Conservatives lost more than an election

[El Brujo]

They lost their principles

I agree with a lot of what Baldwin says. Bush and McCain were no conservatives, but they convinced everyone that they were. The outlook does look bleak for conservatives: I don't know if we can overcome both the Democrats opposed to us and the Republican phonies who pretend to be one of us.

What are y'alls' thoughts on the conservative movement and were its headed?

[kev-o]

I agree whole heartedly with Chuck Baldwin (since I voted for him), but the conservative movement is split mainly between the old school and the neo-cons. Where this may lead no one knows.

[danzig]

Democrats were in shambles and they pulled it back together combined with the shooting of one's self in the foot the GOP went thru and the cycle will repeat itself. Again too Ill point out even with Obama popularity, even with horrible Bush presidency, even with a inept campaign by Mccain and even with pulling away from those principles...Mccain pulled 57million voters, 2nd highest vote totals by a Republican ever.

That said yes the article hits on the problems but it isnt anything that cant be fixed so its not that bleak. What we need is a shift more to the right and by that I mean away from neocon end of it which is NOT right wing but rather a bastardized version of right/left wing...basically most of the bad stuff of each. So a shift to the right as defined by Reagan, Ike etc which requires stop becoming the goddamn party of "god" and returning true ideals of the party...where crap like gay marriage isnt an issue, where stem cell research is embraced...away from the obsessive social issues.

[Rush Limbaugh]

Conservatives didnt lose as they werent represented. Wait two years just like Clinton. When everyone sees the mess these guys make it will be time for another Reagan.

[The King Of Peasants]

Sorry but McCain has never called himself a conservative he was picked because he was moderate(which obviously didn't work)

As for Bush its hard to keep convictions for things like spending and military action when you can see all the reasons they are needed I guess he just didn't have the fiber to stay conservative so he was a bad choice.

[Cluny the Scourge]

Conservatives didnt lose as they werent represented. Wait two years just like Clinton. When everyone sees the mess these guys make it will be time for another Reagan.

Obama IS the "another Reagan". And 2012 is going to turn the map blue with a Walter-Mondale style wipeout, reversed.

[Delvecchio1975]

...Mccain pulled 57million voters, 2nd highest vote totals by a Republican ever.

isn't that simply because of the very high voter turnout? I can imagine millions of republicans went to vote simply because they were against a democrat win, not in favour of McCain as such?

Apart from that, I like the article. It makes me think that I quite like the original republican ideals. I absolutely loathe neocons though ....

[Rush Limbaugh]

isn't that simply because of the very high voter turnout? I can imagine millions of republicans went to vote simply because they were against a democrat win, not in favour of McCain as such?

NO


It was because Obama scared them. Your right they all came out to vote against Obama. America has never been more divided.

[Mikelus Trento]

NO


It was because Obama scared them. Your right they all came out to vote against Obama. America has never been more divided.

The popular vote is now at 53%-46%, the first time a Democrat has received a majority since Carter. So I would offer that never since then, when a Democrat has been elected, has the country been so united.

[Rush Limbaugh]

The popular vote is now at 53%-46%, the first time a Democrat has received a majority since Carter. So I would offer that never since then, when a Democrat has been elected, has the country been so united.

Most republicans I know didnt even vote. They were disgusted.

[danzig]

The popular vote is now at 53%-46%, the first time a Democrat has received a majority since Carter. So I would offer that never since then, when a Democrat has been elected, has the country been so united.

If using that as basis for being united then from 1980-to 1992 the country was one big happy family. Just dont think you can have that many people vote against someone and say the country is united in any meaningful way.

[WilliVonBill]

The popular vote is now at 53%-46%, the first time a Democrat has received a majority since Carter. So I would offer that never since then, when a Democrat has been elected, has the country been so united.

Given how the performance and legacy of the Carter administration, I wouldn't be so quick to hold it up as a shining example. Also, you might want to look up the word 'united'. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Just because the conservatives haven't started throwing a collective hissy fit like the leftist....errr... liberals... uhhhh... progressives... oh, whatever the heck you're calling yourselves today. Anyway, just because we aren't throwing a childish hissy fit doesn't mean we're all hunky dory happy with
'the one'.

