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So far, the GOP is not giving conservatives reasons to vote on November 5th
Enter Stage Right ^ | July 15, 2002 | Paul M. Weyrich

Posted on 07/15/2002 10:28:18 AM PDT by gordgekko

Maybe I am totally off base, and probably I should keep my views to myself, but I sense a Democratic victory in Congress in the making. It is true that President George W. Bush still has sky high ratings among the electorate. They see him as someone who thinks like they do. No matter what issues the Democrats throw at the President, nothing sticks to him. They used to call Ronald Reagan the Teflon President, but if Bush continues these ratings into 2004, he will do Reagan one better.

The Bush ratings do not apply to his party, however. In fact, several recent polls find that while the average voter believes that Bush is on the side of the average voter, Republicans in general are seen as being more interested in the welfare of corporate bigwigs. If Democrat strategists are able to take advantage of this voter perception they will hold on to the Senate, but will win control of the House as well. Republican strategists already concede gains in the gubernatorial realm. They are defending many more state houses than the Democrats.

One of the problems for Republicans in Congress is that grass roots conservatives don't feel that the party is willing to raise issues they care about. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision removing God from the pledge of allegiance and a New York federal judge's decision to release a terrorist are good arguments for confirming President Bush judicial nominees. It is unclear if the party is willing to make this a burning issue because the judge who wrote the pledge opinion was a Republican appointee. If the judiciary becomes a really credible issue, it does have the opportunity to arouse some voters.

One issue that would really stir the grass roots is immigration. Look at what has happened in Western Europe. Eleven of 14 Members of the European Economic Community now have right of center governments. And it is possible that total will be 12 this fall if German voters go the way the polls are now suggesting. Immigration was one of the key issues that brought those right of center governments to power. Even the Dutch government intends to curb the liberal lifestyle in that country. The problem is that President Bush has a fundamental disagreement with Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) whose views on immigration resonate well with the grass roots. So immigration will not be made an issue by the Republican Party or if it is it will be in the form of President Bush's outreach to the Hispanic community.

Another issue that stirs the grass roots is the Boy Scout issue. The Boy Scouts have lost millions and have also lost the right to use many public facilities because they refuse to permit homosexual scout masters. The grass roots are all with the Scouts. The party could win seats in the South, Midwest and even Southwest if the party made this an issue. But it is unlikely the party will raise this issue because the Bush Administration has made an outreach to the homosexual community. Just recently, the president signed a bill providing some benefits to same sex partners who were victims of the New York disaster on September 11th.

The Supreme Court's decision on vouchers thrilled most conservatives. This decision is very popular in minority communities where school children are trapped in failing education institutions. However vouchers are not popular in suburban communities. The issue has been defeated in Congress by suburban Republicans. Voters from the suburbs have defeated vouchers when they were on state ballots. So while the party might make this an issue and grass roots conservatives would like it, the suburban Republicans who are part of the Bush coalition might well revolt.

The voters and even some in the grass roots have turned on to the privacy issues. A year ago, in the wake of 9/11, they were willing to support intrusions into their privacy in the interest of safety. Attorney General John Ashcroft was once the darling of grass roots conservatives. He is now seen as the enemy of the Fourth Amendment and impatience with Big Brother security measures grows, especially among grass roots activists. But privacy will not be an issue with the voters at-large this fall.

That is why it is possible that the Democrats will make gains. The Republicans may not raise any issues that will get grass roots conservatives to the polls. In 1994 these conservatives constituted 37 percent of the vote. In 2000, they constituted only 31 percent of the vote. If they drop another percentage or two, Republicans will lose, and could lose big.

We shall see if Democrats are smart enough to turn voter perception about the Republican-Big Business connection into an issue that resonates with the average voter. Thus far they have proved remarkably inept in their efforts to develop issues against President Bush. It could be they will miss what for them is a golden opportunity. However, if they get their act together, President Bush will be dealing with a Democrat Congress for the two years before he has to face the voters. If what has happened in the Senate this past year is any guide, the president will get nothing conservative through the Congress. He will only win if he compromises with the liberals. Then the Democrats will say he is a do nothing president.

Paul M. Weyrich is president of the Free Congress Foundation.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: georgewbush; midtermelections; republicans
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To: SamBees
Correct. The GOP is in "Big Tent" mode. It is trying to cater to all ethnic and cultural sub groups. Conservatives offend some of those sub groups so they have to be avoided.

Of course, this Bigt Tent concept has never been tried before now, and it is an absolutely huge risk for the GOP. Our party leaders are banking on capturing the hearts and minds of democrats to the degree that they will change parties and vote for the Republicans.

Oh, Conservatives....you have no other place to go....That is what the GOP thinks of us. Thye know we won't vote for a stinking demorat, so its okay to ignore the serious conservatives.

Right on target. However, this big tent concept has been tried and has failed. 1996 was a try at this. Dole wasn't a liberal, but he didn't excite the conservative base either. Combine that with a pathetic campaign (probably based on the feeling that conservatives have nowhere else to go) and you got 4 more years of the worst administration in our history.

