Among the candidates for Republican National Committee chairman, there’s no question Michael Steele is among the most recognizable — a political celebrity thanks to his work for Fox News and run for U.S. Senate in 2006.
Aside from his political celebrity — and knack for being a good talking head — there’s little else about the man that would make him a good chairman. While much has been written about his candidacy and the reasons conservatives should be skeptical, time is running out to convince the 168 members of the RNC they should steer clear of him. Here’s why:
Steele boasts that his chairmanship of GOPAC qualifies him to run the RNC. He cites GOPAC’s work to elect Republicans as good preparation. So how did GOPAC fare under Steele’s leadership? During the 2008 cycle, GOPAC gave 11 candidates seeking U.S. House seats nearly $20,000. Six won and five lost. (See my update, “The Tale of Two GOPACs.”)
Among GOPAC’s expenditures in 2008 was $5,000 to Steele for Maryland, even though Steele wasn’t on the ballot. The money probably went to pay off Steele’s 2006 campaign debt. It also happened to be the third largest expenditure for GOPAC, raising questions about the organization’s priorities under his leadership.
Money has been a problem for Steele in the past. Jennifer Skalka of National Journal’s Hotline reported that when Steele’s consulting business struggled financially, two banks threatened to place liens on his house. Although Steele cleared his debts, these financial issues are factors that must be considered for anyone seeking the RNC chairmanship.
Steele’s well-documented role with the Republican Leadership Council and association with co-founder Christie Todd Whitman is perhaps the most egregious political error he’s made. Any conservative who partners with the liberal Whitman must be viewed skeptically. Steele claims he was trying to broaden the party’s base by appealing to moderates. “We have to elect moderates in the party,” he told CBN’s David Brody.
One of those moderates Steele supported was former Rep. Wayne Gilchrist, a classic RINO if there ever was one. Gilchrist faced a primary challenge from conservative Andy Harris, a Maryland state senator with strong backing from the Club for Growth. It didn’t matter to Steele. He threw his support to Gilchrist. Harris went on to win the GOP primary, prompting Gilchrist to turn on the GOP and endorse Harris’ Democrat opponent.
Is this the type of judgment we could expect from Steele at the RNC? The answer is yes. How do we know? As Matt Lewis reported, Steele has tapped Blaise Hazelwood to run his RNC race, meaning there’s a good chance she would follow him to the RNC if he is elected. During the disastrous 2006 election cycle, it was Hazelwood who ran media and political operations for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Recall that the NRSC lost six seats that cycle and, as a result, the Republican majority in the Senate. Under Hazelwood’s direction, the NRSC spent $1.2 million in the GOP primary to save traitorous Lincoln Chafee from a challenge by conservative Steve Laffey.
It’s not just Steele’s political judgment that raises serious concerns. When he was running for U.S. Senate, Steele did not sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge from Americans for Tax Reform. If there’s one issue where all Republicans should be in agreement, it’s tax policy. Grover Norquist should press Steele and the five other candidates on this point at tomorrow’s RNC chairman’s debate.
Michael Steele is the wrong man to run the RNC. Unfortunately, he is likely one of the frontrunners for the job, given his status as a political celebrity. Unless conservatives unite in opposition, the Republican Party could very well end up in worse shape than it already is.
Wow, Robert -- tell us what you really think :-)
David Hinz Sunday, January 4th at 6:31PM EST (link)I have nothing against Lt Gov Steele, and think he could probably do a fine job. He might not be as Conservative and you and I would like, but he could do a credible job.
I don’t WANT credible. I don’t want competent. I want out standing!
I know it is probably a long-shot, because Michigan has gone over to the dark side in recent election, BUT I believe that Saul Anuzis is the best choice for GOP Chairman.
The Minority Report — The HinzSight Report — TMRB.tv — MFOB “Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It’s resentment of another man’s achievement.”
I could almost live with that choice myself.
Steph C Tuesday, January 6th at 5:43AM EST (link)Nothing about Saltsman or Duncan impressed me in the least yesterday as I watched part of the “debate” on C-Span. I liked some of Anuzis’ answers just as liked some of Steele’s and Blackwell’s.
It’s really hard to reject Steele, quite honestly, based on the information here and one wonders if it’s really enough to reject him since politicians, no matter where they fall on the political continuum, have some questionable things in their backgrounds.
He’s a forcefully persuasive speaker and he has some ideas that the others can’t even grasp, although Blackwell came closest to understanding what Steele meant. Steele talked about taking it to the streets, community activism… one of those things where the Democrats beat us without even trying.
Blackwell, also, made some good points. The Republicans don’t have a message. If they do, I can’t find it. It’s certainly not the conservatism that used to be its base.
Someone, not one of the candidates who are vying for the job, said that policy making shouldn’t be a part of the RNC’s job but to focus on winning elections. Unfortunately, I disagree with that stance. I believe they are intricately intertwined. If it’s not the RNC’s job to help elect people with sound policies then what’s the point? As we’ve seen for the couple of decades, having an R by the name is not enough. It seems to me, winning elections is not enough. So, one without the other doesn’t seem to work very well.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
No offense....
Josh LeGuern Sunday, January 4th at 6:45PM EST (link)Robert–
all this RINO-labeling really turns me off, no offense. It does not help us when we fight with eachother. We need moderate and liberal Republicans to win were conservatives just can not. We don’t have a single Congressman in the North East.
The Republican Party doesn’t need to become more liberal, but it also doesn’t need to pigeonhole itself in nothing but conservative ideology. I am a proud conservative, but I realize that not everyone shares my ideology and as long as we share the basic ideals of the Republican Party well before the conservative movement: we value individuality and personal freedoms, we believe in economic growth, and we believe in protecting America from our enemies, I’m good. I want strong conservative candidates, but I’d also like Steele is also a proud conservative, he’s stated so again and again, but he believes in a robust Republican Party.
We need conservatives in the south and west and at the helm of our party, we need moderates in the north east and parts of the midwest. I want a full campaign and I want to win.
Reagan was able to bring conservatives and moderates together, but it began by him supporting a moderate, Gerry Ford for the presidency after he lost. You would have never caught Reagan going on and on about being a “traitor” and “RINO” and all that nonsense. It’s how we loose elections. Where do we start calling people RINOs? How far can one stray from conservative ideology? It’s a slippery slope I don’t want any part of. I’ll just stick to the 11th Commandment. I like Michael Steele and I would be proud to see him as our chair.
Wrong about the NE
Lagwolf Sunday, January 4th at 6:52PM EST (link)The guy who got pounded last election in the NE was a RINO. His type have driven away activists in droves in places like Maine, NH etc. If you want to revitalise the party in the NE moving to the left is not the right idea.
http://www.andrewiandodge.com
Contributor: Pajamas Media
Contributor: Blogcritics.com
Contributor: Blogger News Network
5! Absolutely right. The GOP cannot be
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 6:55PM EST (link)only one thing uniformly across the United States, unless you want to remain a permanent - and rather small - minority.
Ditto. I think Steele can reach lots of Mideast voters
smagar Sunday, January 4th at 10:42PM EST (link)Personally, I’d like to be competitive again in PA, NJ and NY, and competitive for the first time ever in MD. IMO Steele can get us there.
“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)
In fairness, I don't believe he was calling Steele a RINO
bk Monday, January 5th at 8:54AM EST (link)but instead was showing some direct or indirect ties to RINOs.
Exactly how I read it. [nt]
bs Monday, January 5th at 10:25AM EST (link)Decorum is fo’ suckas
Having resided in the RINO's district (Gilchrest) for some years
The_Gadfly Monday, January 5th at 12:30PM EST (link)I couldn’t disagree more. Gilchrest’s reaction to losing the election speaks even louder. Ultimately, most RINOs cost GOP seats, just like what’s his name down in Virginia who couldn’t bring himself to endorse the Republican winner of the contest, and therefore put it into the hands of the Dems.
Steele is clearly libertarian, not paleo- or neo- conservative. If he gets the nod, Republicans will have the same problems we’ve had with Bush (a right-leaning moderate): the meaning of the word ‘conservative’ will continue to be diluted so that it will no longer be a strong brand in the marketplace of ideas. Worse, socialists like Obama will get to wear the ‘conservative’ label for keeping their yaps shut about things like Israelis taking on state-sponsored terrorist organizations like Hamas.
We’ve been called racists enough now that it shouldn’t bother us any more.
-AChance, http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/11/03/what-men-may-do-we-have-done/#comment-24463
If NY23 was a beat down for Conservatives, what do you call what happened to Progressives in NJ and VA?
inspired by ColdWarrior, http://www.redstate.com/hooah_mac/2009/11/04/ny-23-the-agony-of-defeat-not-so-much/#comment-156
Nice one...
