Political Hay
Gilligan’s Old Party
Why the Republicans might not be stranded for as long as it once seemed.
On television’s Gilligan’s Island, the ill-fated passengers of the S.S. Minnow headed out for a three-hour tour and ended up stranded for years on a deserted island. Might the Republicans be Gilligan’s Island in reverse? Destined to spend years in the wilderness after the last two elections ended in disaster, their trip is starting to look more like a three-hour tour.
Consider a poll released last week by Rasmussen Reports. Not only did the survey show the American people trusted Republicans more than Democrats on health care for the first time in more than two years of polling on the question. Republicans were more trusted than Democrats on eight of ten issues. That includes the economy (by 46 percent to 40 percent), education (41 percent to 38 percent), Social Security (43 percent to 39 percent), and abortion (46 percent to 36 percent).
The only issue where Democrats still cling to a narrow, three-point lead over Republicans is ethics in government, an advantage likely to erode in a political climate where most incumbents — and thus more politicians involved in scandals — belong to the Democratic Party. Even on the war in Iraq, Democrats and Republicans are tied at 42 percent each.
Don’t believe it? Well, even if you discount the Rasmussen poll as an outlier there are other indicators that don’t look good for the Democrats. According to the polling average at Real Clear Politics, Democrats led Republicans on the generic congressional ballot by just 0.8 percent. Several polls — including one conducted for National Public Radio — show the GOP ahead.
Republicans lead in this year’s gubernatorial races in blue New Jersey and increasingly purple Virginia. The latter state just voted for its first Democratic presidential candidate since going all the way with LBJ in 1964, sent two Democrats to the U.S. Senate in as many election cycles, and has sent two consecutive Democratic governors to Richmond. Republicans currently lead in both the Senate and governor’s race in Florida and are competitive in both contests in Ohio.
In 2010, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid looks like he is in trouble. Sen. Chris Dodd, the Teddy Kennedy of Connecticut, has been trailing his strongest Republican challenger for months. New York Gov. David Paterson looks like a goner even if Democratic primary voters don’t get him first. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has been reduced to hoping for a three-way race in the home state of Kennedy, John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis.
Won’t the right-wing kooks, armed with inflammatory signs and insurance industry talking points, alienate Middle America with their disruptive behavior at town hall meetings? Not yet: a Pew poll found that Americans more or less sided with the protesters, 61 percent to 34 percent. Gallup found that 64 percent of moderates and even 40 percent of Democrats thought they were behaving appropriately while 34 percent identified with them (just 21 percent didn’t).
The Great Rebranding that was supposed to happen after the 2006 and 2008 debacles hasn’t. Republicans pretty much hold the same positions on the issues that they did when the polls showed Americans didn’t trust them and weren’t going to vote for them. They haven’t noticeably sharpened their message, despite showing some signs of life on health care and energy policy. Republicans don’t have a clear national leader and it isn’t even certain they’ve seen the error of their ways on government spending.
How can this be? Ask yourself where the Democrats’ Great Rebranding has been. They did run a triangulating Southerner in 1992 and 1996, but with mixed success as the party lost control of Congress during that decade. Barack Obama, the one we have been waiting for, is rhetorically different from other Democrats. But much of his substantive policy agenda is scarcely newer than those Gilligan’s Island re-runs.
Democrats won the 2006 and 2008 elections not because the country had embraced them but because George W. Bush and congressional Republicans did not seem to have answers for what ailed the country. When the promised weapons of mass destruction did not materialize, Republicans did not have a satisfactory answer for what we were doing in Iraq. When the economy began to sputter, Republicans did not offer solutions that inspired confidence. When the levees broke in New Orleans, Bush thought Brownie was doing a heckuva job.
Now it is the Democrats who are passing stimulus plans that have yet to stimulate, who are proposing health care bills they can’t explain how they are going to pay for, who are getting caught up in Washington’s “culture of corruption,” and who are presiding over a country that Americans still generally think is on the wrong track.
Republicans are benefiting not because the American people have suddenly rediscovered the greatness of George W. Bush’s party. They are gaining because in a two-party system, they are the only alternative. The danger for Republicans, who are being rewarded for not rebranding, is that they are totally at the mercy of events. Events might not always make the party in power look so bad. Remember that both Presidents Bush once had approval ratings in excess of 90 percent.
More remotely, Republicans could be in trouble if there emerges a Ross Perot-like figure. The Texas billionaire lured away a third of the GOP base in 1992, along with many independents. A thinking man’s Perot, who does not talk about conspiracies to disrupt his daughter’s wedding, could do even better. The hypothetical Michael Bloomberg presidential campaign that sounded so ridiculous when floated by bored reporters in 2007 might not seem so farfetched come 2012.
It always looks like a three-hour tour until the weather starts getting rough.
About the Author
W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.
Rocco| 8.20.09 @ 7:00AM
Well, as much as I may hope for it, I don't think Republicans are going to take much advantage of this situation. They have repeatedly demonstrated a knack for drawing defeat from the jaws of victory. For a thinking, agile, more principled group, this is a prime opportunity to put forth an alternative CONSERVATIVE vision and aggressively market it to the American people, then once in office, PUT IT INTO EFFECT. To those who say, oh, we've tried conservatism before, I say bullshit. Even during Bush's tenure, any conservative proposal brought forth in the legislature was pronounced dead on arrival, and the Dems threatened fillibusters, etc., with the result that the Bushies and their legislative allies rolled over and ran away with their tails between their legs. So, really, conservatism was never tried, never given a chance. I reject every premise of the lefties' arguments on this count. We need principled conservative Republicans, with the courage of their convictions, who can rise up and tell the Dems to go to hell and implement a vision which resonates with a majority of Americans. We need to ruthlessly undo the damage inflicted by this idiot in the Oval Office and his allies, and banish them forever to the trash heap of history. Anything less won't cut it. Are you listening, Republican leadership????
