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Political Hay
Scott Walker for Speaker of the House
It’s time for a change: a Reagan not a Ford should lead the House GOP. Clearly John Boehner is not up to it.
(Page 4 of 6)
Worse — infinitely worse — House Republicans became complicit in running up the deficit and constantly expanding the size of government. Just a little less so, but of course.
It was a losing hand all around. Tellingly Ford tried to replicate the pattern when he became president. Appointing liberal GOP Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York as his vice president, Ford set about being the perfect moderate GOP president. He appointed the liberal John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court. He had not the slightest intention of winning the Cold War, preferring instead to recognize the Soviets as moral equals of America and just continue the same old, same old of negotiating endlessly with them.
More to the political point: He kept right on deriding conservatives once in the White House, Ronald Reagan included. After insisting that Reagan was too extreme to win a presidential election Ford lost to Jimmy Carter. But even in retirement he never ceased to insist that moderation was the future of the GOP, warning in a 1979 speech aimed at Reagan that ”Neither government by nostalgia nor government by ideological reflex will meet America’s needs…”
The fact? As long as House Republicans paid attention to this hooey they never ran the House until the Gingrich Revolution. Not once. And when they listened to more of this hooey during the reign of the moderate Denny Hastert — they promptly lost it again.
Point Two: How did Ronald Reagan win the Cold War? It certainly wasn’t because he listened to all those sage moderates who said he needed to be nice to the Soviets. Who insisted he needed to accept détente and the reality the Soviet Union was here to stay for ever and ever. Reagan won the Cold War because he ignored all the siren songs of the Washington insiders. His idea was simple: “We win, they lose.” The Soviets lie and cheat, he said boldly at his first press conference. He cut the Soviet Ambassador off from his privileged status at the State Department and treated him like any other Ambassador — stunning Washington. He gave yet another speech and called the Soviets “an evil empire” — sending Washington’s insiders running for the smelling salts. All of that on top of jacking up defense spending, building a 600-ship Navy and launching the Strategic Defense Initiative.
In the end, Reagan pushed the Soviets onto the ash heap of history.
Point Three: Why are Points One and Two relevant here? What John Boehner is doing is playing Gerald Ford’s game. The Washington Insider Game. The old Me-Too game. The Dime Store New Deal Game. The game of accepting the liberal premise — i.e., the Soviet Union is here to stay forever — and simply rolling over for it. Politically speaking it is as gutless as it is worthless.
The end effect of this game is the same as it was in Gerald Ford’s days as Minority Leader. To give Republican support to the idea of expanding the State — and taking even more resources to do so. An idea that now, it comes clear to more and more daily, has America on the road to bankruptcy as a Chinese colony.
This is decidedly the next chapter in the increasingly dire argument about liberty or tyranny. Is the conservative party going to stand as a beacon showing the way forward to what Reagan called the shining city upon a hill? An economically prosperous, energy-independent nation bursting with free markets and opportunities for all in its colorblind society?
Or will the GOP wobble, to use a word Margaret Thatcher once made famous, and meekly surrender to the false idol of a mythical left-wing utopia that has never existed and will never exist? A “utopia” that in practice makes of America a jobless, whiny, racist, weak debtor nation
Underneath all the brass tacks language of Capitol Hill and Washington insider politics, what Boehner is actually about here — as were Ford and all those GOP Minority Leaders of the Lost 40 Years from 1954 to 1994 — is surrendering to the lethal nonsense of the mythical and quite deadly liberal utopia. To be hypnotized by the present. Politically paralyzed, unwilling to believe themselves capable to shape a very different future.
Boehner is letting the utopians advance, to borrow from Levin’s Ameritopia,”…through gradualism rather than revolution,” reselling the fools gold of “reforming and improving the existing society’s imperfections and weaknesses without imperiling its basic nature…(by a) transformation (that) is deemed innocuous, well-intentioned, and perhaps constructive but not a dangerous trespass on fundamental liberties.”
House Republicans have been led down this path repeatedly — never to any good for the country much less their own political benefit.
There is not a shred of leadership here. Boehner is bidding to be Ford when the GOP needs a Reagan or a Churchill. Someone willing to carry the fight against liberty and tyranny right straight to Obama — and not flinch.
Are Members concerned about losing their seats? With Romney’s loss of 3 million 2008 Republicans freshly in mind, it’s safe to say their own base will deal with them straight-up in 2014 if they abandon conservative principle. And as with 2006 — it won’t be pretty.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (136) | Leave a comment
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Henry22| 11.13.12 @ 6:38AM
The tenor of the article is a little shrill, but actually Boehner is perfectly positioned as speaker, much like Denny Hastert was. Imagine Paul Ryan as Speaker and all the slings and arrows he would attract. Complete obstructionism won't win over voters or the press, nor will it raise congress' approval rating up from it's current 18%, or whatever it is.
Boehner just has to play along with the fiscal cliff proceedings and live to fight another day on other substantive items.
benny havens| 11.13.12 @ 7:28AM
Sorry Henry, what you suggest is what the Republicans have been doing since Gingrich left the speaker position. Boner is a dud.
Jack in Wi| 11.13.12 @ 7:41AM
Lord makes a lot of good historical points. The moderates have sunk the party. As the late Sam Francis used to call them. They are beautiful losers. There is only one leader of the real opposition in this country and his name is Ron Paul. He has been fighting the good fight for decades. He should be Speaker of the House. Scott Walker is a fine man but he is needed here and would not know how to get started. Romney lost the elction because he refused to reach out to Paul and his young and libertarian supporters. He also has been right on virtually ever issue for the last 40 years.
