The Republican Party is at a major crossroads with no updated map, GPS, working compass, or the knowledge of navigating by the stars. Different fractions of the party want to go a different way. Each fraction believes that they are right. They often refuse to listen to other people. I have some advice. GROW UP. We, as a party, need to decide what is important. Establish that and then decide how to work from there.
We have this amazing opportunity to come back bigger and stronger than ever. We know what this administration’s policies are going to do. We need to be able to be a leading strong voice to come in and clean house in 2012. Right now I don’t think we’re on our way to doing that. We need it at every level. Get off your bums and go to meetings.
Liberals know how to appeal to the masses. They know how to talk to them. They package their ideology very well. We aren’t so good at PR and marketing. How do we change this? How do we show people what conservatism is all about? The liberals have the media and pop culture. We need to infiltrate it. How? How do we work over our image? I hate to say it, but it’s true. Republicans never go after the young voters. Start programs with high schools and colleges. It doesn’t have to be political, but about the conservative ideology. Start having commercials. Write works of fiction. While, you may enjoy nonfiction there are a lot of average Joe’s out there who want to escape with a work of fiction. Write movie scripts. Write sitcom scripts. Write conservative based songs. Infiltrate pop culture.
We don’t need to get Republicans with us. We don’t want to preach to the choir. We want new blood. New ideas. I think we need to exchange ideas, and the way to do that is to sit down be quiet and LISTEN. We are not always going to agree. It would be quite boring if we did. However, we do need to find a solid foundation on what we want to rebuild. How we’re going to rebuild. When we’re going to do it. Why we’re going to do it. Let’s make the Republican Party a party made out of brick, not straw.
Basically what Rick Santorum said at CPAC.
Xasteius Wednesday, March 11th at 3:06PM EDT (link)Problem is that most young people don’t know squat about the real world (yes this is something of a self-indictment since I am 25). Even I have a problem trying to reach them; it’s like the Connecticut Yankee trying to explain the train to someone of the Arthurian period. And it really doesn’t help that I think most of the pop culture nowadays is a lot of crud (putting it nicely).
I writing / mulling over a story on fanfiction.net, but given the fact I’m trying to finish a master’s in nuclear engineering, they are pretty slow in coming.
Don’t leave the party, hijack it back!
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.
When I grow up, I don’t want to be Reagan. I want to be Art Chance.
~Aaron Gardner
Didn't think anyone would read this
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 3:15PM EDT (link)Young people do not know about the real world. True. Which is why they are easily manipulated by the left. So we need to show them how they are maniuplated and try to reach those who are enthralled with pop culture.
Every once in awhile pop culture is good. I am fiercely loyal to the first five Harry Potters and Lost.
I am 27 and I love fanfiction.net! Wow, I just admited that I am a nerd.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
Wow, you sure admitted *something*
E Pluribus Unum Wednesday, March 11th at 3:22PM EDT (link)As for myself, I will not admit to being a Lostie. I will only say that if in the end somebody has not explained the gray cloud that sounds like a dinosaur and kills our favorite characters– and about 50 other open questions, many of which date back to Season 1 — then JJ Abrams had better leave the country with no forwarding address.
Make of that what you will. But I do not admit to being a Lost watcher.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
Heh....55555...I hate loving it....nt
Attack Mode Wednesday, March 11th at 3:30PM EDT (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 love hating it :-D nt
Amy Miller Wednesday, March 11th at 3:35PM EDT (link)**
~A
Tweet Me, It’s Trendy!!!: @amy_m_miller
“Ah, yes, it’s the apocalypse alright. I always thought I’d have a hand in it.”
I feel quite honored that you commented
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 3:32PM EDT (link)on lil ole me’s diary. You don’t watch Lost you experience it. The incredible mind f__ that it is. 50 is quite a conservative number. Every thing answered brings about 50 questions. Abrams will answer everything or I’ll kick him.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
Lost me not
LJ "Beaglescout" Miller Thursday, March 12th at 11:15PM EDT (link)I won’t watch Lost. I got hooked on Twin Peaks and never again will I watch a shaggy dog story series.
Unless Fringe counts. It’s the new X-Files with a hot female Mulder.
“Each of us has a natural right, from God, to defend his person, his liberty, and his property.”
But moving to the substance of your diary
E Pluribus Unum Wednesday, March 11th at 3:40PM EDT (link)We have a situation now that is somewhat *not* the typical. Oftentimes the party is populated (at least somewhat) with people wanting to make a difference. The challenge for leadership involves motivating and getting monetary and time commitments from the voting base.
Now it’s inverted. We have droves and droves of grassroots conservatives who are motivated and getting even *more* motivated by the follies underway in Washington — the moderates are even dismayed by what they see. And we have party leadership that seems determined not to learn from the past, or benefit from an absolutely golden opportunity.
It’s crazy.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
It's control.
itrytobenice Wednesday, March 11th at 4:15PM EDT (link)The party apparatus is really no different than the Ds running Congress. Congress wants to run our lives.