Kitty| 8.20.09 @ 7:37AM
What Rocco said.
...
Grant| 8.20.09 @ 7:39AM
Rocco for president.
Amanda| 8.20.09 @ 7:46AM
Obama and the democrats were elected because the press gave them a free pass and vilified
Bush. Bush also governed more to the left than we would have liked. We elected Rhino Republicans who were no different than the high spending Democrats. Americans weren't paying attention and bought into "hope and change"; it was also time in most American's minds to bring a black president to the White House. It is all
very simple.
Now the tables are turning...why? Because
many US citizens are now paying attention to
what is going on. The news they do not get
in the so called mainstream media they can
get online. Bloggers are doing the research that our media outlets are unwilling to do because
it would intefere with their liberal bias.
We are taking our country back. It was very stupid of our leftist government to anger the growing senior citizen population.
We are not the grannys of old. Ignore and
ridicule us at your peril. You see, we are many and we have time to research, discuss, protest,
etc. And we LOVE our country and do not want to see it destroyed.
Appleby| 8.20.09 @ 7:47AM
I live in Canada, which has as its only identity We Are Not Americans. (I am an American, though.) I do not want to vote for a party whose only identity is We Are Not Democrats. Especially not a party that behaves pretty much like the Democrats do.
Where is our leader? And let us find a leader who is not a token of any kind or the captive of a Machine, and who has a sense of humour, a sense of occasion, and the ability to stand up to the bashing of the media -- and to whisk back the curtain and reveal it for what it is: a mass of tingling legs and would-be Woodwards and Bernsteins bent on their own Gotcha Glory.
Deborah D | 8.20.09 @ 7:48AM
Yes, what Rocco said, indeed.
If Republicans continue to insulate themselves in the Bizzaro World of Washington, D.C. instead of immersing themselves in the Real World of everyday Americans, they will relegate our country to the desires of the out-of-step leftists of the Democrat Party. No one inspires.
Let's hope there's someone in the Republican Party who hasn't forgotten what America is and what the Constitution stands for. Americans are craving a resurgence of liberty, prosperity and pride in country -- not the "malaise" of the Obama administration dressed up in "just words" of "hope" and "yes, we can."
frost| 8.20.09 @ 7:55AM
Sure, Rocco's right. Obrigado, amigo. BUT, you've certainly gotta come up with some candidates worthy of excitement, someone who's not another wimpy blah. And not Sarah Palin in '12; the press will eat-her-alive.
No, as an independent Independent with some very pronounced Libertarian leanings, I cringe at the Mitch McConnell personalities -- may be a reasonably good guy, but he sure does NOT inspire strength, nor the cojones to beat the Marxist Narcissist-in-Chief presently inhabiting our White House.
John Ensign looked like the guy - for a short while...
But for 2010, sure would like to see some worthwhile candidates for congress, while, at the same time, observe the collapse/bankruptcy of the NY Times, its ilk (love that word!) and a few TV networks. The media will not take Obama's demise lightly; they don't want to "lose face" by having backed a loser.
Am still very, very concerned. There are 'way too few Tom Coburns and Ron Pauls around.
Amanda| 8.20.09 @ 7:55AM
I am keeping a list and adding to it as I find good
conservative candidates. Thus far, as a voice
of conservatism (nothing to do with elections at this point) I like Palin (check out her facebook page where she blasts Obama and his policies
at every chance....great articles on health care, cap and trade and energy...she can do this now that she is out of office. As far as current candidates, check out Marco Rubio running against Rhino Crist in Florida....great record...great speaker; Bobby Jindhal, Gov. ,
Mike Williams, RR Commissioner - Texas
(his position is really about oil & gas)
and someone who is speaking out on Fox and radio programs lately is Pawlenty - Minn.
I don't know who will rise to the top for the
2012 election, however, these people are good
at getting the conservative message out.
Amanda| 8.20.09 @ 8:04AM
I am not advocating Palin running for president
in 2012 (I think it is too early) , however, I disagree that she should not
run because the media will go after her. You
might look at it that they have already had their
attack dogs try and tear her apart...and she outwitted them and is still standing strong!
I wouldn't believe any of their stupid polls
either. I am in a business where I provide a
financial service to small businesses all across the country. Every single one of them love Palin
and despise Obama. And they talk about it all the time. It is pretty funny....this is the first time in my career that people actually talk about politics.
I get the sense that if I was an Obama supporter
(and believe me in the beginning they were ALL
willing to give him a chance), and a Palin hater,
I would lose a lot of business. These people don't take prisoners!
The media will go after whomever the Republicans
pick. Because that is what they do. They only
went after Palin because they are afraid of her.
And they should be. She's fierce!
Michael Tomlinson| 8.20.09 @ 8:40AM
Same old same old.
Since Bloomberg is a liberal it is likely a third party run by him would siphon off DemocRAT votes in the northeast. The cringing blue lapdogs might even welcome such an outlet -- that way they can continue posturing as "conservative DemocRATS" while acting as the Left's bitches.
There were WMD in Iraq. US Marines guarded them at the Muthana chemical storage facility (Sarin, mustard gas, etc.). The CIA reportedly even removed items from that facility like the rumored Dragon's Egg (a lethal brew cooked up in the fertile brains of Hussein's thugs). Why the Bush administration made nothing of this can be chalked up to a failure to communicate -- a major weakness of the Bush administration.
As for needing a national leader -- why? Republicans unlike Democrats don't need someone to tell them how to think and what to do. Frankly, those self-identified conservatives worried about a national leader for Republicans should relax and take a chill pill. When the time comes we'll have someone at the top of the ticket. Hopefully someone imbued with Reagan's pragmatic conservatism and understanding that in politics spin and PR are as important as what you actually do. A candidate who is tough enough to do the job and take the hits we know will come from the left without buckling.
