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Conservative Elites Dislike 2012 GOP Presidential Field

By W. James Antle, III on 8.23.11 @ 1:09PM

Yesterday I wrote about the longing for a Republican presidential candidate who could unite all factions of the conservative movement. But there is just as much truth to this Politico story: conservative elites -- movement leaders, journalists, policy wonks, newspaper columnists -- are pining for one of their own to get into the race. The article offers the following description of the "egghead right" and the current GOP field:

Profoundly dissatisfied with the current field, that dull ache may only grow more acute after [Paul] Ryan's decision Monday to take himself out of the running.

The problem, in shorthand: To many conservative elites, Rick Perry is a dope, Michele Bachmann is a joke and Mitt Romney is a fraud.

Paul Ryan was an obvious candidate because he was one of us, someone who came to Congress from the Beltway conservative think tank world. We assumed voters would find his arguments compelling because we do (even though we already agreed with him). Ryan does resonate with grassroots conservatives -- just ask Newt Gingrich -- which can't be said for other conservative intellectuals' hearthrobs like Mitch Daniels and Tim Pawlenty, who registered minimal support in the polls.

Charles Krauthammer is quoted hoping that he won't have to hear any creationism or intelligent design talk from the Republican nominee. It all makes you wonder why Jon Huntsman didn't pursue a different strategy of selling himself to conservative publications and leaders as a right-wing thought leader early on, rather than a mainstream media darling. While Daniels and Pawlenty didn't seem to get much mileage out of it, it certainly helped Romney from 2005 on, even if the health care law has since complicated his relationship with those who admired him in 2008.

View all comments (28) | Leave a comment

David W| 8.23.11 @ 1:40PM

Yeah, and it is those conservative elites who are partially responsible for getting Obama in (were they supportive of John "I can't attack Obama because I'm afraid to" McCain). Maybe the conservative elites can just shut up for one election cycle and maybe we can get someone who can fix the mess that we have.

Al Adab| 8.23.11 @ 1:57PM

In order to fix the mess David, the nation needs someone more than another establishment, accomodationist "moderate" Republican. We have followed them to defeat and failure too often to follow them again.

Texas Hillbilly| 8.23.11 @ 2:32PM

I voted for Ron Paul ever since he got me my gubmint checks. All I have to do is drive around and put stickers on peoples cars at the Winn Dixie.

Paul McGrath| 8.23.11 @ 1:44PM

I had high hopes for Perry, but after a mere week and a half in the ballgame he's already put his foot in his mouth about three times, dismayingly reminiscent of the most recent Republican president, also from Texas wouldn't you know.

It's a bit frustrating. I guess a Reagan only comes around about once in a lifetime, and we've already had him.

Simon Templar| 8.24.11 @ 1:09AM

Well, you should stop listening to the MSM definitions of our candiadtes for a start. Then you should do a little reading about the 1979 Reagan campaign and the crap he took from the washington elites and the liberal media. According to them he could not stop putting his foot in his mouth, he was a stupid cowboy, a warmonger, and an extremist who was unelectable. Get real. Grow a little resistance.
Stop being so easily frustrated.

irish19| 8.24.11 @ 1:13AM

Hear, Hear!! Bravo! We cannot, under any circumstances, allow the inside-the-Beltway elitist crowd to choose our candidate again.

Al Adab| 8.23.11 @ 1:54PM

What is lacking in the current crop is the articulate movement Conservative who has a proven record of governance. Several are like the voice crying in the wilderness, but as yet it seems there is no one from the Movement itself.

Every GOP contender will be the subject of unrelenting scrutiny for every sneeze or cough (or headache) they might exhibit. Establishmentarians in the press and media will focus entirely on the faults, gaffe and mistakes of the GOP field while ignoring completely the collapse of the policies from this bankrupt statist, utopian seeking administration.

Mike| 8.23.11 @ 2:33PM

Can you ask Mr. Krauthammer when the last time he heard a Republican talk about creationism or intelligent design? I don't ever remember hearing Bush talk about that.

TexasMom2012| 8.23.11 @ 2:40PM

When is the last time they asked a Democrat these questions about creationism vs evolution? Was it Kennedy? That's why I think the GOP needs to run their own debate and decide on the questions. The MSM can ask those questions after we get our nominee so that they will have to ask similar questions of Obama. Or look like the biased libs they are!

TexasMom2012| 8.23.11 @ 2:45PM

That is my frustration with the current debate process. I want to hear the candidates speak about the real issues not sidebars. Fiscal policy, entitlements, monetary, the economy and JOBS. The ideas and frame the candidates have would be much more useful than all the sideshow gotcha Christians are nuts garbage. Why aren't we running our own debates? Doesn't make sense to have a clearly hostile media run our debate for their benefit rather than so we can really learn about the important positions the candidates have on issues. Sigh...

apnep| 8.24.11 @ 8:25PM

I completely agree with you there TexasMom!

--Another Texas mom.

Wayne | 8.23.11 @ 2:49PM

I wouldn't mind a question like: Do babies ever have gill slits and tails? Or how much Neanderthal are you anyway?
That's is about the same level of question conservatives get.

Wanderer13| 8.23.11 @ 2:50PM

Ron Paul makes more sense than any of the rest, but the GOP establishment doesn't OWN him like they own Perry, Romney or McCain. Even PALIN would be better than Huntsman or Pawlenty, and Bachmann makes better sense (even on her gaffes, LOL) than Daniels or Gingrich.
We can do better than this; to defeat Obama, we HAVE to.

bob jones| 8.23.11 @ 3:24PM

Ron Paul is a conservative, consistent constitutionalist, who is not bought and paid for and actually scares the crap out of the DC beltway insiders. Imagine that, an honest politician, that's about as rare as Paul's polling numbers being reported on accurately by the media.

