February 17, 2014
— DrewM Team GOP keeps talking about how conservative insurgents don't understand tactics and how we all want to get to the same place but disagree on tactics. "Tactics" is the new "electability" (which itself is really a tactical concept) and we all know how well that worked out.
Tactics exist to advance a strategy which in turn is the plan to achieve a goal. This focus on tactics is masking a major flaw in the Republican party...it has no overreaching goal let alone a strategy for achieving it. Republicans lack a reason for being beyond winning elections and enriching the various donor and political structures that exists in its orbit. There is simply no Republican vision for the country, no coherent ideological vision that it presents to the country as a viable alternative to the Democrats.
The Democrats can broadly be said to have a vision for America that is based on an ever growing and more powerful public sector (especially at that the federal level). From that basic vision all other things flow. What is the corresponding vision from the GOP? It's clearly not the opposite. No one seriously suggests that the overreaching vision of the Republican Party is to shrink the government at every level and to minimize its impact on the lives of Americans. At best one could argue that the GOP wants to present a somewhat less grand vision of the role of government in people's lives. And they certainly want to be the ones running that slightly smaller beast. But actively shrink it? There's no evidence of that. On the other hand, there is quite a bit of evidence that the GOP is quite comfortable with increased spending and the scope of the federal government as it exists.
I'm not saying there are no differences between the parties but they aren't as great as some pretend or as they should be in a healthy democracy. Don't believe me? Think of the areas where the GOP-Democrat divide is supposedly the greatest...social issues. And then look at how many Republicans want to de-emphasize abortion and surrender entirely on gay marriage. At one point national security/defense was a significant point of distinction between the two parties. But as many onetime hawks sour on the notion of a robust program of intervention, which is a distinction that has narrowed greatly. With the rise of Rand Paul within the GOP, thatÂ’s an area that will continue to lose its ability to differentiate the parties.
Only on spending is the gap still large and when it comes to elected officials that gap is mostly rhetorical.
It's this lack of a stark competing vision from the Democrats that forces the GOP to constantly focus on "tactics".
Look at how the GOP is responding to ObamaCare. They have gone from "repeal" to "replace" to "repair". There is simply no one on the GOP side that is saying, this is not something the federal government should be doing.
Where are the "establishment" voices saying something lik, "The manifest failure of ObamaCare to deliver on any of its promises represents the first real opportunity to fight back against the liberal vision in a generation. We have here the club to beat the statists over the head and to begin to rollback there decades of failed big government."
No, that's not good "tactics" you'll be told again and again. But if the GOP isn't willing to stand against big government now, when its failures are laid bare for all to see, when exactly will it will be roused to the offensive? When exactly will they be attacking the underlying narrative of the left instead of offering dry alternatives that rely on government intervention in the lives of Americans, just of a slightly different flavor?
The complaint against Ted Cruz's forcing 60 votes on the debt ceiling is that he didn't have "a plan" to win. That shows just how out of touch Republicans are with anything beyond "tactics". Cruz never intended to "win" a concession for a debt hike, he wanted to demonstrate that some people have an alternative view of how the parties approach governing. Yes, he wants to set himself up as the leader of that wing, but at least he offers an alternative.
If you want to be a majority you need to offer an alternative and fight for it. Voters need to be inspired. They need to believe that you have principles that when turned into policy will make their lives better. They need to know that you really believe in these principles and will stand up for them. In short, people want to see bold leadership. They want to be motivated and to think that you offer a legitimate alternative to the awful status quo.
In short, winning requires everything the modern GOP is againstÂ…an alternative vision, expressed in a confident and inspiring manner.
The GOP has a terrible habit of thinking people care about detailed policy proposals. Barack Obama ran against the individual mandate in 2008. He ran on “hope” and “change” for a bigger government. The GOP responds with “tactics” and “73 point plans” because they don’t have an overarching vision for the country beyond keeping their own comfortable offices.
You might not win every fight, you’ll even lose some elections, but you’ll begin the process of changing hearts and minds. If all you offer is an echo of the other party and endless lectures about “tactics”, people can either take or leave you. They have no compelling reason to stand with you or to think you have anything worth offering.
Winning elections is a necessary step in the process but itÂ’s not the last step. Election victories are means to an end. Unless and until the GOP can articulate a compelling end it wishes to achieve it will focus on tactics. And it will never deliver anything to people who donÂ’t have a vested personal or business interest in GOP, Inc.
Posted by: DrewM at
09:15 AM
| Comments (483)
Post contains 1014 words, total size 6 kb.
Posted by: Karl Rove at February 17, 2014 09:20 AM (A7zvX)
Until they offer MOAR FREE SHIT than the other guy, they won't win. 52% proved that.
Posted by: rickb223 at February 17, 2014 09:20 AM (d0Dmj)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:20 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:20 AM (x3YFz)
We are Silver Medalists, you teahadi wackos!
We're Number Two!!
We're Number Two!!
We're Number Two!!
Posted by: mythical GOP establishment [/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:21 AM (5ikDv)
Posted by: Karl Rove at February 17, 2014 09:21 AM (A7zvX)
Posted by: Mitch McConnell at February 17, 2014 09:21 AM (Q6pxP)
The leadership is blaming the conservative mass for the party's lack of direction.
But direction is the leadership's JOB.
Posted by: Thomas Jefferson at February 17, 2014 09:21 AM (ZMzpb)
Posted by: Kinley Ardal at February 17, 2014 09:21 AM (9LuAk)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 09:22 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: John McCain at February 17, 2014 09:22 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:22 AM (F5VLZ)
If the democrats do what they say they want to do, the US becomes a socialist dictatorship, and the leadership jobs are permanent.
If the GOP did what they claim to want to do, their jobs become small and insignificant.
Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 17, 2014 09:23 AM (eGmvn)
Posted by: Typical RINO Consultant at February 17, 2014 09:23 AM (Q6pxP)
Thing is, no one cares what mode they're in, unless it's "packing up the office" mode.
They hit bottom and dug.
The beeping you hear is the backhoe filling it in on top of you.
Horse left the barn.
Party is over.
Etc etc.
There's no recovering from being a pandering piece of shit. Yer done.
Clean house, retake the party, throw out the shitbags.
The time for nicey nice is over.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:23 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: El Gobernadore Jeb Bush at February 17, 2014 09:23 AM (A7zvX)
How hard is it to say that Obamacare violates American values? The founders were able to communicate their values/principles, so why must the GOP get bogged down in the minutia of these bills, or get drawn into ridiculous assertions that they hate women/poor people/foreign people, etc.?
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 09:23 AM (POpqt)
Posted by: HoboJerky, now with 56% more DOOM! at February 17, 2014 09:25 AM (09o/X)
Posted by: Ammo Dump at February 17, 2014 09:25 AM (GgPam)
Posted by: John Boehner at February 17, 2014 09:25 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: HoboJerky, now with 56% more DOOM! at February 17, 2014 09:25 AM (09o/X)
Posted by: Sun Tzu at February 17, 2014 09:25 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: [/i][/b][/u][/s] Tami at February 17, 2014 09:26 AM (bCEmE)
Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 17, 2014 09:27 AM (T2V/1)
Posted by: The Humungus Boehner at February 17, 2014 09:27 AM (Q6pxP)
------ -------- ------- --------- --------
This is why there is a growing call for a third party. When your only options are for Big Government or Bigger Government, there is no real option.
Posted by: RoadRunner at February 17, 2014 09:27 AM (BvTwT)
They are fucking pussies.
Soon they will be siccing the IRS on people, if they aren't already.
But John Boner, none more conservative.
Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Commissar at February 17, 2014 09:27 AM (HQml1)
Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at February 17, 2014 09:28 AM (yOnMP)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 09:28 AM (84gbM)
Foreign brainiacs will revive the economy.
Posted by: Larry Kudlow at February 17, 2014 09:28 AM (kVfSG)
Posted by: Chip Diller at February 17, 2014 09:28 AM (A7zvX)
Posted by: mugiwara at February 17, 2014 09:31 AM (IDnj7)
Posted by: Frankly at February 17, 2014 09:31 AM (HIxCZ)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 09:31 AM (qFpRI)
Support the GOP candidate that does espouse conservative ideals and a different vision for this country. No money to the RNC.