Lagwolf Sunday, January 4th at 6:49PM EST (link)I have to agree with Hinz about Anuzis. He really seems to be the only one that actually “gets it”.
http://www.andrewiandodge.com
Contributor: Pajamas Media
Contributor: Blogcritics.com
Contributor: Blogger News Network
Negative Campaigning is Dead
politisite Sunday, January 4th at 7:05PM EST (link)Rob, This is a good example of what we need to get away from in the GOP. You have forgotten the 11th commandment. Who are you supporting for chair and why? Rather then going on a negative campaign against Steele, you should be spending your time on a positive campaign on the candidate of your choice.
If you continue to shut out the so called Rhino, which is defined as anyone who doesn’t agree with my brand of conservatism, we will continue to lose. The Republican brand is the best for America and we need to frame it that way.
I am in support of Steele (full disclosure).
Let us focus on what is right with the party and build from there
Thanks
Albert N. Milliron
Editor Politisite
Albert N. Milliron
Politisite: Politics from the Right Side of the Web
http://www.politisite.com
Arguing about the napkins on the Titanic
EagleWatcher Sunday, January 4th at 7:27PM EST (link)The GOP is in deep trouble. We are nitpicking about negative and positive campaigning and mincing words while the party slips into oblivion. Fact of the matter is we need to get serious and stop trying to be Democrat-lite. Given a choice between Dem-lite and the real thing, people will vote for the real thing every time.
Proof?
We just ran the most moderate, middle of the road Republican the country has seen in a long time. The Dems, on the other hand, ran the most hard-left candidate in the history of the country. The hard left guy won while Mr. Nice Guy got trounced.
Conservative principals are good because the help everyone regardless of class, race or gender. We need to make that point and make in a compelling way. We need to make it clear how we differ from the Dem liberal left so that when they vote Dem and they are left with double digit unemployment, inflation and a terrible economy they know who to blame.
Adopt a Congressman
Soldiers’ Angels SarahPAC
Top Conservatives on Twitter
You are exactly right
1SGinTN Sunday, January 4th at 7:55PM EST (link)Conservatism wins, watered-down and compromised Conservatism doesn’t. Empirical anaysis bears this out.
Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil
This is fairly important stuff to know
zuiko Sunday, January 4th at 9:53PM EST (link)Without “negative campaigning,” how will we ever hear about it? Do we have to wait for Steele to bring it up? Steele is a good guy I would be glad to have in the Senate, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for RNC either.
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
What a load of Crap!!
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 10:58PM EST (link)RINO is a definable term…it’s not the way you make it sound…Lincoln Chafee was a RINO…Chafees Daddy was a RINO, Bill Coen was a RINO before he went to Slick Willy’s cabinet, Specter and Hagel, and McCain, Warner, Voinovich and Graham are all RINOS.
They are a definable group…they are equal to…or to the left of Teddy Kennedy on Social issues, They are moderately liberal in Fiscal issues and ambivalent on the military and national security issues…they are the Republicans who thrive in the so called objective press by knocking the legs out from under the Republican Party at every turn…They get off on making headlines by waiting for the most damaging moment possible to walk off the GOP Reservation and run to the gallery to be applauded by their left wing media masters…these are the snakes and vermin who demand that conservatives obey the 11th commandment while they’re busy pulling down their flies and hosing us all down down to cheers from the press gallery!
Finally..John Danforth and Christy Tod Whitman are RINOs…and Steel climbed in bed with them either out of ignorance or because he agrees with them…it makes no difference to me…either calculation or miscalculation means he shouldn’t be RNC Chair because he’s either stupid and naive for falling in with them…or he agrees with their brand of poison!
I’ve had it with the “BIG TENT”, “11th COMMANDMENT” crap because it’s only ever applied one way….we’re supposed to smile and bend over without objection while the tea and crumpet crowd have their way with us!
Reagan didn’t only advocate a big tent and warn us to observe the 11th commandment…he also warned against complacency and adopting a policy of pale pastels as opposed to drawing lines of bright distinction and smashing our enemies when the opportunity presents itself!
We tried the leftward swing this year to appeal to the all important moderates and independents and it failed just like it did in 1996 and 1992, and just as it did in 1976!
How many times do we have to drive into the same ditch before you guys get it through your thick heads that we’re on the wrong friggen road?!
Even if you are running in the NE states what do you gain by running as a Democrat with an R by your name….You’re still a Democrat only with a different label…and why would anyone vote for a Democrat with an R by his name? Why wouldn’t I want to vote for the Democrat with the D by has name so his party will be in control and I can get the goodies you’re promising me a lot easier by voting for the real Dem and helping his party into power?!
I mean…Come on!!!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
What You're Missing Ace
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 12:20AM EST (link)And being from New York, I’ve had some experience with this: You like to talk about how people prefer Democrats to Democrat-lites. Yet the fact is, people up here in the NE and out on the west coast prefer ANYTHING to a conservative Republican. True, when the national brand is better, Republicans may make gains in liberal areas simply by virtue of national momentum, but we WILL need moderate, and yes, even liberal candidates.
If you want proof, look at my home state of New York. Just a few years ago we had a Republican governor, and a Republican mayor of New York City, possibly the most liberal city in the country! The Governor was George Pataki, a social liberal and environmentalist. Who was the mayor? Rudy Giuliani, the classic moderate Republican. Rudy was a Democrat-lite who ran against a multiple Democrats, and he won in one of the most liberal cities in the country every time. I think he could even have beaten Hillary Clinton in the Senate race if he’d stuck with it.
So, you’re going to have to face it. If you want the majority, you’re going to need to support some liberals and moderates.
You contradict yourself!!!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 2:09AM EST (link)I do see your point…but if the attitude is anything but the Republican…and I know what you are talking about from first hand experience being from WV….what good do we do ourselves by watering down our national message to pander to people who wouldn’t piss on us if we were on fire?
My whole thing is…why do we have to go along with what’s wrong about someone’s way of thinking as opposed to sticking by what’s right and persuading them to the rightness of our cause…one is appeasement…the other is salesmanship…
Neville Chamberlain never won Hitler over by his appeasement…he first emboldened Hitler…but more importantly Chamberlain made himself a joke before the tyrant and could never have persuaded Hitler of anything because he’d shown himself to be a weak kneed cowardly and contemptible fool…
So why would we expect to earn a following in the NE by showing ourselves to be pandering bumbling boobs who can do nothing but pander to the wrong headed ideas of the leftists there?
They don’t respect us because we don’t stand for anything and we look like idiots because the Dems have run circles around us for going on 70 years now because we refuse to stand for anything!
And here we are dancing round the may pole talking about doing
more of the same going forward?
Just shoot me!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Wrong
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 11:09AM EST (link)“They don’t respect us because we don’t stand for anything and we look like idiots because the Dems have run circles around us for going on 70 years now because we refuse to stand for anything!”
No, they don’t respect us because they don’t agree with us on anything. Nobody who is pro-life, anti gay-marriage, pro-low-taxes, and pro-gun is ever going to win statewide elections in New York. Yes, Reagan won it in 1984, but this is before he rise to prominence of most of the current wedge issues. In fact, if we require candidates to conform to those four principles, we’ll never win 28 or so of New York’s congressional districts. We’ll never win the Vermont seat, or Maine, or Rhode Island, or western Oregon, or Massachusetts, or most of Connecticut, or Washington State, or 45ish of California’s districts.
Look at Mike Castle for a moment: According to Wikipedia: “Castle is a member of various moderate/liberal Republican Organizations, such as Republicans For Environmental Protection, The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice and Christine Todd Whitman’s Its My Party Too.”
Now, I understand that you disagree with all of that. But the fact is, suck it up. If we were to run a candidate who agreed with you on even 65% of the issues, he’d go down by 30 points. And yet, for all your talk about how much people hate Democrat-lites, Castle won by 23 points in 2008! Obama won Delaware by 25. Every other race in Delaware went to the Democrats by at least 20 points. So the fact is, you’re going to have to make up your mind. Do you want the majority, or do you want the moderates and squishes out?
Basketball...let me ask you a question...
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 11:40AM EST (link)Did McCain win and I just missed it?
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
No
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 11:54AM EST (link)But he got outperformed by Gordon Smith, Mike Castle, Chris Shays, and Susan Collins. Collins, Castle, and Shays easily outperformed every other Republican in their state, while Gordon Smith did better than all but one Republican in Oregon.
Also, I’m talking about congress, not the presidency.
That's great Basketball....
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 12:04PM EST (link)BTW Ace is talking about the RNC Chair and positions of partly leadership, not congressmen.
Big difference which people like you seem to always forget.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Was He?
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 12:12PM EST (link)Before I ever got involved, this is what he wrote:
“Even if you are running in the NE states what do you gain by running as a Democrat with an R by your name….You’re still a Democrat only with a different label…and why would anyone vote for a Democrat with an R by his name? Why wouldn’t I want to vote for the Democrat with the D by has name so his party will be in control and I can get the goodies you’re promising me a lot easier by voting for the real Dem and helping his party into power?!”