Aristocat| 11.13.12 @ 8:50AM
Boehner is a cowardly compromiser crybaby...We need someone with courage to fight the Democrats.
Darrell Issa seems to have the guts we need...Boehner is still agreeing to Nancy Pelosi's 2009 budget instead of standing and fighting for the House Republican budget. The Senate won't pass a budget and threaten the shut down the govt. if the House won't agree to Continuing Resolutions every year, so let them shut it down.
The media will blame the House, but the voters will forget this by Nov.2014.
Aristocat| 11.13.12 @ 8:51AM
I'm sorry but Ron Paul is no longer in the House.
He retired. Scott Walker is also not in the House,
he's the Gov. of Wisc.
mike 3/505| 11.13.12 @ 9:22AM
Did you read the article? The Speaker does NOT need to be a sitting member of the House.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 12:11PM
That's absolutely right.
But, unlike with a Grand Jury - whom some say, depending on the Persuasiveness of the Prosecuting Attorney, would Indite a Ham Sandwich - the House will not Elect a Ham Sandwich to the Speakership, as there's already one there, now.
Crassus| 11.13.12 @ 9:33AM
Ron Paul! Ron Paul! Neocon! Neocon! Talk about a broken record.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:08PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.13.12 @ 9:38AM
Good riddance to those who adopt a McGovernite foreign policy and quote a racist like Sam Francis.
Jack in Wi| 11.13.12 @ 11:22AM
You are as stupid as the rest of the " stupid party". Another apt quote from Sam Francis. Keep kissing Israel's rear end as we go over the cliff. At least Ron Paul isn't afraid to give an interview and defend his beliefs. Romney didn't give an interview for a whole month before the election. Boehner, Romney, and McConnell are tongue tied when defending anything period.
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.13.12 @ 11:32AM
Then why don't you and your anti-Israel, racist-quoting, McGovernite, anarcho-Paulista friends quit the Republican Party and form your own Loony Party. Stop dragging down our IQ average.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 2:41PM
Why should he start his own Party, when there's already a Party like that.
It's called: The Democrat Party.
Jack in Wi| 11.13.12 @ 2:48PM
The Democrats have been owned by the Zionists and other Jews for decades. They provide over 60% of their campaign funds. Obama has been a lacky of the Lobby his whole career. Only looney crackpots would call the Democrats anti Israel. More then 25% of the Democrats in the Senate are Jews. The Repubicans get nothing from the looney minority of Jews who pull the strings on foreign policy for the party.
CJW| 11.13.12 @ 5:17PM
Jack, why don't you just use your old name, Clint.
Jack in Wi| 11.13.12 @ 2:50PM
You can't win without us. We are taking theparty over or we are replacing it once and for all.
CJW| 11.13.12 @ 5:18PM
Jack/Clint, who is "we?"
Seek| 11.13.12 @ 3:52PM
Ron Paul, an outlier even in his own party, is retired. Forget him. As for the late Sam Francis, a true scholar-patriot, he was never a member of Congress, but one wishes lawmakers read him more often. They could do much worse.
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.13.12 @ 5:16PM
Gag!
Alan Brooks | 11.13.12 @ 8:57AM
Reagan was a LIBERAL: the 1986 immigration bill let in millions of Mexicans with its amnesty section.
The Gipper was a LIBERAL.
mike 3/505| 11.13.12 @ 9:22AM
Mr Brooks,
Reagan signed a deal with the Liberals...they reneged on it.
Alan Brooks | 11.13.12 @ 9:30AM
Still, the Gipper was a 19th century liberal-- unlike Ike.
For better AND worse.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 12:14PM
Why do I always think that you write all this Crap, sitting in a Baby Crib, wearing a Diaper and a Baby Bonnet, with a Pacifier in your mouth?
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 2:45PM
Yeah.
They're a Buncha Reniggers, if you ask me. And they're led by The Renigger In Chief.
(Is that even a word?)
Mike W| 11.13.12 @ 10:32AM
I liked Reagan but you are right. His amnesty laid the groundwork for the demographic disaster of the Democrat hispanic vote. Liberals might have backed out on the deal to secure the borders but what do you expect out of them?
Now, Boner is talking of going along with another amnesty. In addition to encouraging more illegals with the anticipation of another amnesty, it would also bring in 30 million family members of illegals through chain migration.
Boner's amnesty is a recipe for the end of the USA.
Alan Brooks | 11.13.12 @ 4:23PM
"Now, Boner is talking of going along with another amnesty. In addition to encouraging more illegals with the anticipation of another amnesty, it would also bring in 30 million family members of illegals through chain migration.
Boner's amnesty is a recipe for the end of the USA."
We'll just have to learn to read and write both Spanish nd Chinese. We are outnumbered.
pogybait| 11.13.12 @ 9:54AM
Once again...... does anybody really believe that the aggressive designs of the current administration and their affiliated party can be checked merely by good faith.....live to fight another day on their terms is what you are saying. At what point do you think that abandoning our principles will appease the left?
pogybait| 11.13.12 @ 9:59AM
The tenor of this article should be a shrill....positioned to do what, bend over at the behest of Democrats
JimP| 11.13.12 @ 11:54AM
Shrill? Spoken like a true Rockefeller Republican [The ones Mr. Lord is describing in the column.] Boehner is perfectly positioned to be the new Jerry Ford or Bob Michel, which as Mr. Lord ably pointed out, Boehner already is. I'll say this for Ford and Michel, at least they weren't fops, as is Mr. Boehner. Boehner is so busy getting his hair cut every other day [or is that a toupee of the kind William Shatner wears?] and having his button down shirts starched and pressed how could he have time for a conservative agenda? Boehner reminds me of alchololics I've known. I always, always, have the impression he is half in the bag when I see or hear him. He's worthless. A waste of reproductive matter.