But after all is said and done, I do fear that the FSA is going to win this battle. Plus the corrupt election laws in key states. I still think that the fix is already in for this next election. The tyrants are in control now.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 09:31 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: RushBabe at February 17, 2014 09:32 AM (hrIP5)
Posted by: John Boehner at February 17, 2014 09:32 AM (Q6pxP)
Therefore, I suggest the best political strategy is for the straight white male leadership to announce they've acquired a taste for penis. They will transform overnight from evil oppressors to the most goodly oppressed minority that all must love.
Posted by: mugiwara at February 17, 2014 01:31 PM (IDnj7)
uh.... whatever works for you, Tex.
I'm going to stick to the "snatch a mfer up by the neck" approach.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:33 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Chilling the most at February 17, 2014 09:33 AM (gxtMZ)
All men can see these tactics whereby I lose battles, but what no whackobirds can see is the strategy out of which I honourably lose the entire war.
Posted by: Sun Tzu (R)Ino at February 17, 2014 09:33 AM (BrQrN)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:34 AM (PYAXX)
That's what it boils down to: values.
The GOP has nothing with which to fight the left in the area of values. The "shutdown" is a case in point. The White House was closing public areas for political reasons, and the GOP could not mount a fight against a White House that was literally, fighting against the people.
They lost that one, not because the White House had better tactics. They lost because in a battle over values, they had nothing to offer.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 09:34 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: RoadRunner at February 17, 2014 09:34 AM (BvTwT)
Posted by: --- at February 17, 2014 09:34 AM (ksJYU)
And let's not forget the self-contradiction, another DrewM hallmark.
Should it be this:
Look at how the GOP is responding to ObamaCare. They have gone from "repeal" to "replace" to "repair". There is simply no one on the GOP side that is saying, this is not something the federal government should be doing.
Or should it be this:
If you want to be a majority you need to offer an alternative and fight for it.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:34 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: RushBabe at February 17, 2014 01:32 PM (hrIP5)
That was the same headline Fox had this morning. Except it wasn't the "GOP" that said that. It was Rove.
Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 17, 2014 09:35 AM (T2V/1)
Posted by: Iblis at February 17, 2014 09:35 AM (NVFTu)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:35 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: Gen. 98ZJUSMC GA Custer, Deceased. at February 17, 2014 09:35 AM (k7Mxi)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 09:35 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 09:36 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 09:36 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at February 17, 2014 09:38 AM (lo1uS)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:38 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: naturalfake at February 17, 2014 09:38 AM (0cMkb)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 01:34 PM (SY2Kh)
As an expert in the field, there's an art to disagreeing with someone without pissing up their leg, Hollowpoint.
Why you gotta be a dick?
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:38 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:38 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:39 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 17, 2014 09:39 AM (k7Mxi)
Posted by: Cato at February 17, 2014 09:39 AM (OdVTN)
Posted by: Eric Cantor at February 17, 2014 09:39 AM (Q6pxP)
And let's not forget the self-contradiction, another DrewM hallmark.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 01:34 PM (SY2Kh)
Grow up.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:40 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Hollowpoint
Is your HotAir button broken?
Posted by: weft cut-loop[/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (Yp6Vn)
Posted by: Iblis at February 17, 2014 01:35 PM (NVFTu)
------------------------------------------------
The evangilicals are slowly but surely starting to follow the marxist lie. They've learned that the IRS is more powerful than God.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: Velvet Ambition at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (R8hU8)
By 1973 those same dirty hippies had cleaned up, suited up, and taken over the democrat party from the inside. Over time, anyone who disagreed with those far left extremists were driven from the party. Those far left extremists brag about driving the white racist southern Christian Conservatives out of the democrat party and into the GOP. The result is the democrat party is the party of Max and Mao, and the GOP is now the old democrat party, and conservatives have no organized voice in politics.
Posted by: Memory Man at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (MwZJO)
The only difference is who they're kicking off the caboose and who their jerking out of their saddles.
Now stoke that boiler, bitches! Git!
Posted by: Fritz at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (rV80K)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:41 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 09:42 AM (qFpRI)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:42 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: Paul Ryan at February 17, 2014 09:42 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:42 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: RushBabe at February 17, 2014 01:32 PM (hrIP5)
Does Saint Willard of the Latter Days realize that when he goes on those gab shows, he's talking to and playing nice-nice with the same fuckheads who trashed him and his family during the latter half of 2012? Can we please have some candidates who are smarter than a tomato can? And Rodham was and is the enabler for her predator husband. It's pretty fucking bad when the victims like Kathleen Willey have to speak up because the "opposition party" stalwarts are a bunch of gelded eunuchs.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 09:43 AM (hylEe)
We could call it the American Socialist Workers Constitutionalist Party
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 17, 2014 09:43 AM (8ZskC)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:43 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 17, 2014 09:43 AM (k7Mxi)
Posted by: Boss Moss at February 17, 2014 09:44 AM (6bMeY)
Posted by: Cato at February 17, 2014 01:39 PM (OdVTN)
^^^^^ This x 1000.
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 01:42 PM (qFpRI)
Yup. This is our nation. Not theirs. The abdicated that right long ago. Toss them all out.
We elect good men and women. Watch the RNC funding dry up.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:44 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:44 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: Chuck U Schumer at February 17, 2014 09:45 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:45 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:45 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: David Brooks at February 17, 2014 09:46 AM (Q6pxP)
Ah, yes! Because not criticizing Obama's past - even his record as a Community Organizer and State Senator - worked out so well, huh?
Meanwhile Mitt was hit hard about his dog (from, what?, 20 years ago?), his car elevator, and some former employees wife getting cancer.
They should just rename it the Charlie Brown Party and surrender.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 09:46 AM (POpqt)
So Hollowpoint, here's the specifics:
1. Teach the Constitution
2. Teach the Rule of Law
3. Embrace the system given to us by wise men
4. Legal warfare against all gov't agencies that shouldn't exist
5. Clean up the vote
6. Reject any new proposals that don't conform to 1 & 2 and use that as a teaching tool
Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 17, 2014 09:46 AM (44jNh)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 09:46 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 01:45 PM (X/+QT)
Sad part, is they actually think that way.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:46 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (bb5+k)
I know ,right?
Posted by: NAMBLA [/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (5ikDv)
I know ,right?
Posted by: NAMBLA [/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (5ikDv)
I know ,right?
Posted by: NAMBLA [/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (5ikDv)
Why you gotta be a dick?
Why do we need long posts that can be replaced in their entirety with "I am very angry at the GOP for not catering to my wishes and want something to be done about it."?
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (SY2Kh)
Why you gotta be a dick?
Why do we need long posts that can be replaced in their entirety with "I am very angry at the GOP for not catering to my wishes and want something to be done about it."?
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (SY2Kh)
Why you gotta be a dick?
Why do we need long posts that can be replaced in their entirety with "I am very angry at the GOP for not catering to my wishes and want something to be done about it."?
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 09:47 AM (z4WKX)
DrewM walks into a bar and orders a beer.
The bartender brings DrewM his beer. DrewM takes a sip and calls the bartender over and tells him.
" This beer is not cold enough. It took you too long to bring it to me. I didn't like the way you greeted me. All in all I really don't like you. Now go back and get me a beer just the way I want it, okay douchebag? "
The bartender replies , " I understand and hear you, but do you really expect me not to spit in the next beer you order?
Posted by: polynikes at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (m2CN7)
DrewM walks into a bar and orders a beer.
The bartender brings DrewM his beer. DrewM takes a sip and calls the bartender over and tells him.
" This beer is not cold enough. It took you too long to bring it to me. I didn't like the way you greeted me. All in all I really don't like you. Now go back and get me a beer just the way I want it, okay douchebag? "
The bartender replies , " I understand and hear you, but do you really expect me not to spit in the next beer you order?
Posted by: polynikes at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (m2CN7)
DrewM walks into a bar and orders a beer.
The bartender brings DrewM his beer. DrewM takes a sip and calls the bartender over and tells him.
" This beer is not cold enough. It took you too long to bring it to me. I didn't like the way you greeted me. All in all I really don't like you. Now go back and get me a beer just the way I want it, okay douchebag? "
The bartender replies , " I understand and hear you, but do you really expect me not to spit in the next beer you order?
