How the Republican Party can save itself in the Elections

[cookekdjr]

Bush will be the Bill Clinton of the GOP
If only it were true...What I would not give for economic prosperity (for all Americans, not just the richest 20%), respect for our environment and a world that didn't hate us....all for the price of having a president who can't keep his hands off the ladies. Hey, the guy wasn't perfect, but nothing is free...
When Bush was elected, I was actually hoping he'd be a GOP Bill Clinton.
Oh well. Maybe next time.

 

[xd9fan]

Bush is the Bill Clinton of the GOP. He sure as %$it not a conservative. Todays neocons are the old 1990's "new Democrat", remember those? Both are playing the middle at all costs.

Sinsaba: I'm in the same boat as you. Lifelong GOP'er.
I will say that after much reading on the subject of Libertarians, My vote will not be one that is trying to shape or "teach a lesson" to the GOP, and if they hear it, come running back. I truly believe the Principles are better.
I wonder how many of us there are. If a party loses it idealist....how far can it survive? (I'm sure I will not make a $%it of difference, but I will not feed the beast either.)

 

[dmallind]

Hey cookekdjr I'm with you but you forgot frictional unemployment, balanced budgets, minimal inflation, low interest rates, $1.25 gas and stopping genocide with almost no loss of US life.

Yeah those were the dark days alright.

I'll take 5 rounds out of a G19 mag any day of the week to have those dark days again.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Immigration, immigration, immigration. Let's face it folks, We want to see them follow the constitution. But we aren't the country or even the majority of their base. They want out from under, they should do what Tom Tancredo says.

 

[ArmedBear]

I personally would never vote for a theocrat of ANY sort. I consider them one of the most dangerous sorts of people you could ever put in a position of power, as their decisions will be based often SOLELY on personal beliefs and emotion, rather than on logic, reason and research.

For me, "theocrat" includes anyone who worships Gaia. Environmentalism has morphed into a strange and twisted theocracy as well, especially by your definition.

...and I'm a hiker, mountain biker, surfer, hunter and occasional fisherman...

 

[xd9fan]

I find it amazing that guys like Limbaugh tell us everyday that the social programs the Govt runs are a mess (which they are) and completely out of control........yet when it comes to the NSA and the military complex, its this well oiled machine with only the intentions of saints behind it!!! What crap!! Oh the NSA will only use this for that and oversite can be trusted...etc blah blah blah.

Amazing they cant see the great risk of abuse and loss of Liberty.....:banghead:

and they wonder why they are going to get thier butt kicked in the next two years

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Amazing they cant see the great risk of abuse and loss of Liberty

Limbaugh and company see the abuse as clear as Rush sees the forged prescription on his Vicoden bottle. I just don't think they see it as a bad thing. They see themselves standing in line to hold high office in the New World Order.

 

[ArmedBear]

xd9fan and anyone else who is over-the-top emotionally about this-

If you're just now realizing that the NSA exists and that it does stuff, you're a bit late to the game.

Here's how you can start catching up.

http://www.nsa.gov/about/index.cfm

Think what you will about the NSA, but this is the kind of stuff the NSA has been doing for more than a half a century.

If you want to protest the existence of the NSA, hey, go ahead and start. But first understand that this is a small leak that gives only a tiny inkling of what the NSA is up to, all day, every day.

Maybe that will make you more angry. Or maybe it will give you pause, and you won't be angry any more. That's up to you.

I truly do just want to inject some rationality into this discussion. Sorry if what people want is an adrenalin rush. I have sports for that. If you need to get in shape, let me know; I'm happy to share what I've learned.

I care more about the country than I do about the cheap emotional high that comes from short-fused political anger. Do you?

 

[Art Eatman]

I've seen nothing to show that Bush and Co. aren't sincere in their beliefs about "doing good" in their War on Terror stuff. My problem with all these laws and new regulations and all is the lack of accountability for wrongful actions taken by those in the lower echelons of administration and enforcement. Too much room for personal-vendetta usage.

Think about it for a moment: The problem with a view on Bush's part that I've described is that he and his advisors don't realize the potential for abuse by those on down the chain of command. An example is the commentaries all over the Internet about the TSA.

And that, to me, is what makes the whole deal scary.

The administration's behavior as to the immigration stuff is purely political, it seems to me. That's an arena where I see way too much outside influence that could be called "corruption".

Art

 

[ArmedBear]

I've seen nothing to show that Bush and Co. aren't sincere in their beliefs about "doing good" in their War on Terror stuff. My problem with all these laws and new regulations and all is the lack of accountability for wrongful actions taken by those in the lower echelons of administration and enforcement. Too much room for personal-vendetta usage.