Parker| 11.13.12 @ 1:32PM
Henry, I am sorry, but I am going to offend you as much as Boehner offends Me. Turds don't taste good. Ever. Got it?
Tim.W| 11.13.12 @ 11:29PM
Yeah, play nice, then everyone will love us.
Seriously?
RichardJKelley| 11.14.12 @ 12:37PM
Shrill? Not shrill enough! Had Boehner done his job during the last call to increase the debt limit instead of cutting a back-room deal with Pelosi, Reid, and our very own BOB, we might have had a different election. Nooooo. BOEHNER let Baracko off the hook and let a 'bi-partisan' commission push the ugliness off until after elections - - -
So, here we are. On the cliff, looking down.
Thank you, Mr. Boehner, you putz!
Joellen| 11.13.12 @ 6:40AM
Amen, Amen I say to your suggestion Mr. Lord. Governor Walker is the right man to take on this leadership. He (and NOT Chris Christie) truly took the unions on, he never waivered and he won. I remember writing in the beginning of the primary Scott Walker should have been our nominee. Ok, it didnt work out that way, but his is a good solid conservative solution to start with. May I suggest that ALL AS readers call their respective congressman and get this ball rolling - NOW!
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 9:41AM
Joellen, Joellen, Joellen.
Jeffery Lord is Idiotic.
First of all - Unless one man, or the other, gets more votes than the Democrats can muster for one of THEIR GUYS, then you could end up with Nancy Pelosi being The Speaker Of The House.
2nd of all - Why remove a Sitting Governor? What's wrong with Paul Ryan being Speaker of the House? Or, Peter King?
Surely, there's gotta be SOMEONE in the Bullpen.
Rand Paul.
As far as Obamacare goes? It IS the Law of the Land. As much as I DESPISE John Boehnor as a Speaker, and as a Man, he spoke the Truth. Obamacare - Love it or Hate it - is The Law of the Land. We just had that fight, and we Lost. Unless you think we should continue to Beat this Dead Horse. We had our shot in the SCOTUS, and John Roberts FCKD US. May he Burn In Hell.
As far as Negotiating Compromises with this Pathological Liar of a President? I would argue against that.
Let Black Jesus have everything that Black Jesus wants.
If they had LISTENED TO ME in August, and stepped aside and let him have everything back then, we wouldn't be having this Conversation right now, would we? And, our Military Budgets, and Medicare, wouldn't be Staring at a Meat Axe.
He wants to Dig one humdinger of a hole. Get outta the way. In fact - Don't just get outta the way. Get him a Backhoe.
As I see it, the only way to SAVE the Patient, is to let him Die, first. And then Bring him back.
Happens every day, in Hospitals all over the Civilized World.
Stkman| 11.13.12 @ 10:34AM
Tim,
It may be the law of the land, but Congress does not have to fund it. By not funding it they essentially kill it.
Lets all face it, the country is split. If we're going to have a fight let's at least show up for it. We've all been saying for the last two years or more Boehnor needs to go, as does McConnell in the Senate. Neither of them are leaders and neither of them are conservative.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 12:23PM
You're obviously writing this under the assumption that ANYONE in the House Leadership has ANYTHING between their legs.
They don't.
We lost any chance of getting rid of this, when 3,000,000 White People held Themselves, and their Single Issue Principles, above the Good of the Country, and Stayed Home last Tuesday, staring in to the Mirror, and Recreating Al Franken's old Saturday Night Live Skit, telling their reflection how Great They Are.
Stkman| 11.13.12 @ 3:46PM
Yes, that was a grave error on my part. Boehnor is a vagina. Oh well, off to the gun store after work. As you know we Texans are seceding and we might as well get our party supplies early.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:10PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
George S| 11.13.12 @ 10:48AM
The problem is the voters will not see the patient as being dead. Just napping. A much better deal than working for a living.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:10PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
MelvinNC| 11.13.12 @ 6:48AM
The meaning of, "Political Pogrom:" An organized massacre of a particular political group. That is what needs to be done with the current Republican leadership. They must be destroyed.
Their isn't an ounce of fight left en em. Boehner seems more interested in keeping his tan up that sticking it to the Democrats.
There is 80 some odd members of the House who are card carrying Communists. In the United States Communists whose ruthless ideology has murdered millions upon millions of human beings across this Earth. And Progressive Republicans bemoan to the media that members of the Tea Party are extreme.
Tell that to the 55 million Chinese who were murdered by Chairman Mao during his cultural revolution.
The Conservatives ideology needs someone who is willing to fight for it, not pulling around an oxygen bottle on a scooter going into Democrats offices asking who is up for a round of golf.
Boehner needs to go sit back on the bench with his buddy Pelosi.
Robert Nowall | 11.13.12 @ 7:29AM
To paraphrase William F. Buckley (because I can't find the exact quote---it's somewhere in his posthumous collection "Athwart History"), working a compromise over Obamacare or any of these other issues is, in effect, finding the compromise position between right and wrong. Stay the course; keep opposing Obama and Obamacare.
Robert Nowall | 11.13.12 @ 8:14AM
My mistake. William F. Buckley was quoting Abraham Lincoln: "Let us be diverted by none of those sophistical contrivances wherewith we are so industriously plied and belabored---contrivances such as groping for some middle ground between the right and the wrong."