Posted by: polynikes at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (m2CN7)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (b/UJ7)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (b/UJ7)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 09:48 AM (b/UJ7)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (kfcYC)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (kfcYC)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (kfcYC)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (bb5+k)
They should just rename it the Charlie Brown Party and surrender.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 01:46 PM (POpqt)
Don't forget the purported bullying of a former fellow student with long hair whose family couldn't remember it.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (hylEe)
They should just rename it the Charlie Brown Party and surrender.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 01:46 PM (POpqt)
Don't forget the purported bullying of a former fellow student with long hair whose family couldn't remember it.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (hylEe)
They should just rename it the Charlie Brown Party and surrender.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 01:46 PM (POpqt)
Don't forget the purported bullying of a former fellow student with long hair whose family couldn't remember it.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (hylEe)
Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (VRc/p)
Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (VRc/p)
Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (VRc/p)
Yes,very sad.
Posted by: Transgendered Four Year Old At A Planned Parenthood March[/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (5ikDv)
Yes,very sad.
Posted by: Transgendered Four Year Old At A Planned Parenthood March[/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (5ikDv)
Yes,very sad.
Posted by: Transgendered Four Year Old At A Planned Parenthood March[/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (5ikDv)
Posted by: Comrade Arthur at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (h53OH)
Posted by: Comrade Arthur at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (h53OH)
Posted by: Comrade Arthur at February 17, 2014 09:49 AM (h53OH)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:50 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 01:47 PM (SY2Kh)
because that would be a boring post without context.
The fact that I needed to explain that makes me worry about your mental health and/or ability.
Just try not being a jerk. Give it a go. Wear it around for a few days and see how people react.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:50 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 09:50 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: jwpaine @PirateBallerina at February 17, 2014 09:51 AM (2oU2+)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 01:42 PM (X/+QT)
---------------------------------------------
I think 99+% if Americans agree. No one wants to sacrifice their warm homes or the stocked cupboard or the adequate salaries to stand for freedom. Americans will not stand unless all those things are taken away. Even then, I think all we will be hearing is soft whimpering.
My faith is almost lost in the American people.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 09:51 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 17, 2014 09:51 AM (g1DWB)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:51 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:52 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Barack O'Stalin at February 17, 2014 09:53 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:53 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: alwyr at February 17, 2014 09:53 AM (V0j3u)
Nope. Not in any way, shape or form. Sorry to disappoint.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:53 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: dustydog at February 17, 2014 09:53 AM (Rqd+i)
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 17, 2014 09:54 AM (HVff2)
Posted by: Y-not at February 17, 2014 09:54 AM (zDsvJ)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 17, 2014 09:54 AM (g1DWB)
Posted by: Mel Gibson at February 17, 2014 09:55 AM (Q6pxP)
Donald Trump of all people was able to get Obama to finally provide a birth certificate because he couldn't be hurt by the MSM (he isn't an elected politician) and he just didn't give a f#@% what people said about him.
More of this *tactic*, guys.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (POpqt)
Posted by: Michael Corleone at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 09:56 AM (b/UJ7)
Thing is, the GOP is historically unable to comprehend this "conservatism" thing. At the end of the Civil War, it *was* the Big Government party. It wanted Big Government to work hand in hand with Big Business to create Big Stuff. It was socially liberal and fiscally conservative. It wasn't a local states-rights party. It liked big central government solving social "problems."
In my opinion, the GOP only came around as anti communist as a marketing differentiation from the Democrats.
So when we express disgust with the GOP, we have to remember that the GOP leadership is not culturally equipped to handle conservatism. It's just not in their DNA. Historically the GOP has always championed big central government serving in partnership with big business to drive the country's economic growth.
So we can complain about the GOP folding like a cheap tent on conservative arguments, but that surrender is to be expected...the GOP doesn't really believe in conservatism anyway. Rubio flipped like a cheap pancake on amnesty not because of some change in opinion...no, he really wanted amnesty but couldn't say so until the time was right. The Establishment is OK with a Rubio because, hey, social liberal and fiscal conservative. It may even be OK with Rand Paul on the same lines. But you see the knives sticking out of Ted Cruz's back because Cruz is an across-the-board small government guy.
Sadly, if conservatives want to go anywhere, it's going to have to abandon the failed policies and strategies of the GOP.
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 17, 2014 09:57 AM (PFy0L)
You know the rules on this blog. NO FRENCH.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 17, 2014 09:57 AM (8ZskC)
Posted by: Y-not at February 17, 2014 01:54 PM (zDsvJ)
It's easier to throw rocks through windows than open a window company. I'm thinking I know which side of that rock he's on.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 09:57 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 09:58 AM (PYAXX)
1. Teach the Constitution
2. Teach the Rule of Law
You're right in the sense that it's going to require a dramatic shift in the priorities held by the voting public, but that takes time.
Elected representatives are forced to deal with the electorate they have, not the electorate they wish they had.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 09:58 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 09:58 AM (F5VLZ)
Should it be this:
Look at how the GOP is responding to ObamaCare. They have gone from "repeal" to "replace" to "repair". There is simply no one on the GOP side that is saying, this is not something the federal government should be doing.
Or should it be this:
If you want to be a majority you need to offer an alternative and fight for it.
Well, if you actually had any reading comprehension skills, you'd realize that you're comparing apples and oranges here.
The obamacare thing is how they are demonstrating they have no principles. They're willing to give up on something that's actually very popular with the public at large (repeal of obamacare), and instead shit the bed with their running away.
The alternative quote you used is about how the republicans are not really an showing themselves as an alternative, broadly speaking, to the democrats.
Of course, I'm responding to a troll, though.
Posted by: GMan at February 17, 2014 09:58 AM (GfWuY)
Posted by: Daybrother at February 17, 2014 09:59 AM (Qjipz)
Posted by: John Adams- SoCon A-hole [/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 09:59 AM (SwHqo)
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 17, 2014 10:00 AM (HVff2)
TEH FRED! IS THE ONLY MAN WHO CAN SAVE AMERICA
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 10:00 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:00 AM (z4WKX)
Your little joke might work better if you started with a bartender who inherited a bar he did nothing to build, starting watering down the drinks, charging more, and was losing customers because none of the crap he was offering appealed to the customers who had been coming there for decades.
Yeah, I expect him to spit in the beer.
I also expect the customers to wake up someday and stop coming to this particular establishment.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 10:00 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:00 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:01 AM (xMSfj)
And which is the GOP alternative?
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 01:58 PM (PYAXX)
Folks like Ted Cruz, Mia Love. Our sheriff is term limited and I think he'll challenge once he's up.
Good men and women of character.
You put one man or woman of character into a 435 seat (think I got the number close) house and they're overwhelmed. Put 20, 50 or 100, and then it's a fight.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:01 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:02 AM (bb5+k)
the GOP is dead to me: i'll still vote in every election, and support candidates that don't nauseate me, but the RNC and the rest of the squishy hacks can go whistle in the dark based on their utter lack of anything resembling a principle or a spine.
actions have consequences, bitches. y'all have been emulating the Demon-rats for so long that it's damn hard to see a difference between y'all and them any more, at least on the issues that matter the most.
Bite Me, assholes.
Posted by: redc1c4 at February 17, 2014 10:03 AM (q+fqH)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (Y92Nd)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (g1DWB)
Posted by: Paul at February 17, 2014 10:04 AM (9qDRl)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 01:58 PM (F5VLZ)
And they even have a marker to commemorate their America 4th of July, The Haymarket Square Riot.
Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 17, 2014 10:05 AM (T2V/1)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:05 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 01:49 PM (kfcYC)
Sorry, brother. I don't work that way. I can't support 'almost' candidates.
I know, I know, I've heard the arguments... still, can't. Moral character and integrity can't be sacrificed.
You may disagree, and I understand, but I just can't.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:05 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 10:05 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: Velvet Ambition at February 17, 2014 10:07 AM (R8hU8)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:08 AM (/o+xv)
Donald Trump of all people was able to get Obama to finally provide a birth certificate because he couldn't be hurt by the MSM (he isn't an elected politician) and he just didn't give a f#@% what people said about him.
More of this *tactic*, guys.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2014 01:56 PM (POpqt)
Romney is just too nice of a guy to do that. As much as I didn't like him as a candidate for exactly that reason, during the first debate he delivered the best defense of the free market system that I've heard since Reagan. But he lost his nerve after that and turned into the timid candidate that I was afraid he would be with the result that I was afraid would happen.