That’s the quote I took issue with, and it certainly doesn’t sound like he’s talking about RNC Chairman.
Context is important Basketball....
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 12:33PM EST (link)The context of his post is the greater debate on the RNC Chair.
Regardless, of whether he was talking about individual congressional races or not, there is a precedent for the voters rejecting moderates and squishes on the national level, as well there is a precedent for the voters rejecting their ideas within the party itself.
When Ronald Reagan was running a close race against Ford in the primary of 1976 he was advised to pick Schweiker, a moderate from PA, as his running mate in order to shore up the PA delegates, PA didn’t have a primary at the time,this ended up backfiring and costing Reagan more conservative delegates than he gained in moderate delegates, Ford won PA 93 to 10, resulting in Ford losing to Carter.
Moving to the center just does not work for Republicans. It only works for the Dems because they are so far out of the mainstream.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Maybe Nationally
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 1:00PM EST (link)“Moving to the center just does not work for Republicans. It only works for the Dems because they are so far out of the mainstream.”
Nationally you may be right, but the fact is if you want to have a party that has any majority to speak of, you need moderates and centrists. The Democrats have 59 instead of 60 senate seats because Susan Collins crushed Tom Allen among moderates in Maine. Specter won Pennsylvania in 2004 by outperforming Bush among moderates. That’s just how the cookie crumbles.
Basketball...let me just say ...WHOOSH!!!!
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 1:17PM EST (link)The point of me writing about Schweiker in ‘76 was to show that even within the context of a traditionally moderate state such as PA picking a moderate does not equate to winning the state.
Now with Collins and Specter, I would still say that proves nothing since the pick was still between a moderate and a dem in the general. Had Toomey won the primary, which is plausible if the NRSC had stayed out of the primary, I believe he could have gone on to win the general. The point is that he was never given the chance.
In other words you can’t throw out Specter and Collins as proof of needing moderates when conservatives haven’t been given the chance to challenge the dems in those states…to me that is a copout.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
I Understand Your Argument
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 1:23PM EST (link)At the same time, while Bush hardly qualifies as a conservative Republican, he certainly did an excellent job of getting them out to vote in 2004. Look at the difference between Bush’s 2004 performance in Pennsylvania and Maine and Specter and Snowe’s performances. They got roughly equal percentages of the conservative vote, but Specter and Snowe both won the moderate vote in their states, while Bush did not. Again, I’m not saying this reflects poorly on Bush’s strategy (after all, he won), but I think that it does suggest that in state and local elections, we have to adjust our strategy.
Basketball...your whole argument is based on a negative assertion which can't be proven....
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 1:34PM EST (link)You seem to arguing that since moderates won in these states against outright dems this somehow equates to conservatives inability to win in those states. This is a ridiculous assertion. The best strategy would be to try to move the electorates of those states incrementally to the right, rather than the left. If Toomey had won the primary maybe the people of PA would have said yes since they were already receptive to the R brand, saying that they would have automatically voted D instead is the issue I have with people like you.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
I don't think that Toomey would've done any better than Bush nt
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 6:15PM EST (link)Basketball...why does that matter...
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 6:21PM EST (link)Toomey only had to do better than the D to win. That was a competely nonsensical comment.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
to be fair...I am talking about both....
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:04PM EST (link)do we need to rud less conservative candidates in the NE states?…absolutely….my issue is with the attitude of those who think we should drop everything we believe in…and stand for to win those states.
I’m sick of the people that want to throw their hands up in the air and say we can’t in there or we can’t ever sell our message there so why try? I’m sick of politicians like GW Bush destroying our credibility by pushing for a whole sale surrender of a principles to the socialist Democrats in order to pander to people that B-Ball acknowledges wouldn’t vote for a Repub if their life depended upon it!
We need to work on those who are persuadable to our way of thinking and stop pandering to those who aren’t. Every time we compromise our principles and show we’re not serious about what we say we believe…we basically leave people who might be persuaded to wonder why bother because we’re no different than the Democrats!
Where the Party chair is concerned…we need a chairman that understands this…and I don’t think Steele is it.
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Wow...I hadn't put that one together before AG!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:30PM EST (link)Well done!
5
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Thanks Ace...
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 1:36PM EST (link)Sometimes the simple answer escapes us even though it is right in front of our nose.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Well...there you go...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:23PM EST (link)So…how did things work out for Shays? Is it an accident of fate that there is not a single Republican in the United States Congress? Did all those Republicans in NE who lost run as unabashed Conservatives on 65% of Conservative issues?
You’re talking in Circle B-Ball..and diging your hole deeper with every word…How many pro Second Amendment, anti Gay Marriage, anti lower taxes, Pro Life Republicans ran in NE? Is that why every single Republican who ran for Congress in NE lost?
and you’re actually arguing here that the rest of the party should export the NE Campaign Model to the rest of the party?
This would be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Well...
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 3:48PM EST (link)“So…how did things work out for Shays?”
In Connecticut in 2008 there was a Presidential election and 5 congressional races. Here are the results:
D+23
D+45
D+32
D+57
D+3
D+20
Geez, guess which one was Chris Shays. In a Democratic wave year, in an overwhelmingly liberal state, he lost by…3 points.
“and you’re actually arguing here that the rest of the party should export the NE Campaign Model to the rest of the party?”
NO! Have you been even reading what I’ve been writing?! I DON’T want to export the NE model to anywhere that isn’t as overwhelmingly liberal as the NE. But I DO want an RNC Chairman who understands that we need a different strategy in the NE than we need in, say, Florida or Texas.
Steele has been criticized for his association with moderate Republicans, but I think that coming from Maryland, he understands when and where we need to run moderates or liberals, and that’s one of the things that will help us retake the majority. Sorry if that wasn’t clear before.
Why are you even a Republican B Ball?
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:48PM EST (link)look…if everyone took that attitude Texas would still be a blue state instead…Republicans have dominated this state since the mid nineties. Back then people like you were telling everyone that Bush running against Ann Richards.
My point is…we need to craft a message that appeals to New Englanders that persuades them that we are right and not throw the rest of the party to the wolves to appeal to them!
WV of all places is turning red for Pete’s sake…why can’t NY?
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
I'm Not Saying Everyone Should
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 1:08PM EST (link)“look…if everyone took that attitude Texas would still be a blue state instead”
I agree. Not everybody should take that attitude, we don’t want a party made up of 50 moderate senators, nor could we get one, moderate Republicans lose in conservative areas. But we also can’t get a majority by running down-the-line conservatives in every race. As Achance pointed out, what wins you elections in one district kills you in another.
Trivia question: What does the Senate look like without Snowe, Collins, Specter, McCain, and Smith? Answer: It looks like Democratic majority forever. If you’d rather have Joe the Socialist as Delaware’s congressman than Mike Castle, that’s fine, but don’t start pointing your finger at me when Nancy Pelosi is appointed Speaker of the House for life by her 300 democratic congressmen.
Also, NY can’t turn red because of NYC. At least, it can’t turn conservative red. It can turn Giuiani/Pataki red.
So let's run Giuliani and Pataki in NY...let's not let them run the whole party!!!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:38PM EST (link)That’s my issue….no one I know has ever said we need to run down the line conservatives in every state…though I don’t think the results would be as bad as they were in 06 and 08…certainly they wouldn’t have done any worse….but by letting them run the party and vote in 300 billion dollar farm bills and 700 billion dollar bank bailouts.,..or trillion dollar bailouts of the auto industry kind of makes it hard for us to persuade people that we are the Party of limited government!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Apparently we agree
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 6:17PM EST (link)“So let’s run Giuliani and Pataki in NY…let’s not let them run the whole party!!!”
That’s what I said. That’s what I’ve been advocating. But some people (and I thought you) were saying that we shouldn’t even run them in NY.
So what are you Saying B-Ball?
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:10PM EST (link)Should we stop being the party of pro life, pro Second Amendment rights Pro Marriage, and Pro Lower taxes to appeal to them?
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
No
baseketball Tuesday, January 6th at 1:19PM EST (link)“Should we stop being the party of pro life, pro Second Amendment rights Pro Marriage, and Pro Lower taxes to appeal to them?”
No. In presidential elections, where the views of the candidate are (HOPEFULLY) the views of the national party, we’re going to have to tell New York to **** off. It’s just not feasable right now for Republicans to expect to be competitive there, we’re better off running down the line conservatives and targeting the swing states.
