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This is my stop Johnny Mac, y'all go on without me...Rebuilding the Movement and the New Contract for America (updated)
By BlackRepub Posted in 2008 — Comments (214) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
So today, we learned that John McCain does not intend to pander to full blooded conservatives; rather he intends to continue to harness his Maverick, BiPartisan, NewTone image to convince his friends in the media that he's really not one of "those" Republicans. The effect of this of course may be that he does indeed get elected to the White House, but by distancing himself from mainstream Republicans as he intends to do, he is going to kill the GOP's prospects downticket. Where has he strayed off of the reservation this time, you ask? What has he done to warrant an entire blog? What he has done today is saw off another leg of the already shaky stool he was one. Today McCain's violations were threefold. The first two go hand in hand: McCain decided to bury his credentials as a conservative, by supporting signing the Kyoto treaty as well as supporting a carbon cap and trade deal. Now here's the problem with this, other than the fact that it is taking money out of American's pockets and allowing Europe to police the American economy. We know McCain is not a full blooded conservative, but unlike Rudy Giuliani, who sought to downplay his differences with full spectrum conservatives, McCain seems anxious to run to his friends in the New York Times and give them more evidence of how he's not such a bad guy, after all, he worships at Al Gore's church of Global Warming, which has about as much credibility as Ron L Hubbard's Church of Scientology. This decision by the McCain campaign to once again run to the media to beef up his Maverick credentials is another move by McCain to show off his great BiPartisan power, because this of course is legislation that he sponsored with the only sensible Democrat, Joe Lieberman, the last of the Scoop Jackson Democrats who is right on the GWOT and wrong on everything else. Unfortunately, Joe isn't running for President, McCain is, and this was another middle finger to the base and to the American people who in a time of economic distress, don't need politicians making up more regulations and taxes to hit them in the pocketbook. However, it did bolster McCain's earlier statement that he doesn't really know anything about the economy. Further boosting that claim was McCain's third faux pas in today's NewTone trio, that sources have leaked America's Snake Oil Pastor, Mike Huckabee is in line to hitch his trailer onto the back of the Straight Talk Express. I don't need to go into every single reason why Mike Huckabee is bad for this job, I think I've been pretty clear in the past. Suffice it to say that McCain achieved the one two knockout punch for flushing his economic credentials down the toilet as well as his pledge to pick someone who knows national security. Huckabee wouldn't know national security if it appeared personified, sat down in his double wide and ate a plate of fried squirrel with him. The vice President is poised to be the future leader of the party, a heartbeat away from the Presidency. McCain was supposed to assure his party and the American people that they can trust that America will survive if something happens-with his Huckalove, the only thing that we can be assured of is that there will be plenty of class warfare and Kool-Aid to go around. And this is only the beginning-if you liked McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, and McCain-Kennedy, wait until you see what he gets going when he has an even weaker GOP minority in the fall. Thusly, I have decided to get off the Straight Talk Express, and I am no longer voting for John McCain, nor will I treat him with the kid gloves I had been as a good little Republican, getting in line no matter how I had to grit me teeth through the knives he put in the heart of every conservative.
But fear not, Dear Reader, for this is not a goodbye cruel world diary. This is the opposite of that in fact. This is my do not go gentle into that good night diary. Rage, rage at the dying of the light. Brothers and sisters, at RedState there has been one series of diaries giving us a history of conservatism, and what conservatism means and stands for. In my series I have attempted to show where conservatism must go to survive the 21st century. I will not stand by without a plan while the Party destroys itself by accepting the urine the Democrats bring to our cup of orange juice in the name of NewTone Bipartisanship. In 1994, conservatives took action, and regained the majority with a plan called the Contract with America. Today my brothers and sisters, I give you the New Contract with America.[update-I have updated some items in the Contract as some people requested. It is also my birthday and in light of that I reserve my right to remain cranky and of this moment reiterate that I am still not voting for McCain, and at this moment nothing is going to change my mind. Allow me to blow off steam with the knowledge that this is probably going to change by November, but he will still not be getting any more kid glove treatment from me.]
1. Spending and ethics-we were thrown out not because of the Iraq War, but because the party had become as corrupt as the party that we threw out during the Clinton years. Every single Republican Congressman and Senator should sign a pledge to no longer accept earmarks. In addition, any earmarking needs to be visible to the American people, so that the American people can see exactly where their money is being wasted by the Congress. The Congressmen and Senators who won't sign it, should be primaried by strong Club for Growth supported candidates. In addition to this, we need to actively work to end bloated entitlement programs, and backing that with strong and robust tax cuts, showing the American people we can put money back in their pockets when we spend less of their money.