[bigfootedfred]

NO


It was because Obama scared them. Your right they all came out to vote against Obama. America has never been more divided.

not enough though.
and when the only other choice is an old man who looks like hes about to drop dead and leave this woman who don't even know Africa is a continent and not a country..

Even when they can see things like "a tax cut for 95% of people" is a clear bs promise that will never be kept, that large numbers of obamas advisors have the same links and affiliations as bushes had
That hes talking about even more bombing of other country's and starting new wars and his own people are giving dates and time frames for when a crisis will hit and how obamas response will be deeply unpopular.

i really dosent matter who you voted for though to be honest.
But obama was the one they wanted. he got the most money, 4x 5x 6x what mccain did.
He helped drive through the bail out (whats happened to all that money by the way).
he is their man.

[Last Roman]

America has never been more divided.

you and I are clearly looking at different Americas

[danzig]

isn't that simply because of the very high voter turnout? I can imagine millions of republicans went to vote simply because they were against a democrat win, not in favour of McCain as such?

Turn out was still less then 2004 but yeah of course that is part of it, hell half of people vote probably vote to vote against someone rather then for someone (see John Kerry in 2004)...but if 57million people were that set on voting against Obama then what would have a better run campaign, with a better message and more of a shift back to real republican views have produced? So even in shambles it is fixable, if you can get that turnout even if its against someone instead of voter apathy where people sit at home then you have to go back and find that message and voice to make those people WANT you win.

[Rush Limbaugh]

Good post Danzig. The republican party has abandoned its conservative roots and thats why they lost. They became democrats.

[danzig]

Good post Danzig. The republican party has abandoned its conservative roots and thats why they lost. They became democrats.

They have become worse because you see alot of those Democrats who have picked up seats arent Pelosi/Reid democrats, a fair number of them are actually more Republican in views then the actual GOP. Its why any screams the country has shifted to the left is absolutely hilarious.

[chamaeleo]

Good post Danzig. The republican party has abandoned its conservative roots and thats why they lost. They became democrats.

What a misleading insult...it takes far more than a willingness to spend money to be a democrat.

At least in principle, Dems spend to fix problems, fight inequity and unfairness, and strengthen communities.

Over the last 8 years, the GOP spent taxpayer money on policies that: 1. benefitted big business & industry directly (while undermining working conditions), 2. indirectly via a thinly-veiled War in Iraq (rogue dictator my ass, he was sitting on too much oil to ignore...military contractors and oil companies are the ultimate blood-profiteers), and 3. encouraged CEO looting behavior.

When you create such conditions for greed to run rampant, the results are predictable...I have no sympathy whatsoever for Bush 2004 voters who have lost jobs, homes, vehicles, savings, etc as a result of their ignorant support.

[Ahiga]

That said yes the article hits on the problems but it isnt anything that cant be fixed so its not that bleak. What we need is a shift more to the right and by that I mean away from neocon end of it which is NOT right wing but rather a bastardized version of right/left wing...basically most of the bad stuff of each. So a shift to the right as defined by Reagan, Ike etc which requires stop becoming the goddamn party of "god" and returning true ideals of the party...where crap like gay marriage isnt an issue, where stem cell research is embraced...away from the obsessive social issues.

I'd hope for this to happen. This may be wishful thinking, but I do feel like there is a growing number of agnostic/atheist/secular white males which are growing tired of the republican party's policies and vote for it out of a lack of alternative in the democratic party. They provided a large momentum behind Ron Paul and I hope will become a force to be reckoned with.

I'm tired of the Evangelical Fundementalists behaving like a bunch of bratty children and throwing a temper tantrum if the Republican Party does not adhere absolutely to it's demands. Everyone else has to compromise some part of their wishes for a candidate, yet it seems they don't have to.


Archaalen: In ideal I could support an educational requirement to vote (Based on the nature of our government and democracy - Palin wouldn't get to vote if she gave answers like "The vice President rules over the Congress"), but in principle it wouldn't work because it would be corrupted into a tool of racism or ideological deceit.

If we're talking -extreme- ideals, I'd rather consider having people prove their citizenship rather than just giving it if you're born on US soil or to US parents

[morteduzionism]

If we're talking -extreme- ideals, I'd rather consider having people prove their citizenship rather than just giving it if you're born on US soil or to US parents

How?