HOWEVER, if we want majorities in the house and Senate, we will have to not only nominate but aggressively support, with time and money, moderate and liberal Republicans in moderate and liberal areas. That’s the problem with your idea of getting all the candidates to sign a pledge that they will support the party’s platform at all times: Susan Collins can support the party platform at all times and lose, or she can continue to win, aid us in our count to 51 (and beyond), and vote with us 60 or so percent of the time. I know which one I’d rather have, but you don’t seem to agree with me.
That was a Texas issue....and what would be the difference...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:46PM EST (link)If the candidate wasn’t running in a conservative district…he/she wouldn’t have to live up to the pledge…where the platform is concerned since their constituency would return them to office despite the party…the point of doing that was to return the Platform to the position of prominence and respect that it deserves.
I don’t know if you’ve participated in conventions at all…but the main focus of the convention process is working on the platform…at least for the majority of Delegates…it’s the only voice we have in the party….the platform is a statement of principles and should be respected at least…right now it’s not…our leadership go to the conversions…make a show of participating in the process…and walk awy thumbing their noses at us and taking a dump on the platform we all worked so hard to shape!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
It is not really a good idea
zuiko Tuesday, January 6th at 1:54PM EST (link)To set up moderates to have to lie and pretend to support something they don’t. If they take a pledge, they should live up to it, no matter what kind of district they represent.
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
You are correct
zuiko Tuesday, January 6th at 1:52PM EST (link)Moderates are useful in legislative bodies. Take a guy like Arnold for example. The guy is a horrible, horrible governor. Indistinguishable from a Democrat in almost every way at this point. He wouldn’t be bad in the Senate, though. He would certainly be a huge improvement over Boxer.
(Of course given how much the base hates the guy now, It doesn’t seem very likely that will happen. He should have run for the Senate in the first place, before he started to burn bridges.)
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I'm sure not the signatories to the Constitution didn't agree with every single item...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 2:16PM EST (link)but I would thing an agreement of broad principles and objectives should be possible without compromising a candidates ability to represent his constituents…
I don’t remember thew wording of the Texas Plank but I’m sure it left wiggle room on specific issues and definitely didn’t deserve the squeals of stuck pigs that arose from the preposition!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
There's a middle ground in legislative bodies,
Achance Tuesday, January 6th at 2:07PM EST (link)including the Congress. The necessary predicate if we ever get in the majority again is new rules on bill subjects so you don’t wind up with stuff all over the ideological spectrum in one bill, but until then:
A Party rule that if you run or serve with an R behind your name, you WILL vote with the Republican leadership on ALL procedural matters. You can cut them loose to reflect their district on the substantive vote, but if they join the Ds on any procedural vote, they are subject to Party discipline up to and including removal from the caucuse and refusal to endorse their candidacy as a Republican.
In Vino Veritas
Amen Achance
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 2:12PM EST (link)Your experience pay dividends here…I wouldn’t have thought of putting it that way out of ignorance…but that’s cuts to the heart of the issue precisely!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Thanks, Ace. Problem is
Achance Tuesday, January 6th at 3:01PM EST (link)it would be like pulling eye teeth with the sitting officeholders. They love the glory of the bipartisan bill, gets you on the Beltway A list or whatever the equivalent is in a state capital. And, they love hiding in omnibus bills and sticking subject matter bills in appropriations bills. They can trade votes and vote for the most outrageous things and say they concluded that whatever was in there for their district caused them to suck it up and accept the bad stuff to get the good stuff.
Of course it can be gamed with two paragraph bill titles, but there are limits and if you have a single subject rule or better statute, you can have a whole bill thrown out by a court if they get too cute.
In Vino Veritas
Your definition of a RhINO doesn't match your own List
politisite Tuesday, February 17th at 11:35PM EST (link)“They are a definable group…they are equal to…or to the left of Teddy Kennedy on Social issues, They are moderately liberal in Fiscal issues and ambivalent on the military and national security issues”
I have pointed out that I am not in favor of Rhinos. In fact the criticism was about calling anyone who doesn’t agree with your brand of conservatism a Rhino. One might wish to read how many versions of Conservatives we have had over the years.
You come up with a definitive definition and then add to your list folks who don’t meet your own criteria.
I am as discussed as anyone about our three Senators who voted for the Stimulus. I finally won back some respect for my senator Graham and he blows it again in less then a week on talking about nationalizing the banking system. I have been one of his critics for years.
Now that Mr. Steele is our chairman. Lets do what WE can to help develop a winning strategy for a win in 2010. Now if you want to have everyone agree completely with you stand on every issue, prepare for another loss.
Like I said, If we major in the minors we will lose more in the house and senate. Do we really want a Filibuster proof Senate?
I have heard about my way as a loser. Anyone who has done any statistical research in demographics know that we need more then just a Defensive, Social, Fiscal conservative group to win an election. You have to have a message that has wider appeal. Educate your new voters and help them along. But don’t negate folks because they are not educated as well as you in politics.
I enjoy Red State, but my message has often been shot down because of a spelling error. Is that the platform you want to use to pull in potential new Republicans? Folks who use tose tactics don’t hurt me, they disgust me.
One word about the, “Hurt Police” I didn’t post to have us all sing Kumbaya and push away discourse that may be difficult. I posted because I simply said defend your candidate rather then attack another. Was anyone awake the last election. You can scream Ayers, Corruption, etc. at the top of your lungs all you want, but if you don’t have a positive message and a plan to show the electorate why conservatism is the best way for America, you lose.
Thankfully we have a New Deal, Great society, socialist president Who will make our job easier. If we continue with the finger pointing and not spread the word.This guy could win again. You want that?
Al
Albert N. Milliron
Politisite: Politics from the Right Side of the Web
http://www.politisite.com
Well said, Rob!
Jeff Emanuel Sunday, January 4th at 7:47PM EST (link)very well researched, sourced, and argued, despite some extremely ignorant comments on this thread.
JE
Exactly what I mean
politisite Sunday, January 4th at 8:23PM EST (link)Your comment, while short, is exactly what I mean. Calling a comment “extremely ignorant ” As a nationally known writer, you would think you would be more careful how you use your gift. Do you want to spend the next 4 years using your words to kill or to heal. I hope, for the sake of the Party, that you have learned something from your failure to frame the message in a way that excites the electorate.
Albert N. Milliron
Politisite: Politics from the Right Side of the Web
http://www.politisite.com
That's right - peace and love win battles and wars
Jeff Emanuel Sunday, January 4th at 8:33PM EST (link)I must have missed that in my extensive study of history.
What’s needed in the process of selecting the head of our party is some very serious discussion. What’s not needed is a group of self-appointed Hurt Feelings Police.
We already got stuck with a bum POTUS nominee (to be fair, there wasn’t really anybody better in the bunch that ran); we do not need to saddle ourselves with an equally bum party leader for the next few years.
JE
Like my conservative friend used to say...
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 8:43PM EST (link)The American political system is simply controlled revolution.
Get Connected in Colorado.
OK---I'll bite: Why would Steele be a "bum party leader?"
smagar Sunday, January 4th at 10:52PM EST (link)We’re listening.
“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)
GOTO TOP
bs Sunday, January 4th at 10:54PM EST (link)and read Bluey’s posting again, if you didn’t get why some of us find Mr. Steele to be sub-optimal.
Decorum is fo’ suckas
Jeff, where are your manners?
smagar Sunday, January 4th at 10:50PM EST (link)“extremely ignorant comments”
As a Contributor on this site, is this the example for discourse that you want to set? That you want all the rest of us to follow?
“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)
Hmm....
Josh LeGuern Monday, January 5th at 1:31AM EST (link)Sorry Jeff, I’m not ignorant, nor am I a moderate or a liberal trying to move the Republican Party to the left.
Reagan conservatism wins elections, but I think some so called Reagan conservatives are forgetting what Reagan did, they’ll quote him all day long, but they don’t look at what Reagan did to build a winning coalition.
Reagan embraced moderates and welcomed them to the table. Hell, he picked George H. W. Bush to be his running mate and be his successor! Reagan endorsed George Bush for President in 1988!
Reagan abided by the 11th Commandment and was extremely successful because of it. He welcomed difference in opinion, diversity in thought. He never abonded his principles, but he welcomed all parts of our party to the table.
We have spent the last 12 years becoming “Democrat-lite” and have suffered because of it, but we do ourselves a grave disservice if we tear each other down, throw out RINO labels left and right, and reject moderates from our party.
What I was saying is that Michael Steele saying he wants to make the party more robust by embracing moderate candidates and build bridges with them and make them feel welcome in our party is not a bad thing for me at all. To me, it shows he’s smart and it shows he wants to win elections.
The problem is the give an inch they take a mile factor...