2. Term Limits-remember these? Comfort bring corruption. The hallowed halls of Congress have been dominated by the Kerry's, Kennedy's, Byrd's, and Rangel's. Force them to answer to the people. House members should serve 3 terms at the maximum, and Senator's should serve 2. If you can't accomplish it in 8-12 years, you are wasting taxpayer money most likely, and if you have greater visions, run for something else or choose a good successor. President's can't be President forever, why should the Congress be treated differently.
3. A commitment to solving the Social Security crisis-This is a huge issue, and the Democrats won't touch it with a ten foot pole. This is going to be the next big issue in 20 years, when the system goes bankrupt, and the GOP needs to commit to coming up with solutions before it becomes an issue that the Democrats can use against us by saying Republicans won't pay for higher payroll taxes and they want Grandma to starve. The younger generation hates payroll taxes that are paying for a system we will never gain from-show us that the free market really does work.
4. Free market healthcare solutions-Again, the Republican party needs an answer other than, we don't want socialist healthcare. Romneycare is much better than a socialized system, because it is an insurance program, not a single payer healthcare. It allows you to pick your plan, untied healthcare from a job, most importantly, and allows the free market to drive down the cost with different companies offering a better plan. We must step up to show that we know what we are talking about in relation to the economy.
5. A commitment to federalism-this encompasses education as well as other fields, and perhaps should be higher on the list. NCLB is an example of federal intrusion into the business of the state, and should be ended. In terms of education, the GOP should advocate for school choice and charter schools, especially in the inner cities. Vouchers have been especially successful with poor Hispanic, Black and White males, the biggest victims of poor public schools, and this is an issue that the GOP could use to repair our brand in these communties. In addition we should commit to federalism regarding social issues and the War on Drugs. The federal government is not helping The Children-we are The Children, and the federal government should not dictate the values of each and every state.
6.Commit to fighting the Kyoto Treaty-this is something where the GOP needs to show overwhelming solidarity. The rest of the world cannot be allowed to set the economic agenda for America, and regulate our economy. We must be allowed to regulate as we see fit, not as the world does.
7. Across the Board tax cuts-the money that we will have made through cutting spending, earmarks and entitlement programs will pay for across the board tax cuts. Show the American people we know what to do with a surplus-we give it back to the people. We can afford to send people an economic stimulus and cut the gas tax entirely if we can offset the cost. We must also commit to cutting the corporate tax, providing incentives for businesses to stay here rather than moving to cheaper labor overseas.
8. Securing the border-the American people have spoken that they want a fence, and they want the border secured. Every GOP member needs to sign a commitment that we will not stop pushing this issue until we have a fully functional and operational security fence across the entire border.
9. Winning the War on Terror-again another necessary commitment for the GOP to make. We have enemies of the United States and her allied. We must swear that we will hunt them down in all parts of the globe and bring them to justice. There will be no retreat, no surrender until good prevails over evil.
10. Judges-each Republican should sign a commitment to supporting constructionist judges on the bench. This is not a commitment to activist judges on the right, rather a judge that reads the Constitution for what it means, not what they'd like it to mean. I'd do unmentionable things for 9 Clarence Thomas', who is by the far the best Supreme Court judge and a good man as well as well as more of a constructionist originalist than even Scalia.
I believe that this Contract, while mostly economic, very much like the original contract, lays out conservative principles in a winning formula. We need to fight back hard, and we need to remake the case for conservatism in American politics. The old saying goes, every time conservatism is tried, it works. Well, it's time to try try again. This is no time for moderation, this is a time for extremism-an extremism in defense of liberty.
Be realistic
by Bob Frazier
Be realistic. McCain is NOT serious about the war on terror. If he was, he would be the first to demand a secure southern border.
No one is willing to make
by PhxG
No one is willing to make major advancements on the southern border. It's either because they want the Hispanic vote, fearful of full scale civil war in Mexico or just an open borders ideology.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle
enjoy your freedomless life
by generalgrant
John McCain isn't interested in preserving life. He's interested in growing government to run our lives.
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Halls of Justice Painted Green, Money Talking.
Power Wolves Beset Your Door, Hear Them Stalking.
So I ask you, who's your candidate?
by Neil Stevens
Or are you just going to watch teevee while we exercise our vital rights to vote?
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Would this be a bad time
by Raven
To start pushing Ron Paul?
"Always be honest with yourself. Even if you are honest with no one else."
--me
A good time to push Ron Paul?
by Neil Stevens
I don't know, when is a good time to push an apologist for Communist mass murder?
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
I took this as a joke
by rstreu
and a hilariously well-timed one at that. :)
.
So did I
by Neil Stevens
I really can't see Raven as the RP type, but I can't resist an opportunity to bash that man :-)
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
pushing him toward retirement?
by E Pluribus Unum
Absolutely!
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Yikes -
by PressureP
High school drama class out early?
"enjoy your freedomless life"
"I like living"
We are a country at some serious crossroads, but being afraid to this degree reeks of something pathological.