The apparatus wants to run the party, including our activities. We, on the other hand, are conservative Republicans because we believe in individual liberty and freedom with a responsibility to do the right thing. That’s a tough thing to lead, especially if you don’t really understand what we even want. And as near as I can tell, the apparatus doesn’t even believe the same things we do so they can’t figure us out. Why else would they have supported Lincoln Chaffee or Snarlin Arlin?
What they have to do instead is be our best champion, then we’ll follow them. I’d follow Pres. RWR to hell and back (of course, he went to heaven so I can say that knowing that I’m perfectly safe from unglobal warming) because he said what I believe.
If someone will just champion what we believe, they can be our leader and then all the party has to do is figure out how to get the word out. We’ll take care of getting to the polls all by ourselves. We are the grown-up party, after all.
The problem with America is stupidity. I’m not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don’t we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
Yep, I think that is the crux of it
E Pluribus Unum Wednesday, March 11th at 4:54PM EDT (link)They’ve long ago become institutionalized, and like any bureaucracy, their purpose for everything is sustaining their status quo.
A champion………..Fred………sigh. But yes, we national leaders - anybody at this point, that walks the talk and is steady under fire.
Actually, we got a handful coming up in the ranks, but they are not up in the actual leadership - DeMint, Pence, Coburn, Jindal, and suddenly Sanford is showing some grit. A few others as well.
But once again, they ain’t calling the shots. Yet. That would be Steele, Boehner, and McConnell. None of whom I hate, but none are quite the steely-eyed gunman you’d like to have there.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
EPU and Itry, what you describe of the RNC apparatus can also be seen in some of us
pilgrim Wednesday, March 11th at 6:19PM EDT (link)There is a reluctance that I have seen even on this site for somebody to be supported who is a relative unknown. The real deal is that every person is a relative unknown until they get their first opportunity.
I wish that the first instinct would be for us to judge a potential candidate based on their philosophy instead of calculating how much easier it is for the person with the name recognition to win it. This is why the Chafee and Spector candidates get so much support. Not for their political philosophy but for the name recognition argument.
It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.Calvin Coolidge
agreed - reco'd for discussion at least - more later
Mike gamecock DeVine Wednesday, March 11th at 6:52PM EDT (link)got a movie date for a few hours
people said I deserve it
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Excellent if brief.
Martin Knight Wednesday, March 11th at 6:01PM EDT (link)I’m actually writing something on this same topic, especially on pop-culture and how to infiltrate it - basically it comes down to money and thick skin.
Nicely done.
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™”
amen on that MAK - repubs with $$ got to come off the hip - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine Wednesday, March 11th at 6:53PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Thanks for posting, Belle. nt
barry915barry Wednesday, March 11th at 6:05PM EDT (link)btw, is this Southern Belle, Taco Bell, Albert Belle or Ma Bell?-nt
Mike gamecock DeVine Wednesday, March 11th at 6:54PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Dude, come on
E Pluribus Unum Wednesday, March 11th at 7:01PM EDT (link)She’s Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
Dudes, look at your URL bar.
Uma Richie Wednesday, March 11th at 8:33PM EDT (link)She was originally Fluffycat. Thankfully she had second thoughts about that.
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“We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless.” -Lech Walesa
ah, Ma Belle - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine Wednesday, March 11th at 9:19PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Nickname
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 10:05PM EDT (link)It’s Kelly Belle. Only girl out of four kids. My mom said I was the “Belle of the ball”. The cat thing… uh I am a crazy cat lady. I have five.
Thanks for all the comments. What I love about RedState is the open dialogue.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
well Belle, it's diaries like yours that invite open dialogue.
pilgrim Wednesday, March 11th at 10:16PM EDT (link)One thought I have about the rebuild is along the lines of what Rush said on his show Tuesday. He does not begrudge conservatives that did not support McCain. One part of rebuilding has got to be not holding grudges with conservatives from the past election for whatever reason they had. We need all of the conservatives we can get to work as one team.
It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.Calvin Coolidge
I quite agree
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 10:24PM EDT (link)with that. Grudges have a way of making people blind. People are so busing holding on to their grudges they miss out on a lot. We do need to become a team. I think a lot of people were absent that day in kindergarten when we were taught how to be team players. That is one of many obstacles we need to tackle.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
I quite agree
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 10:24PM EDT (link)with that. Grudges have a way of making people blind. People are so busing holding on to their grudges they miss out on a lot. We do need to become a team. I think a lot of people were absent that day in kindergarten when we were taught how to be team players. That is one of many obstacles we need to tackle.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
My Mom said I was beautiful too! smile, but hey, another Buckley quote
Mike gamecock DeVine Thursday, March 12th at 8:32AM EDT (link)and I love yours
Buckley on one of the main differences between us conservatives vs liberals:
“After 5000 years, we have reached some conclusions”!
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Belle of the ball.
Uma Richie Thursday, March 12th at 6:09PM EDT (link)I truly like that.
Cat people are okay with me. I am a dog person married to a cat person. We compromised and found an SPCA cat who acts like a dog.