C. Vernon Crisler | 11.13.12 @ 9:37AM
The Lincoln quote is terrific. It is all too clear that the Republican Establishment has abandoned strong Lincolnism in favor of Quisling style collaborationism and spinelessness.
benny havens| 11.13.12 @ 7:32AM
Great suggestion Mr. Lord, I nominate Allen West?
Seek| 11.13.12 @ 3:55PM
West? An one-term congressman who just lost his re-election bid and has a habit of making inflammatory, off-the-cuff remarks to the media? To paraphrase Dr. Phil: We're better than that.
Ken (Old Texican)| 11.13.12 @ 7:56AM
Benny,
I second that nomination.
Joellen| 11.13.12 @ 8:31AM
I would approve of either Governor Walker or Congressman West - both good conservatives, let's just get this going - shall we.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.13.12 @ 9:19AM
If the recount in his district is unsuccessful in uncovering the fraud behind Murphy's vote total, I think Allen West becomes the better choice, as he will be otherwise temporarily unoccupied from the political office standpoint.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:11PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
loulou| 11.13.12 @ 11:22AM
What about Newt Gingrich?
Wisconsin needs their governor right now.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:11PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 12:27PM
Again: Everybody would have to be on board.
If the Vote gets SPLIT?
We're looking at Speaker Pelosi.
If Wishes were Fishes.
Understand?
Hello?
ElGordo| 11.13.12 @ 8:36AM
Speaker Boehner should not agree to any tax conferences until Obama releases all the information on the tragedy in Libya and Fast and Furious
The Republicans in the House of Representatives should put down a marker. No negotiations on anything until the Administration releases all the information on what happened at Benghazi
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 5:12PM
Contest on Friday.
It'll be on Monday's Story about Europe's Jerry Sandusky, in Honour of Alan Brooks.
You might have to hit the "Previously" button.
grantsurveyor| 11.13.12 @ 9:14AM
What is sad is that even considering the names in the comments that the list of possible candidates for Speaker of the House with enough balls to take on Obama is very thin... Now is the time for leadership where ever it can be found.
darcy| 11.13.12 @ 3:09PM
Trey Gowdy, Louis Gohmert, Trent Franks, John Fleming, Michele Bachmann, Steve King. Not such a thin list.
The difficulty is that the Republican establishment will NOT tolerate any threat to its hegemony over the party. And conservatives haven't the courage to take them on, fearing the media and the negative repercussions from the establishment.
In other words, while we're (at least I am!) blaming RINOs for our headlong dive into a post-Constitutional America --they having been complicit with Democrats in its demise -- the truth is that too-few elected conservatives possess the courage of their convictions or the will and energy to convert establishment colleagues to their side.
darcy| 11.13.12 @ 3:10PM
The only way for conservative voters to exert any power at this point is to organize for a third party; if our ship is going down for the reasons I cite above, we may as well go down giving the establishment Republicans a lesson in the consequences of betraying our Founding principles. These appeasers of statism deserve our deepest contempt and the prospect of NEVER again being the majority party, never gaining the White House or committee chairmanships.
Thousands, if not millions -- yet -- of people are talking openly about secession, where just a year ago they were only whispering about it. The dissatisfaction with our increasingly despotic government is reaching critical mass, in certain quarters. If the Republican establishment turns a deaf ear -- yet again -- to conservatives, if it continues to disdain us and dismiss us, then first, Republican voters will stay home, like they did on Nov. 6. Or second, they will seek recourse in either a third party or secession. Either way, the RINOs -- showing themselves to be sympathetic to the statist cause -- will go the way of the Whigs, and have no one to blame but themselves.
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 4:46PM
Darcy:
A third party need not mean another set of candidates. That party could force the others to accomodate, adopt its positions, and, in exchange for money and support, indfluence candidate selection.
That is the model The Conservative Movement tried by adopting the GOP as its chosen vehicle and operating from within. Since the GOP has spent the last 50 years betraying The Movement, perhaps some power brokering is in order from outside.
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 4:50PM
and, this discussion implies that there remains anything of limited government, free markets and individualism salvagable. Sadly I doubt that as the electorate has decided they prefer the materialism of the social-welfare state to the opportunity of liberty. They prefer a gurantee of subsistence to the risk of failure or great success.
darcy| 11.13.12 @ 6:21PM
I appreciate the pleasure of your reply.
But one thing we do know is that 10 million fewer people voted for Obama this time around, despite his Santa Clause propensities. And my contention is that his plutocrat rival played safe talking mostly about jobs (for the sake of the precious independents) and thereby poured cold water on Tea Party types whose ire at all-things Obamamarx had reached a fever pitch.
Obama won Ohio by 176,000 votes, turning out 200,000 more voters than in '08, while Romney's tally was 200,000 fewer than was McCain's. The base showed up for Obama, while the Republican base said, "We demand a fighter."
The establishment is dooming us to liberal policies because while they're happy to share power with Democrats -- walking across the aisle and all that garbage -- they refuse to share power with conservatives, instead turning them once they are elected to the House, for example.
The people I know are absolutely livid that we had yet another establishment candidate and that voter fraud is being ignored. Big cities with minority populations are rife with voter fraud, the same big cities that turn states like Illinois, PA, and Ohio blue. And the Boehner's of our Party yawn and say c'est la vie.
James Baker| 11.14.12 @ 12:43AM
I would step up and do it.