I'm in step with BR here and will not be walking back. I'll be writing in a candidate as I did last election as well. Thanks for standing for principles, BR.
Yeah, but...
by Mark Kilmer
Mitt, Mitt, Mitt, Mitt, Mitt, Mitt, Mitt!
Seriously, there is bound to be some sort of protest, and there is no way we can expect these younger people to remember the blood, sweat, and tears Ronald Reagan put into making this party a majority party with impact.
If they want to jettison Reagan's political ideals, which have served the party brilliantly, perhaps it is time for them to look around.
and we need to move back towards them, at the soonest possible opportunity (which appears to be 2010 at this point).
Reagan moved the center of the country towards the right. The Republican leadership today wants to move leftward, indirectly moving the center to the left.
Now, admittedly, Reagans are few and far between. But the last few years have been a unilateral capitulation towards movement to the left.
As far as Reagan's commandment, it's certainly still a valid idea - as long as you accept this restatement of it.
"Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican who is willing to follow this commandment."
Reagan's eleventh is not a suicide pact, and without that restatement, it would be.
WRONG.
by Mark Kilmer
Very simply, you do not jettison a Republican candidate because he disagrees with you on several points. That's Reagan 101, the essence of what he taught.
Now, if you want to push the party in a conservative direction in an election, and that is a goal here at RedState, you act during the primary process. Once that is over, you live with the results or get out of the party.
How many conservative Presidents has this country had since Herbert Hoover? One, and that was Ronald Reagan. Conservatives did not agree in entirety with Eisenhower, Nixon, GHWB, or GWB, but we voted for those Presidents, did not try to sabotage them during the election, and kept lefties from power. We kept the Republican Party viable for future conservative Presidential candidates and as the home of conservative member of Congress.
The outrage about how everyone is more conservative than John McCain is old. We know. But he's the Republican nominee, working to sabotage his campaign is working against the political ideals instailled by Ronald Reagan.
I like your contract Black Repub
by Doc Holliday
of course mine would be different, but I will have to write my own diary for that. Let's stipulate that I agree with all your points that I do not call out here. You did a good job.
2. term limits- This is one area where I do not agree with most conservatives. I simply do not see how denying the people their choice of candidate furthers the cause of freedom.
10. ethics - As they say "you can indict a ham sandwhich". Individual liberty is a God given right, even politicians deserve a fair hearing. Trust me, our enemies would use this to their advantage, look what happed to Tom Delay et al.
I also disagree with the idea of not voting for McCain. An Obama presidency will be so damaging, that any gain from showing up McCain will be lost in the sands of time. Republicans know we are not happy, they know there is desire for a major overhaul, I would prefer making this overhaul, a return to Goldwater Conservatism, under a McCain presidency and not under an Obama/UN regime.
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Molon Labe!
And I'm in the swing state of Michigan-McCain needs my vote to win. But I'm tired of just giving the GOP my vote, just to hear them act like Democrats. To quote Martin, I offered to meet McCain halfway with my cup of orange juice. He in turn brought a tall glass of urine to the table. That's his halfway compromise, and I'll have no more of it.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
I don't disagree with you.
by StephC
Not too many days ago, I thought I'd found a reason to vote for McCain, as in he would cause the least damage to the country. Then he goes and does something so terribly wrong-headed that even that reasoning no longer stands up. I've never blogged here but I have commented somewhat infrequently. I can live without commenting, too, if necessary, because at this point I can't find any reason, let alone a good one to vote for this guy.
SCOTUS is most important to you Anteater
by BlackRepub
I'm willing to let Ginsburg and Stevens be replaced by clones of themselves if it means saving the movement. Most people don't look at the GOP and say, man I'd vote for them if they'd talk about abortion more, they see a party that has spent to death and has allowed the economy to hit the tank. Newt's Contract didn't focus on social issues because he wanted to bring conservatives together in a set of issues where we can successfully hit the Democrats with conservatism, which is in the ethics and economic arena. That was my goal of my contract that I tried to replicate here.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
That's lost us votes
by SIConservative
Most of the Reagan Democrats came over on account of cultural issues. Part of the reason they're going back to the Democrats is that we've downplayed them so much. Don't get me wrong. Fiscal irresponsibility has been a major problem, but there are plenty of people whose votes we won't win without encorporating the cultural issues into the appeal. Not incidentally, the Court moving left would further erode the conservative/libertarian movement.
cultural issues is so broad a meme
by Doc Holliday
I doubt anyone here wants to hurt our culture. The Dems do want to hurt our culture. So we all seem to be battling on how to improve the culture. When things get fuzzy, it is always time to look at the Constitution. Our culture will be just fine if we follow the Constitution and allow men to make their own family decisions.
It is the welfare state, the leftist dominated teachers' unions, and anti-American politics that have hurt the culture. There is no government program that can take us back to the 1950s.
