is Paul Ryan conservative? No thanks.
The massive failure of conservatives (so called) to stop Obama shows they are part of the Uniparty - an evil cabal out to destroy America.
Trump is a strong man nationalist. He will correct things. America has 20 million aliens, a million Muslin invaders per year bring bought in.
Elect Trump or you wives and daughters will be openly raped and the media forced to shut up about it like Germany.
That’s what’s at stake.
So whaddaya do?
Trump’s a Wall Street insider who peddled influence.
Cruz is just another DC insider lawyer beholden to the lobbyists.
Outstanding article. Thanks for posting!
But Peter Brimelow has long been expunged from 'the conservative movement.'
I know Peter. Very true. You are not considered a conservative if you want to reduce legal immigration and oppose amnesty, i.e., legalization.
If he builds a wall and kicks out the interlopers he can then do whatever he wants. We can ditch him in 4 years if he strays to far left, which is something I do not think will happen..
There's always been a government and an anti-government side to conservatism, and it would be naive to expect conservative politicians to attack government at all times.
Also, the figures he offers as examples of anti-establishment "true conservatives" are simply representatives of one form of conservatism who want to form an establishment of their own.
If all politicians are Establishment, so are all well-known talking heads.
The word conservative is used in so many different ways that it is meaningless.
Lets start with Reagans 3 legged stool:
Social conservatives
free market capitalists
strong anti-communist national defense
Actually there is a 4th leg...a sense of friendly humor.
One problem is those who want to make a single issue a litmus test. If a person is pro-abortion but also pro-free market capitalist, pro-2A, anti-gay marriage how conservative is he?
If a person is for gun control but conservative on every other issue, then how conservative is he?
If a person is for a big government approach to immigration then how conservative is he?
The 80%test is often used: If he agrees with me on 80% then he is with us.
Is there a different percentage we should use? 60%? 100%?
Jeb is the LAST person to make that claim! Jeb proudly proclaimed before Trump got in that he was going to win the nomination WITHOUT the conservative base!
Selected Trump articles on FR, with links, from 12:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST, 1/23/16:
Free Republic Caucus (daily) Reveals Bias Toward Trump
Trump: Cruz 'could be Canadian prime minister'
The Trump Phenomenon: Exposing Common Fictions?
I Can See 2016 From My House
FNC'S Jesse Watters: National Review "Putting Pure Conservatism Over The Country" ["over" meaning "ahead of nat'l interests"]
Dinesh D'Souza: National Review Won't 'Dent Donald Trump's Real Support'
Reuters Poll Jan 22, 2016 (5 Day Rolling LV) [Trump +6 40.8% Clinton -4 41.4%]
LIVE Stream: Donald Trump Rally in Sioux Center, IA at Dordt College (1-23-16)
Donald Trump op-ed: My vision for a Culture of Life
Trump causes Beltway Republicans to go crazy
The GOP establishment capitulates to Donald Trump [WaPo]
National Review -- a Titanic Failure
New Media Landscape Makes National Review's Pursuit to Take Out Trump Pointless as It is Pouty
Q&A: Donald Trump on Guns, Hunting, and Conservation [Field and Stream]
Donald Trump comes out against letting states manage federal lands? [another take on Field and Stream interview]
More to Conservatism Than a Vibe [Blog & Mablog]
Obama dines with conservative columnists (2009 - Kristol, Will, Krauthammer, Brooks, more)
Barbara Bush Jabs Trump in New Jeb! Ad
Possible Republican presidential candidates in 2016 [Reuters: Trump 40.6%, Cruz 10.5%, Carson 9.7%, more]
Trump: When I get to Washington, I'm Going to Become Part of the Establishment
Trump leads Cruz by 14 points in national poll
LIVE Stream: Two Donald Trump Rallys January 23 in Sioux Center, IA 11:00 (CST) & Pella, IA 2:30 (CST)
NEW Trump Ad-push back against GOPe
BREAKING: National Black Republican Association Endorses Trump
Trump Promises 'Great Management' - We Need Limited Government [one of the milder NR hit pieces]
THE CASE FOR DONALD TRUMP [Jeffrey Lord book review]
One Big Reason To Be Less Skeptical Of Trump [538 - Nate Silver]
SHOCK: Trump's official voting record released by NYC, shows he has been Repub since 1980
Trump-Cruz 2016? If Cruz Isn't Qualified to Be Prez Then How Can He Be VP?
Trump Spokeswoman: Malcolm X Is 'My Idol,' Republicans Are Racist
Bill Gates: US 'should take more' refugees [pile on this thead, freepers]
After Palin Endorses Trump he Rises 6 Points, Cruz Falls 6 Points in Reuters Poll
Free Republic 2016 Caucus Open Discussion Thread IV
Charles Krauthammer Reveals the Candidate He Thinks Is Most Likely to Win the Republican Nomination [predicts Trump]
Which Presidential Candidate Do You Think Might Be An Answer to Prayers? [vanity]
In 2013 and 2014, Donald Trump Funded John Boehner and Mitch McConnell Against the Tea Party [Erick Erickson]
Donald Trump's Iowa Caucus Finder
Fox Poll: Trump, Cruz top GOP race, few 'birther' concerns
I have a lot of sympathy for Cruz supporters who expect the man to walk into the Whitehouse, wave his magic wand(pen) and abolish all the things they say they stand against. It’s going to be a gut wrenching experience. I know. I’ve been there.