Welcome aboard!
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“We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless.” -Lech Walesa
Thank you
Belle Thursday, March 12th at 11:48PM EDT (link)A cat that acts like a dog? Pretty cool. My mom had a dog who thought he was a cat. A rather large cat.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
All good points, and let me add to this part:
Praying Wednesday, March 11th at 10:19PM EDT (link)“Republicans never go after the young voters. Start programs with high schools and colleges. It doesn’t have to be political, but about the conservative ideology.”
Two things:
1. There is going to have to be some basic education. You know, civics. Our local talk radio station had a segment on this morning that while 75% of Americans could name all of the American Idol judges, ONLY 1/3 (that’s like, 33%) COULD NAME THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. Not tell what they do, just NAME them! Our youth has been indoctrinated and lied to so long that they honestly don’t know history or why socialism is bad. Not saying that can’t be overcome, just saying there is a little more of a challenge here than some realize.
2. On the otherhand, the youth, being somewhat “me” centered, is also starting to realize that someone is going to have to pay the bill on all this massive, hemorrhaging spending, and they are starting to realize that someone is them. They are not happy. I have heard more high school and college kids REALLY MAD about what is coming out of Washington - and these were many of the ones who thought Obama was so “cool”. So in that regard, the challenge is lessened.
Bottom line - we can do this. We have to stay focused and ignore the left when they attack us. In the true Alinksy fashion, the are attempting to distract by attacking us and getting a reaction, so the key is simply NOT to react. If you can get a group of young conservatives, they will spread the movement. 20 somethings still don’t have much respect for their elders - afterall, we’re still pretty stupid - but they will listen, and be influenced, by their peers. The economy should cooperate nicely for driving home the fact that the socialism thing - it just isn’t working…
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Number one
Belle Wednesday, March 11th at 10:33PM EDT (link)is something I saw every day. I worked in a high school for four years. If God willing I hope to get a job teaching high school social studies. When I student taught eleventh grade, I had students who could not identify all fifty states! That blew my mind. The education system is over run by liberals. They want to teach feelings rather than historical fact.
Number 2- You are most definitely right. Us young kids are “me” centered. Whatever they wanted they got. Instant gratification. Didn’t have to work hard. Took the easy way. Now that they start to realize they’re going to have to pay.
One last thing. I am a twenty something and I do listen to my elders. I may be in the minority though.
“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
–William F. Buckley
“Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more”. ~ Rush
Not in the minority - just mature!
Praying Thursday, March 12th at 8:14AM EDT (link)Was it Mark Twain who said “when I was 14 I thought my father was the stupidest man on earth. When I was 21, I was amazed at how much he had learned in just 7 short years.” It was probably about the time I got my first “real world” job that I really started to appreciate my parents and older people in my life - and to seek out their wisdom and experience. It is a process - you’re just farther along than most people!
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Rebuilding
Whitehorse Friday, March 13th at 12:29AM EDT (link)To rebuild something, you have to get into it. Becoming involved, a member of your local Republican party, is something we should all do. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time at http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/ in order to bring back conservative Republicanism to the Republican party.
There are many groups working on different tools and aspects of rebuilding. I like the idea of conservative fiction; our ideals make for a compellling story. Strength & resolve in the face of adversity, standing up for what’s right when the “popular culture” is against it, working hard through travails & trials to succeed - all good stuff.
I believe that we are seeing more Republicans in the house & senate (could use more in the senate) who are reclaiming fiscal responsibility & limited government conservatism. This is a good thing, & we need to encourage them to stay strong. Us? We simply must not quit, & keep the communication with our leaders & reps. The more they know are behind them, the stronger they can be. If they mess up, let them know but please also let them know when they do right.
Amen!
RedInABleuState Friday, March 13th at 10:17PM EDT (link)You hit on several of my soapbox issues in that answer!
GET INVOLVED! I find a lot of people have opinions; few offer sweat labor! Need a YR group? Start one! Want a better county party? Get involved! It can be one of the most frustrating things…but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Infiltrate the Party structure and take it for conservatives! It can be done. I’ve seen it succeed regionally.
Pop culture: My plug is for Vince Flynn. Rush recommends his books which focus on “Our Hero” Mitch Rapp. He’s a great conservative writer similar to Tom Clancy (at a Grisham+ level) They are wonderfully entertaining and pretty much account for my “lost weekends.”
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. Tell them how you want them to vote. Lobby them. Thank them. Challenge them. Just do it! They work for us and the more they get away from “the people,” the less they will represent us. Yes…call when you’re against them, but also call when you support them. THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM US!
Okay. Stopping. Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. — Edmund Burke
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds. — Samuel Adams
Any ideas on how to get past this point...?
RedInABleuState Friday, March 13th at 10:21PM EDT (link)Fluffy, you wrote: We, as a party, need to decide what is important. Establish that and then decide how to work from there.
Seems to me if I knew how to do this, I would already be quite wealthy. It seems to be a Catch 22 in reality.
The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. — Edmund Burke
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds. — Samuel Adams