Sometimes people just aren't good candidates. Reagan never failed to compliment Barry Goldwater on his conservatism without mentioning that he just wasn't an attractive candidate unlike RR. Even though Fat Boy Christie is much too much of a RINO for me, I think he frightens the donks because he's always on the offensive no matter what they throw at him. Rodham has enough shit in her closet that Fat Boy could hospitalize her with more "blood clots" for the entire campaign.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 10:08 AM (hylEe)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:08 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:08 AM (z4WKX)
Cobs, you guys might wanna check those ads or any embeds you have on the site.
Posted by: [/i]KG at February 17, 2014 10:09 AM (p7BzH)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2014 10:09 AM (Y92Nd)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:09 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 17, 2014 10:09 AM (0zXml)
Posted by: gm at February 17, 2014 01:36 PM (/kBoL)
Agree.
You don't have to be offering solutions to effectively point out how someone's shit is all fucked up. That's really more of a courtesy. In addition, a rebuttal that merely points out that someone did not offer solutions is also not refuting the base criticism (hollowpoint).
And, seriously. Is it not implicit that any solution, if you need it explicitly pointed out for you, is to stand on principles and repeal the damn thing?
Posted by: flounder at February 17, 2014 10:09 AM (Kkt/i)
Posted by: Every Washington Politician Ever at February 17, 2014 10:10 AM (F58x4)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:10 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 17, 2014 10:10 AM (g1DWB)
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 17, 2014 10:11 AM (5FJQu)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2014 10:11 AM (Y92Nd)
>>>"Winning elections is a necessary step in the process but itÂ’s not the last step. Election victories are means to an end."
Exactly, but elections are not "a" means to an end, they are "the" means. You cannot put the cart before the horse. You cannot Will to Power libertarian/conservative policies into being by staging online petitions and protests on the Mall, and knocking off one of 400 congressmen here and there. The order is 1) win elections, 2) implement your preferred policies. You are not allowed to switch up that order. Without number 1 you have no prayer of accomplishing number 2.
Posted by: Paul at February 17, 2014 10:12 AM (9qDRl)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:12 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 02:08 PM (bb5+k)
Our county is run on golf courses, in cafe's. The Sunday brunch at the Broadmoor, the cow-town eateries.
Requires a bit of discernment; but this is where things get done.
Doug Lamborn is not long for his house seat.
True in-the-weeds stuff.
People *want* to feel like they make a difference.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:12 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:13 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:13 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 10:13 AM (qFpRI)
Posted by: Daybrother at February 17, 2014 10:13 AM (6cF0M)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:13 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: blaster at February 17, 2014 10:14 AM (4+AaH)
Posted by: dustydog at February 17, 2014 10:14 AM (Rqd+i)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:14 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 02:13 PM (KgN8K)
Fixed.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:14 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 10:15 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 17, 2014 10:15 AM (HsTG8)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (xMSfj)
That needs to change.
Posted by: navybrat at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (g4TxM)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (bb5+k)
The problem with your approach is the assumption that the people you are electing have any intent of enacting "your" policies once they get there, simply because they have an R behind their name.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 10:16 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (HsTG8)
I like it when you resist.
It makes the finale more interesting.
Posted by: Math at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (SwHqo)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: Paul
Now you tell us.
Posted by: McCain & Romney[/i] [/b] at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (Yp6Vn)
He's no more or less of an American than any of us (debates may follow on the "less" side... but hold those for now).
We take this back.
Huck Fistory. We rewrite.
Starting now.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: kbdabear at February 17, 2014 10:17 AM (aTXUx)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:18 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: ontherocks at February 17, 2014 10:18 AM (F5VLZ)
Posted by: Zombie Lowell George at February 17, 2014 10:18 AM (cPXSc)
Cobs, you guys might wanna check those ads or any embeds you have on the site.
This site has been acting strangely for a while now. There's something going on.
Lot's of problems loading the main page.
Posted by: eleven at February 17, 2014 10:18 AM (fsLdt)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (PYAXX)
With all due respect Drew, we are never going to elect enough Ted Cruz's or Rand Paul's to the Senate or House to stop the inexorable slide toward fiscal disaster that our Federal Government is on.
The problem is NOT about tactics or strategy or even vision.
It's one of simple dynamics.
Electing hundreds of politicians into positions of power will NEVER result in a majority of those elected power holders in voluntarily reducing their power in any significant way.
It has never happened in any large scale democracy at any point in world history. And common sense dictates that it never will. - NEVER.
No matter what party comes to power, the elected Federal power holders will continue to maintain (or craft new) policies that in one form or another inject the nation with the soothing novocaine of massive spending.
American history plainly demonstrates a stark one-way trajectory in regards to this palliative function of the Federal Government.
The only way it will end is involuntarily - when the novacaine of deficit spending runs out.
Then - and only then - will the body politic of voting citizens howl in outraged pain.
At that point there will be a real opportunity to affect a fundamental change: hopefully, in the form of a Constitutional amendment that will forever severely limit the powers of taxation of the Federal Government.
Strategizing to vote in a new crop of elected power holders who will then voluntarily and seriously diminish their own monetary power is a Fool's Errand.
It will never happen. Even assuming three consecutive 'wave elections' where liberals lose power and conservatives gain power: it still won't happen.
Wanna' know why?
- Because no matter who is in power, on a paradigmatically subconscious level the public will continue to expect the flow of financial novacaine.
And the elected power holders - no matter who they are - will continue to supply the demand for the numbing agent.
Posted by: _Dave_ at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (07UzX)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 02:16 PM (xMSfj)
They spent money like there was no tomorrow so spend it all now. The only reason we tolerated it was that Bush's tax cuts produced economic growth which we pretended would pay for it but it was truly out of control spending with Rove's urging which caused the disasters of 2006 and 2008.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (hylEe)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 17, 2014 10:19 AM (5FJQu)
This is exactly what I have said multiple times in the comments (with the addition that I encourage conservatives to sit out the 2014 elections in an effort to get the GOP's attention), but you said it more eloquently.
The problem is that the GOP is not and never was conservative in any sense. We are consistently being sold a bill of goods and we keep lining up to buy it despite the obviousness of the lies. At some point, we have to ask -what is the point? Why am I voting for the GOP? Is it really just to beat the dems? does that really count as a goal?
Despite conservatives' best efforts, the GOP has not moved right - in fact, after a breach lurch to the right in 1994 - the GOP has been moving leftward on most issues. The belief that electing a Ted Cruz here or a Rand Paul there will move the GOP to the right is fantasy. the evidence is that it will not.
the only way to move the GOP to the right (or at the very least stop the leftward shift of the GOP) is to wake the GOP up to the possibility of completely losing its base. The only way to do that is for the base to sit out an election and put the proof to the possibility.
Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 17, 2014 10:20 AM (sOx93)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 10:20 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Stiletto Corsettes C'est Magnifique at February 17, 2014 10:20 AM (5RYvh)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:20 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (PFy0L)
I really think the gop establishment believes the jig is up, and they are going to enrich themselves and their families/friends until the collapse or massive inflation hits. Then retire to their country estates.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (n0DEs)
All kinds of bits coming from all kinds of obscure third party dot com sites. If you have a slow link, as I have, you can see the page load stall while waiting for some site that had a link from a week ago post still being loaded. (every time you refesh the page). It's enough to make you paranoid and start thinking 'they' are just baiting us here to serve us their evil code exploits. Who ever 'they' might be.
Posted by: Memory Man at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (MwZJO)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 02:17 PM (KgN8K)
was that on purpose? I'm guessing it wasn't. Only the military dudes get T9.
It's cool. Used to it.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (x3YFz)
It's strangely liberating to come to the conclusion we're wholly fucked and there's no hope to turn the ship around. Less fretting - more planning for the impending collapse.
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 17, 2014 02:11 PM (5FJQu)
---------------------------------------------
Agree. The long march through the intitutions is paying off for the leftists. The only way I know how to fight this is carving out as much freedom for myself in my own little corner of reality.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: bicentennialguy at February 17, 2014 10:21 AM (vg8iE)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:22 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 10:22 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: Worf Rozhenko at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (9LuAk)
Lot's of problems loading the main page."
The main page all but crashes my browser, but I can visit other heavier sites just fine.