Joe The Fedex Driver| 8.20.09 @ 8:42AM
I agree with Byron York. If the republicans don't run with Obama's shocking praise of private enterprise over big government then they deserve to lose.
JP| 8.20.09 @ 8:54AM
I agree with Rocco as well. I'm not too surprised that the GOP remains either too afraid to put skin in the game, or is so cynical that it believes that when things "get back to normal" in Sept they can cut a deal with Obama and move on. One thing we know about the national Republican Party - it is an organization bereft of ideas, principles, and when it comes down to it, the RNC is not much different from the DNC in its outlook.
Reagan faced similar problems from 1977 through 1980. The Gerald Fords, George H Bush's, and Robert Dole's differed little from thier Democratic opponents. People like Reagan and Kemp were outsiders. The problem today is that the GOP has no Gipper in the wings.
Most of the conservatives in my area that I know have switched party affilation to "Independent". This seems to be a national trend. And as James Antle said, this can be a problem politically that will in the end benefit the Left.
mark | 8.20.09 @ 9:08AM
I think one of the reasons you see such passion is that conservatives had to sit through eight years of Bush not fighting back, and not demonstrating conservativism in action (i.e., why not a tax holiday rather than passing out checks? Duh!). And since no one has really emerged and, much as we love and support Sarah Palin, people still have mixed feelings about her because she's such a lightning rod. Yes, she has some homework to do, and I'm curious to see what she will be doing in the next few years. The important thing to remember is when liberals get their designer panties in such an hysterical twist, she's proving the old adage that if liberals didn't have double standards they'd have no standards at all.
mark | 8.20.09 @ 9:10AM
I neglected to mention, when I said "passion" I meant the reaction to Obamacare, the tea parties, etc.
stephanie| 8.20.09 @ 9:15AM
Right On Rocco.
PALIN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012
R Martin| 8.20.09 @ 9:24AM
I don't understand why this is so hard. The Democrats have shown that they can win easily with deeply flawed candidates who have charisma (Clinton, Obama) and an aggressive political machine behind them. In 1992 Perot, a certifiable kook, took 20% of the presidential vote with his one issue campaign--fiscal responsibility--and the fiscal problems then were not nearly as bad as they are now. In 2012 they will surely be worse.
The blueprint for winning in 2012 is clear, and it does not involve politics as usual. We need an attractive, appealing tough guy whose conservative coattails are long enough to sweep like minded candidates into congress. And that involves sweeping the rinos out.
JerseyJ| 8.20.09 @ 9:51AM
Ditto Rocco from me too.
As for Palin, I wouldn't discount Palin either. Yes the press will attempt to label her an intellectual lightweight, inexperienced ... a rube. But a truly smart person knows when they don't know something and relies on true experts around them to advise and educate. I think she's got the common sense to do that ... and hey, compared to the jr. senator, she's actually governed.
BHO tries, with the media's help, to present an image of someone who knows all things about all things. He's been a doctor, lawyer, CEO, CFO, scientist, banker, engineer ... whatever the situation calls for. It's clear he fits none of the personas he tries to project. He obviously doesn't understand that the entire country is not run out of the whitehouse, but that hasn't stopped him from trying.
Reagan was labeled simple in his initial run ... frankly I like simple.
Tim| 8.20.09 @ 9:53AM
Where have all the talking points gone? The ones that were posted all over as recently as a few weeks ago, you remember the ones with all the helpful advice, like-Republicans must dump their pro life position, Sarah Palin, blah blah blah.
Chieftain | 8.20.09 @ 10:33AM
Here is a good start on an effective method of fixing all of this once and for all. In 2010, Congress should be running like their pants are on fire and their asses are catchin'...
http://www.kickthemallout.com/
Great job America! Way to hold Congress accountable for what they've done. You just allowed roughly 96% of the incumbents to be reelected, the exact same s.o.b.s that just committed the worst screwing and betrayal of the American people in history by Bailing Out Wall Street and giving them total control of the U.S. Treasury! Oh and we can't forget the blanket immunity that was thrown in for good measure. You just threw away a golden opportunity to hold them all accountable. You just ignored an incredible chance to FIRE THEM ALL! Instead of voting them all out of office, half the voters were content to just dance around singing the mantra "Change We can Believe In" as if it was actually going to happen without cleaning out the den of thieves in the Congress.
While all attention was fixated on the totally controlled presidential race, everyone ignored the heart of the problem, the Congress! The powers-that-be con everyone into believing all the power lies with El Presidente. Well, it doesn't my friends. The Congress has more power than the executive branch and . . .THE CONGRESS HAS AUTHORIZED EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING!!
Please check that link, and do some good with it!!
Rocco| 8.20.09 @ 10:33AM
"Grant| 8.20.09 @ 7:39AM Rocco for president."
Don't I wish......LOL. Unfortunately, I am not a good politician, don't engage in any ass-kissing, have NO patience for idiots who give me 10 reasons why something cannot be done (not a good idea with a Marine officer), would probably wield a baseball bat against the antique media and just plain lay waste to the current DC environment, and end up by lining Pennsylvania Avenue with crucified members of Congress much as Marcus Licinius Crassus did with Spartacus and his rebels on the Via Appia. I'd probably make Patton look like Little Bo Peep, the way I feel about all this crap we've been handed. But really, it's all common sense and a knowledge of our history and constitution, as many readers and posters have demonstrated. What is so difficult about all this? Living close to the metro DC area, I can see it close up. Don't know if it's something in the water, but I honestly think the current crop of Repubs is blinder than a bat.
I wouldn't cut a deal with the Democrats if my life depended on it; better to die with honor and self-respect than to treat with these criminals and traitors. Too bad the RNC doesn't see it that way.