Whig| 11.13.12 @ 9:21AM
Lord is correct that Boehner is in the mold of a long line of undistinguished squibs. Gerald Ford, Rhodes, Michel, Hastert, etc. followed the idea that conservatism is not a governing principle. Gingrich did but could not manage the House due to his own personal failings during the Clinton impeachment saga.
Unfortunately, managing the decline is all the GOP House leadership seems determined to do. Generally speaking you never begin bargaining with an adversary by agreeing with all the proposals of your adversary.
Russel| 11.13.12 @ 9:24AM
Yest. I opined the AS contributors would contribute articles concerning what we have , or don't have , in congress ( in my opinion the garbage that litters the streets ) , starting with Tapeworm Reid . Today Mr. Lord delivers . I recieved a video e-mail of Boner accepting the gavel from Pelosi and then promptly whacking her upside the head with it . We all winced when in actuality , he cried . Fast forward through all of the lacky's forgivingness and ankle-grabbing and yest. we read he wrote a " gushing " letter to our re-throned dictator , ahem , King . Maybe it was about setting up another tee time , a well deserved congrats , or just another lets all get along rift . But he's from Ohio , right ? . The state the socialists never left when the campaigning began . He's more than Mr. Lords description ; he's in charge of our well being . And just like Reid , is failing miserably at his duties . " Our well being " floats through the halls of congress like that aroma of a hot outhouse . The only " well being " is that of each other . Well , today we read the last grasp word being floated by We The People is - secession . It's all we've got left , since the likes of a Boehner just won't get kicked out of a state that whose tag line is , The Outhouse State .
stmichrick| 11.13.12 @ 10:01AM
...and how many legions have the conservatives?
stmichrick| 11.13.12 @ 10:01AM
...and how many legions have the conservatives?
fmm| 11.13.12 @ 10:12AM
Outstanding idea! This is something that every conservative congressman and organization should get behind 100%. Paul Ryan would do very nicely as well.
Libertas Americana| 11.13.12 @ 10:40AM
Henry22 says: "Complete obstructionism won't win over voters or the press, nor will it raise congress' approval rating up from it's current 18%, or whatever it is."
Of course, this was Gerald Ford's opinion. It's an okay opinion, I suppose.
However, I don't interpret Jeffery Lord's message as "Complete Obstruction." In fact, I don't see it as "obstruction " at all. Jeffery Lord's position is nothing more, nor nothing less than a full-throated advocacy for the "People" who elected their members of congress.
Why should I even bother voting if my congressman will not advocate for my values of free market economics and limited government?
Was Ronald Reagan consumed with "obstructing" the Soviet Union? Absolutely not! Never! Jeffrey Lord just told us Reagan's goal. It wasn't "obstructing."
LarryK| 11.13.12 @ 10:45AM
As Mark Levine would say, "Get off the stage, you big Dope!"
I sent Mr. Boehner a gift when he was elected to the speakers position and I did not receive a thank you note. The gift was two small red rubber balls from a jack and ball set. I explained that as the Speaker, he needed a "pair".
Who Knows?| 11.13.12 @ 10:46AM
All you can do is laugh.
And, The American Spectator has become one of the elite sites for biting political humor---on so many levels: appearing superficially serious, but with tongue stuck in cheek, and underneath it all, a deep knowing of the futility of trying to change the historical pattern of GOP leaders, etc.
Amidst all the NOW hot news---so many NEW news stories to digest, here a Petraeus, there an Elvis---how many people have forgotten the coming of:
December 21, 2012?
It’s always fun to have a laugh at the expense of those who predict the world is coming to an end on a day certain.
However, maybe we can loosen our obsession with the single day of the coming winter solstice, and understand the Aztec prediction more generally. Could it not be that the “reelection” of Obama, and an even more Democratic senate, was the “event” that would surely lead to the “end of the world”, as we know it?
December 21st, or not, it seems to me that the tipping “point” could well be the eight years from 2008-2016, during which the American people “chose” decline. And 38 days from now is as good as any other day to have the big break DOWN happen---when markets go wild, and gold sky rockets, and even the fools who had stars in their eyes about Obama will be unable to miss the annihilating bonanza.
Occam's Tool| 11.13.12 @ 10:47AM
Wrong guy, Jeff. Let's give 'em a bit of that undead feeling, and remove the "racism" card forever.
I nominate the former rep Allen "10 Ton Brass Balls" West to be Speaker. Now, THAT man doesn't know how to quit or surrender.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 11:37AM
Seriously. The man couldn't even convince his own constituents to reelect him. Most Republicans in the House probably breathed a big sigh of relief at learning he wouldn't be back.
Constance| 11.13.12 @ 11:52AM
Voter fraud is not the same as constituents not electing someone. Yes, republicans in the House are breathing a sigh of relief. They are democrats in GOP clothing. What, was there a turnip truck or tuna boat you just toppled from? Gee, I think we are a bit ahead of you here on this site.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 1:34PM
Evidence, Constance? Or is that dispensed with whenever you losing Republicans chant the usual refrain.
Warrior| 11.13.12 @ 1:26PM
Always the arbiter of half truths and triangulation. If his constituents were the same as 2010, this would not be a question. The redistricting, which the GOP needs to take credit for, is the reason he lost. He should have taken a few bribes and perjured himself and he could be the second coming of Alcee Hastings.
Bob K| 11.13.12 @ 6:57PM
Alan West was redistricted out of congress after the 2010 Tea Party victories by the grateful Florida Republican leadership. Probably because he was a threat to Bush the "T'erd," as people from Brooklyn pronounce the word "third."
