What Makes a Republican - a REPUBLICAN?

NewsCorridor ^ | March 10, 2002 | Sartre

[ThePythonicCow]

I don't think it is as bleak as Sartre portrays it. What distinguishes the two parties is not the so called moderate middle, which both parties must attract to win, but their respective bases, which both parties must hold solid or lose badly.

The Republic base includes conservatives and fly over country. The Democratic base includes the radical left, Unions and inner city down trodden.

The Democratic base would, if given a chance, push us toward a Communist Totalitarian central government. The Republic base would, if given a chance, reduce the role of the federal government in domestic affairs. Neither party can long afford to appear in public as their most energetic base supporters would like them to appear. Both parties must keep the support of their base with somewhat symbolic gestures, designed to appeal to the base while not offending the great middle.

Part of Bush's skill is in making the largely symbolic gestures that will take away the issues that the other side could make hay with. These moves, such as signing an Education Bill without vouchers (as if any other sort of Bill had a chance in hell this year) or not denouncing Campaign Finance Reform or being soft on illegal immigrants, carry a risk -- of pissing off the base and not being so symbolic afterall. But they also carry an upside -- of weakening the radical left and establishing a Republican majority in the Senate, which would allow for a more conservative direction and in particular for some good Judges. If Bush wins the War on Terrorism and seats a few good Supreme Court judges over the next 7 years, then he's a success in my book.

[Jim Robinson]

"establishing a Republican majority in the Senate"

There is your key. The fact is we need a more conservative government. How do you make it more conservative? The obvious answer is you make it less liberal. How do you make it less liberal? Vote out the Democrats. After you get the worst of the socialist lot of the Democrats replaced, then you can make it more conservative yet, by eliminating the worst of the lott of the Republicans. May sound dumb, but it's the only way. In other words, you're gonna have to make government a whole lot more Republican before you can make it conservative.

[toenail]

"After you get the worst of the socialist lot of the Democrats replaced, then you can make it more conservative yet, by eliminating the worst of the lott of the Republicans."

Pun, or Freudian fat-finger?

[ThePythonicCow]

make government a whole lot more Republican before you can make it conservative

yup.

[Jim Robinson]

I'll never say.

[RichInOC]

I look forward to our being able to separate the wheat from the chaffee.

[Texasforever]

May sound dumb, but it's the only way. In other words, you're gonna have to make government a whole lot more Republican before you can make it conservative.

Yes but many think that wining is a bad thing and are more angry at the GOP than the Democrats. Conservatives are famous for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[nopardons]

That is it, in a nutshell. Now, if ONLY the more radical FReepers and one issue FReepers would wake up to tis fact, all would be well.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your statement makes sense to me.
Only other solution I can see is a HUGE influx of conservative Independents elected.
But that isn't going to happen in our lifetime.
I'm still a registered Independent but it would take a really bad Republican to get me to vote for a Democrat.

[Jhoffa_]

Mr. Robinson..

Honestly, many of these people may as well be Democrats.

I mean, for all practical intents and purposes they are selling us down the river.

I think the only way to win government is through the media.

Put enough pressure on any of these serpents and they will bend your way.

[The Raven]

How do you make it more conservative?

For starters here's a fairly complete list [right hand margin]

[Jim Robinson]

Yep, it would be great to change the media. But that's another item that ain't gonna happen in our lifetime. That has to start in the halls of our colleges and universities and before that in elementary and high schools. We're talking generations here.

[Jim Robinson]

Hmmmm, that looks great. How may Capitalists can we expect to elect this cycle?

[ThePythonicCow]

I think the only way to win government is through the media.

Not the only way, but an essential part of the way.

And Jim Robinson knows it well. For he is part of the media. Many of us freepers used to turn into the Nightly News on the major networks for news. Now we logon to this site.

Thanks, Jim. The news babes may be better looking than you, but this site sure gives better news.

[RLK]

So why does the Republican Party work overtime to run in lock step with the Socialism of the New Frontier, Great Society and New World Order?

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Because few Republicans have the capability to refute leftist arguments...

[Jhoffa_]

Imvho, It is happening..

Slowly.. I mean, our idea sells (and completely unvarnished) in any form you can name..

It sells on TV (Mr. O) It sells on radio (Rush) It sells in book form (Bias)

In my opinion, we just need more of it..

We need to funnel support in this direction.. We have a brand new product that's hundreds of years old, and people can't wait to buy..

We need our own medium.

[Jhoffa_]

Just choose a direction..

[Jim Robinson]

That's true. It would take an awful long time to change the media, ie, remove the liberal bias from the existing media. But you're talking replacement here. A new media. Cable outlets like FOX, plus Talk Radio, Internet, conservative mags and papers, etc. Could happen.

[brat]

"Achieving this goal requires that such liberty is founded upon an economic system based on free enterprise, a political system based on citizen participation, and national independence and sovereignty for our country."

I disagree. I think he's right on the money. There isn't much left of the above statement today. I find it very depressing.

[ThePythonicCow]

Because few Republicans have the capability to refute leftist arguments

True, but at least this bothers you.

If you were in the liberal base, rather than the conservative base, you would be complaining that the unwashed masses couldn't spin and demagod the VWRC arguments, rather than complaining they couldn't refute them.

That is, the more serious minded conservatives have principles and guiding concepts. The more rabid liberals have bitterness and guiding lust for power.