Free Republic

Donald Trump could end up being the Republican nominee, and the idea fills many conservatives (like me) with despair. By “conservatives,” I mean actual conservatives, the people who believe in limited government, a strong national defense, American federalism, and who reject the nanny state in all of its smothering incarnations. Put another way, I mean: people who are not liberals, like Donald Trump.

Joe Scarborough has denied having it in for Marco Rubio. But on today's Morning Joe, he went on an anti-Rubio rant so protracted that one segment wasn't enough to contain it. Scarborough first called Rubio the "Republican Obama," who's been marketed like a "bag of potato chips," and the "emptiest suit" in the campaign. After a commercial break, Scarborough hectored Rick Santorum, who has just endorsed Rubio, repeatedly challenging him to name Rubio's accomplishments. By all means, let's carefully examine the record of all candidates. But for Scarborough to deny that, for whatever reason, he has a grudge against Rubio...

Thursday, December 24, 2015 Trump, Dictatorship and Competing With An Illiberal Left Posted by Daniel Greenfield A number of editorials have appeared in center-right outlets accusing Trump supporters of wanting a dictator. Well obviously. Politics is a competition. Everyone wants to win the game based on the rules of the game. And the current rules of the game are not Constitutional. The left wanted a dictator. Obama gave them one. He implemented laws, started wars and took on powers which were not only beyond his authority, but which were opposed by the majority of Americans and elected legislators in Congress....

Simple analysis shows Ben Carson’s support is driven by the White guilt, “We’ll show you we’re not bigots!” crowd. Carson is a nice and decent human being. He has a soothing way of speaking and makes most of his points when he stays within is narrow field of knowledge. He is Black and a conservative Republican. All of these qualities make him an attractive candidate for a certain segment of the Republican rank and file: The White guilt crowd. Supporting Carson gives them the chance to congratulate themselves and proclaim, “I am not a bigot. I oppose Barack Obama not...