The American Spectator

p> UNITE AND FIGHT br> Re: Quin Hillyer’s Listen to Goldwater : /p>

Quin Hillyer explains the first half of what conservatives need to do, i.e. grow up, consider the good things we already have, “celebrate them, and consolidate them in an attractive way, and build, build, build upon them.”

I agree. However he leaves out the second half. That is, articulate our vision in the public square, and if need be, get down and dirty to fight our leftwing adversaries in advancing and ARTICULATING our vision in a down-to-earth way (Reagan’s gift!), showing the American people how ridiculous our political adversaries’ vision is and quit just preaching to the choir. It needs to be a full-court press, all day, every day in all the media — print, radio, TV, Internet, etc. That today is the key thing lacking.

All I see is Republicans hiding for cover at the slightest adversity, no matter what it is and conservatives tongue-tied. Their silence and that of our current Chief Executive is deafening — they are all AWOL! They have not only yielded the terms of the debate, but the debate itself to the Democrats and the left (one and the same to me).

Republicans, and conservatives, need to be hungry again; they need to be streetfighters for the cause with a “take no prisoners” approach. (Oh, for another Lee Atwater!!) Limp-wristed, craven, cowardly “go-along-get-along,” weather vane Republicans who care only about perpetrating their own power and position at the expense of the principles which originally got them elected inspire no one — I will not give one cent to them, and forget about even voting for them. If need be, we need to begin our own insurgency within the party, blow the fat, dumb and happy politicos out of the water, and put new blood in a position to take things over.

By way of example, so far, I have heard nothing by conservatives or Republicans in Congress about the recent op-ed piece in the July 30 New York Times by two scholars at the liberal Brookings Institution — Michael E. O’Hanlon and Kenneth M. Pollack. Even though it is not 100% in our favor, the fact it was written and printed by of all institutions, the New York Times, should be cause for rejoicing for anyone who supports our war effort; it is the political equivalent of Paul’s ride to Damascus. And what have we heard to rebut “Dingy Harry” Reid’s continuing declaration that the war is lost, etc. by our representatives? I am still waiting. These guys should be embraced for “growing up” and seeing progress and the turn-around, particularly in al-Anbar province, which every soldier and Marine has been seeing for the first half of this year.

p>Unless we as conservatives find our tongues, articulate our vision and put it out there, day and night, in a way to educate and inspire our fellow Americans, who are really waiting for competent adult leadership, AND really fight for our beliefs and principles — not hide from them — then, as many have said, we will soon have to get used to the term, “Madame President.” br> — D. Moroco br> Colonel, USMCR (Ret.)