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 11:35PM EST (link)So called Republican “Moderates” don’t play the coalition game…they come in and demand that we give up our principles and reasons for being so they’ll be comfortable. It’s not enough that we agree with them 80% of the time…they demand that we give up on the 20% we disagree with them on…
I’ve had it…We’ve played on this merry go round for the 20 years since I became a Republican and we just keep prancing around the mayflower pole…we get ourselves in power in 2004 and it looks like we’re finally going to be able to do all the things we’ve been promised for 40 years…and what do we get? Well…we can alienate the Hispanic vote, or the pro choice vote or the Ag vote, or the gay vote or the atheist vote or pick your poison so we don’t get a damn thing out of it…
Far from pulling the socialist train into the station for a much needed rest and retirement…Our so called moderate leadership in Washington push the throttle wide open and start stoking the fire to give the rush to Euro Socialism more steam!
As far as I’m concerned…ya’ll can take the 11th commandment and shove it because it’s only ever been applied one way by the ivory tower crowd and I’m not playing the gane any more!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Hey Ace?
$peciallist Monday, January 5th at 11:45PM EST (link)this is a mini jack…….the ‘well armed Lamb’ RULES!…lol
Carry on schooling these dudes…
Thanks Spec
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:29AM EST (link)I pirated it…but it fits Franklin’s quote and hopefully the guy that created it won’t mind..
:>)
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Yeah...ignore the "ignorant" peasants making "Ignorant" Comments nt
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 11:04PM EST (link)House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
How can RNC promote Rep/Cons ideals if we always put Rs and Cs into such negativities?
Rod_Patrick Sunday, January 4th at 7:52PM EST (link)After the 2000 election, all the Dems and Libs eagerly described all politicians with “D” as either “very good”, “competent”, “God-sent” or a combination of both, …. even if such politicians were obviously “corrupt” and “sent by the Devil”.
Michael Steele is not that bad. For me, he’s still one of the good guys despite his flaws as alleged by your diary.
If we continue rambling like this, we will have an RNC full of “crocodiles” in the eyes of the public.
Why can’t we just “silently” select an RNC chairman, leaving MSM without a clue and with nothing “bad” to report?
We have had enough of “negative” reporting from the MSM in the last 8 years. The least we can do is to refrain from supplying the MSM with new materials that further demonize the Republican brand in the eyes of the public.
Because nothing in politics is done "silently"
Jeff Emanuel Sunday, January 4th at 8:34PM EST (link)We don’t have to go for each other’s jugular in public, true, but we *do* have to vet our own, and select only the very best — and, for us all to be involved in the process, that vetting has to be public.
JE
I understand, Jeff.
Rod_Patrick Monday, January 5th at 3:46AM EST (link)But I’m afraid that sometimes, we tend to over-analyze everything. I just feel that if we have to rebuild the party, we need to make an effort to improve our “image” and “relations” with the public. We must start by becoming more “selective” of the statements that we use in describing our politicians.
We all know that the public is still under the spell of the Libs and the MSM that whenever one Republican does something foul or incompetently, somehow it’s the entire party and political ideology that must be blamed for it. Please note that even the failures of many Liberal policies and programs in the last 8 years by a “bipartisan” Government are now being blamed against the Republicans.
Robert, being one of RS’s very good contributors, has masterfully crafted a diary that concludes that Steele is “incompetent”. Unfortunately, Steele is still one of the present leading politicians being associated by the public with the brand of Republicanism/Conservatism.
A non-thinking public can put a simple 2-to-2 and… wallah… will relate Steele’s failures as an incompetence of Rs and Cs in general.
In short, there’s always a collateral damage to the Republican Party whenever a story of wrongdoing, incompetence or failure is made against a known Republican. Sadly, this isn’t case of the corrupt and nincompoop Democrats and their shameful Democratic Party.
Rod...this is the issue
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 11:50PM EST (link)What you describe here can only occur in a vacuum and that vacuum exists because the people we put in positions to represent us are the gentile intellectual types that want to reason with street fighters, thugs and ally cats…and we get our butts cleaned all the time as a result…Just once I’d like to see on of oours pick up a trash can and smash it down on Harry Ried’s head….I want to see one of our guys sticking Barny Franks head in a toilet and flush it…I want to see one of ours throw a an elbow and smach the smug condescending smirk off of Chuck Schumer’s face…
Steel Represents the buttoned down vest raised pinky tea and crumpets part of our party…sadly what I saw at the debate doesn’t encourage me any that we might get a street fighter to take the fight to the Dems…but Steel is too polite and not the man for this job!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
I'm surprised at you Rod
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 11:40PM EST (link)We might as well fight over this and give them negatives to report because if it’s not the the MSM will make up something worse…and I can’t think of anything better to fight about than what this party stands for and will stand for in upcoming elections!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Ace, I'm not sure but
Rod_Patrick Tuesday, January 6th at 6:31AM EST (link)Maybe I’m so freakingly tired of always hearing how bad my Party, my party leaders, and my beliefs are. I have never heard of any report yet that a certain Republican is doing ‘right” or “good” in a “middle” arena.
Last election, I was struck by Han Pritcher (I’m not sure if it’s him who wrote it but I could still recall his name) and his conservative family who voted for Obama (I assumed he did what he said he would) out of their “shame” of many Republican actions at the height of Bush Administration.
I fear that with the biased inclinations of the MSM nowadays, our party is really in a deep deep shit… rebuilding will be more difficult than at the time of the Nixon scandal.
We are the Minority now. We need something good to report about us if we are targeting some of the moderates in the 52 percent of Americans who voted for Obama to hear us out again.
Fighting out…. Yes. But I just hope that we are fighting against the Dems and their stupid policies, and not expending our energies against our fellow Reps/Cons. That’s why I’m also deeply bothered by the exchanges of comments between Achance and Josh P. over the issue on Sarah Palin.
With regards to RNC Chairmanship…. I love to hear Fred Thompson or Newt Gingrich taking that seat.
Here's the thing...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:55PM EST (link)You said it yourself…the MSM bias is horrible…and Republicans aren’t going to get a fair shake anywya…so why are we worried about pandering to the MSM anyway…We need to concentrate on what’s right IMHO and to hell with the MSM! They’re fast losing credibility and ability to influence anyone at this point anyway.
We need to tend to our business and clean out the barn and let the press do what they’re going to do and not worry about it. Pandering to the Wa Po and the NY Times is what got us in the pile of do do you’re talking about!
I’m with you whole heartedly there…though Gingrich has made some moves lately that are beyond me.
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Regarding RHINOs
1SGinTN Sunday, January 4th at 8:09PM EST (link)I’ll repeat what I said to add to a diary by AceInTx 17 -19 Nov,
“I don’t mind the RHINOs riding on the bus, but they can’t drive or shift the gears. Stay behind the white line and stay seated. They can’t stick their heads out the windows and cause a scene. And they definitely have to keep their hands off the presets on the radio controls.”
I recognize the necessity of the “big tent” philosophy in adding supporters. but Conservative values need to be the centerpiece of the Republican Party. As such, the platform should be more Right-oriented and the Moderates should have a lesser influence.
As for airing our differences in ‘public’, how else do we reach a consensus? I would invite you all over to my house to discuss it, but we’ll run out of seating fast.
Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil
Agree
brooklynlou Sunday, January 4th at 8:25PM EST (link)“I don’t mind the RHINOs riding on the bus, but they can’t drive or shift the gears. Stay behind the white line and stay seated. They can’t stick their heads out the windows and cause a scene. And they definitely have to keep their hands off the presets on the radio controls.”
I agree, and I’ll throw this into the mix.
“North Dakota GOP Chairman Gary Emineth said he too has had enough of the never-ending disconnect between what the platform says and what elected Republicans do. “It is time the party gets involved in policy issues and forces candidates to respond to the platform,” Mr. Emineth said. “Frankly the way we view the platform is a joke. We work hard to drive our principles into the platform, then candidates ignore it.”
There has to be modicum of party discipline. If a Republican strays too far off the fold, the RNC needs to say “keep doing this, and you’re no longer a Republican”.
We at the grassroots need to exercise..
rcov092 Sunday, January 4th at 9:01PM EST (link)our will. WE need to hold our candidates accountable.
“Not One Red Dime for the NRSC or NRCC till they stop trying to elect liberals”
Join the RedState Strike Force
Yeah...this is another one...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:15AM EST (link)I remember at the Texas State Conventions…one of the things we were working on for the state platform was to have a simple pledge signed by our candidates that they would represent the spirit and intent of the State platform to the best of their ability!
You would have thought we were carrying out appendectomies on more than half the people there without anesthesia the way the howls went to the rafters!
“Why…You can’t do that”…Why…if our leaders stand for anything…how can they beat the other guys”…We need to win…we can’t worry about the niceties of standing for anything….(Come to think of it…someone here said that to me about McCain…but I digress)
I was stunned….the lack of simple common sense of half the people there drove me insane! I thought I was in the midst of one of Monty Python’s most ironic and absurd skits ever written….it was mind boggling….