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Molon Labe!
wise words
by kyle8
"There is no government program that can take us back to the 1950s."
Amen. Lets concentrate on ethics and economic conservatism because that is what is broke right now.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
It is broad
by SIConservative
You're right. It is broad. Some of the "problem" has been too much success, as in the case of gun rights. Democrats have thrown in the towel on the issue, so it no longer makes much difference. In other cases, though, such as ESCR, a cloning ban, and judicial redefinition of marriage, Republicans have failed those who identify with the GOP primarily based on such issues. Often times those who came over to the GOP on those issues will vote Democrat when such issues are taken off the table.
you need the silent moral voters
by tadams1138
"man I'd vote for them if they'd talk about abortion more"
You have no idea what you'd be missing if the Dems became the pro-life party over night and the Republicans abandoned it as an issue. The south didn't flip to voting republican in the 80s because of economics. We'd all be hurting real bad (and I'd probably be voting democrat depending on national security issues... yetch!).
As for your other stuff, I agree with Doc that ethics and term limits are not necessarily in our best interest.
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
Obama's Extreme Abortion Position
by Spartan4Life
I believe he voted against the ban on partial birth abortion.
That makes him the farthest left on this issue and at odds with a significant majority of the American people.
If McCain doesn't make it an issue in the general election the he is a fool.
He does.
by shooflyguy68
However, I'm not sure that that buys us new votes. Pointing it out certainly helps secure the base.
Obama will lose votes in the center over this.
by St. Louis Conservative
McCain and Obama are competing over independent voters. The most crucial swing voter group is Catholic voters. Catholic voters almost always vote for the winner. Hillary has been cleaning up in this group during the primaries, and Obama's extreme positions on abortion - especially including his support for BAIPA, which is essentially infanticide - is not going to help him make inroads here.
Bush won Catholic voters in 2004 by a slim margin, largely because of cultural issues. Obama is even further out of the mainstream on such issues than John Kerry was.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
Why haven't we heard more about Obama's abortion views?
by Spartan4Life
Either from the MSM or McCain?
I certainly believe he is vulnerable on the issue. It's the kind of thing that makes me wonder whther McCain has the stomach for the fight.
They're probably keeping the powder dry.
by St. Louis Conservative
The BAIPA will be a big factor this fall. I guarantee a lot of hay will be made of it. I am certain that McCain will make this an issue, as it is totally legitimate, even by McCain's standards.
It hasn't been a big issue thus far primarily because Obama is in the Democrat primary right now, and abortion is not a big issue. Hillary can't exactly attack him on it because she is militantly pro-abortion herself.
BAIPA will be a major general election issue.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
Probably because the sides are pretty rigidly set right now
by shooflyguy68
I think the media has decided that each side has recruited all that can be recruited into thier respective camps and that there is no use covering the debate anymore. I think we need to come up with a better way of preventing/eliminating abortion. I have my ideas but I'll save them for another post.
I understand why you would kick out the socons.
by asleep06
I just think you're wrong about how important issues like abortion and same-sex "marriage" are to most Americans.
But if socons do get kicked out, Republicans will find out pretty quick in the next election cycle.
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Small is beautiful.
No no-I don't want to kick out the socons
by BlackRepub
I love 3 stooled conservatives, in fact I myself am very much in the pro-life camp and I'm completely pro 2nd amendment, although I do support gay marriage. My point is that when people look at the GOP, they are not saying, boy they really aren't hitting hard enough on moral values. People look at the GOP, and they think, boy they've really screwed the economy, gas prices are insane, and I don't have any healthcare. Also, when I made the Contract, I was going along with Newt's thinking of taking issues where we can come together as conservatives and pushing those issues. Abortion and gay marriage divide us inside the GOP, why would we make an issue where we can't come together as a party a centerpiece to rebuild the movement. That comes down to a commitment to federalism more than anything.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
I see. Thanks for the clarification, BR.
by asleep06
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Small is beautiful.
I'd be fine with Kennedy, O'Connor clones.
by shooflyguy68
That's who McCain will likely nominate when he's President. That's still better than the Souter, Ginsberg types we would get with President Obama.
depends on who they replace
by JSobieski
I would trade an Ginsburg for an O'Conner or Kennedy any day of the week.
You are right. I should have made that clear.
by shooflyguy68
My assumption is that the next two to go would be Ginsberg and Stevens. If it's Scalia and Thomas, then I would defer to my more conservative bretheren for replacements.
No to McCain/Huck
by Cowboy
If this ticket were to somehow win it would be a net loss.
Yeah, lets destroy the economy because it makes the NYT like you.
One good thing comes out of a McCain/Huck blowout loss.
Huck will forever be out of our misery.
