Article for Republicans.

[RealSchool]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/188279/output/print


Interesting article by a Republican about Republicans.

[Mike Furley]

Real School,

We agree on something, it is an interesting article.

There are points contained within that I agree and disagree with Frum on.

I agree with Frum that a radio host, though wildly popular with his own very large audience but unpopular with an even larger general public, should not be the de facto head of the Republican party. Apparently Obama, Axelrod, Emmanuel, Begala, Carville, and Stephanopulous agree since they were the ones who made a deliberate and orchestrated point to annoint Rush Limbaugh to that position.

I disagree with Frum on the GOP needing to "redfine" itself for 21st century problems by redefining 20th century principles.

Modern day conservative principles date back to Edmund Burke in the late 18th century - long past the era of Ronald Reagan that Frum references.

Life, liberty, capitalism, private property, respect for and adherance to a rule of law, acknowlegment of & deference to God, and a willingness and duty to defend both all of these ideals and the nation, from enemies both foreign & domestic - these principles do not need "redefined".

For people like Frum and Gingrich "redfine" is just code for "drop the unpopular principles so we can get elected". It is political expediency at its worst.

If conservative principles were so unpopular and conversely liberal principles were wildly popular, Barack Obama (and/or his surrogates) would not have:

a.) based his/their campaign on the vagueness of "Hope & Change"

b.) would not have recoiled from the whole debate concerning Joe the Plumber

My personal opinion of why Obama won was due to the following four factors:

a.) After 8 years of Bush, the country had a natural yearning for leadership from "the other party". This is a historical trend - Bush & Obama and Conservative & Liberal are irrelevant to the equation. Historically speaking, for at least the lifetime of all current voters, this country rarely has ever given then same party three straight turns at the White House.

b.) War-weariness. There's a point in time when the country is just tired of supporting a war - or at least a point in time when the country gets tired of hearing the bitching & moaning from those who oppose the war.

McCain was right to say America would stay as long as was necessary, 100 years perhaps. Obama was right to pounce on it. McCain was really directing his answer to our nation's enemies abroad. Obama was directing his reply to voters.

c.) The Economy. High gas prices preceded the collapse of the housing market, which led to the credit crunch. That's a tough combination for any incumbent party to run against and win.

d.) The Candidates themselves. On the one hand you have a 70 year old erratic person who speaks in the language of Senate "my friends" and isn't particulary endeared by the base of his party - and on the other hand you have a good looking, vibrant, young, articulate person. A candidacy of historical proportions, and one that offered voters a chance to participate in history and make a statement about race relations in this country.

There was also a diffenerence in how the two candidates were treated by the media. One was a nuisance to be ignored, the other provided a "thrill up their leg".

******

Because I believe the above were the four reasons Obama & the Democrats won, I do not believe Conservatives or Republicans need to redefine, alter, or cast aside our principles.

If I am wrong, then I would think there wouldn't be the opposition to Obama's proposals that we see only 50 days into his administration.

[Wolvrin704]

Furley you hit the nail on the head. There is no need to redifine conservatism as it is still well and truly alive in this country. I would rather stay true to the philosophy than to elect more smucks like Bush or McCain. I think the time is coming when a true conservative leader will stand up, its the perfect time after all. But I think we're still a year or two away from it sorting itself out. After all look at the Dems, 2 years ago most of us figured Obama was an intriguing candidate but had an outside shot at best. Much can change in just a few years.

[RealSchool]

Mike furley wrote:
"drop the unpopular principles so we can get elected".


No point being in politics if you can't get elected.