For the life of me…I can’t see what’s wrong with telling someone…welcome to the tent…you want to run for office?…fine…we’ll support you….you don’t agree with planks A, T, W, and Z of the platform and can’t support them?…fine…we’ll support you anyway…the only thing we would point out and ask is that 87% of the party agrees with these planks in the platform so if you can’t support them…then don’t…don’t vote on them…and if you must…vote against them…but shut the hell up and be a team player…keep your moth shut and be a good soldier…do what you think is right but don’t run to the first camera you can find to declare what a bunch of Dolts and Jerks the Republican party is made up of…Don’t rub your disagreement in our faces and don’t sneer at us over your shoulder when you’ve handed our political enemies a victory!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
I don't know why we put up with these whiners, Ace
1SGinTN Tuesday, January 6th at 2:30PM EST (link)because now is the time to air our differences within the party and get our thinking straight. It all boils down to this: do we want to stand for Conservative principles and lead the country; or, do we want to find a collection of interest groups and jump out in front of them?
It has been well said that we should care not a whit what the MSM thinks of us, there will be no love from that quarter no matter what.
It’s time to man-up.
Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil
If that's the case....
Josh LeGuern Monday, January 5th at 1:35AM EST (link)Conservatives need to get behind a solidly conservative candidate and not a fake like Mitt Romney. If we don’t want candidates like John McCain taking the reigns of the party, WE have got to be smarter. We can’t sit there kicking and screaming if we can’t get our act together and support geuinely conservative candidates.
I wanted Fred Thompson to be our nominee in 2008 as I thought he was the only genuinely conservative candidate amongst the GOP heavy hitter field. I couldn’t stand the slimey Mitt Romney, I thought he was a hypocrite for bringing up other candidate’s liberalism when he had his own and expected it to be swept under the rug.
I agreed with you then and I agree with you now...
AceInTX Monday, January 5th at 11:59PM EST (link)and I’m getting annoyed with the…”let’s put the fight off for another day”…we were told than starting last March until Nov. We can’t fight about what a disaster McCain is and what a mess he is making of the campaign because Obama might win”…well…what did we gain…not a thing…and now the same bunch is telling us we need to sit down and shut up lest we get bad press of all things!
Are you kidding me!!!
I swear my head is going to shoot off my shoulders and land on the moon!
This is so absurd!
So what…should we wait till 2010 to fight this out?…Maybe we should wait till the primaries for 2012?
Nope…the same bunch of weenies will still be pulling the ball away from us playing keep away….Well…I’m done being Charlie Brown to their Lucy…
I don’t know what’s gotten into me tonight but I’m madder than a wet hen right now and I’m about to snap!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Litmus test
brooklynlou Sunday, January 4th at 8:18PM EST (link)Did Steele sign the Boop resolution? That’s my litmus test.
what's the "boop resolution"?
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 9:38PM EST (link)n/t
I expect he means "Bopp"
bs Sunday, January 4th at 9:43PM EST (link)see here
Decorum is fo’ suckas
I have to agree with you here.
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 8:23PM EST (link)I was an early supporter of Steele because I didn’t want any more Duncan. As time passed I saw others that were running that I believe would do better.
Bottom line is our leaders need to be solidly conservative. Steele simply isn’t.
Get Connected in Colorado.
OK, let's be positive: I like Ken Blackwell
EagleWatcher Sunday, January 4th at 8:37PM EST (link)I have heard him on the Hugh Hewitt show a number of times. He is well qualified and experienced. I think the GOP has a serious, but unintentional image problem. Having an African-American as Chair would be an added bonus.
You can get a better picture of his extensive qualifications from Matt Lewis’ great article.
Adopt a Congressman
Soldiers’ Angels SarahPAC
Top Conservatives on Twitter
I'm positive I like Ken Blackwell
1SGinTN Sunday, January 4th at 9:01PM EST (link)nt
Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil
Ditto Me....Go Ken! nt
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:18AM EST (link)House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Ken is good...
antisocial Monday, January 5th at 12:52AM EST (link)but can we get rid of this sectoral (African_american/Hispanic/Asian/White etc…) thing?
We can evaluate the candidates based on merit and support the best guy irrespective of the race/gender.
I would hold until the debate is done and then look at the mindset and make a call.
No you can’t - Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
——————————
Republicans who lost the Crap-and-Raid fight in the House -
Mary Bomo Mac (CA-45)
Mike Castle (DE)
Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
John M. McHugh (NY-23)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
No, we cannot....
Josh LeGuern Monday, January 5th at 2:11AM EST (link)It’s funny to me that when trying to reach out to African-Americans and other minorities, conservatives do it in a way that is comfortable to them rather than a way that is comfortable to the people they’re tyring to reach out to.
African-Americans, many women, and other minorities do not think we give a damn because we do not bother to put the people we have in positions of power within our party. They do not feel welcome.
Any minority who is competent and has a conservative POV should be put at the forefront of our party for the next few years. Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Ken Blackwell and yes Michael Steele are all examples of great people regardless of their race or gender.
We would have to be morons to not recognize that Barack Obama’s race was not a hinderance but a huge advantage to him this last time around.
We shouldn’t use minorities like the Democrats do to get elected, but we should work on electing minorities to attract them to our party.
We don't need to cater to race
antisocial Monday, January 5th at 8:07AM EST (link)in order to welcome minorities. Personally I think the race-based model that came out of democrat establishment is not worth following.
You seem to be talking 2 things at the same time. You say that we should put minority folks we have in positions of Power. And then you talk about competence. That doesn’t have to be a 2-in-1 pack.
“We would have to be morons to not recognize that Barack Obama’s race was not a hinderance but a huge advantage to him this last time around.
We shouldn’t use minorities like the Democrats do to get elected, but we should work on electing minorities to attract them to our party.”
I don’t subscribe to your view at all.
No you can’t - Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
——————————
Republicans who lost the Crap-and-Raid fight in the House -
Mary Bomo Mac (CA-45)
Mike Castle (DE)
Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
John M. McHugh (NY-23)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Your contradicting yourself in the same sentance!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:29AM EST (link)Would Blackwell be a benefit to us because he’s black…maybe…but I doubt it because of the very reason you state…it would look like we were pandering in order to counter Obama’s blackness…We would be perceived by the people and portrayed by the press as making a cynical ploy to pander to blacks and every time Blackwell or Steele deviated from the script the Dems have written for blacks since the 60s…they’d be called Uncle Toms and Oreos, and House Slaves etc…we’d never be given credit for it so why pervert our process by pandering to the worse of the Democrat identity politics…
I don’t support Steele not because I dislike him…but because I don’t think he’s conservative enough…I support Blackwell as my first choice because he is the most conservative of all the others in my opinion…He’s real…and he doesn’t play the game of the Washington Republican Gentry of going along to get along…he’ll look you straight in the eye and tell you your full of crap if he thinks so…His blackness means nothing to me…nor should it…and it won’t matter a damn to the press if he or Steele are RNC Chair!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Ace- Thanks for articulating my exact conservative beliefs
Scope Tuesday, January 6th at 2:23PM EST (link)If I had your dancing Rock Man I would place it here. I could not have argued my beliefs about stopping running to the middle any better than you have, It should be obvious that it is a very losing place to be. Not only did McCain not get the moderates and independents that he campaigned for, he completely alienated the base and smiled while doing it. I believe I read somewhere that 4 million Republicans stayed home this year because of him. Yeah he won NH, but I’m convinced that he accomplished that by cross voting. I don’t like Ron Paul, but it has been proven that votes he got were not counted. Also, I will never buy that anyone other than a Democrat will ever win in NY and NJ. For one, they have too many state employees, why ever would they vote for a candidate that wants smaller government. As far as PA, they have been a right to work state, but Big Labor will be changing that in 2009, they will never leave the Democrats for that reason alone. Also, when Murtha called his constitutents racist rednecks, and they still reelected him- well he was proved correct, they must be rednecks.
I was very impressed by Ken Blackwell yesterday in the debate. Many had some great answers, but his best answers were superior to any others.
Hang in there Ace, and keep up the good fight!
Steele haterade is out of control
briangriffiths Sunday, January 4th at 9:28PM EST (link)I understand and welcome the fact that there are a lot of opinions out there on the RNC Chairmanship, but I cannot for the life of me understand this anti-Steele zealotry, which is neary anti-Romney proportions.
Anybody who knows Michael Steele, has been around Michael Steele, and has listened to Michael Steele speak knows that he is a conservative’s conservative. Period.
All of this attention about Steele supporting Gilchrest in the Republican Primary (something a lot of conservatives did in Maryland, by the way) has more to do with local inside baseball than it does anything else. Harris is not a good guy, and Steele chose character first. At the time, nobody really thought Gilchrest would do what he did.