That's the thing Cowboy-this ticket wouldn't win
by BlackRepub
We could lose Utah and Idaho with Huckabee on the ticket due to his derogatory and inflammatory views towards Mormons, and send the libertarian Goldwater conservatives like me running and screaming for cover. McCain is socially conservative enough-he doesn't need to pander to the SIVV crowd to shore up the only region that's shored up for us.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
Huck Finn would get the baseball bat vote.
by Section9
Huck-a-buck is fun for the guys who want to hightail all over the Back Holler hitting mailboxes with baseball bats.
Your Redneck Rampage ticket.
"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it"-Winston Churchill
I love ya, man. But you have left one big
by c17wife
hole in your contract. And that hole is enough for me to vote for McCain.
6 words-
SCOTUS
Please don't take this as me talking down to you, because that is not my intent at all. I will, however, point out that you are still young and idealistic. We all were at some point. Because of this, I think you possibly overlook the absolute necessity of preventing Obama the Marxist from ever being able to appoint a single person to the SCOTUS, much less any other federal bench. We simply can not afford to lose the court for a generation and that is precisely what will happen if we are subjected to even four years of Obamanation.
The implications of a liberal court are far more devastating than simple social issues. And it is just too big of a risk to take.
I've got six months to convince you. I won't give up until I do. Let the arm twisting begin.
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Just a typical, small town, white girl...
c17wife
by Bob Frazier
C17wife, I want to ask you one question. Knowing the history of john mccain, do you really believe he will nominate conservative judges when the senate is held by democrats? Or do you think he will reach across the aisle and nominate someone who will be "acceptable" to the other side of the aisle.
What do you really, in your heart, think he will do? And could he get a Roberts or Scalia on the bench even if he tried (apart from whether he would even try).
I don't know why people think McCain is going to give us Alito or Roberts? He'll probably ask Teddy Kennedy who he thinks is a good judge before he brings it to the table. But you guys go ahead and think his nominees are going to be better than Obama's, and I'll laugh when Souter 2.0 is appointed to the bench. Now who's going to argue that Souter is better than Ginsburg?
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
re:
by StandardCandle
he probably will give us alito or roberts type....
but he never said he'd nominate any Scalias...
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. " -James Madison
blackrepub... two convincing arguments...
by StandardCandle
Slouching towards Gommorahh by Robert Bork
Tempting of America by Robert Bork.
Assuming that you haven't read these, read them...if you have already read them...you may need a reminder as to why SCOTUS counts...
I'm all for your nCWA...well thought out...could use a few more items... but good starting point... However, SCOTUS is a big issue as well as Foreign Policy...the scary thing is Barry understands very well what's at stake for SCOTUS, he'd love to appoint radical judges and watch their legislative natures take control. He'd love to re-map our foreign policy to include commie rhetoric... he'd love to have tea and biscuits with Chavez, Castro, Hamas, and dare I say OBL himself.
I may be as idealistic as you are...but I can't risk that kind of a future by sticking to principles of government...there really are no such things as priniciples in government...there's principles, and then there's governments...in the interest of pragmatism we either elect McCain...or we allow Commies to get their policy making on in a world of fascists and terrorists...
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. " -James Madison
With respect, bollocks.
by Section9
1. We were thrown out because of the Iraq War. Don't be clueless. Had we been more successful on the ground by 2006, we would have taken fewer losses or held one of the Houses. Rumsfeld's strategy screamed indecision, which the American people hate. Just because the Club For Greed wants to kill a few earmarks doesn't mean that the budget is going to be brought into balance. That means tackling entitlements. Period.
2. Term Limits are garbage. And I don't think they are in the Constitution. What's more, they destroy a lot of institutional memory. A pol isn't necessarily corrupt because he's been around a long time. However, I do like the idea of rotating committee chairs to encourage new blood.
3. Any solution to solving the SS crisis must be bipartisan, will involve tax increases as well as benefit cuts and stretchouts. That just is what it is. Social Security is a pyramid scam. It's becoming very much like a perpetual motion application to the Patent Office. Any one who says "blue ribbon commission" needs to be horsewhipped. The politicians got us into this mess, the politicians, in both parties, will have to get us out.
4. Totally agree with your number 4. Republicans should take the Venn Diagram for Obama's healthcare financing administration and show it to the public, then ask how it will reduce costs. Remember this?
...I guarantee you that Obama's people will have to come up with something similar to what Hillary did. We need to get our hands on Obama's planning documents and shout them to the rooftops.
Key graph: adding layers of beauracracy does NOT reduce the cost of healthcare for the American worker. Period. Thank you very much!
5.And replace NCLB with what? People are worried about kids falling behind in engineering and technical education. That ain't gonna sell to the Middle Class, pardner. Might sell down at Grover's Wednesday meeting, but won't sell in Peoria. Try again.
6.Educate people on Kyoto first. Tell them why Democrats voted against it. Educate people about the importance of sovereignty.