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 02:19 PM (xMSfj)
I run Ghostery in the background, crushes all the snooper sites.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Memory Man at February 17, 2014 02:21 PM (MwZJO)
-------------------------------------------
Ah, "they". Those fuckers.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (PLhsv)
They manage to do it wrong both ways: by that I mean, they WANT their version of bigger government, and when they get accused of using their big government ways to only enrich the rich, they have nothing to say. They offer no defense.
Probably because they have none.
The answer of course, is the philosophy of smaller government, which respects the individual liberty of all, but that's not what they are selling, because... it's not what they believe.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: garrett at February 17, 2014 10:23 AM (cPXSc)
I encourage conservatives to sit out the 2014 elections in an effort to get the GOP's attention
-----
it should be pointed out that this does not work.
-------
Yeah, the GOP interprets this as needing to move leftward, ever leftward.
I say participate full bore in the primaries, and if your conservative candidate doesn't win, then sit out the General.
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 17, 2014 10:24 AM (PFy0L)
Posted by: Party of Stupid at February 17, 2014 10:24 AM (X/+QT)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:24 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:24 AM (PYAXX)
If the GOP nominates some lamebrain again, I'll be more than ready to toss my vote away in '16. Bring on the Hillary; what difference does it make.
Posted by: GnuBreed at February 17, 2014 10:25 AM (wNF3N)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:25 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 10:25 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:25 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron [/i] at February 17, 2014 10:25 AM (CnA98)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:26 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:27 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:27 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 02:25 PM (KgN8K)
No worries. Been called much much worse.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:27 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 02:23 PM (KgN8K)
I love assertions with no factual basis. Based on what - all the times its actually been tried - despite claims otherwise (the GOP claiming this happened in 2008 and 2012 - it did not and there is no evidence it did) it has never happened.
I guess in your mind if consumers stop purchasing a product, the manufacturer doesn't try and figure out how to get his customers back.
One reason conservatives will never control the GOP - they are idiots who think they are smart.
Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 17, 2014 10:27 AM (sOx93)
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 17, 2014 10:27 AM (5FJQu)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:28 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2014 10:28 AM (Y92Nd)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:29 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:29 AM (/o+xv)
Love me some Ghostery.
I'm in a meeting where my Dev and my PM are arguing about process.
YAAAAAWN.
Poor Russian skier broke her spine in practice. I'm so sad for her.
Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 17, 2014 10:29 AM (J79eW)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 17, 2014 02:28 PM (Y92Nd)
If the GOP actually thinks anyone other than Ted Cruz will get votes, they're insane.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:30 AM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Mr. Dave at February 17, 2014 10:31 AM (ZZX2X)
Dollar beers at Wrigley Field this month.
Posted by: Shoeshine Boy at February 17, 2014 10:31 AM (rV80K)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:32 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:32 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:33 AM (/o+xv)
YAAAAAWN.
Posted by: bonhomme at February 17, 2014 02:29 PM (J79eW)
Oh, I remember those staff meeting days. I could rant for hours about how useless the rant was and how useless the meetings were, but you already knew that.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:33 AM (x3YFz)
That's not true at all. They have an overall goal, its to get reelected.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 17, 2014 10:33 AM (zfY+H)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 10:33 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:33 AM (bb5+k)
No prognosis yet on the skiier:
A spokesman for the Russian freestyle ski federation, Mikhail Verzhba, said in a statement that Komissarova had sustained “a displaced fracture of the 12th dorsal vertebra,” in her lower-middle back, and that a metal implant had been inserted in her spine to replace the part that had been destroyed.
Verzhba added that Komissarova was conscious but that it was too early to give a prognosis. He said that doctors would know more in a few days and that Komissarova would need a second operation in about two weeks.
Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 17, 2014 10:34 AM (8ifMA)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 10:34 AM (qFpRI)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:34 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at February 17, 2014 10:34 AM (thBHI)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron [/i] at February 17, 2014 10:34 AM (CnA98)
Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Stiletto Corsettes C'est Magnifique at February 17, 2014 10:35 AM (5RYvh)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:35 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:35 AM (KgN8K)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:35 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:36 AM (xMSfj)
***
Not quite. You should never sit out an election.
If the Republicans run Jeb McRomney for president and Ted Cruz for Senate you vote third party for the former and for Cruz in the latter.
I refused to vote for Mitt Romneycare in 2012 and if enough other conservatives had done the same the Republican party wouldn't be trying to surrender right now on every front.
But we should be smart as to who we with hold support from. There are conservatives in the R party...they just aren't the leaders. The RINOs and DIABLOs though? I will *never* vote for one again. 2008 was the last straw.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 17, 2014 10:36 AM (P3U0f)
They're having to salt the hill to keep it from getting soggy from the sun. The salt makes the top of the snow hard and icy. It's all a function of putting the winter games in a seaside town.
Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 17, 2014 10:37 AM (2hTlI)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:38 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Dave in Houston at February 17, 2014 10:38 AM (wB5dd)
I simply don't think they can be carried out successfully so long as a concerted apparatus of appeasement, sabotage, and treason is permitted to exist as part of the United States government. The Left is completely willing to let American troops die so long as it serves the Left's goals of winning elections and undermining the American way of life.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at February 17, 2014 10:38 AM (bzYZw)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 17, 2014 10:39 AM (g1DWB)
Posted by: Bigby's Germy Hands at February 17, 2014 10:39 AM (KgN8K)
"The complaint against Ted Cruz's forcing 60 votes on the debt ceiling is that he didn't have "a plan" to win. That shows just how out of touch Republicans are with anything beyond tactics".
Shaping the battlefield.
Pretty sure thats a "tactic", at least according to my Marine Corps infantry officers.
Pretty sure Sun Tzu also had something to say about it wins the battle before the battle begins.
Pretty sure I'm not following any GOP "tacticians" too ignorant to recognize that.
Posted by: Fen at February 17, 2014 10:39 AM (a422o)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:40 AM (z4WKX)
The problem for Perry, from the start, was his own mouth.
That whole "heartless" fiasco was because he couldn't articulate what he was trying to say: which was, Santorum and Bachman were trying to rip him on something he was proud of, and it was THEM he was trying to accuse of heartlessness, not the entire anti-illegal immigrant wing of the party.
Which is why there won't be a Perry re-run in '16. He's right about so many things, he just can't sell it because he sounds dumb when he speaks.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 10:40 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:40 AM (PYAXX)
___
Well, we as a party recognize the need for critical iPod infrastructure investments in our future and the need for income inequality reduction by taxing the parental units at a 50% rate.
Posted by: The Democrat Kids party at February 17, 2014 10:41 AM (P3U0f)
Posted by: TimothyJ at February 17, 2014 10:41 AM (ep2io)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:41 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Zombie Duane Allman at February 17, 2014 10:41 AM (ZZX2X)
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 17, 2014 10:42 AM (HVff2)
If you have Comcast email or internet change password.
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 02:35 PM (z4WKX)
I'm going to give you and everyone else here some free, unsolicited advice: Keep everything off the internet.
Don't FB, don't twitter, don't LinkedIn,
Don't deposit checks or download banking apps to your phone. Turn your GPS off and disable it from your car.
This is the ONE site I post on and I do it IP masked, which is just silly anyway, it's only first layer.
Slash your credit cards, just have one, not 2 or 3.
Ask your bank to call you on your landline for every purchase over $1k.
You think I'm a paranoid freak but I know the world's top hackers, by name, and keyword.
Don't.
Everyone is a target.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:43 AM (x3YFz)
In 2010 conservatives revolved over Obamacare...and the Republican party responded by choosing Mitt Romneycare as its nominee.
Right now the Republican party believes it can do just about anything and still get your vote...because that is what has happened up until this point.
Posted by: 18-1 at February 17, 2014 10:44 AM (P3U0f)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:44 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:44 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 10:44 AM (qFpRI)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:45 AM (bb5+k)
Good luck with trying to break 1% in the next election.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 10:46 AM (SY2Kh)
Lookit, why bother trying to win things when you always lose.
I mean, lookit, no one is more conservative than John Boner, not a damned person.
We need to give him time to lose, then win, because: tactics.
They will use these tactics...which are...well, they are tactics.
Anyone up for a game of gin rummy?
Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at February 17, 2014 10:46 AM (3Tss4)
Posted by: Minnfidel at February 17, 2014 10:46 AM (/o+xv)
Posted by: Votermom at February 17, 2014 10:47 AM (GSIDW)
Posted by: Carol
YES!