Chaplain Tomlinson, as a retired intel bubba (USMC), I can back you up on the WMD assertion. (So do the SIGINT and imagery of the time!) I agree. Pres. Bush, for all his vaunted business skills as the first MBA president, had no concept of "marketing." Lamentably, his failures brought us to this point.
Folks, keep up the fight, but don't get angry. Get even. Think things through, and let the Dems act like the spoiled children they are.
L. Ross| 8.20.09 @ 10:41AM
Palin 2012. Why not the MILF?
Rocco| 8.20.09 @ 10:42AM
Chieftain, well said. I am in perfect agreement here.
William| 8.20.09 @ 10:58AM
Don't mistake a swing away from the Democrats as a willing swing to the GOP. The GOP is profoundly unpopular.
The Democrats on the other hand, are detested.
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com| 8.20.09 @ 11:05AM
I received an email dated the 18th from Sen. Rick Santorum <Alert@partnerorganizations.com> which was really from the RNC and had as its subject “Help Bring About A New Republican Revolution”. It was a request for cash. I sent this reply and mailer daemon did not bounce it, so possibly it will sit in their inbox until getting deleted:
“I'm sorry, but any political party that embraces Colin Powell is not conservative. Any party that welcomes Olympia Snow, Susan Collins, or any senator such as Kit Bond who voted for the Stimulus Bill or to confirm Sotomayor is not conservative. Arlen Specter was an esteemed member of this party until he finally proved beyond all reasonable doubt that he's just another two-bit commie politician. So give me a break. If even one member of this party votes for even a compromise health plan or for cap and trade, I will never vote Republican again. You can put that in your bank.”
“Gill O’Teen, an independent Missouri voter since 1970.”
On another note, I have received a total of zero entries for my ‘obumah is a liar’ contest. Come on folks. If no entries are received I may be forced to concede to the obumarrhoids that their golden calf does not bear false witness in spite of overwhelming evidence. If you do enter be sure to include your American Spectator handle as that is how you will be identified when I post the results on September 1.
Rocco, I don’t like jumping on any bandwagons; however when you wrote that you might “end up by lining Pennsylvania Avenue with crucified members of Congress much as Marcus Licinius Crassus did with Spartacus and his rebels on the Via Appia.”, I started lacing up my running shoes. Last year I proposed that we build a guillotine, hence my handle, inside your local baseball or football stadium, whichever is larger, and sell tickets to essentially the same show you propose giving away for free. I would use the proceeds to pay off the national debt and use the surplus to fund the greatest military in the world. Also, my Dad would have followed Patton anywhere. So if you are comparing yourself to that great American, you are indeed qualified to run this nuthouse.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
Don’t Tread on Me!!
Rocco| 8.20.09 @ 11:28AM
Gill O'Teen:
Love your posts. Seems like you and I think alike. I think between the two of us, we can wreak havoc here in the Mid-Atlantic!!! LOL.
I like your idea on selling tickets to the guillotine extravaganza. Free enterprise at work, but for a good cause. Hell, let's do it!!!
BTW, my dad did serve under Patton from the landings in North Africa to the Sicilian campaign with the "Big Red One." In truth, I wouldn't be worthy to shine Patton's boots! He was a hell of a man, and one of a kind! They don't make warriors like that any more, although Gen. Mattis, USMC, comes close.
Jeff Davis in 2012| 8.20.09 @ 11:48AM
I say, give us a Constitutionalist, not some damned GOP heir of TR & co. Reagan was the closest we've some since 1861 to a President who was a solid supporter of the US Constitution. And in '61 that man only presided over 13 of the (then) 26 states. WE NEED TO RETURN TO THE CONSTITUTION. These United States have not followed their founding principles since Lincoln suspended the writ of habeus corpus. How about this wacky, novel, CRAZY concept: let's try abiding by the actual law of the land. I know, I'm talking crazy here, but maybe, MAYBE, actually following US Constitution (including the 10th Amendment) just MIGHT make things work just a BIT better... I dunno... But since 1860 no one's really tried it.
Deo Vindice.
gene Hauber| 8.20.09 @ 11:53AM
major dittos...
ROCCO AND PALIN IN 2012
Michael Tomlinson| 8.20.09 @ 12:11PM
Who are the political independents? Independents are voters who don't like taking responsibility for their votes and are easily swayed on issues by the media, spin and perceptions of what's up or down or who's in or out. Lets not forget it was the independents who sustained Bill Clinton and gave us Barack Obama and this nightmare of a Congress. Not an impressive record.
james wilson| 8.20.09 @ 12:35PM
The success of the socialist agenda depends on going back to a McCain-Snow-Graham 'moderate' Republican Party. The radicals have nothing to lose in that and everything to gain.
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com| 8.20.09 @ 12:50PM
Jeff Davis in 2012, two years ago The Boss and I traveled south following the Blues Highway, Highway 61. It was a great trip and as a fan of the Delta Blues, I had a great time. That is until I reached the Gulf coast of Mississippi. I had hoped to tour the Jefferson Davis Mansion, but it had been heavily damaged by the hurricane and was closed to the public. The beach across the street was also closed, on a hot May afternoon. A profound example of what happens when we depend on any government to look out for us.
Rocco, there would also be special shows with enhanced ticket prices for the likes of teddy-boy kennedy, nancy-pants pee-lousy and babs botoxer. We would also have a fireworks extravaganza to celebrate the final conclusion of obumahcare. I’m looking forward to the double headers.