7. What surplus? What dreamland are you living in?
8. You want the Hispanic vote? Then don't be hostile to immigrants. Yes, build the fence and be firm on illegals, but then proceed with comprehensive immigration reform. End the flow of illegals, but begin to intensively assimilate those who are here. But it's important to end the flow of illegal immigration. It's hard enough for native born people to get starter jobs in construction when cheap labor can come from Mexico and get the same job for less.
None of this "fruit salad" stuff. "Melting pot" assimilation.
9. 100 percent agreement. Use thermonuclear weapons early and often.
10. Ethics? Boy, is there a sucker born every minute, especially in the Republican Party. My friend, the oldest trick in the Democratic Playbook is to indict an honest Republican on trumped up charges. Any Democratic State's Attorney can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich if he so desires.
No thanks. The Dems will go hog wild. I'm tired of ethics rules that assume that my side are filled with criminals. They aren't. The Dems can go p*$$ off.
One last thing. The McCain Campaign is true suckage. Vacuum Cleaner suckage. By the time they're done, our VP choice will probably come from the Burmese Junta. However, Johnnie Mac is the only thing we got in a year where folks are exhausted with the Republican Party in power.
As it stands, Obama is such a hard lefty that Johnnie Mac will just have to get my vote.
"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it"-Winston Churchill
Okay, seriously?
by simpson316
"Club for Greed"?
You've obviously been misinformed about the mission of Club for Growth. The are fiscal conservatives (and all around conservatives) that push for limited government. One of those tenets is a balance budget.
I think you are both wrong on why we were thrown out. Iraq and spending had some to do with it, but R fatigue was much more the reason. We had held majorities for 12 years in the house and Senate and the White House for 6 years. People wanted someone else in control. It happens to both parties when they have been in power too long.
I have to say Section 9, your overall tone here is that of crapping on BR's ideas. Disagree with him sure, but don't outright dismiss him. Challenge him. Make him flesh out his ideas (which I'm sure he is doing).
For example, on NCLB: Instead of asking "replace it with what?" and then the attack garbage why not help him come up with alternative solutions to an education system that is woefully inadequate despite billions of dollars of taxpayer funds over the last 25 years.
Now also found at The Minority Report
pick up a history book
by tadams1138
"Had we been more successful on the ground by 2006"
"Rumsfeld's strategy screamed indecision"
Can you name for me a more successful war? A more one sided war? In recent history? I'll grant you Afganistan maybe. Perhaps you and every other arm chair quarterback in the US in conjunction with a media invested in our defeat need to be quiet and let the adults handle war.
BTW, the real success of the "surge" was the participation by the locals. And do you know the cause of that? The Rumsfeld "stubborn" strategy of not leaving.
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
More one sided? Grenada comes to mind (n/t)
by mikefisk
"No matter how much lipstick you put on the taxation pig, it's still a pig... and it's currently snout-down in your wallet." - Michael Fisk
are we really calling that war now? n/t
by tadams1138
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
pulling a kowalski
by tadams1138
"Use thermonuclear weapons early and often." Sarcasm right?
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
Right on Comrade
by Neil Stevens
We must destroy the reactionary Club for Greed, those industrialist running dogs, and crush their system of oppression of the glorious proletariat.
Long live the Revolution!
*fist in the air*
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Heh, 5
by simpson316
Sounds like you have been spending some time on The People's Cube
Now also found at The Minority Report
Clinton v Abrams
by jpers36
I'll leave the "Lost" jokes as homework.
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NARF
If in fact Huckabee is on the ticket, I see no way for McCain to win. I will either vote for Barr or the Democrat. Huckabee will netrualize the Paster problem that Obama has and for hard core conservatives like myself push us out of the party (as far as President goes). Its better to lose a battle than lose the conservative war. By putting Huckabee on the ticket, McCain will be grabbing defeat from the Jaws of Victory.
Not me. Let's face it. I don't like McCain (well sometimes I do, but this whole maverick thing really gets to me.
BUT! I'm not going to hand my country over to the avowed socialists and Marxists that are the alternative. McCain is not great for the conservative movement, but we still have to win this battle. There are after all SOME battles that lose the war. This is one of them.
Just think... for example:
1. Bush has finally gotten the Supreme court to have a slight conservative advantage. There are at least 2 justices that may create vacancies within the next 4 years. Would you rather have McCain appointing their replacements or one of the D's. I'd submit that this battle alone can turn the tide in the war either in our favor or against it.
2. Which portions of our economy are you willing to permanently concede to the socialists? Healthcare? The energy sector? Manufacturing?
3. How well do you want our country defended? Say what you will about McCain, but he's no coward and no fool when it comes to foreign relations.
The McCainiacs could probably list pages more of examples like this, but these 3 should be enough to give you the idea.