Now fast-forward to today, again I see the GOP taking the base for granted. Again, the base won't vote for a democrat, they'll just stay home. When are these "moderate" republicans ever going to learn. You can't run like a "democrat-lite" and expect to win.

421 posted on 07/17/2002 9:27:32 AM PDT by YankeeReb
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To: Twodees
In your view the only conservatives are those who believe the ante-bellum South was the seat of Wisdom and Virtue and you are right these have no place in a party created to destroy slavery. However, the removal of this tiny minority will be more than compensated by the inability of the media to use them against the party. It has been able to claim that these are the true faces of the GOP and it has hurt its ability to get votes.

Why would a party want members who support those who wanted to destroy the Constitution 140 yrs ago when it is trying to stand up for that Constitution? Thus, the exodus of the Un-believers in Republicanism strengthens the party in several ways:
1- Fewer potential backstabbers;
2- Removal of retrograd bloc which is anti-constitutional
in essence and philosophy;
3- Takes one of the favorite weapons the lyin' mthrfckng media uses against the party, the unreconstructed defender of slavery, out of its hands. Let this group
return to its natural element, the democRATic party, where it always thrived and which it always led.
4- Not having to put up with their nonsense means the time and attention of the party can be put to better use.
422 posted on 07/17/2002 9:41:42 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit
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To: justshutupandtakeit
Some minimum conservative behavior would help me believe the Republicans are practicing incrementalism, rather than simply caving-in.
423 posted on 07/17/2002 10:00:38 AM PDT by xdem
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To: xdem
Rebuilding the military.
Reorienting the military.
Recognizing our enemies and dealing with them.
Appointing conservative judges.
Tax cuts.
Recognizing the importance of spiritual ideals and cultivating them.
Returning dignity and respect to the office.
Provoking hyperventilating and hyberbole among the hypocrits and anti-American Left.

All are worthy conservative goals.

Do condemn a one yr. old because it can't run?
424 posted on 07/17/2002 10:08:40 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit
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To: justshutupandtakeit
Yes, all the things you mention are worthy goals.

But if incrementalism is the only way to proceed, how did Ronald Reagan accomplish so much in just two terms?

And why haven't Bush Sr. and Jr. accomplished more in the greater than five years (combined) they've held the presidency.

425 posted on 07/17/2002 10:37:15 AM PDT by xdem
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To: justshutupandtakeit
However, the removal of this tiny minority will be more than compensated by the inability of the media to use them against the party.

LOL. You are incredibly naive. You think two things that are simply not true:

#1, That the media will, following this "purge" of yours, then be able to find no one to demonize in the GOP

#2, That placating the media, rather than uphoding conservative principles, is a worthwhile endeavour.

SD

426 posted on 07/17/2002 10:42:18 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: xdem
Reagan had the ability to communicate directly with the people derived from decades of acting and television hosting. Don't forget (if you are old enough to remember) Reagan was in the homes of the American family every Sunday night as host of one of the most popular shows in tv history.

His congenial persona was so well known that the media could not destroy him. It had built him in a sense to be that warm, convincing, All American presence so his believablity could not be turned off when the RATS attacked him.

The Bushes have none of this. Though likeable both are not very good public speakers and their stiffness sometimes works against them.

RAT congressmen were not as demented and evil 20 yrs ago and there were still some who were patriots. Now there are almost none. Even the media was not quite as perverted and evil.
427 posted on 07/17/2002 11:57:58 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit
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To: SoothingDave
Your assumptions are false.

The purge is a self imposed one. Never did I say the media would not try to demonize the GOP even without the troglodytic defenders of slavery. It will.

Never have I said we should placate the media merely allow a harmful distraction to remove itself without wailing and gnashing of teeth.
428 posted on 07/17/2002 12:02:04 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit
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To: justshutupandtakeit
In your view the only conservatives are those who believe the ante-bellum South was the seat of Wisdom and Virtue

Yadadad,yadada..you have no idea what my view consists of because you don't read my responses to you. If you did you would know what I said and that I'm not a republican and never have been.

Why would a party want members who support those who...

...and blah de blahblah...you don't want us as members, you only want our votes. I'm having these exchanges with you and the other GOP fanatics to convicne Southern conservatives that you boys are worthless as allies and shouldn't be supported. Thanks to your help, it's working fine.

Thus, the exodus of the Un-believers in Republicanism strengthens the party in several ways: 1- Fewer potential backstabbers; 2- Removal of retrograd bloc which is anti-constitutional in essence and philosophy; 3- Takes one of the favorite weapons the lyin' mthrfckng media uses against the party, the unreconstructed defender of slavery, out of its hands....

.... and blablaBS piled upon more BS. See, you thnk it's all about "republicanism". It's about our Republic and its constitution. The only "ism" this should be about is conservatism. You're not a conservative, though. You're just a republican.

Thanks for helping me show my fellow Southern conservatives what a bunch of treacherous backstabbers you GOPers are. Enjoy your election results, boy. You're doing your all to put the dems back in charge so that your party can pretend to oppose them a little more convincingly.