George S| 11.13.12 @ 11:03AM
Scott Walker would be in a better position from the governor's office to put holes in ObamaCare by refusing to set up exchanges. He could also pass by executive order protection on in-state insurers from federal law, for example, allowing them to sell cash payout policies for whatever catastrophe that may befall the insured that requires attention such a flood, a fire, disability... or prostate cancer.
Show the rest of the country a way out and other states will follow. That's how to get rid of ObamaCare. Boehner is right -- with a Democrat senate and Obama in the White House, ObamaCare ain't going anywhere soon.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 11:39AM
George, even if Walker had power under state law to issue such an order, the Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution would invalidate any state order conflicting with Federal Law.
George S| 11.13.12 @ 2:10PM
There is no conflict with cash out policies and ObamaCare (musicians, for example, insure their fingers and dancers their legs). ObamaCare is a legal choice: buy insurance or pay the tax or penalty... whatever. There is no federal law that excludes what you can buy.
Does the HHS -- under the "Constitution" -- have the power to unilaterally undermine that with regulation? No. It has nothing to do with ObamaCare; it's a separate commodity.
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 5:27PM
George:
Under the Constitution there could be no HHS.
Warrior| 11.13.12 @ 7:52PM
There is no enumerated power for HHS, DOE (both), EPA...unelected positions of power writing regulations that have no basis in law except for the corrupt federal judiciary. What really eats at me is a Republican appointed John Roberts taking what may be the final dump on the Constitution with his absolute bullshit vote and opinion.
djn1313| 11.13.12 @ 11:37AM
It is time for Conservative states to secede from the rotting corpse of obama's welfare empire he has created. It is time to build a new nation free of these communists, marxists, socialists, and muslim brotherhood terrorist allies sitting in DC, the DOJ, the UnSupreme Court, and our cowardly military leadership.
True Americans and our troops deserve better than the dung stinking up the present leadership.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 11:39AM
Another traitor to the United States of America speaks up!
Constance| 11.13.12 @ 11:50AM
The only traitor here lives in the White House. Oh, and apparently you, too.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 1:37PM
...and the majority of Americans in your view. But there's little doubt that giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the UNITED States of America is treason. The Union is indissolvable - we settled that with the blood of real American patriots in the 19th century. Get used to it.
John Navratil| 11.13.12 @ 2:01PM
RCV,
Nothing is permanent. This Republic is historically "long in the tooth." It will be dissolved. When and how remain the question.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 2:17PM
I beg to differ, John.
John Navratil| 11.13.12 @ 3:28PM
RCV,
Immanentizing the eschaton?
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 5:17PM
John:
YAF, 1968-1972
Butch| 11.13.12 @ 5:51PM
There's the threat of force. Good old predictable RCV. RCV is going to send my nephews to kill their mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 6:55PM
No, Butch. That won't be necessary. The overwhelming majority of Americans love their country and are loyal to it, even when their candidate doesn't win an election. It's only a few wingnuts who would even think of raising arms against the United States of America, and the local constable can handle them just fine.
Warrior| 11.13.12 @ 9:35PM
It only took a few wingnuts in the 1770's to raise arms against oppressive government. The army of an empire couldn't stop it then. I can only hope that you find a spine and pick a weapon to defend your beloved country. Maybe you can be as famous as Benedict Arnold.
RCV| 11.14.12 @ 11:46AM
Believe me, Americans will defend our country. But all that would be needed to take care of you guys would be Deputy Barney Fife.
John Navratil| 11.13.12 @ 1:50PM
RCV,
In the spirit of history is written by the victors, I observe that Founding Fathers were, themselves, traitors.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 2:39PM
It matters a lot, John, what one is traitorous to. As Sam Adams said, long before he got that beer named after him, "Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death."
TLP| 11.13.12 @ 2:49PM
The Laws of This Republic, ALLOW for States to Succeed.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 3:37PM
They do not, TLP. And that issue was settled as well in the Civil War.
Stkman| 11.13.12 @ 3:57PM
Sorry, but you are mistaken RCV. All states do have the right to leave the union and it is there honor and duty to change the government whenever the government strays from being a representative government. Clearly it is not a representative government when Republicans control the house but refuse to do what their constituents tell them to do.
Also, if you look at history you will see that Texas was the last state to re-join the union after the civil war. The reason they held out? For their right to secede.
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 5:21PM
During the MA ratifying convention, Theophilus Parsons remarked during the discussion of the Constitutional powers of Congress, An act of usurpation is not obligatory, it is not Law. Resistence to such a Law is justified."
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 7:02PM
Don't know if you've been to law school, Stkman, but if so, you apparently missed Constitutional Law. There is no right to secession in the Constitution - it is a binding compact among the States, which can only be amended as provided for in the document. In 1869, the Supreme Court held in Texas v. White that there is no right of secession under the Constitution, and that is the law. The idea that Texas has some special right to secede is pure internet myth.
Al Adab| 11.13.12 @ 5:25PM
Article I, Section 10 would allow it with the consent of Congress. Alternativly, what would the national government do these days if say Hawaii or Alaska or Arizona (which could join Sonora) or Texas wanted out? Do you really think they would once again roll the tanks?
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 7:03PM
Yes, and the American people would demand they do so. No one is taking any part of the United States with them if they choose to leave.
Butch| 11.13.12 @ 7:25PM
RCV always comes back to Lincoln: I will require your sons and daughters to kill you dead. What an American.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 9:27PM
A simple arrest will be all that's needed. No need for violence unless, of course, you insist.
Lincoln's a pretty good guy for any American to come back to.
moey2720| 11.14.12 @ 2:02PM
It has to be voted on by a majority of the State involved, but yes it can be done.