Comcast is barely acknowledging the hack, and haven't given that advice yet. If you have Comcast, change the principal account holder's password at a minimum.
Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 17, 2014 10:47 AM (2hTlI)
Who in their right mind actually thinks that it's possible to elect hundreds of politicians into positions of Federal power who will then en mass opt to diminish their financial power in any significant way?
No matter what promises are made by specific politicians or by the GOP: elected power holders are never going to voluntarily shrink their own financial power.
Who does that anyway? Who - when they finally get in charge - says, "Hey, you know, I want way less financial power." ?
No one! - That's who. And we think we're going to elect hundreds who will do it? Ludicrous.
The only way that elected politicians' power will EVER shrink - is when it runs out.
As conservatives, our primary focus should be to plan for the day when it does run out. That is when the American public will be forced to face the massive pain of tens of trillions of dollars of debt crashing down on the Republic because it can no longer be pushed away through deficit spending of power holding politicians.
We should be prepping for that day by consistently pushing the message that the unlimited taxation power of the Federal Government is what is leading to our ruin.
Then, when that ruinous day comes, we can say, "Yep, just like we said was happening - the Congress's power of taxation is too powerful and got us into this horrific nightmare."
- And then we can offer a permanent solution in the way of a Constitutional amendment. - Because we'll have credibility.
Posted by: _Dave_ at February 17, 2014 10:47 AM (07UzX)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 02:46 PM (SY2Kh)
he didn't say how he'd vote.... ffs: Dick, stop being one.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:47 AM (x3YFz)
Oh, Drew, poor guy, you want what George H. W. Bush referred to as 'that vision thing'? There is no vision thing, not in the GOP. The Establishment leadership's lack of a coherent vision--and the principles that shape that vision--gave us what we're getting right now. And we're going to keep getting what we're getting if we keep electing the same unprincipled hacks we've been electing. We need a Lincoln. Instead, we get Boehner and McConnell and all the rest.
Boehner needs retired to the clubhouse next to the pro shop, where he can sit around drinking and bullshitting with his golfing buddies after a bad day on the back nine. McCain is there too, getting even more cranky and irascible as he slides inexorably further into dementia. So is McConnell. It's a dream I have.
Posted by: troyriser at February 17, 2014 10:47 AM (2jF2B)
>>A Plea To The GOP
Great post, but forget about the "plea." We're way beyond the usefulness of pleas.
Posted by: rrpjr at February 17, 2014 10:48 AM (s/yC1)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at February 17, 2014 10:48 AM (qFpRI)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:48 AM (PYAXX)
...........
Oh really, Gabe?
What was that alternative he offered? Can you please 'splain that to me, cause I think I missed his "alternative".
There is only one alternative, and you know it. Shut it down. That is the one trick we have in our bags. So, if you insist we shut it down, let's have that discussion - it worked so well last September.
But please don't insult my intelligence by saying Cruz's prank last week (which I thought was kinda fun, personally) was an "alternative plan", for cripes sakes.
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 17, 2014 10:49 AM (b/lt+)
Posted by: Carol
YES!
Comcast is barely acknowledging the hack, and haven't given that advice yet. If you have Comcast, change the principal account holder's password at a minimum.
Posted by: bonhomme at February 17, 2014 02:47 PM (2hTlI)
Set up your own website, there's about a thousand providers for urls. From which, you can get multiple e-mail addresses out of the public domain (not gmail, etc).
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:49 AM (x3YFz)
Who are the preferred challengers in both Lt Gov and US Senate Races? I'ld like to knock the incumbents out, but I would at least like to help make it close enough to make them listen. In my searches yesterday and today, I can't find out who the most likely real challengers are (8 candidates in US Senate Primary)
Posted by: phreshone at February 17, 2014 10:50 AM (Q6pxP)
"Tactics" are just about the only thing this blog is about! It drives me fucking nuts. This isn't a slam on Ace -- almost every cob-logger and conservative website seems obsessed with tactics. It's like it's all we've got anymore.
And that's the most depressing part. It has actually come to the point where that IS just about all we got. When we have a president who breaks the law and ignores the Constitution daily -- with impunity -- alles ist kaputt.
Wake me the day we have more than two or three senators with the balls to even fucking SUGGEST that Obama is ruling like a king rather than a president.
We offer zero pushback.
But we can discuss "tactics" like real fucking champions. Champion losers, that is. Fuck that noise.
Obama is a thin skinned clown surrounded by like-minded thin skinned clowns. His policies have all resulted in disastrous failures. If we kept the heat on just the failures of Obamacare and the economy we could piss off those clowns to the point where they step on their own dicks. Then, with them discombobulated, we could really jump on their shit. How's THAT for a "tactic?"
Hell no -- we don't have the balls to do it.
All we've got the balls to do is "discuss tactics". And then do what? Something Karl Rove suggests? The GOP wants to be losers and I want no part of that.
End rant. I got nothing else except F**K you, GOP.
Posted by: Ed Anger at February 17, 2014 10:51 AM (tOkJB)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron [/i] at February 17, 2014 10:51 AM (CnA98)
Posted by: mrp at February 17, 2014 10:52 AM (JBggj)
Then, when that ruinous day comes, we can say, "Yep, just like we said was happening - the Congress's power of taxation is too powerful and got us into this horrific nightmare."
- And then we can offer a permanent solution in the way of a Constitutional amendment. - Because we'll have credibility.
Posted by: _Dave_ at February 17, 2014 02:47 PM (07UzX)
---------------------------------------------
If it crashes, we may never get it back. All one has to do is look around at all the despots in the world salivating over the downfall of the USA. And don't think that some of them wouldn't try to muscle there way into this country's woes.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 10:52 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:52 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron at February 17, 2014 02:51 PM (CnA9
Yup, if I was looking to toy with prison on check fraud.... ooooh heyday!
hello, photoshop!
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 10:53 AM (x3YFz)
not only progressives and media coming to the aid of progressive thought and ideals but Republicans helping .
what have we see with conservatives standing up for fiscal sanity . those like cruz , lee etc?
the republicans help progressives attack them.
I can only come to the conclusion that republicans do not have the same desires , freedom, or fiscal sanity.
our thoughts seem to be not only diametrically opposed to Progressives but Republicans also.
Posted by: willow at February 17, 2014 10:53 AM (nqBYe)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:55 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:55 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: mrp at February 17, 2014 02:52 PM (JBggj)
-----------------------------------------------
Unless, of course, this next election shows that voter fraud is at such a level that future elections are a given to the statists.
There's going to be a lot of voter fraud this coming election.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 10:56 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 10:56 AM (E+uky)
Cruz did indeed articulate an alternative during the shut-down fight.
You have may missed it, but it was there. No doubt it was drowned out by a lot of Republicans who were accusing him of all sorts of things, like coward and traitor.
Whether you choose to acknowledge reality or not, does not change reality.
The Republican party, willfully, and without anyone forcing their hand, surrendered on the shut-down "fight."
That you and others will now use that as evidence that the shut-down did not work is so laughable as to be one of the main reasons why we are abandoning your party in droves.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 10:56 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: phreshone at February 17, 2014 10:57 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 10:57 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 10:58 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 10:58 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Barack Obama at February 17, 2014 10:59 AM (oFCZn)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 10:59 AM (PYAXX)
I suggest you do. He's a bit of a buffoon and his campaign is a joke. He stands zero chance.
I don't have a problem with Cornyn being replaced with another Republican, but Stockman isn't the man who will (or should) do it.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 11:00 AM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 11:01 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Bob Costas at February 17, 2014 11:01 AM (oFCZn)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 11:01 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: CausticConservative at February 17, 2014 11:02 AM (gT3jF)
There's going to be a lot of voter fraud this coming election. Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 02:56 PM (PLhsv)
I don't think it will be as bad as 2012. Too many Republican governors and the voter outrage will be greater than the margin of fraud. Non-Democrat voter enthusiasm is very high.
Posted by: mrp at February 17, 2014 11:03 AM (JBggj)
It's like you don't even internet forum, dude.
Posted by: Lemmenkainen, Freelance Warlord at February 17, 2014 11:03 AM (ZWvOb)
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 11:04 AM (PLhsv)
You have may missed it, but it was there. No doubt it was drowned out by a lot of Republicans who were accusing him of all sorts of things, like coward and traitor.