And all of this hating on Steele and nobody seems to want to talk about Ken Blackwell’s dalliance with “urban progressivism” in Cincinnati, something I talk a bit about here. That doesn’t disqualify Blackwell from being RNC Chairman; I mean, Regan was a Democrat, after all. But all of this anti-Steele stuff has gotten way out of control…
Your argument falls on its face.
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 9:33PM EST (link)I even reread the original blog. There is not one single statement of hate in it. It simply states why the author thinks Steele would not be a good candidate. Reasonable people can disagree with his conclusions, but your emotional response simply negates anything else you might have to say.
Get Connected in Colorado.
5 (like usual)
bs Sunday, January 4th at 9:46PM EST (link)Beat me to it, NT. I don’t get the comments here criticizing Rob on this diary. Are we not allowed to oppose a candidate for RNC? Rob’s case against Steele was well-done. I’ve seen far, far worse criticisms of our own here on RS during an active campaign. John McCain, anyone?
Decorum is fo’ suckas
Especially seeming as how Harris lost...
RandomGuy Sunday, January 4th at 9:50PM EST (link)His endorsement may have been well founded.
I didn’t like Gilchrest either, but given the result, he at least had a good reason for it.
Draft Mitch Daniels for President ‘12
So what?
bk Monday, January 5th at 8:59AM EST (link)By that argument, fighting for Chafee made sense since Laffey “couldn’t win”. Except that Chafee didn’t win either.
Disagreement is not hate
1SGinTN Sunday, January 4th at 9:59PM EST (link)Another agent for the Hurt-Feelings Police, Jeff.
Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil
Where did you see anti-Steele zealotry?
antisocial Monday, January 5th at 9:40AM EST (link)What makes you think stuff has gone out of control? Perfectly fine if you are a Michael Steele fan. Its not good to get emotional while doing evaluation. We can agree or disagree on various candidates and issues. I would be fine if there was a post bashing each candidate. Constructive ones will be fine too. That’s information sharing.
I rely on this site to get perspective and information given the lack of credibility in the rest of the media.
Why are you against debate?
No you can’t - Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
——————————
Republicans who lost the Crap-and-Raid fight in the House -
Mary Bomo Mac (CA-45)
Mike Castle (DE)
Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
John M. McHugh (NY-23)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
I was wondering how long it would take before someone came on here and equated oposition to hatred!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:42AM EST (link)People had legitimate reason for opposing Romney for Pres and people have legitimate reasons for opposing Steele and they haven’t a thing to do with hatred!
This is something else that frosts my britches….why can’t anyone have policy or competency or trust issues with anyone without being portrayed as hatemongers? Are we so small and pathetic that we have to act like the Democrats and lash out in knee jerk outrage any time someone has the temerity to oppose someone who is part of a supposedly oppressed minority?
I have legitimate reasons for opposing both Romney as Pres and Steele as RNC chair that have nothing to do with what color they are or where they worship and the slander you engage in would have gotten your teeth knocked down your throat once upon a time…actually…come to think of it…it would get you into a duel…
Spare me the mock outrage and feigned indignation that someone could oppose Steel for any other reason than racism
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
I'd rather have a strong conservative who is not
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 9:31PM EST (link)strongly religious.
If social conservatism is going to gain adherents, arguments for it must be made in secular language. Always wedding social conservatism to piety is not a good strategy to create a majority. Bill Cosby’s exhortations have more effect on non-conservatives than those of the Christian Coalition.
Unfortunately, such candidates are not numerous nowadays because those who are secular have been drawn unthinkingly to the left, but I imagine there are some.
I see we still have a long way to go.
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 9:43PM EST (link)The racial bigots have been defeated, but the gender and religious ones still march on…
Get Connected in Colorado.
i ask you to give me the benefit of the doubt
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 10:02PM EST (link)i’m no bigot. i am myself religious, and socially conservative, and fiscally conservative, etc. i can’t prove it to you, of course, especially since i’m new here.
but my argument is strictly about matching means to ends. the end is to gain a socially conservative majority by winning over secular voters or voters who may be religious but who dislike religious arguments for political positions. the means is to have at least some leaders who can make socially conservative arguments without bringing in religion.
if you want more people to be religious, that’s fine. i do, too. but taking the population as it is now, i think there is something to be said for my policy.
a lot of americans who are not religious are being very ill-served by socially liberal ideas - just think of all the high schoolers who start sleeping with each other and regret it later - but socially conservative ideas, which many of them would like, do not appeal to them because of the religious tones. but there are very strong secular arguments for traditional marriage, for the pro-life position, for avoiding promiscuity, etc. it’s just that they’re not being made much anymore.
icbm, I think I see where you are coming from...
Attack Mode Sunday, January 4th at 10:10PM EST (link)Unfortunately you don’t have a clue on how to communicate it, which in turn makes you come off like a bigot, and without proper capitalization a lazy one at that.
Making political arguments in religious context leads to some being immediately turned off, regardless of the merit of the actual argument. For this reason more of the socially conservative arguments should be made in the context of Federalism.
If you had said that, instead of saying what you did you would sound like a bigot.
As far as anyone taking advice from you on communication of the Republican message, well, let’s just say you should probably take an interpersonal communications course at your local community college before trying to take this act on the road.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
4th sentence, would* = wouldn't*....nt
Attack Mode Sunday, January 4th at 10:12PM EST (link)“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
i appreciate your attempt at understanding
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 10:50PM EST (link)but i said exactly what i meant.
Bush is a good example
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 10:11PM EST (link)of a very religious man that didn’t smother other people with it. Now, I’ll be the first one to say there are some things he’s done that I don’t like, but the good things that he did have everything to do with his deeply-held religious convictions.
That said, I was one of Huckabee’s strongest detractors, and a lot of that opposition was because of some statements he made that led me to believe he wanted to govern with somewhat of a theocratic philosophy. If that’s what you were referring to, then we may be in agreement.
Get Connected in Colorado.
5 (this is getting tiring.. ;-) )
bs Sunday, January 4th at 10:21PM EST (link)Bush is a good example. And I, too, opposed Huckabee for pretty much the same reason.
But icbm’s original comment was “I’d rather have a strong conservative who is not strongly religious“. That is much different than saying “I’d rather have a strong conservative who doesn’t talk about things in religious terminology”. If it’s the latter that is meant, then fine. If it’s the former, then the original assertion about bias still stands.
Decorum is fo’ suckas
bs, when you run for office I can work as your press secretary.
NightTwister Sunday, January 4th at 10:30PM EST (link)You won’t even need to meet with me before I release your statement.
Get Connected in Colorado.
Half of rhetoric is who the speaker is
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 10:48PM EST (link)and the other half is what he says.
For many, just the fact that the speaker is religious will turn them off to his words.
A religious man who makes socially conservative arguments in secular terms will not be nearly as persuasive as a non-religious man to those we need to convert to the socially conservative persuasion.
Would you say I’m a bigot if I suggested that Jewish conservatives rather than Christian conservatives be sent to synagogues to do political outreach?
My point is that we should take our bearings - at least in part - by those whom we want to persuade, not only by those whom we wish to retain. If the only socially conservative voices - or if most of them - come from religious men, we will not be able to appeal very well to those who are less religious or not religious.
Well, then... you're wrong.
bs Sunday, January 4th at 10:52PM EST (link)One’s faith does not disqualify them from public service simply because of what they believe. Most social conservative philosophy is solidly grounded in faith. The two cannot be disconnected. Therefore, you are talking nonsense.
Decorum is fo’ suckas
ok, well, i expected disagreement
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 11:04PM EST (link)i didn’t mean to suggest that religious candidates are not qualified, only that they are not choiceworthy at this moment for the specific task of reaching out to those who are not yet socially conservative.
are you personally more likely to go to the opera because another zappa fan recommends it, or because an opera buff recommends it? perhaps you already go to the opera, but i hope you see what i am trying to say. generally, people are affected more by those who are similar to them in taste, manner, etc.
whether most social conservative thinking is grounded in faith is a question i will have to consider at more length. you are certainly right that this is the case nowadays.
so icbm you are not a bigot...you just go for identity politics...nt
Attack Mode Sunday, January 4th at 11:08PM EST (link)“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Try doing outreach to black Baptists
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 11:19PM EST (link)with a bunch of Presbyterian white guys.
Of course I think identity is important in politics. I don’t think it is the ONLY thing that is important, as some leftists seem to. I agree with Hamilton in Federalist 35, “The idea of an actual representation of all classes of people by persons of each class is altogether visionary [i.e., illusory].”
But there is a reason that McCain got the votes of most veterans and Romney got the votes of most Mormons.
You and I probably agree, by and large, on the social policies the federal and state governments should have. What we’re debating here is the best means by which to create majority support for those policies.
Sorry icbm, but I don't believe in identity politics...at all...
