A Timid Advocate of Freedom

[Winehole23]

You said it was a problem that the *powers that be* have anointed the *Reagan coalition* winners *thirty years later*. Did you mean inside the GOP?

Demographically speaking, the Reagan coalition is not growing by leaps and bounds. Were you perhaps referring to that?

Your phrasing was a bit ellliptical...

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah, I could have phrased that better. The "powers that be" in the GOP. In a way, it makes sense, as those party activists who were in their twenties and thirties in the early 80s are now approaching their fifties and sixties and are in positions of influence and leadership inside the party. I think they share this frame of reference with regard to presidential politics and it's not helpful in winning here in the 21st century. Rove had essentially written out the economic conservatives by 2003 or expected that they wouldn't care about the prolifigate spending as long as there were no Bush tax hikes. The social conservatives were given center stage as they were the ones who could provide campaign support (in terms of $ and volunteers) and votes. Instead of a broad, lasting coalition, it appears to have been a temporary one in the shadow of 9/11.

[Winehole23]

Yeah, I could have phrased that better. The "powers that be" in the GOP. In a way, it makes sense, as those party activists who were in their twenties and thirties in the early 80s are now approaching their fifties and sixties and are in positions of influence and leadership inside the party. I think they share this frame of reference with regard to presidential politics and it's not helpful in winning here in the 21st century. Rove had essentially written out the economic conservatives by 2003 or expected that they wouldn't care about the prolifigate spending as long as there were no Bush tax hikes. The social conservatives were given center stage as they were the ones who could provide campaign support (in terms of $ and volunteers) and votes. Instead of a broad, lasting coalition, it appears to have been a temporary one in the shadow of 9/11.

Solid take, MB.

[Oh, Gee!!]

not for nothing--but isn't the author hoping to unseat the target of his op-ed in 2012?

[Winehole23]

The 2012 horse race is already well underway, as Chumpy pointed out. The field is wide open, though Palin seems to be the early favorite.

[SnakeBoy]

The field is wide open, though Palin seems to be the early favorite.

Palin already has my vote. It's time for this country to stop treating attractive women only as objects.

If Palin picks Carrie Prejean as her vp I'll even send her money, lot's of money.

[ChumpDumper]

Palin already has my vote. It's time for this country to stop treating attractive women only as objects.

So you want to treat Palin as an object and a political candidate.

If Palin picks Carrie Prejean as her vp I'll even send her money, lot's of money.

All singles.

[SnakeBoy]

All singles.

No, Prejean is worthy of a couple of fives.

[Winehole23]

Hey, big spender.

[spurster]

Unfortunately for the GOP, the Reagan Revolution was overthrown by the Cheney Coup.

[Winehole23]

And now it is overthrown by demographics.

[RandomGuy]

Unfortunately for the GOP, the Reagan Revolution was overthrown by the Cheney Coup.

What a wonderful turn of phrase.

[MannyIsGod]

Its funny how Darrin goes out looking for articles that go against the man he voted for. Self Loathing indeed man. I've never seen anyone so eager to be proven wrong.

[Marcus Bryant]

And now it is overthrown by demographics.

To what extent can the GOP find its way back to personal liberty and away from the twin strains of collectivism as it relates to private social matters and the permanent martial state? Social conservatives reacted to greater state intrusion deemed as anti-religious not with a move to defend religious liberty but rather to shape public policy to their view of the world. The party needs to get back to a 'Don't Tread on Me' mentality and away from offering a 'conservative' option for social engineering. Liberty demands responsibility and I think most Americans understand that, though perhaps not as many as before. Goldwater said it best when he advocated a government that was 'out of your pocketbook, out of your bedroom, out of your children’s lives, and out of your life.'

[FaithInOne]

I am still disgusted by any name that can be associated with this last GOP presidential candidate offering just because of the complete nothingness it brought to the table.

I stopped at the By line as well

[Winehole23]

Its funny how Darrin goes out looking for articles that go against the man he voted for. Self Loathing indeed man. I've never seen anyone so eager to be proven wrong.