My Dad also was with Patton in North Africa and Sicily. But he did not like telling me anything about that time. I do know that he was in Rome because he did like talking about British history and we were discussing the Stewarts (or Stuarts) when he mentioned that he saw one of their tombs while in Italy. I know that he helped liberate a concentration camp because he once asked me about the skinheads. I told him that they were essentially a gang of jackasses who shave their heads, hate Jews and deny that the holocaust happened. He quietly said, “I was there,” and helped liberate at least one. He made it clear that he considered cockroaches a higher life form than a skinhead. He once told my brother that while in North Africa his convoy was strafed and destroyed by American planes. He was a supply sergeant and returned to the depot to get replacement materials for his company. The depot officer said he had to have the appropriate forms in triplicate from his commanding officer before he could be issued more stuff. According to my Dad, he aimed his pistol at the officer’s head and suggested that he expedite the request. Of course, that officer brought my Dad up on charges. The case wound up on Patton’s desk. On reviewing the file, the Great General said something about needing more soldiers like that and pitched the file. Like I said, my Dad would follow Patton anywhere. I don’t know if the story is true or not. I did not learn about it until it was too late to ask the source. Our Fathers are American Heroes! I’m not worthy to shine their shoes, though I did get plenty of experience putting a spit polish on Dad’s.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
Don’t Tread on Me!!
Michael L. Hauschild| 8.20.09 @ 12:58PM
Michael Tomlinson,
I am an independent. I take responsibility for everything I say and do. I am not "swayed" on any issues. There are independents, republicans, and democrats that display the characteristics you seem to attribute to libertarians such as myself. I however, resent (lot of good that does on line) your suggestion that I waver, gave you the "B" brothers, or the nightmare that is congress. I have voted a straight Republican ticket for decades.
That said:
The Second Amendment should be The First.
Sarah Palin (20-whenever)
Flat Tax
Leave Gay people alone.
Retain all references to or of God on our buildings, documents, graduation ceremonies and money.
Free enterprise.
Smaller Government.
and the biggie Pro-Choice.
Now before you waste a plethora of keystrokes remember what I said about being swayed and how I vote.
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com| 8.20.09 @ 1:12PM
Michael L. Hauschild, you illustrated perfectly why I am not a “libertarian”. ‘Pro-choice’ is a coward’s euphemism for butchering babies. Simply admit that you think killing defenseless children is a fine and dandy idea. Sarah Palin exercised her right to choose and recall how she was treated by the pro-choice crowd because she made in their small minds the incorrect decision. As I have written before, I don’t care what a woman does to her body; I care what she does to her baby’s.
Gill O’Teen ✝✡
gill.Oteen07041776@gmail.com
Don’t Tread on Me!!
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.20.09 @ 1:12PM
gill.Oteen07041776: Who cares if that story is true or not?,.. it’s great anyway!!,.. your Dad and Patton would be going out of their minds today!!,.. with the way things are going,.. they wouldn’t put up with all this crap!!,.. imagine if we had to fight that War today?,.. with the current Government?,.. we might of apologized to Japan instead,.. for getting Hawaii and our ships in the way of their Zeros.
Paul from SA| 8.20.09 @ 1:33PM
It’s fun watching the Democrats destroy themselves, but like other commenters, I don’t have a lot of confidence in the Republicans – yet.
In the early 90’s, there was a political party identity transformation taking place. The South, which had been firmly Democrat since the Civil War, began to switch to Republican. The people did not change; the Democrat party was taken over by the far left.
The Democrats have a huge media advantage, a huge money advantage, more incumbents, more special interests that need and will work for their own protection and citizen drones who will obey their liberal masters. In addition, there will likely be many more millions of Americans dependent on the gov’t and Dems for survival. And don’t forget ACORN, the census and illegal immigrants. The Dems want to grant them amnesty and automatically register them to be Democrats.
We still need to first replace the RINO’s with true conservatives.
Bob| 8.20.09 @ 2:17PM
Hauschild -- We agree on all of the issues except Palin -- I cannot vote for somebody who knows so little. Much to the chagrin as most people here, like Colin Powell, I shall remain a registered Republican so I can vote against the right wing wackos.
What people here fail to recognize is that when the Dems were in the wilderness, they saw the need to bring in conservative Dems on a regional basis. That is how they won. If the left wing wackos don't realize what put them into power, they will open up an opportunity for Republicans. If Republicans don't welcome independents, moderates, and libertarians (even pro-choice ones like us), they they will be doomed to remain at about 21% of voters.
I wear the "RINO" badge with honor....
Dixie Pixie| 8.20.09 @ 2:28PM
Your comparison of the GOP to “Gilligan's Island” has more application to the current situation than has been noted. In most episodes of the TV show Gilligan always found a way to muck up and keep every body exiled on the island. No matter the odds Gilligan always found a way to muck up.
Consider RNC Chairmans Michael Steele recent advice to the town-hall protesters. On the Sean Hannity radio show, Chairman Steele advised the protesters should ramp back the rhetoric so as to appear nicer in the media. Think about it. When the Democrats are on the run, the RNC Chairman Steele wants to pull back. Thus like Gilligan, defeat is pulled from the jaws of victory and the GOP will remain in exile.
Also consider, the South are to the GOP as the Blacks are to the Democrats. The Southern States are the engine of the GOP. Naturally like Gilligan, the GOP leadership must find a way to throw the engine overboard. On cue, enter stage right , Governor Voinovich suggests that to win back the liberal regions in the Northeast and Coasts, the Southern Wing of the GOP must be suppressed and ignored. Gilligan would approve. The strategy of destroying the parties base in the vain hope the liberals will come back comes right out of Gilligan's play book. If Gov Voinovich got his wish the GOP would consist of a few districts in Dole / Ford territory.
I fear the GOP is in no shape to make any gains in 2010. It usually takes 3 to 4 losing campaign sessions to realize the party has a problem as the leadership has every reason to rationalize the defeats. The GOP have given no indication they have learned any thing in the last two election cycles.