Posted by: BurtTC
..............
Nice try changing the subject.. We were talking about last week's debt limit fight.
Cruz offered an alternative? No, he offered a sharp stick in the eye to the establishment Repubs.. that's ok.. but it's not a freakin' alternative.
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 17, 2014 11:04 AM (b/lt+)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 11:04 AM (84gbM)
If we pushback now, we won't be able to use tactics later.
It's best to just shut up and not do anything, the GOP is figuring tihs shit out, with TACTICS.
Man, those guys are smart, that guy Paul Ryan, cute guy, works out.
That guy is a guy who has lots of tactics, like fucking over military people.
That's fucking genius man! Genius level, three-dimensional chess stuff.
Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at February 17, 2014 11:04 AM (3Tss4)
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at February 17, 2014 11:04 AM (IS2o0)
Posted by: jwest at February 17, 2014 11:05 AM (u2a4R)
Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 17, 2014 11:05 AM (oFCZn)
Posted by: Judge Pug at February 17, 2014 11:06 AM (6Nj7A)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 11:06 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: Judge Pug at February 17, 2014 11:07 AM (6Nj7A)
And more bad news. The diarrhea started in earnest yesterday. I'm afraid for my life. ------------- LolCostas.
Posted by: eleven at February 17, 2014 11:07 AM (fsLdt)
Posted by: OneEyedJack at February 17, 2014 11:07 AM (agLwc)
Posted by: WalrusRex at February 17, 2014 11:08 AM (E+uky)
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at February 17, 2014 11:08 AM (CofEF)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 11:08 AM (z4WKX)
Their goal is to stay in DC at the trough. They've been doing quite well at it. Their strategy is to BS the right, take our money and keep doing so.
I propose letting them hang this year and see what "The Base" staying home actually looks like. Obamaboned vs. Obamabonedest isn't persuasive anymore.
Posted by: DaveA[/i][/b][/s] at February 17, 2014 11:08 AM (DL2i+)
Posted by: Votermom at February 17, 2014 11:08 AM (GSIDW)
I've got two mailers from Conservative / Tea Party groups (tea party mailer was for 4 conservatives groups - NTTP, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Young Conservatives and Texas Patriots PAC)
so out of 5 organizations
4/5 Gregg Abbott - Gov
4/5 Dan Patrick - Lt Gov
5/5 Ken Paxton - AG (nice big pic of him with Cruz on his front page)
4/5 Glenn Hega - Comptroller
5/5 Sid Miller - Agriculture
3/5 Wayne Christian - Railroad Commisioner
Posted by: phreshone at February 17, 2014 11:09 AM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Judge Pug at February 17, 2014 11:09 AM (6Nj7A)
FTFY
Posted by: Math at February 17, 2014 11:09 AM (SwHqo)
Posted by: Crystal Gayle at February 17, 2014 11:10 AM (cPXSc)
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 02:23 PM (x3YFz)
I run firefox with adblock, flashblock, and noscript with minimal script source allowed, and I have no usability issues. There has been a small quirk of the page seeming to want to continue loading indefinitely, however, in this configuration. I chalk that up to some malformed script or problematic ad, that I am not loading.
However, on the IPad, the site has been crashing the browser recently.
Posted by: flounder at February 17, 2014 11:10 AM (Kkt/i)
Posted by: D-Lamp at February 17, 2014 11:12 AM (bb5+k)
Posted by: Roadrunner at February 17, 2014 11:12 AM (xMSfj)
Posted by: garrett at February 17, 2014 11:12 AM (cPXSc)
It's your prerogative to waste a vote on a lost cause.
Yet another example of the Tea Party knowing what it wants, but having not the slightest clue how to get it.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 11:14 AM (SY2Kh)
I'm not changing the subject, Jerry. I'm not allowing you to narrow it to the point of taking one incident out of many, isolating it out of context, and twisting its meaning to suit your argument.
Posted by: BurtTC at February 17, 2014 11:14 AM (BeSEI)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 11:14 AM (PYAXX)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron [/i] at February 17, 2014 11:14 AM (CnA98)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 11:15 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 17, 2014 11:15 AM (PFy0L)
Posted by: Romeo13 at February 17, 2014 11:16 AM (84gbM)
Posted by: eleven at February 17, 2014 11:16 AM (fsLdt)
"the country needs more from you". Yeah! Something like Mass Seppuku. After you've sworded your Democrat opponents. Now that would be a fine way to start down the long road back.
Posted by: Fatty Arbuckle, whore constrictor at February 17, 2014 11:16 AM (OJCL9)
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 11:17 AM (PLhsv)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 17, 2014 11:17 AM (PYAXX)
It's your prerogative to waste a vote on a lost cause.
Yet another example of the Tea Party knowing what it wants, but having not the slightest clue how to get it.
Posted by: Hollowpoint
How -- did -- that Romney vote in November 2012 work out for you? Tres reussie?
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 17, 2014 11:18 AM (kdS6q)
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at February 17, 2014 11:18 AM (LnQr8)
Posted by: Daybrother at February 17, 2014 11:19 AM (kkqJU)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 11:21 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: The Roman Empire at February 17, 2014 11:22 AM (IyGXy)
They also fail to understand that in order to win an election, you need a candidate capable of winning it.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 11:22 AM (SY2Kh)
One of the many here who told me to buy Coconut oil. I put it on last night. Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 11:22 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: soothsayer at February 17, 2014 11:23 AM (QxEzC)
Posted by: Daybrother at February 17, 2014 11:24 AM (dQNJc)
Posted by: Carol at February 17, 2014 11:24 AM (z4WKX)
Posted by: SE Pa Moron [/i] at February 17, 2014 11:24 AM (CnA98)
Depending on a lousy political party to fight socialism and fascism for you is futile.
But also we need half the population to not suck.
Posted by: eleven at February 17, 2014 11:24 AM (fsLdt)
Posted by: @JohnTant at February 17, 2014 11:24 AM (PFy0L)
Posted by: Meremortal at February 17, 2014 11:25 AM (1Y+hH)
Posted by: CausticConservative at February 17, 2014 11:25 AM (gT3jF)
Posted by: Daybrother at February 17, 2014 11:25 AM (8yu/D)
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at February 17, 2014 11:25 AM (g4TxM)
The ONLY way to keep conservatism alive is to make our case directly to The People.
Correct.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 17, 2014 11:26 AM (SY2Kh)
There's going to be a lot of voter fraud this coming election.
Posted by: Soona at February 17, 2014 02:56 PM (PLhsv)
If the vote loses its legitimacy so does the federal government, and all bets are off. I don't think the Democrats realize the ramifications beyond 'We win!', which is why I think they'll be even more brazen about it in 2016 than they were in 2012. They're no doubt confident the MSM will squelch, stifle, and bury any stolen election, voter fraud stories, and you know what? They're probably right. But we'll know, you and me and anyone else who's been paying attention. Can't possibly foresee what follows. Won't even speculate.
Posted by: troyriser at February 17, 2014 11:26 AM (2jF2B)
Posted by: rickb223 at February 17, 2014 11:29 AM (lUXJH)
Out with it Hollowpoint ... which stalwart GOP organization are you an employee of ?
Chamber of Commerce ?
Posted by: ScoggDog at February 17, 2014 11:29 AM (NS0kW)
Posted by: soothsayer at February 17, 2014 11:31 AM (QxEzC)
You're afraid the Tea Party will screw everything up by voting in lunatic losers who cannot beat Democrats and the GOP won't get power in congress. I get that.
But lets look at that more closely. You say someone like Sharron Angle cannot win election, she's too extreme and loopy for a GOP candidate to have a hope. Maybe you have a point - lets say you do.
If she's so awful she cannot win... how did she beat YOUR choice of candidate? And why should we trust your wisdom on who to vote for?
Maybe, just maybe - work with me here - if you would choose and support guys who want to do the stuff the base wants, who actually want to follow through on their campaign promises and work toward what your PARTY FREAKIN PLATFORM says... maybe then we wouldn't vote for Sharron Angles.
Just something to consider.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 17, 2014 11:44 AM (zfY+H)
It is hard to avoid that feeling, fair or not.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 17, 2014 11:45 AM (zfY+H)
Posted by: Brian Cates (@drawandstrike) at February 17, 2014 11:45 AM (3HyVn)
"It's easy to forget, when watching how "easy" Olympians make all that look, exactly how dangerous the vast majority of those sports/competitions/games (pick your name) can be."