John Navratil| 11.13.12 @ 3:28PM
RCV,
I think Sam Adams' view was not shared by George III.
RCV| 11.13.12 @ 3:38PM
Most of Sam Adams' views were not shared by King George, to be sure.
JmsA| 11.13.12 @ 6:20PM
How telling: You call him traitor though he only expresses, as is well his right to do, his opinion. Maybe he's onto something.
mjs-pa| 11.13.12 @ 11:41AM
Mr. Lord,
Aren't you the same gentleman who told us PA for romney and romney in a landslide?
Constance| 11.13.12 @ 11:49AM
Mr. Lord, I completely agree with you. However, nobody in the House is going to oust Boehner. We could march on Washington in the millions. We could burn down the Capital building. They will not buck the system, and they will not listen to us. The conservatives in the House are already falling in line - watch them. They won't do anything about this problem. It pains me to feel this way, but in my opinion, it is honest to just face what is. Our voices do not matter. Not anymore.
moey2720| 11.14.12 @ 2:03PM
Isn't that the truth!
Who Knows?| 11.13.12 @ 12:04PM
Amidst all the analysis of the recent election, the one statistic I haven’t seen is what percent of eligible voters took the time to vote.
The GOTV issue stood out, but what percent of Americans ACTUALLY voted? And it would be edifying to also know the breakdown by races, and other metrics.
What was it, 60%?
Anyway, with this consideration in mind, to wit, the sorry state of the general participation of the citizens in electoral politics, especially at the federal level, another old, dead, white male came to mind---the godfather of LSD, Timothy Leary.
Tune in, turn on, and drop out.
It seems to me that THAT is a concise way of understanding the whole American way of life.
People DO “tune in”, are ALWAYS “tuned in”, and over time settle into a combination of “tune in” and “tune out”. So, no matter what permeates the thinking atmosphere, they deal with it in their own well-trained manner.
Which leads to---“turn on”.
Every second of one’s life, they ARE “turning on”, as they titillate their nervous system, bringing all kinds of ecstatic thrills to all the body parts, whether the tongue or the privates. To boot, painful twinges “turn on” as well.
Who Knows?| 11.13.12 @ 12:05PM
What about “drop out”?
To begin with, the Universe “drops the living out”, as any being MUST emerge from “in” to become “out”, of the closet of nonbeing, as it were.
From then on, each person finds their own unique way to express their “drop out” status. I AM special!
Certain sayings become trite, even as they remain truths.
So, “Misery loves company” can be found to be rampant, wherever groups coalesce---my favorite miserable company is the Democratic Party: what a bunch of unhappy losers!
The other side of this “coin” has to be, “Happiness hates company”.
That is, Jean Paul Sartre was correct, when he wrote that “Hell is other people”.
Hey, just remembered the Army—
“Be all that you can be”. “The Army of One”.
Me—I am happily at ease, especially when alone.
Don’t tread on me. Indeed, leave me ALONE!
That’s the ticket, for our coming ride to hell.
thunderroad| 11.13.12 @ 12:10PM
To paraphrase Oliver Cromwell speaking before the Long Parliament when he thought it was no longer fit to conduct the affairs of the nation, Mr. Boehner, you have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart I say, and let us have done with you!
The lack of accountability among the Republican leadership for the election results of November 6 boggles the mind.
Is there anyone who has done more over the past two years to down grade the Republican brand than John Boehner? I think not. And now he is running around issuing edicts. It is time to clean house.
Tom of the Missouri| 11.13.12 @ 1:01PM
To the moderate Republicans on this site who want us that want to stop the destruction of our country to lay down and accept the inevitable and Boehner & Co I have one thing to say to you: "If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams
Hardcard| 11.13.12 @ 1:25PM
it dosen't matter D's or R's we have entered the abyss. walker, boehner, reid, pelosi, these elected a-holes are all in the same pot of sh*t, dishonest, cheating bastards all.
jo blo| 11.13.12 @ 3:24PM
Thanks, Mr. Lord.
I just wish you guys had jumped on this idea a year and a half ago.
Boner had a lot to do with happened a week ago. His constant caving demoralized consevatives, and his extensions of welfare insulated many from the consequences of their stupidity.
BTW, Gingrich would be much better for this job.
Stkman| 11.13.12 @ 4:04PM
To hell with congress, I'm going to Texas! Well, I'm already in Texas and as most of you know there are many citizens here advocating for secesion. I doubt it will happen, but what could happen is the thought of secession catches on with enough people in enough states that it gets some real national attention. We are in an interesting time right now. Who's to say if a second "shot heard round the world" doesn't happen and become the begining of soemthing. If it does happen, it will be on the hands of those two parties (Democratic and Republican)who do nothing but lie and steal. We deserve better, but only if we are willing to make it happen, because we also deserve the government we get when we don't fight for it.
cicero| 11.13.12 @ 5:02PM
The problem we have here is the Republican Party. All of your arguments, Mr. Lord, use Newt Gingrich as the foil for your position. I agree with every one of them. In case you didn't notice, Newt was a candidate for the nomination of his party. They chose not to choose him, and are now whining about Mitt Romney not being a good and strong enough guy. What sense does that make.
What has to happen is for the grass roots to elect a Newt Gingrich in their primary. How will that be done? Beats me. In the last primary, he dominated the debates; humiliated the press; and gave specific solutions for specific problems. He was still spurned. He was still attacked by the Party Regulars. Now, he is too old to carry torches.
