I do agree with the point that we have been able to “overcome” media bias several times, but just think how much more conservative our candidates could be without it. Just imagine if we could “call it like it is” on hot-button issues. Not only that, but the problem is worsening, not getting better. By that, I mean that we witnessed the death of journalism in 2008. Sure Reagan dealt with a liberal press, but they weren’t openly cheering against American interests and for the Dems as they did this time. My sincere hope is that the MSM will simply wither and die. That is happening to the print media already and I hope the network news media is next.

If we can find a way around the media, then we could articulate a sensible immigration position and win with it, but as long as it goes through that filter, I just think we need to prioritize and pick our battles.

BTW, how bout them Tigers?

My wife and I are veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns, respectively, and having served under both the Clinton and Bush 43 adminstrations, I will say that it was a night and day difference in the way we and our fellow servicemembers were treated under the two administrations.

Just an anecdote:

Clinton came to the base I was at near the end of his term and he went out of his way to avoid any and all contact with servicemembers. He never returned salutes unless a camera was on him. Dubya on the other hand visited shortly after his first inauguration (ie: PRIOR to 9/11). He, like Clinton, was only passing through on the way to another engagement, but he took the time to speak to, and press the flesh with the servicemembers (several hundred) who were present. It was not mandatory for us, but we had the chance to meet a President up close and we did. Air Force One taxied right up to where we were gathered and he came down and spoke for a few minutes, thanking us for our service, and then walked around amongst us for a few minutes and chatted, shook hands, posed for pictures, etc. He and a couple of secret service agents were the only civilians there, no media at all, and mind you again, this was PRIOR to 9/11 when patriotism breifly became fashionable.

The fact that President-Designate (until 12/15) Obama forgot the name of the soldier whose bracelet he was wearing and actually had to look down and read it during his debate with McCain indicates to me that he, like Clinton, Obama is likely to only appreciate the military when the cameras are on him, but we shall see.

Perhaps this is my bias as a vet (and husband to a much better-looking vet!), but I admire Dubya, and I think that as American’s get a taste of the real destructive potential of European style socialism over the next 4 years, their memories and attitudes toward Dubya will mellow, and perhaps, just perhaps, despite the media’s best efforts, we will realize that on balance, Dubya did the best that could be expected when faced with the challenges he has dealt with.

Also, one other thing, I will miss is the cringe of the media when Dubya throws out some scripture at them, or talks openly about his faith. I know the reason they hate it so much is that when Dubya says it, they know he actually believes in it and it isn’t just for show, and that just burns them up more than anything (their hatred of Palin seems to be based in this same type of disgust with true Christianity).

Even Mr. Erickson himself seems to see that a “tough on illegals” position is a loser in a state like Florida and that there are more important issues at stake (ie: the blatant murder of innocent babies under the guise of a fabricated “constitutional” right), so perhaps we should stop imposing ideological purity tests and start supporting candidates who can win.

Now, how about we simply apply that same logic on the Presidential level and ask ourselves “What GOP candiate can win without Florida, Colorado, Arizona & New Mexico?”

I have been screaming this and it seems Karl Rove and Dick Morris are the only ones who hear me. These guys are a combined 4 for 4 on Presidential elections, so I am inclined to think they have a good approach. They know latino voters are Republicans waiting to happen if only we can get past this issue.

We beat the CRAP out of ourselves on illegal immigration. We alienated a huge and growing segment of swing voters and we didn’t even get any law and order votes out of it because we failed to pass anything. At least if we had passed a strict enforcement-only bill with a fortified wall, etc, we would have gotten a boost from increased turn-out among the base, but we didn’t even do that. Or, if we had passed Bush’s amnesty bill, we would have suffered depressed turnout, but we might have built on Bush’s progress with latinos, but we didn’t do that either.

Again, sorry to ramble, and I am glad to see the openess to Jeb’s candidacy, but please, we simply HAVE to come up with a workable position on immigration that will placate the base, without exposing us to charges by the Dems & media (redundant I know) that we are “xenophobes”, etc.

No one is saying Jeb for Pres, just Jeb for Senate.

The other 2 Bushes were sold to us as the best thing since sliced bread.

I am personally disinclined to find out if the third Bush is better. Particularly with some real conservatives possibly appearing to run in 2012.

Perhaps I am wrong. ‘Tis my right.

Regards

Sorry sister.

So we had an IMAGINARY President? We were ruled by a unicorn?

Really?

I was getting responses as fast as I was posting.

I won’t be back. Stop sending the ads.

Bye.

Homeowners associations, like the Nazis, begin with such good intentions. Unfortuately when run by transplants from New Jersey become commie/facists organizations. Individuals be damned. You are a property value. A drone of the colllective. BTW I plan on moving as soon as the Pelosi, Franks, Reid, Obama recession ends…in about 4 years.

Anywho, big government bad…home owners associations bad. Freedom good even if freedom means your neighboor puts a flamingo in his yard.

Eiither way, so what? We don’t need to pick candidates only because they might win, lets go for the ones that are really who we want elected.

We have a big opportunity to make immigration a big issue. Just tell the truth. Maybe we should target legal immigrants as potental voters. I’m sure they’re getting angy too.