Nominating a clean, bright articulate black man as a party leader just like the Democrats indicates the GOP is in “ follow the Demo's mode”. It will take at least two more election cycle losses to drop Democratic Party Lite and come up with a new GOP philosophy. I don't see the GOP seeing the light until the 2016 election cycle and not coming up with a viable strategy and leadership until the 2018 election cycle. Gilligan will rule the GOP until then.
Pingback| 8.20.09 @ 2:59PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Gilligan's Old Party [spectator.org] links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Neo| 8.20.09 @ 3:01PM
Come January 2010, I still expect the Republicans to be in the wilderness, but what would have changed is that DC will be squarely in the middle of that wilderness.
Clintidote| 8.20.09 @ 3:13PM
The big-government old (emphasis on OLD) GOP had it chance, for years, after decades of promises. We all saw what they did with it.
Time for a new broom to sweep clean. Does anybody really want a return of the Big Stupid Government party of Bush, Dole, McCain and the other brain-dead parasitic politicians?
Paul from SA| 8.20.09 @ 3:45PM
Dixie Pixie,
Those are good observations. I agree completely.
There is a huge disconnect between them and us. I liked Michael Steele as a commentator, but as GOP chairman, he consistently reacts opposite of what I would do. He and others like John McCain, Colin Powell, Peggy Noonan, Kathleen Parker, Lindsay Graham, Kay Bailey Hutchison always seem ready to appease the liberals. I want the opposite. Steele should have encouraged us to get out and voice our opinions, with energy and emotion.
Sometimes you have to yell, especially when the politicians have their ears plugged. The anger, fear and frustration I saw from protestors is exactly how I feel. Why suppress that?
The reversals in many polls favoring Republicans is solely because independents oppose Obama and the Democrats, not because the public are suddenly in love with Republicans. There is no Newt Gingrich. There is no Contract with America. If a Republican is not being targeted and attacked by the Dems, there is something wrong with that Republican. And I mean elected Republicans.
Ran| 8.20.09 @ 3:46PM
"Well, as much as I may hope for it, I don't think Republicans are going to take much advantage of this situation. They have repeatedly demonstrated a knack for drawing defeat from the jaws of victory. "
Not true Rocco, not true! Why, when faced with adversity, the head of the Republican Party, George W. Bush sent Fitzgerald after Libby and Sutton after Ramos and Campeon - and emerged victorious!
And when the evil Sara Palin emerged, blatantly attempting to steal candidate McCain's thunder... in stepped the Squishies to squash her like a bug. Victory!
I'll tell you, Rocco, old pal... The Republican Party is in the very best of hands.
Alan Brooks| 8.20.09 @ 3:54PM
true, the GOP conserves nothing.
the GOP is now anti-conservative. So they get Steele as their own black Messiah. predictable.
Next time around a hispanic woman becomes RNC head. everything today in politics is rote, PR.
Oldefarte| 8.20.09 @ 4:00PM
Bush/Republicans lost in 2004 and 2008 due to THE WAR. Instead of simply NAGASAKING and HIROSHIMING the Middle East in retaliation for 9/11/08, Bush [just as Johnson did in Viet Nam;and which Powell warned him NOT TO DO] got mired down in a conventional war. Bush should have simply NUKED THE DESERT and warned the Middle East too police its radical element and NEVER attack the US again. Now, with Americans finally WAKING UP to the reality of Barack HUSSEIN Obama [which they should have done pre 11/4/08]; they SHOULD vote/defeat any/all Democrats and/or Republicans [incumbants] who show any partiality/preferance for Obama's/liberal Democrats' policies/legislation. Americans SHOULD simply vote for CONSERVATIVES of either party that promice to undue/dismantle any/all government [inefficient/wastful] programs/agencies/departments; get the naation's debt/deficit under control; and begin to run government like a BUSINESS, instead of a taxpayer-funded WELFARE [INCOME REDISTRIBUTION] organization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob| 8.20.09 @ 4:15PM
Actually, Paul, while Obama's approval rating has dropped, the Republican approval rating is as low as it has ever been and has not risen. In fact, it is still below Democrats.
http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_rep.htm
http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_dem.htm
So Obama's losses are NOT Republican gains. My conclusion basis the data would be that people in general are just disgusted with both parties -- Republicans a bit more than Dems.
Michael L. Hauschild| 8.20.09 @ 4:24PM
Well, gill o teen (I finally said that out loud and now grasp the choice of the handle) seems his normal self and (dear Lord) Bob almost see's eye to eye with me. SCROLL BUTTON ALERT. I will enlighten you as to why everyone seems to kind of track off the deep end when confronted by the Mike and Bob juggernaut. First of all Bob is actually pretty sharp (he ruins this by stating the obvious incessantly) and I am rather stupid (ask nearly everyone). But here is the rub, if you had followed our rational, even with a loser like McCain, you would now be in control of the White House. Words and deeds, save yourself for the deeds when once you attain office. Till than you are just throwing gasoline on the fire which means squat to me (can't speak for Bob) since libertarians are made of asbestos.
Whisky Tango Foxtrot| 8.20.09 @ 4:24PM
"We need principled conservative Republicans, with the courage of their convictions, who can rise up and tell the Dems to go to hell and implement a vision which resonates with a majority of Americans."
What Rocco said. Amen.
JP| 8.20.09 @ 4:25PM
Actually Bob, this week's Gallup Poll (no friend of the GOP) had the GOP polling above Obama and the Dems in almost every one of the top issues. Whether polled about who could better reduce the defecit, handle health care, win in Afghanistan, taxes, and jobs the GOP outpolled the Dems.