Socialism doesn't work. It looks nice on paper, but it's been tried and it's failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
You'll vote for infanticide? Interesting. (nt)
by Neil Stevens
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
I'll play a little devil's advocate for you BR
by simpson316
and I'll go point by point
1. How do you stop "enterprising" Senators and Representatives from developing new ways to earmark such as Chuckie Schumer. Short term, we should push at minimum for earmark reform (complete disclosure of ear marks with full debate on each...much like amendments to bills have to do now). This intermediary step may help to create the popular will to end this practice that has been abused for the last couple of decades.
2. Is this an issue to run on? I'm not sure there is a great enough popular feel that there is a need for this. Although if you know of polling to the contrary...
3. Okay....AMEN.
4. How do you hope to account for all of the special needs cases? For example, it is very difficult for someone who has pre-existing conditions to find insurance on their own. Under a free market model, you can't mandate coverage because it would take the profit incentive away (many pre-existing conditions that are excluded from coverage are done so because of the immense costs associated with them).
5. You are going to have an uphill fight on this one. The teacher's unions are wedded to federal government support (although not fans of NCLB. They favor an overhaul of the system). Even among the middle you see a desire to continue to fund a failed program (heh, I should say several failed programs.). We have to hammer home the billions of dollars that have been spent on education in the last 25 years to achieve no improvement.
6. Fight for it, but I'm not sure it's a top ten platform item.
7. Amen
8. Amen. This one shares broad support with the American people according to Newt Gingrich's Platform of the American People. This should be a no brainer...should be.
9. We'll have to change the PR of the War on Terror. It has to shift from War in Iraq and War in Afghanistan when they are two fronts in the WoT.
10. Ethics and earmark reform should go hand in hand. I would combine the two into a larger bullet point leaving room for another major issue on the platform.
Overall, great piece bro. We really do need to focus on where we go from here.
Now also found at The Minority Report
Sign me up
by daithi
I can quibble with a point or two, but I'd have no problem voting for your contract where as I can't see my self voting for McCain. In the case of McCain it is not a minor point or two with which I disagree. Instead there are huge philosophical differences.
What kind of principled conservative could vote for a candidate that supports restricting political free speech, amnesty and citizenship to individuals who have crossed our borders illegally, and who follows the mob mentality of global warming alarmist?
It seems to me that electing McCain would be a Pyrrhic victory at best for conservatives.
______________________________
"The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it."
-Ayn Rand
Because ALL of the items you are complaining about will be worse under the alternative.
Elections are about voting for the person who best meets your ideals of those available.
I've said before on other posts that I fully expect McCain to screw me over 15% of the time (which 15% I never know). But I expect Obama or Clinton to screw me over 100% of the time. That math is pretty simple.
And since those are your only realistic choices, it leaves you with supporting McCain.
Or you can pout until you get someone who is a 100% conservative and just hand the country over to the socialists.
Socialism doesn't work. It looks nice on paper, but it's been tried and it's failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
I'm amused by the Dems on Social Security...
by mikefisk
A couple of years ago, Ted Kennedy said that Social Security isn't a problem to be dealt with right now because it won't go bankrupt until 2047. Oh, great... the year I turn 64. Nice going, Senator Gasbag.
Right now, though, I realize I'm on the outside looking in with both parties as a Goldwater-style libertarian Republican. I'm way to the right of the Republican Party on most economic issues, and there are some social issues that, although I'd consider myself moderate on balance, I end up to the left of the mainstream Democratic Party on (obviously not abortion or gay marriage, but you can probably come up with a fair share of things). As somebody once told me: "If you ran for office, you'd end up either being venerated or lynched, one or the other."
The problem with both parties is a lack of principled leadership. We know the progressive Left panders to its sycophants all the time, and the GOP leadership seems to strive to be Democrat Lite (great taste, less filling?). What's needed is the ability to repudiate that which is not in the best interests of our country and be able to explain in a clear and steady voice why it isn't. We need to be able to call a spade a spade, to kick the tails of those who need their tails kicked.
In short, the party needs to grow some Mount Rushmore-sized stones, and pronto.
"No matter how much lipstick you put on the taxation pig, it's still a pig... and it's currently snout-down in your wallet." - Michael Fisk
You'll vote for McCain. Who are you kidding.
by St. Louis Conservative
In the end, the overwhelming vast majority of conservative Republicans will be voting McCain because Barack Obama is the alternative, with Queen Bee Nancy and Dingy Harry waiting for him to rubber stamp every socialist bill they send up to him, and also confirm every leftist federal judge he sends them.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
Sorry BR.
by NightTwister
You know you're one of my favorites, but I just can't go along with this.
The War on Terror is too important to lose.
SCOTUS seats are too important too lose (after waiting so long).
Earmark and spending reform are too important to lose.
Anything you say about McCain that you don't like, Obama is much worse.
