Posted on 08/14/2016 5:22:00 PM PDT by fluorescence
Denver — Some 500 conservative activists convened here over the weekend for the annual RedState Gathering, an event that traditionally functions as a pep rally for the Republican grassroots.
This year, though, it felt like a funeral.
The mood was decidedly dour as attendees spoke — from the main stage, at their tables, and over adult beverages — in disbelieving tones about the state of the presidential race and the inadequacies of their party’s nominee, Donald Trump.
The event offered a unique window into how conservative activists are coping with 2016, and how they might hope to pick up the pieces after November 8. There were telling moments. At one point, the hosts aired a video message from Speaker Paul Ryan in which he spoke about the future of conservatism. When it ended, only a handful of people in the ballroom applauded.
Here are five observations from the event:
1. There Was Tension over Trump
RedState.com, the popular conservative blog, has earned a reputation for being passionately anti-Trump. This largely owes to former editor Erick Erickson and current editor Leon Wolf, both of whom have been outspoken critics of the Republican nominee. One might have assumed, then, that most — if not all — attendees at their conference would share their opposition to Trump. But that assumption was proven wrong.
In a reminder that the conservative movement is far from monolithic, there was a respectable contingent of Trump supporters in the crowd, at least one of them wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, to the chagrin of his neighbors. The clear majority in attendance were Trump detractors, however, and some of them were not shy about voicing their displeasure with his loyalists in the room.
At one point Saturday afternoon, Wolf, who emceed the event, opened the floor for…
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
Not surprised.
I’ve popped in there a few times in recent weeks and the authors are getting taking a lot of flack in a majority of the comments.
Fat boy Glenn was there
Lol, Sasse and Fiorina are the GOPe's rising stars and standard bearers.
“IMHO if Hillary wins there will NO picking up the pieces. The Republican party will be DEAD.”
The U.S. Constitution will be DEAD. The rule of law will be DEAD. And finally, our country will be DEAD.
Amen! Trump has separated out the chaff from the wheat and there is a lot more chaff than wheat “conservative” posers out there. 500 “conservatives” who oppose their candidate against an out and out communist. 500 Republicans. 500 cheap liberals. 500 pocketbook lining globalists. 500 chamber of crony commerce members. But 500 conservatives, only in their warped mind as to what constitutes a conservative and they ain’t it.
Win or lose Trump has finally shown the light of day on the great chasm that has been brewing for decades in the Republican Party. It can either die as a communist echo or offer a real choice. Frankly my money is on the echo after observing these greedy leeches since 1988.
Just back online to peruse through what I missed. Have a question.. Did Cruz even make the Red State conflab?
If so, where are the accolades in this article of his wonderfulness? Can’t find anywhere any news that he actually attended as planned. I know you are *on* to Cruz-the-Ruze, so I wanted to ask you. Thanks, dearest.
I don’t know nor care if he did!
Mr. Cruz did not attend the conference, telling organizers
that he previously committed to a family vacation.
Thank you very much, deport! Now a few things make sense.
For the “flower child” of Red State and of NR to get no mention was astounding to me. After all, this conflab was on Cruz’ schedule weeks ago.
Thank you for the additional links, too!
I intend to follow Cruz. I live in TEXAS and I care what he’s up to. We’ve got to get someone like McCaul to primary him.
Appreciate anything you find, and I check on Cruz with dogged regularity on Google.
I don’t have daily contacts on Cruz now that I no longer reside in TX. I’m not sure
what his future tactics will be as he moves forward. I do know that Cruz as a rule was
not one to stay in any position for an extended period of time. I was a bit surprised
that he has decided to run for reelection as Senator. But then that allows him national
contacts thru the DC portal.
Take care.
Thanks for the ping and update.
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