It seems like buyer's remorse to me. Palin/McCain had him backed up into a corner to start with, and when the election of Obama turned out not to be the unicorn ride he thought Obama promised him, he became exaggeratedly disappointed.

I cut Darrin some slack on this one. Obama must've fooled him.

[Marcus Bryant]

And why is it generally assumed that we should serve that which aggrandizes the power, the prestige of the federal government? I thought it's purpose was to serve that which serves the individual, to protect his or her liberties and enables them to pursue their happiness? McCain was perhaps the best example of the 'National Greatness' conservative (well, other than Reagan). The weird thing is that McCain really offered nothing more than the progressive view of the federal government which originated with Theodore Roosevelt.

[DarrinS]

It seems like buyer's remorse to me. Palin/McCain had him backed up into a corner to start with, and when the election of Obama turned out not to be the unicorn ride he thought Obama promised him, he became exaggeratedly disappointed.

I cut Darrin some slack on this one. Obama must've fooled him.

You've got me pegged. Manny just doesn't like ANY criticism of his hero. I doubt there's ANY Obama policy he disagrees with. But, everyone's en led to their opinion. It's a free country (for now).

[DarrinS]

The weird thing is that McCain really offered nothing more than the progressive view of the federal government which originated with Theodore Roosevelt.

True. And his whole "reach across the isle" thing was really more of a "reach around".

[Darrin]

I don't think that's the point, do you?


Example: So you think we should NOT dictate Iran's nuclear policy?

I think we're losing the power on that fight. I think all nations should disarm, but really, outside of power, what gives us the legal justification to have veto power over another country's military policy?

Unfortunately, my slippery slope is into isolationism and we all have the right to protect the planet from total annihilation.

[Marcus Bryant]

True. And his whole "reach across the isle" thing was really more of a "reach around".

At least he was honest about his true ideological hero. Nothing wrong with that. I'd just rather not be roped into someone's grand designs for glory.

[Winehole23]

To what extent can the GOP find its way back to personal liberty and away from the twin strains of collectivism as it relates to private social matters and the permanent martial state?

Not very much, IMO. Big government conservatism is here to stay.

Social conservatives reacted to greater state intrusion deemed as anti-religious not with a move to defend religious liberty but rather to shape public policy to their view of the world. The party needs to get back to a 'Don't Tread on Me' mentality and away from offering a 'conservative' option for social engineering.

+1

Liberty demands responsibility and I think most Americans understand that, though perhaps not as many as before. Goldwater said it best when he advocated a government that was 'out of your pocketbook, out of your bedroom, out of your children’s lives, and out of your life.'

I only wish. I love Goldwater, but he's the GOP's McGovern.

I also think a lot of "me too" libertarians don't really have any idea how much social pain would be involved in shrinking government and devolving power, or how much they themselves would be affected by it.

Talk is cheap.

[DarrinS]

I think we're losing the power on that fight. I think all nations should disarm, but really, outside of power, what gives us the legal justification to have veto power over another country's military policy?

Unfortunately, my slippery slope is into isolationism and we all have the right to protect the planet from total annihilation.

Just wait. Israel has serious plans to take out Iran's nuclear sites. When they approach the US for "permission", this will be a serious test for Obama's presidency.

[DarrinS]

I only wish. I love Goldwater, but he's the GOP's McGovern.

I would never guess you'd like such a hawkish politician.

[Winehole23]

And why is it generally assumed that we should serve that which aggrandizes the power, the prestige of the federal government? I thought it's purpose was to serve that which serves the individual, to protect his or her liberties and enables them to pursue their happiness? McCain was perhaps the best example of the 'National Greatness' conservative (well, other than Reagan).

When the GOP held the reins of government, this view became irresistible to most conservatives. Power evidently trumps principles, even among so-called conservatives (who have no idea what they are conserving) and "values" voters. Reflexive loyalty to POTUS and his policies was demanded even from the opposition, until the GOP lost its Congressional majority in 2006.

Conservatives have started to play with conservative ideas again. I hope something sticks, but fear the new liturgy worships at the same altar: expedience.