While th gov. of Wisconsin has his charm, he couldn't rally his own state to vote R. Blame Romney if you will, but I say that it is the Republican Party as a unit that needs to get its collective head out from twixt the cheeks of its collective ass.
Perhaps we should just can the whole primary process, and go back to the old convention process, and the smoke filledd rooms.
Trinacria| 11.13.12 @ 5:49PM
I applaud your enthusiasm, Mr. Lord; however, I fear the problem is much larger than the current speaker. The problem is the electorate, plain and simple. Governor Walker might indeed succeed in obstructing part of the Obama agenda, but the reality is that the ship is going down regardless. Obstruction might draw out the pace of the decline, but the conclusion is certain. And who will the marginally witted citizens blame? That's right, the obstructionist Republicans.
Why not step aside and salute smartly as the cocksure Mr. Obama races to implement his vision of America? Sure, the consequences will be disasterous and painful; however, it should be noted that Americans get the government they deserve and, in the present case, they deserve precisely what they will be getting. And when the inevitable comes to pass, even the feeble minded who were so willing to buy the liberal lemon will be forced to acknowledge that there is no other party left to blame.
Will some of us get hammered with higher taxes and burdensome regulations? Sure, but we'll survive. Ironically, it's precisely those who have enthusiastically embraced the vacuous platitudes of the left who will be utterly destroyed. And as any tactition knows, the best strategy against an opponent who is willing to die for his cause is to step aside and accomodate him.
Butch| 11.13.12 @ 7:27PM
To one of the commenters above: I have heard the term used to refer to the U. of Kentucky's basketball recruiting efforts.
Nate in WI| 11.13.12 @ 7:39PM
Speaking as a Wisconsinite, who had to go to the polls TWICE in order to put Scott Walker - and then KEEP him - in Madison, I'm going to nicely ask you to KEEP YOUR GRUBBY PAWS OFF OUR GOVERNOR. He's straightening out OUR state, we need him here; once he's done putting Wisconsin back on an even keel, MAYBE you can have him. Until then, you've got PLENTY of people in Washington who can do a much better job as Republican Speaker of the House than John Boehner.
fred0650| 11.13.12 @ 10:13PM
If John Boehner were a football coach, he would routinely punt on first down.
Mike in N.C.| 11.13.12 @ 11:11PM
The music you hear accompanying Lord's post is the theme from The Twilight Zone.
Tim.W| 11.13.12 @ 11:30PM
Nice thoughts, never happen.
I fully expect the Republicans to roll over and show Obama their bellies, it's what they do best these days.
JohnTee| 11.13.12 @ 11:57PM
Please Mr. Lord. Save your ink. The case against Bawlin' Boner is self evident. A Patton he is not. In fact, he is more like the guy that Patton slapped. And if he were, Patton wouldn't have been censured, there would have been a line a mile long to do more slapping.
MikeC| 11.14.12 @ 12:23AM
Boehner does not have the balls to take on Obama or anything stronger than Casper Milquetoast. The fact that the other Republican house members retain Boehner shows how little or no manhood exists in the Republicans.
Jeffry Lord is right. Boehner is worth less than a bucket of warm piss.
justlyso| 11.14.12 @ 12:26AM
What a bunch of loons. This is not thoughtful discussion. To the Ron Paul supporters, not enough people support his ideas for the country as was evidenced this time around. Face it!
My view of Boehner diminished the first time he cried. Now I want to see him cry once more. Let him retire to a life of cronyism as a lobbyist.
If you want an insurrection go to the government website and call every Republican congressman and tell him, we want Boehner gone. Let's incite a revolt. They all have a desire for power and this is their opportunity.
Whoever the idiot was that said Allen West was too extreme needs to see his shrink.
Ted R.| 11.14.12 @ 12:53AM
HA HAH HA - We LOVE This... Operation CHAOS! PLEASE do this. Keep digging!
kingratt82| 11.14.12 @ 9:51AM
Ted, did you have anything constructive to say?
kingratt82| 11.14.12 @ 9:50AM
Wow, excellent article, Mr Lord. Written like a true Reaganite getting it done.
I would most definitely sign a petition or donate a couple hundred dollars (and I don't make that much money) to a conservative non-House member who ran as a candidate for Speaker of the House. Boehner is no conservative, and he needs to go. He's just Harry Reid-lite (aka a liberal, as all "moderate" Republicans are). I'll second "Scott Walker for Governor!"
Brian Richard Allen | 11.14.12 @ 1:18PM
.... If John Boehner had been leading Britain in May of 1940 ....
Nope.
That was another (anglo) American of a different caliber. The one more than ably assisted by the New Zealander, Keith Park, who won the Battle of Britain:.
moey2720| 11.14.12 @ 1:54PM
Yes, I said last year Boehner needed to be replaced - it is loooooooong overdue! Scott Walker would be a tremendous replacement. We need someone with some backbone to stand up to this dictator and tell him he needs to negotiate across the aisle and that his way is NOT the only way to get things done. Please replace Boehner with Scott Walker
sickofit5| 11.14.12 @ 8:53PM
He's from Ohio, nuff said.
Dobbs| 11.15.12 @ 3:21PM
Yesssssssss! Onward!
topcat52| 12.12.12 @ 11:48PM
"The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers". This provision makes clear that the Speaker is an officer of the House of Representatives. Could it possibly be that the founders ever entertained that officers of a legislative body would be chosen from outside that body? "The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States." Well, maybe when specifically called for. But if the Speaker can be chosen from outside the house, than so can the other officers, and likewise the officers of the Senate. Is that really what you think?