If Obama gets in, this country will make a significant left turn; a turn from which it will be extremely difficult to reverse.
McCain gets my vote and he gets my support.
A question of principles and fairness
by tadams1138
I'm not sure myself where I'd draw the line at voting McCain, but would you have ridiculed me if Giuliani was the candidate and I said I wouldn't vote for him for socon reasons?
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
nt
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Small is beautiful.
Never mind, found the article.
by asleep06
I supported Huckabee for president, but I can't say this is a good move by McCain. It's certainly interesting, but man, I want to hear what's going on inside the heads of McCain's staff.
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Small is beautiful.
On your contract
by Oz
1) Fix spending .. is it earmarks or entitlements. Fred showed the way on entitlements.
2) On health care -- agreed. That's one thing I liked about Romney. He could say that he had DONE it not just talked about it. Is his idea perfect? No. But there is a lot of good there.
3) JUDGES.
4) BORDER FENCE AND BUSINESS PENALTIES.
5) WIN IN IRAQ
It's not rocket science.
So who's YOUR candidate for President then? (nt)
by Neil Stevens
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Don't have one Neil-I'm thinking of writing in Goldwater
by BlackRepub
I never have gotten to vote for the real conservative Senator from Arizona. The RINO tag doesn't hurt my feelings either-I'll be a conservative before a Republican any day of the week. When the GOP stops bringing urine to the table when I bring orange juice, then we can talk about meeting halfway. McCain is going to give us the finger for the next 4 years, I'd rather focus my energies on a Gingrich style revolution in 2010, when the Democrats will be on defense and we will be in the first 2 failed years of an Obama/McCain administration.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
So you're sitting out
by Neil Stevens
That's fine. Not everyone's cut out to step up and make the hard decisions that adults have to make in the voting booth.
That's fine. Have fun watching teevee. But the rest of us have an election to contest, and a country to fight for.
But you go ahead. We don't need you help, so go ahead and give America the finger with your jokey 'protest.'
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
I'm sorry that I'm not cut out to shut up and get in line like a good little Republican Neil, but some of us aren't willing to throw away an entire movement for a man who hates us. And as for me giving the finger, I'm giving it right back to the nominee who gave it to us first. I'll be fighting for my country tooth and nail, to move us to the right. You believe if you want the poppycock NewTone that comes out of McCain's mouth. Global Warming, Kyoto and Huckabee are just the beginning for what he's gonna work up.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
*pat pat*
by Neil Stevens
There there. We know it's hard. No need to apologize. So you can go ahead and vote for Spaceman Spiff in November.
As long as you stay out of the way of the people trying to better America with your "revolution," Nobody cares if you draw a picture of yourself in crayon on your ballot.
Just stay in the lines. It's good motor skills practice.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Whatever Neil
by BlackRepub
This bull is why regulars have been leaving RedState in droves lately. Just because we don't have the endurance to bend ver and ask for another every time McCain wants to ram something else down our throats, you want to patronize us. I'm sorry for wishing Republican still stood for something.
End the NewTone. Punch the hippies.
No, sir, it is you who stand for nothing
by Neil Stevens
Even the average idiot on the street is going to take a stand and pick a candidate for hte most important election in November, exercising the right so many have fought and died for.
While you, you, will make a mockery of it, spoil your ballot, and then claim superiority for your ballot empty of all meaning.
You choose to sit, and that makes you an easy target for mockery. Well if you're going to leave, I don't care. Red State is for activists, not whiners sitting down and patting thesmelves on their head for standing for nothing.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Might be a good time for everyone to
by jdub19
take a break and CHILL out.....
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Yeah, you're probably right
by Neil Stevens
I got in my mockery. Time to move on.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Yep -- better move on quick.
by cwilson
Anyone else would've been blammed had they personally insulted BR with condescending attacks like yours.
I don''t see a blam worthy offense
by Doc Holliday
I am not a blam professional, just a hobbyist. I actually think that heated exchange illuminated an issue/debate we will be having here a long time, and that is sad. I will say that the day when people could just "hate on" McCain is comming to an end. It is the entire party leadership, the leaders in Congress and the President.
I hope you all heard Hannity's opening monologue today. It seems the most loyal among us are really, really starting to chafe. When the Bush administration
and that is I will vote McCain. The reality of the current state of the Country politically is that a Conservative is not going to win this cycle and Obama's naiveity to the evil in the world is very dangerous and I dont think we should risk an Obama Presidency because we dont like his cap and trade or whom his VP pick is. Lets win this scrimish and then concentrate on the battle for more conservative goverance.
as for your planks of a new CWA, I really like all of them except for Term Limits. I feel that people should have the right to vote for whomever they want. Could you imagine if Duke were to fire Coach K because he has been the coach too long? If someone is good at something and wants to do it we should not let them not to able to do it because of some artifical time table.
McCain '08