Paul from SA| 8.20.09 @ 4:48PM
Bob, you could be right, though this is copied from the article above. Plus, it's only been 8 months!:
"Consider a poll released last week by Rasmussen Reports. Not only did the survey show the American people trusted Republicans more than Democrats on health care for the first time in more than two years of polling on the question. Republicans were more trusted than Democrats on eight of ten issues. That includes the economy (by 46 percent to 40 percent), education (41 percent to 38 percent), Social Security (43 percent to 39 percent), and abortion (46 percent to 36 percent).
The only issue where Democrats still cling to a narrow, three-point lead over Republicans is ethics in government, an advantage likely to erode in a political climate where most incumbents -- and thus more politicians involved in scandals -- belong to the Democratic Party. Even on the war in Iraq, Democrats and Republicans are tied at 42 percent each."
---------------------------------------------------
I understand, that if you remove the black component from the polls, Obama and the Dems are near the bottom.
Congress has a 14% approval rating. That's not that far from child molestors, trial lawyers, union bosses and the mainstream media.
Michael Tomlinson| 8.20.09 @ 7:53PM
Michael H. while some independents do have principles the vast majority reflect a distaste for taking responsibility for their votes and/or what those votes cost the nation. Independents as a whole like moderates too often want to be on the winning side. If Obama were up in the polls where do you think their allegiances would be? The majority of independents would be with Obama.
Independents were the key to Obama and the Democrats victory in Congress and they like the Democrats are to blame for the economic and social woes the country is now experiencing.
That they are now waking up to the consequences of their vote is small comfort when one realizes how much damage Obama and Democrats are doing and can do over the next year. (Something Republicans understood even when many of us were compelled to vote for McCain/Palin to stop him.)
There are only two viable parties in our nation and while that may not sit well with some it is reality. While I do not favor the lukewarm Republicans of the Northeast I realize they are an ingredient in stopping Democrats (albeit a weak one). That's why Ronald Reagan consistently helped Arlen Specter and other so-called RINOS. He understood that a moderate Republican was always better than anyone wearing the Democrat label.
Note that the only independents in Congress are left of center or outright socialists and the only viable Presidential candidate they offered was the egocentric Ross Perot (a man who could give Obama a race for being self-absorbed) who made his fortune off billing the Federal government.
Oldfarte George W. Bush won the war in Iraq. Now Obama is losing the peace, but that is to be expected from a man sympathetic to America's enemies.
S.L. Toddard| 8.20.09 @ 9:33PM
Why, I wonder, would any self-professed "conservative" wish for the GOP's return to power? They dominated congress for over a decade and had the White House for eight years. What did they do with that time?
They did not seal the border with Mexico – instead, they actively maintained an open-border policy.
They did nothing to restore to the states their traditional and Constitutional powers – instead, they further consolidated power in the federal gov’t – especially the executive branch – at the States’ expense.
They did NOT strengthen the Rule of Law – they violated it egregiously, they seized radical, unprecedented, unconstitutional powers for the Executive, they instituted an illegal spying regime to eavesdrop on American citizens, they constructed a torture regime in violation of domestic and international law etc.
They did not decrease spending and the size and power of the federal government – instead they DRASTICALLY increased spending – more so than the two previous Dem administrations – and increased the size and scope of an already massive, intrusive, overbearing, socialistic behemoth of a federal government.
They did not decrease social spending – instead, they increased social spending dramatically and initiated and sunk billions into monstrous, massive new social programs worthy of LBJ.
And they did not value the lives of our soldiers – instead, they flung them into the Middle East to conquer a country that posed no threat whatsoever, without ever having ANY evidence that Iraq was planning to attack us. Whatever evidence they had – whether drummed up or not – NONE of it ever demonstrated a clear and present danger.
That this is the GOP's record is clear and beyond contention. So I suppose one might yearn for the GOP's return to power if one loves illegal immigration and is in favor of an open borders policy with Mexico, if one wishes for further consolidation of power in a federal government unbound by the Constitution, or if one wishes the Constitution to continue to be used as toilet paper, or if one is in favor of fiscal irresponsibility, of reckless big-government spending, and of massive and inefficient federal social programs and - most of all - if one cares not a whit for the lives of our soldiers and is more than happy to have them get their arms, legs and heads blown off in no-account, ramshackle countries in Central Asia on pie-eyed nation-building crusades.
In other words, if one is a Liberal Internationalist.
Pingback| 8.20.09 @ 9:35PM
Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Will The GOP Learn The Wrong Lesson ? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
S.L. Toddard| 8.20.09 @ 9:37PM
"Time for a new broom to sweep clean. Does anybody really want a return of the Big Stupid Government party of Bush, Dole, McCain and the other brain-dead parasitic politicians?"
Honestly - they do! They are Republicans, not Conservatives.
Ran| 8.20.09 @ 10:18PM
S.L.T. Well said, sir. I still to this day consider it a genuine miracle - for which I give thanks - that Alito and Roberts made it to SCOTUS.
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Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 8.21.09 @ 2:36AM
He understood that a moderate Republican was always better than anyone wearing the Democrat label.
When that "moderate Republican" stabs you in the back, they're about the same as any run-of-the-mill Democrat.
Fists| 8.21.09 @ 3:01AM
The endless invocations of the virtues of private enterprise, individual
entrepreneurship and self-reliance that the republicans hold up as their flag is
used to demonize what "they call socialism" and defend a system that exploits the vast majority for the benefit of a financial elite, have been exposed as frauds. When it comes to big capital, losses are socialized. Only profits remain private.
And with all this bull shit with socialism and all the other crazy talk characterized by their systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflict coming out of the gop republican party has only heightened the paranoia in their rank and file schizophrenic radical nut jobs.