For sure. They are right on the jagged edge, all the time. I'm actually surprised there aren't more serious injuries at the Olympics.
Posted by: RM at February 17, 2014 11:52 AM (fRppw)
Posted by: eman at February 17, 2014 11:53 AM (MnryE)
"...but they sure aren't the brains."
Okay, that was a nice, easy shot. Could you give a few names of those who are, in your opinion, the brains?
Posted by: RM at February 17, 2014 11:55 AM (fRppw)
Posted by: ginaswo at February 17, 2014 12:08 PM (I3Aay)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 12:16 PM (77F0w)
Well, that depends a lot on one's definition of "winning".
It's pretty clear that anyone working as a "public servant" at the federal level is winning in every way that matters - including the regularity with which we peons keep re-electing them no matter what they do or don't.
We're way past the tipping point, barring some sort of political "black swan" event, but the only way this nation ever had a chance of having its Republic genuinely restored was if a critical mass of citizens caught on that NO ONE at the federal level - irrespective of party, branch of government or level of bureaucracy - has any interest in doing what's best for anyone but themselves.
Posted by: goy at February 17, 2014 12:19 PM (oGez1)
Posted by: Biff Boffo at February 17, 2014 12:19 PM (1j9qS)
People are less likely to give your views any weight when they are preceded by spittle-flying diatribes against them.
Just a thought. YMMV.
Posted by: Adjoran at February 17, 2014 12:25 PM (QIQ6j)
You'll take less from us!
You'll get nothing and thank us for it!
Don't forget the entirety of "Clinton Enterprises™" is off limits for criticism, because shut up that's why!
Posted by: GOP-e Old Hand at February 17, 2014 12:32 PM (o3MSL)
Posted by: Born Free at February 17, 2014 12:43 PM (xL8Hf)
Posted by: Biff Boffo at February 17, 2014 12:58 PM (1j9qS)
People are less likely to give your views any weight when they are preceded by spittle-flying diatribes against them.
Just a thought. YMMV.
Posted by: Adjoran at February 17, 2014 04:25 PM (QIQ6j)
Oddly enough, I'm less likely to give traitors any more respect than they've shown me of my fellow countrymen.
ymmv.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 01:16 PM (x3YFz)
Posted by: dirks strewn at February 17, 2014 04:16 PM (77F0w)
Yes. Such is the burden of having moral character.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 01:18 PM (x3YFz)
People are less likely to give your views any weight when they are preceded by spittle-flying diatribes against them.
Posted by: Adjoran at February 17, 2014 04:25 PM (QIQ6j)
More I think about your comment, the more it pisses me off.
As if they gave what we thought any weight to begin with.
To the GOP we're cattle, to be farmed for our contributions.
Know-nothing hicks out here in the hinterlands who give blindly to the (R).
Well, newsflash: those fucking days are over.
Posted by: tangonine at February 17, 2014 01:21 PM (x3YFz)
Posted by: Concealedkerry Behind Northern agression enemy lines at February 17, 2014 02:16 PM (uUXp6)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 02:20 PM (prEM5)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 02:26 PM (prEM5)
"Yet another example of the Tea Party knowing what it wants, but having not the slightest clue how to get it."
Well hold on a sec, Hollowpoint. You want us to be part of the GOP, whats YOUR idea to get us what we want? Start thinking hard on it. Pretend that you are trying to recruit voters....
Also, make me a sammich.
Posted by: Fen at February 17, 2014 02:38 PM (a422o)
Your enemies?
Or the friends that betrayed you?
Because most of us would crawl over broken glass to "return" the knife in our back.
Posted by: Fen at February 17, 2014 02:44 PM (a422o)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at February 17, 2014 02:46 PM (jVaLp)
Posted by: Erowmero at February 17, 2014 02:48 PM (OONaw)
Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 17, 2014 06:26 PM (prEM5)
Have you talked to a single person that expresses bad thoughts about the GOP because of the shutdown? Me neither. The Repuke top men shit their pants when they saw some ignorant poll that was overweighted with federal workers and everybody's been shrieking like a bunch of castratos since then. It didn't mean a fucking thing yet the Repuke enablers use it as a "don't rock the boat" learning experience. Total.Fucking.Insanity.
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 17, 2014 02:49 PM (hylEe)
Posted by: jimmy page's ax at February 17, 2014 03:10 PM (MpnLF)
|
VISION
|
STRATEGY
|
TACTICS
This is the hierarchy. Without PURPOSE, there is no VISION. Without VISION, any strategy or goals are pointless. Without strategy and goals, tactics mean nothing. So the article is right, the problem deep-down is a lack of vision that is clear, communicated, believed and acted upon.
“All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Posted by: Obama Lied Jobs Died at February 17, 2014 04:18 PM (oNqbW)
"I don't think so. "
I think the opposite is true. You have one opponent and the establishment guy buries him with negative ads. You have SEVEN opponents and you have only one path forward; make the case for yourself.
Linda Vega is a Tea Party conservative hispanic woman lawyer. If Stockman is not your cup of tea, vote for her. or Stuvall. or the other no-names. Lots of choice means you can lodge a protest vote and no harm no foul.
Posted by: Obama Lied Jobs Died at February 17, 2014 04:29 PM (oNqbW)
It is this belief - I'll call it the "silent allies belief" that keeps most conservatives voting for the GOP no matter what. Under this philosophy, one believes that the GOP is not as anti-conservative as it seems, that the GOP is not as inept as it seems, but instead that the GOP is striving as best it can against difficult political waters to achieve the most conservative result possible. This is why the GOP focuses much discussion on "tactics" - because it wants conservatives to keep believing this. to keep believing that the GOP is just as conservative as you but that the state of politics is such that it cannot pursue any conservative goal directly and instead must do what the GOP does.
This is nonsense. There is zero evidence that the GOP has any conservative philosophy whatsoever and no evidence that the GOP shares any conservative goals. Unless you count lip-service during primaries as "evidence". I do not. I chose to count the GOP's actual actions over the last 30 years as evidence of what it believes and what its goals are - and that evidence paints a very non-conservative picture and paints a picture of animosity toward conservatives and animosity toward conservative goals.
The GOP is not striving as best it can toward conservative goals against strong political headwinds. it has never done this. The GOP instead tries to placate conservative voters with lip service while pursuing left-of-center goals. The GOP believes in big gov't, believes in high spending (because high spending gets one re-elected, while spending cuts hurts re-election chances).
the GOP is an organization that exists solely to get members elected. Nothing about the GOP's founding or its history shows an entity based on or pursuing conservative principals. The GOP is not a limited gov't party. Nor is it a low-spending party.
People who continue to believe in the "silent allies" theory of the GOP - that the GOP shares our beliefs and goals politically - empower the GOP to act as it always does - leftist. Every time you vote for a party that lies to your face and does the opposite of what it promises, you empower it to do it again. Believing that the GOP will act differently "this time" is truly delusional.
Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 18, 2014 05:12 AM (sOx93)
It worked for Cromwell.
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at February 18, 2014 07:32 AM (XO6WW)
1. Teach the Constitution"
This would be a good idea AFTER the Right learn it themselves. They might learn that America isn't an oligarchy and therefore "the Establishment" is their own damn fault.
Posted by: Shoot Me at February 18, 2014 07:43 AM (qiXMt)
Posted by: Shoot Me at February 18, 2014 11:43 AM (qiXMt)
While true on the surface, it is not factual in the sense you mean it here. It's not as if we can simply vote out the establishment tomorrow, or next week or over the next 2 decades.
Your constant claim that an establishment doesn't exist is odd. Do you honestly contend that there is no group of people that have far more sway over how the GOP operates than you or I?
It is odd how much you hate the very thought of anyone challenging the GOP and how the GOP does business. And even odder that you contend that you and I have as much say in how the GOP conducts business as Rence Preibus or the various consultants, aides, elected officials and big-money donors.
If I were more cynical, I'd guess you work for the GOP and your sole function is to come to sites like this and argue that there is no establishment.
Instead I just think you are an idiot.
Posted by: Monkeytoe at February 18, 2014 10:11 AM (sOx93)
Posted by: Vice Chair at February 20, 2014 10:46 AM (pSYWf)
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Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at February 17, 2014 09:17 AM (A7zvX)