Attack Mode Sunday, January 4th at 11:32PM EST (link)the message of conservatism/republicanism transcends race, religion, and gender, therefore the individuals race, religion or gender who brings that message is irrelevant, all that is relevant is that they are indeed speaking the message of conservatism/republicanism.
I too agree with Hamilton…in that he is saying that the idea of identity politics is deceptive in its nature.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
AG...a minor quibble...I think we agree on it from our past discussions
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:16AM EST (link)but you neglect it here…
That would be the religion factor. if you are arguing for a founder’s vision of liberty and rights…a man’s religion and faith is indispensable…There is a world of difference in believing that our rights are given to us by government…or our rights are given to us by an all mighty and powerful God who loves us…In the first case that would mean our rights can be taken away at the government’s whim while in the latter case they are inalienable and I would be right to defend them to the death in order to keep the government from infringing upon them.
I would say if a man of faith believed in Sharia Law and that everyone in the US should be bound by it that his faith would matter greatly as to whether we would ever want to give such a man power to enforce it?
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
OK???
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:08AM EST (link)So maybe we should send Satanists into a bar to persuade them to become Christians?
Some times it takes a person with a different point of view to point out the obvious thing someone is missing…
The parable of the blind men and the elephant applies here!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Sounds like bigotry to me!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:59AM EST (link)Do I even need to read more?
Oh…but I did read more!
OK…so your saying a religious man shouldn’t make secular arguments because he won’t be as persuasive if people know he’s a religious person? Or am I just dense? It looks to me like that’s what you are saying..so please forgive me if I am mis-characterizing you and please enlighten me if I’m wrong here…but I think what you are saying is that a religious man shouldn’t make religious arguments because he might turn people off…but he also shouldn’t make secular arguments if people know him to be a religious man because he won’t be as persuasive to those bigots we are trying to attract as a secular man would be…or as effective as a religious man who hid is religiousness which in turn makes him a liar and not very religious after all?
Is that about right?
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Ha Ha...I slay me!!!
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:02AM EST (link)House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
I agree with everything you just wrote
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 10:58PM EST (link)so we’re on the same page there. Thanks for reaching out.
My point about having someone who is not strongly religious lead the GOP is that a leader’s identify is just as important as his words. A religious man can make secular arguments, but he will be looked upon more skeptically (by some) than a less religious man who makes the same arguments. To reach those we need to reach at this moment, I think a man who is less religious but solidly socially conservative is called for.
(Of course, this isn’t the only factor in choosing an RNC chairman, and one also has to make do with the candidates who are available.)
icbm, then we don't agree.
NightTwister Monday, January 5th at 9:39AM EST (link)My problem was not that Huckabee was religious (I’m one of those white Presbyterians, as if that matters) but rather that he thought our country ought to be governed by the Bible rather than the Constitution.
As Brian said above, true conservatives don’t do identity politics.
Get Connected in Colorado.
Sorry, I mean Aaron, not Brian.
NightTwister Monday, January 5th at 9:40AM EST (link)With these new badges everyone looks the same now…
Get Connected in Colorado.
Hey, I'm not proud.
Brian Simpson Monday, January 5th at 9:47AM EST (link)I’ll take someone else’s credit!
The Minority Report | Twitter | Facebook | Digg | Politics4All | Missouri Matters | Rebuild the Party
Important principles may and must be inflexible. ~ Abraham Lincoln
I was ignoring the Presbyterian crack ;-) [nt]
bs Monday, January 5th at 10:22AM EST (link)Decorum is fo’ suckas
The "white" part was more telling...nt.
NightTwister Monday, January 5th at 11:34AM EST (link)Get Connected in Colorado.
Yawn
bs Sunday, January 4th at 9:52PM EST (link)This argument has been countered so many times it’s not even worth discussing. Find some other bias to throw around.
You might try reading Democracy in America by DeTocqueville. He has quite a bit to say about the positive relationship between religion and politics in the USA.
Decorum is fo’ suckas
i'm a tocquevillian myself
icbm Sunday, January 4th at 10:04PM EST (link)i prefer the chapter on the superiority of american women most of all.
but i like very much what he says about religion. in fact, it’s part of what helped me become more religious.
this isn’t related, however, to the point i was making. see my response to nightwister above.
OK...where exactly does your comment fit into the discussion of this post exactly?
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 12:46AM EST (link)Write your own blog if you want to change the subject!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Robert - As a Blackwell Supporter
Bubba38 Sunday, January 4th at 10:50PM EST (link)Are you that threatened by Michael Steele that you felt the need to write a “hit” piece on him? Aren’t you better served by touting Blackwell’s accomplishments, or would that require you to explain why he left the Ohio Republican party in a shambles and is otherwise viewed as a less than stellar leader in his own state?
I find it interesting that folks like you and others on RS question Steele’s conservative bona fides, particularly on life issues. Its a sad day for our party when a former seminarian studying for the priesthood is not sufficiently pro-life for our Party. Do you mean to tell me that Ken Blackwell never associated himself with moderate Republicans at any time in his public life? You’ve also questioned his effectiveness at GOPAC, but you fail to mention anything about the hundreds of thousands of dollars he’s raised for state parties and candidates around the country over the past 4 years. You also neglected to mention the hundreds of committments for volunteer hours he’s generated through his chairman race - you can learn more about that by going to his web site- http://www.steeleforchairman.com.
I don’t find anything you’ve said particularly abusive or personal. In fact, nothing that you’ve said is particularly original. Folks have been saying a lot of the same stuff about Steele for some time, much of which has been discredited, disproven, or otherwise shown to be mere noise and puffery. Great conservatives like Newt Gingrich continue to speak exceptionally highly of Steele as a true conservative and someone who will lead our party exceptionally well. I guess my point, Rob, is quite simple - if your support for Blackwell is manifested by your need to articulate why Steele should be chairman, then you’ve told us an awful lot about yourself and about Ken Blackwell.
My Point
politisite Sunday, January 4th at 11:30PM EST (link)Exactly
Thank you
Albert N. Milliron
Politisite: Politics from the Right Side of the Web
http://www.politisite.com
Weren't all Republicans in OH tainted by a crooked governor?
bk Monday, January 5th at 9:03AM EST (link)Of course the Dems who replaced them turned out to be more corrupt, like in Illinois, but the GOP disaster in Ohio can’t be blamed on KB can it?
that only works on Republicans
kyle8 Monday, January 5th at 9:19AM EST (link)Just like only Republicans can be hypocrites because no one expects morality from a Democrat.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Blame for the OHGOP's current straits rests squarely on the slimy shoulders of "moderate" Gov. Bob Taft.
Martin Knight Monday, January 5th at 4:14PM EST (link)The truth of the matter is that Blackwell p*ssed off the “moderate” OHGOP establishment, and most of them cooperated in sabotaging him by echoing Democrat and media descriptions of him as being an “extremist” - a favorite “moderate” tactic.
I believe the idea was that after he loses, a “moderate” establishment candidate would win the nomination on the basis that Conservatism is a loser, take on Strickland in 2010 and take back the Governor’s mansion and a threat to the milquetoast “moderate” go-along-to-get-along crowd would have been eliminated.
It’s not quite working out as they planned.
Couple all that with a rather badly run campaign on Blackwell’s part, and the terrible (thanks to the rudderless New Tone™ idiocy of the Bush White House) environment Republicans had to run in, in 2006, and, of course, everything went to ****.
But to blame the present shambles that is the OHGOP on Blackwell betrays a basic ignorance of what the heck has been going on in OH, and heck, the rather deleterious effect weak “moderates” in positions of power have had on the GOP’s strength all over the country for the past ten years.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it.
- Margaret Thatcher
NOTE: “consensus” = “Bipartisanship™”/”Centrism™”
Yeah Baby...
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:26AM EST (link)House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
OK...so Blackwell is the reason the OH Republican Party is in a shambles?
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:24AM EST (link)Of course Taft and his corrupt and incompetent cronies didn’t play any roll in that did they…it was all Blackwell’s fault?
The rest of your arguments are persuasive…but you missed the mark by a country mile with that one!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
Wow...I hadn't put that one together before AG
AceInTX Tuesday, January 6th at 1:25PM EST (link)Well done!
House Conservatives Fund
Michael Williams for Senate
Toomey US Senate
SarahPAC
The key sentence . . .
Hunter Baker Tuesday, January 6th at 4:39PM EST (link)“During the 2008 cycle, GOPAC gave 11 candidates seeking U.S. House seats nearly $20,000.”
All you need to see here is the number $20k. That’s a ridiculously unimpressive number from a PAC. You want to go from that to running the RNC?
Hunter...there was a correction/clarification on this point...
Attack Mode Tuesday, January 6th at 4:47PM EST (link)Apparently there are two GOPAC’s, one is a 527 and one is a PAC.
The details are here.
Not that this correction makes a huge difference in the overall decision as to whether or not o support Steele, which for the record I do not.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.