But I know by the grace of God you conservatives are some how the truly enlighten ones, who are the only ones who really understand that this mess is all Obama's fault, "LOL... The so called conservatives had 12 years to push their retrogression agenda with newt's "CON-tract" with America and the out come of that "CON" has only driven our country into a economic ditch... even though the republicans controlled our government from 1994 to 2006 and blocked every thing from Nov. 2006 to Jan 21, 2009 that the democrats wanted to do unless the repukes signed off on it first, it's all the Democrats fault. Then in 2006 our country started to come apart with bush holding the veto and you so called conseratives want eveyone to believe this mess all started on Jan. 22, 2009 and it's all now Obama's fault... "LOL morons! Neoconservative = republicans, they are the real commie socialists in this country...It's so very obvious that republicans believe they are some how the experts on all matters and that some how they know what everyone thinks plus what's best for all...
They also believe that every American, Democrat, Liberal or whom ever with different opinions from theirs have been programmed by move-on and or some other left leaning Internet site or group, "LOL...! But again their whole argument is based on what?, that the majority of the American people, democrats,liberals or any person that has a far greater range of diverse Ideas & opinions then they do should be hated and despised for not holding their narrow minded republican views! When the republican right attacks they always seem to start with predetermined conclusions and pretend there views and or christain views have no flaws. They love to distract you from the truths of the past & present plus always rewrite past events that make them look bad! They always run to the aid and endorse other republicans loons on these message boards who hold their narrow minded republican views because they believe it gives them credibility some how... This is called PROPAGANDA! They dehumanize those in the Democrat party that don't believe in their kind of God or life style and or those of us who can see through their hypocrisies in their Ideas & Opinions plus religious views which have also helped run this country into the ground!
The republicans view the Democrats and the general public/American people as being incapable of rational thought and democracy as being dangerous to their beliefs, they view the American people as a ‘herd that needs to be led because they believe that only they have the necessary insight into the Big Picture and should be entrusted with this "LOL... sacred task! They act totally unaware of their republican party real history in America the last forty years... From nixon to ford to reagan to bush sr. and bush jr. there has been non stop criminal activity in these administrations to under mind our Laws and roll back the American working people's rights and wages with their reckless industry deregulation and their criminal views on how to destroy our US Constitution. Just take a real good look at what bush chenny and the rubber stamp republicans in washington did to our country "again" as did nixon and ford only to hand it off too a Democrat administration "again" saying look what they have done to our country... This is the same thing the republicans did too Bill Clinton the eight years he was president,hate hate hate lie lie lie...Answer this... Is it by coincidence that in 1987 when Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr were in the white house that roughly 780 Savings & Loans Banks failed and were bailed out by our federal government with bush Sr. leadership? The leading state was Texas. And now we have failing mortage companies/major investment firms again. It's obvious that the republicans live in thier own little world!
OK OK... yes yes we know you repuke simpletons think it's called patriotism when the republicans do it and socialism when the Democrats do it and we also know that opinions are like ass-holes and everyone has one....
Most republicans have a dogmatic mind that is extremely resistant to changes unless it's their kind of change which over the last forty years has led to a decline for American infrastructure, working class's wages and benefits and has only made the rich richer! They distract you when they tell you that their is dozens of other ways to do things in this counrty other then the ways the Democrats are going about it, all the while these republican propagandists hide behind a pseudo education of the issues and use characater assassination, inuendo and outright propaganda about Obama and the democrats to distract the American people from the truth of what the republicans have done to our country!
Then they go into their BS circle talk of the smoke screen issues of theirs that even their republican party would not do if they were still in power and they had 12 years to push their retrogression agenda with newt's "CON-tract" with America and the out come of that "CON" has only driven our country into a economic ditch... But hey it's all Obama's fault according to them.... but they don't want to talk about the three millions jobs lost in this country under the bush administration's first term and another five million jobs lost in his second term that is tied into the job lose that is still happening at this point in time! I continue to ask these stooges what has all those billions in tax breaks for the rich the last eight years under bush administration that bush said would create jobs done, not a freaking thing unless you want to call burger king and Taco bell real jobs that pay a living wage! All their propaganda/lies have been beaten down on all the message boards for many years now and the American people seen what these narrow minded republicans fanatic did to our country and have come to see the republicans for what they really are and that's why the republicans lost the house in 06 and senate plus white house in 08.. Neoconservative= republicans, they are the real commie socialists... just look who started the call for this bail-out to begin with and they did it back in 1988 also under the reagan administration!
"LOL this message board has the most shallow republican stooge I've come across...
Nobama| 8.22.09 @ 2:48AM
Fists is a typical--liberal @sshole--but I repeat myself.
Daisy| 8.22.09 @ 3:01AM
Gill O'Teen, you're my hero--love those babies! Hauschild, loved you too--until I read you have a huge hard-on for slaughtering innocent babies.
I'll never understand how smart, seemingly decent guys like you can never get enough of killing infants.
I just don't get it and it's the reason I detest Libertarians. The babies are so tiny and helpless; and you're so big and strong--how could you not want to shelter and protect them?
There's something unnatural about men like you and it gives me the creeps.
UpChuck.Liberals| 8.22.09 @ 9:36PM
There have been some very astute comments. I remember a oath I took many many years ago, to Protect and Defend the Constitution from all Enemy's Foreign and Domestic. Still believe in that.
I WILL NOT vote for any incumbent for anything in anything. I will not vote for any career politician. period.
I live in the Socialist State of Kalifornia and I'm all for recycling, ropes used for public hangings.
somnolence| 9.30.09 @ 2:11PM
What makes you or anyone think that the press has, or will, "eat Palin alive?" Sounds like defeatism to me, and I'm not buying your theory. She remains the most dynamic national figure in the conservative focus by far, and if she decides to run in 2012 will have a very ample war chest. Frankly, I believe she would decimate Romney in a debate, and I supported Romney in last year's primaries. Everyone else to me, with the exception of John Kyl or Rubio is beginning to look like a joke, or RINO.