Replies

Who are the conservative leaders?

Where are the conservative political operatives? The GOP command structure is chock-full of liberals and RINOs. These Clintonian chameleons run the party and don't want conservatives to win any elections. The grass roots have been squeezed out and they won't admit it because "it's better to have a Rockefeller Republican than a Democrat."

One of these days they will awaken and realize the GOP is completely emasculated. Of course, it will be blamed on those of us who are trying to sound the alarm, but are derided as evil ideologues who don't understand politics. Our children will get to decide who was really "right". If the aged demographic makeup of the current party is any indication, we are in serious trouble.

the two most important conservatives left in Washington are Senate Minority Whip Don Nickles (R-OK) and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Tex.). With the possible exceptions of outgoing incumbents John Engler in Michigan and Frank Keating in Oklahoma, there aren´t any impressively conservative governors.

We know how to elect 'em here in Oklahoma. Don't forget, we produced JC Watts as well.

After living in Michigan the past 9 years, I can't think of one "conservative" thing Engler has done. He made his name on welfare reform over 10 years ago.

From my perspective, my favorite is Brett Schundler. He's the most articulate and talented speaker I've seen among the politicians on the right.

Of course, true conservatives know that politics isn´t everything. Unfortunately, most conservative writers and idea men, in sharp contrast with people like the late Russell Kirk, are little more than Republican Party public relations people.

Anyone who claims to be an American Conservative and puts party politics first, simply is not. The essence of American republicanism (note the small "r") was always to put principle above party. That remains a basic principle. On the other hand, it is from forums such as this, where a new American Conservative leadership is apt to emerge--born in the ferment of ideas and discussion of how best to implement them. (And it is foolish to write someone off because they lose one election.)

The problem with Bush, I think, is focus. He has never been forced to focus on the whys, hows, and consequences of a generalized belief system. We need to find ways to focus politicians better. And if we cannot focus those around now, better. We will have to find the means to repace them.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site