I agree.

But those problems have been there at least since the Truman Administration. We need to take a long, hard, smart look at this stuff, not a short, fast, stupid look.

 

[CAnnoneer]

But those problems have been there at least since the Truman Administration. We need to take a long, hard, smart look at this stuff, not a short, fast, stupid look.

Therein the impossibility of competent governance by the current administration, which has committed itself to a 90-day event-horizon in its policy making. Tell me our ship is not heading for the nearest iceberg.

 

[ArmedBear]

Compare that approach to the Chinese one, and then tell me our ship is not heading for the nearest iceberg.

Oh yeah, China's politicos take the long view...

See this article: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19067992-36375,00.html

 

[#shooter]

Sticka fork in the neocon Reporklicans, they are done

I remember Bush talking about running the government like a business...unfortunately he used the Enron model.
Here is a good article about his management practices.
http://www.slate.com/id/2141588/

My personal view is that Bush has screwed up everything by catering to big business and the religious right. Rome is burning and both groups act like nothing is wrong. America will be saved because abortion will be overturned by our two newest judges.

Meanwhile, everything Bush touched is worse now than when he started: the environment, immigration, the deficit, the economy, education, foreign policy, wages, crime, the military, privacy, and on and on.

It is a shame that whack jobs on the far right and far left have so much influence over what we in the middle would like to see happen.

 

[dmallind]

It is a shame that whack jobs on the far right and far left have so much influence over what we in the middle would like to see happen.

Now that wins MY prize for best pithy summary of the whole problem.

The difficulty of course is that to have moderates control either of the major parties, or create a major one of their own, we need to fire up people so they volunteer their time and money, millions of times over, to the cause of moderate common sense and rational policymaking. It's a bit easier firing people up with emotional slogans and simplistic quick fixes which demonize those who don't agree.

You don't see 100,000 people marching in the street in support of common sense immigration reform. You DO see them marching in the street in support of either amnesty/appeasement or machine gun towers/immediate deportation.

 

[JesseJames]

Makes me sad. So many fools vie for political power. And what makes me more sad is that people fall for their line of bullsh*t.
I try not to get cynical but I am definitely jaded with politicians.
I like to think I'm a true Republican at heart. But the state of the party makes me want to wear a brown paper bag over my head with eyeholes poked out.

 

[RealGun]

Meanwhile, everything Bush touched is worse now than when he started: the environment, immigration, the deficit, the economy, education, foreign policy, wages, crime, the military, privacy, and on and on.

Has an ominous ring to it, but not true, fortunately.

 

[CAnnoneer]

Meanwhile, everything Bush touched is worse now than when he started: the environment, immigration, the deficit, the economy, education, foreign policy, wages, crime, the military, privacy, and on and on.

It sure looks that way. But, even a Bush-despiser like myself has to admit that the situation is markedly more complicated. A number of issues, former sins, global tendencies, natural phenomena, etc. have been coming into focus during Bush's tenure, almost like a series of serves by a brutal tennis player.

It takes experience, character, intelligence, education, correct priorities, clear thinking, and wisdom to be the super tennis player that would return most if not all serves in an appropriate backhand or forehand. GWB and his clique are simply not such players. Even if they had the best intentions and the cleanest aspirations, they as a whole and especially GWB simply do not have what it takes to perform.

 

[xd9fan]

ArmedBear your point is what????

If I'm late to any game, Its the game that the GOP is not for Limited Govt and spending and that they will Protect my Individual Liberty. Yeah sorry my bad

 

[MassMan]

How the Republican's can save themselves

I need to begin this by stating that I live in Massachusetts, arguably one of the most liberal (democratic) states in the union. I am not a Democrat nor a Republican. I am an Independent who votes for whom I believe is the most qualified candidate. Having said that, living in this state makes me very concerned about gun laws. If a Republican and a Democrate are running for office and both are pro gun, I then look at what other views they have that fit into my belief system. I voted for Bush not because I believed in all his issues, but because he was the lesser of two evils. I STILL don't know what Kerry stood for. SO what do the Republicans need to do to keep control? Here's my humble opinion:
1. Lower gas prices! When people blame Bush for being a "oil man" ask why the Democrats aren't doing something about the oil companies gouging us. They can't because they are in the pockets of Big Oil too.

2. Secure the border. Problem here is both parties want cheap labor. So who do we vote for? Ask yourself who wants to grant the "illegle aliens" the multiple of rights they are being given, as well as wellfare and health care.