Oh, and before I forget, just shut up and take it. When you get what you want, you will have a party of liberals who will have to merge with the democrats to keep from disappearing altogether.

429 posted on 07/17/2002 1:10:34 PM PDT by Twodees
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To: SoothingDave
There's another thing that simply isn't true, too: the "tiny minority" BS. Until Southern and western conservatives abandoned the democrats and became republicans, the GOP was about to fade away. Some of these people apparently think that Lincoln's war just ended last week and that Southerners are all former Confederates who must be punished in whatever way presents itself.

I don't think these boys have much of a grip, myself. They got issues. ;-)

430 posted on 07/17/2002 1:16:39 PM PDT by Twodees
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To: Twodees
1) I never claimed you were a republican. Thus, my lack of worry about you leaving the party is well founded.

2) Anyone who listens to you would be no ally. Thus, my lack of worry about your acolytes leaving the party is well founded.

3) You neither understand nor support the Constitution if you try and justify the fanatic traitors of 1861 (as you do) in their attempts to destroy it and the Union.

4) You clowns belong in the DemocRATic party and always will and wouldn't know what a conservative was if he bit you in the @ss. Hint- Reactionary is NOT conservative.

5) Still refusing to tell me who a more conservative alternative to W might be, I see. LoL.

6) Just hold on a couple more yrs. and you can vote for Al- again.
431 posted on 07/17/2002 1:23:14 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit
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To: Twodees
Until Southern and western conservatives abandoned the democrats and became republicans, the GOP was about to fade away.

That's true. Just remember that there are "good old boys" all over the place, and all us Yankees aren't bad.

SD

432 posted on 07/17/2002 1:57:58 PM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: Twodees
"No, in fact most conservative Americans never even considered the GOP an alternative until after Carter. The only real difference between the GOP and the democrats is that the democrat party was once a conservative party a long time ago, while the GOP never has been, even when most of the conservative voters in the country started to vote republican in large numbers beginning with Reagan."

What is your definition of a conservative?

Do you see a clear ideological and policy distinctions between Conservative Statists(Adams, Webster, Clay, TR, Coolidge, Reagan) and Liberal Statists(Woodrow Wilson FDR,Clinton)?

Do you believe the Constitution grants the federal government the jurisdiction to protect individual's rights that are guaranteed in the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights?

Are you going to vote for George Bush in 2004?

Just curious. ;-)

433 posted on 07/17/2002 4:33:16 PM PDT by Jeff Smith
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To: Twodees
"There's another thing that simply isn't true, too: the "tiny minority" BS. Until Southern and western conservatives abandoned the democrats and became republicans, the GOP was about to fade away."

You didn't abandon them, they abandoned you. ;-)

434 posted on 07/17/2002 4:58:39 PM PDT by Jeff Smith
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To: justshutupandtakeit
Suuure, son. As usual, you liberal republicans have nothing to fall back on but nervous imaginings. You hate Southerners because we're the real deal: conservatives who don't compromise and who don't scuttle around afraid all the time. Go smooch up to your liberal party bosses. They'll tell you what to do.

Silly litle liberal girls is what all of you sound like.

435 posted on 07/17/2002 6:58:35 PM PDT by Twodees
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To: Jeff Smith
My definition of a conservative is a person who is committed to maintaining the principles on which our nation was founded: sovereignty of the individual, superior powers of the states, and limited federal government as designed in the Constitution.

The differences between the two kinds of statist politician you listed are miniscule, mostly consisting of semantics, mostly.

The original articles of the Constitution including the BoR did not grant the ferderal government the sweeping jurisdiciton involving the rights of citizens later added by the 14th amendment. It's very likely that the 14th amendment was enacted after failing ratification, too.

I won't vote for GW Bush for president in '04 unless he converts to conservatism. ;-) To answer your second post in this response, no party has ever left me. I'm not a joiner and don't really buy into the concept of political parties anyhow.

436 posted on 07/17/2002 7:13:21 PM PDT by Twodees
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To: SoothingDave
all us Yankees aren't bad.

I know. In fact all of y'all northerners ain't yankees for that matter. ;-)

437 posted on 07/17/2002 7:17:12 PM PDT by Twodees
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Comment #438 Removed by Moderator

Comment #439 Removed by Moderator

To: SoothingDave
It is troubling to me to see GWB seemingly caving in, one after another to the soc/lib/rats and rinos signing rat/rino socialist bills one after another.

Maybe he has a better pulse on how far this Country is in deep clinton, and is just trying to stop the leak in the dam of freedoem.

He probably knows we will eventually IMO develop into a New World Order of a Workers Socialist Workers Republic.

I would love to see him step up to the plate and veto, veto, while the rats go into a jugular mode backed by their communist professors and leftist media, and, course, the pssy rinos who value their pontification more than what was supposed to be their principles.

440 posted on 07/17/2002 7:55:48 PM PDT by oldtimer
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