The (Re-) Making of a Conservative

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Permalink Reply by Mark R Platt on November 13, 2008 at 4:42pm

First we have to determine what those values are. We are losing, because or policy does not match our platform. There needs to be reform in the Party much as Teddy Roosevelt did to get back to our roots. We are losing in every minority group, because we are not reaching out. Forget about the media. We keep blaming the media and it is a losing battle. As the old saying goes "Don't pick a fight with a person that buys ink by the barrel" or now television air time. There is enough conservative and liberal media outlets out there for both sides. We are using the media much as the Reagan administration used Oliver North as an escape goat.

We lost this election, because the Republican party choose a candidate that most felt was out of touch with what has happening. Then to top it off a Vice-President pick that was very questionable. I don’t blame Palin, as she did not ask for the job and she did a decent job while she was out there. Every debate I have had over the course of this campaign, even conservatives were asking who the Libertarian candidate was or “what if McCain dies, do you want Palin”.

Sorry little venting there. To win in 2010 we have to do what we did 1994 and campaign on a Contract with and for the people. Outline what we are going to do over the course of the first 100 days and then over that term. This election was dominated by generalities and going after the friends of Obama. No one cared who Obama had lunch with they cared about the economy! Instead of looking like mud slingers we should have used those “pals of Obama” to show that he was not a moderate, but a very left liberal. Instead we called them terrorist and turned everyone off; including moderate Republicans.

I am a Constitutionalist and lean conservative. I wanted McCain in 2000 and got Bush. To be honest I am not sure if I am even a Republican anymore as the party only seems to support what I considered a Republican to be during election time and not during policy time. I am about ¾ of the way to the Libertarian Party as I would rather have a “wasted vote” then party that is wasting its principles.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Gibbs on November 14, 2008 at 12:09pm

The results show that about only 4 million more people voted this election than in 2004. The Democrats were the ones who got out the vote. Their operatives were very effective. Republicans believed the Media hype and discouragement and stayed home. Shame on us.

The Republican leadership has moved away from the party's Constitutional heritage - this is our big problem - substance.
We are at the door of a very left wing government changeover which will effect us for years. The big political problem is that while conservative and progressive grassroots take to the streets, the big money powers that be have tied up both parties at the top and play each against each other. Even with the best articles and blogs, we only see a portion of reality. Most of news today is mere spin.

The Palin antagonism was harsh. She is much smarter and consciencious than reported - she is merely hated because of her views. She stood up to the nasties and most people believed the nasties. It is only now being reported that the articles about her not knowing Africa,etc., were lies. The press should be held accountable. She has around a 90%+ approval rating in her home state. What gets me is that she worked her hardest, dragging her family around the country, and the McCain team threw her under the bus afterwards. Shame on them.

I agree with Mark Platt that we have to determine what is our definition. But, I disagree with him about the press. We let them define us against ourselves. There was quite a lot of outreach, actually, it's just that these folks wanted something else. I also disagree about the relevance angle. it wasn't that McCain was out of touch, it was that he was being vented as an old man. His problem was that he had a number of policy contradictions. And, I think he took a fall. He didn't really try. It was much like G HW Bush's second run, he took a dive.

Mitch was voted back in because he was on the road constantly trying to get all kinds of companies to bring jobs to Indiana. He got our credit rating to the highest level. Even, all the Democrats who told me how they voted - voted for him.

Per Jim's question, I don't think "relevant" is a good word - that just makes you chase trains. Republicans need to get back to their roots and be consistent. There will only be a death-knoll, if we let it.

You keep your ideas out there by being. And, remember that life is more than even politics.

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