3. Why do we hear more scandals about the Republicans? I believe it is because we have a very anti Bush news media. If the media were inclined to be more moderate (unbiased), we would be given a more honest view of the both parties.

4. Finally, ask yourself who can possibly be elected if they express what they truly believe. Every politician must cater to the largest political group in his or her district, even if it is against their own views So, what do we do? Vote for the politician who best represents your beliefs and hope he / she is keeps their word!

 

[Old Dog]

I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned ... that if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade (and this is not unlikely) ... prior to the presidential elections, and abortion becomes an issue in the 2008 election year ... the Republican Party is toast.

By the way, tax cuts simply won't work unless we curb spending ... tax cuts without cutting spending just make it look like we're paying less for government ... and actually stimulates the growth of government and spending ...

I'm somewhat amused anyone would focus on the price of gas (people will continue to buy gas, no matter the price), immigration (if you don't live in a border state, you're probably sleeping through this issue), NSA eavesdropping (the sheep don't care, they want to feel secure) or the war (still not enough flag-draped silver coffins being unloaded at Dover AB, and besides, the war is still considered a good cause by more people than some might believe) ... What's really gonna resonate with the voters in the upcoming elections are the moral issues, and I see abortion as a big one (and gay marriage as a dark horse). You heard it here first, folks.

Oh, and maybe health care, too, especially when Hillary runs ...

 

[Thin Black Line]

Again, some really excellent points since I last checked back. Thanks
to everyone for putting in their .02

I find it amazing that guys like Limbaugh tell us everyday that the social programs the Govt runs are a mess (which they are) and completely out of control........yet when it comes to the NSA and the military complex, its this well oiled machine with only the intentions of saints behind it!!! What crap!! Oh the NSA will only use this for that and oversite can be trusted...etc blah blah blah.

I noticed the talking head damage control machines were in full overdrive
on this. Yes, the same people who rant on about gov't incompetence and
over-reach of power (especially when it was Clinton in office!) were
cheer-leading on how all of this will "connect the dots" in the future
and prevent another 9-11. Funny thing is they had Echelon up and
running BEFORE 9-11 and Able Danger tracking the terrorists....again, a
topic for a different thread.

I've seen nothing to show that Bush and Co. aren't sincere in their beliefs about "doing good" in their War on Terror stuff.

I'll have to rely on a good quote from John Wayne that goes something
like "Most do-gooders seem to be doing good for themselves." All I have
to do is check some very specific tax returns and that person's stock options
to know they have been doing very well "doing good" with this War on
Terror. This is the kind of stuff that makes many rank and file Repubs
like myself a bit and .

I would love a viable third party as an option. The last major 3P candidate
I can remember was Jesse Ventura who the last I saw had some braided
beard thing going on and was threatening to leave the country due to
our continuing two-headed royal monarchy (Bush-Clinton) emerging in
this country.

Despite Jesse's looks, he seems to be right as Hillary Clinton becomes a
distinct possibility in 2008 and Jeb Bush follows in 2012 or 2016. Quite
frankly, it's quite messed up for things to have gone as far as they
have already!

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

It looks like Rove might be indicted fairly soon. I see another very bad week for the Bush administration and the Republican party in general. I just won a bet with a co-worker who said Bush's approval would never fall below 30 percent in any major poll. If next week shapes up like it might, he'll be lucky to end the week above 25 percent.

Whatever the Republicans do to pull themselves out of their current tailspin, they ought to get cracking on it pretty darned soon.

 

[spartacus2002]

Rush Limbaugh had some use while Clinton was in office, but now he's merely the Lord Haw-Haw of the Republican Party....

 

[longeyes]

The GOP can't save itself because it no longer has a "self" to save. It was all over for the GOP when they refused to fight for a legitimate election (Dornan-Sanchez, California) won by the other side with questionable means. They opted to fight the devil with the devil's tactics. We see, years later, where that has gotten them. We now have two Democrat Parties, and neither is worth a fig.

 

[Baron Holbach4]

The GOP can't save itself because it no longer has a "self" to save. It was all over for the GOP when they refused to fight for a legitimate election (Dornan-Sanchez, California) won by the other side with questionable means. They opted to fight the devil with the devil's tactics. We see, years later, where that has gotten them. We now have two Democrat Parties, and niether is worth a fig.

Remember, this is the GOP, the party of Lincoln, the radical Republicans, the Consolidators, the Reconstructionists. There is no hope nor foundation in this party for honoring limited government delegated to it by the several sovereign states in a federal system.