Jack in Wi.| 8.23.11 @ 11:13PM

Ron Paul is statistically tied with Obama in the Gallup poll. He has always been close in other polls. The elites are terrified of us unwashed mob. They think rightly that if we get in the gravy boat is over. Vote for the Intellectual aand moral giant that is dragging America back to sanity. Dr Ron Paul is the soldiers best friend.

martin j smith| 8.23.11 @ 4:08PM

Those brilliant elites are no conservatives. What I think they are --are Crony Capitalist Deal Makers who have no connection to the average voter at all. And, these "elites" helped give us Obama-- NO THANK YOU.

Westie| 8.23.11 @ 5:40PM

I must repeat what Mr. MJ Smith says to the Republican (non-Conservative) Elites: "Those brilliant elites are no conservatives. What I think they are --are Crony Capitalist Deal Makers who have no connection to the average voter at all. And, these "elites" helped give us Obama-- NO THANK YOU." and GTH!

Westie| 8.23.11 @ 5:40PM

Quartermaster| 8.23.11 @ 7:01PM

That was so good it had to be said 3 times.

And, no, the Republican establishment are not conservatives. Like the Democrat establishment, they are crony capitalist deal makers. They care only for themselves. The country can go hang for all they care.

And Romney is a fraud, as was Juan McCain and Bush.

bluecollarbytes| 8.23.11 @ 7:01PM

Knowing there's no such animal as the perfect candidate, I think this current lot of hopefuls is better than we've had over a number of recent election cycles.

Not only that, Bill Krsitol might even have several more 'surprise candidates' waiting in the wings. But if not, I guess we just need to decide from the existing candidates, plus Plain when she enters.

let's make it the battle it deserves to be, ok?

Bob| 8.23.11 @ 7:13PM

Score one for the conservative elites. You forgot one Paul-senile. I'm hoping the fat man aka the Trenton Two-Ton gets in. Brother would I have a field day with that barrage balloon.

I Survived Arlen Specter| 8.23.11 @ 7:42PM

"Conservative" elites = stealth leftists, willing dupes of the state-run media & strategic arm of the Re-Elect Barack Obama committee. Heed their advice at your own peril.

PCP Smoker| 8.23.11 @ 8:42PM

Selling would not have made any difference. Just as most conservatives de-emphasize the liberal mainstream media by seeking other alternatives, we can de-emphasize the elite right. The American Spectator -- save for Antler, Kamishitsky, Stein, and Hillier, and the American Thinker provide enough ideological heft to have us saying, Charles who?

p-squared| 8.23.11 @ 11:08PM

Excuse me, Mr. W. James Antle III, but your ego is showing. Why not just write a post entitled "I am a conservative elite!" and then scamper off to the golf course with the rest of the country club Republicans. You and your ilk are determined to "Christine O'Donnell" any candidate that you don't like, and you are going to get Obama re-elected. But at least you correctly identified Mitt "McCain 2.0" Romney as a fraud.

martin j smith| 8.24.11 @ 7:34AM

If you want to see a media outlet that shows the " Republican Elite" in action the Watch Fox News and also FBN. To sure they are farrrrrrrrrrrrr better than Communist News Nyetwork. But that is exactly who they are Crony Capitalists, lets make a deal as long as we get ours to hell with everyone else--the nation included.

JGwen| 8.24.11 @ 7:57AM

Question - how does one evolve from empty space? Gottcha questions an educator prods her small son to ask, a question that doesn't impact tomorrow, are stupid.

Next "Intellect" can we try these reputable sources:
PERRY FINANCIAL SKILL PER Kudlow and Wall Street Journal:
Kudlow [PULL QUOTE: So it turns out that Governor Perry -- even with his overly strong language -- is a pretty sharp economic and monetary analyst.]
Wall Street Journal Article
Perry's Public Service
Behold, a hard-money Texas politician.
[PULL QUOTE: Here we have a Presidential candidate, a Texas populist no less, laying out a position in favor of sound money. This is a bear walking on its hind legs. The ghosts of Wright Patman and Henry B. Gonzalez are howling in the Hill Country.]

And for further perspectives

http://peskytruth.wordpress.co.....president/

While Congressman Paul has some excellent insights into National fiscal policies - his isolationist bent poses a substantial threat to U.S. and our allies.

No one will be perfect.

For one I know, as a conservative voter, which of the above I will be favoring.

NO More RINOs.

Casey Abell| 8.24.11 @ 9:39AM

"Ryan does resonate with grassroots conservatives -- just ask Newt Gingrich ..."

Let's leave aside the odd image of roots resonating (do they tingle, too?) But Paul Ryan would have done about as well as Tim Pawlenty in the real campaign. Asking Newt Gingrich about grassroots conservatives is like asking a Martian about baseball. Check Gingrich's own poll numbers among the "roots."

martin j smith| 8.24.11 @ 10:24AM

Let talk of Fox: I see this is important because I have noticed a gradual change in their Political Bent
from more right to less so. Was it last night I saw Neal Cavuto interview Job Bush--this is but one example. And you know how this went. In fact on the Fox home page Jeb Bush is calling to being careful about attacking Obama. This is one example of where I have a BIG PROBLEM.
The Republican Party- if it is not careful or perhaps this si what it wishes--may implode and create open rebellion within its ranks and possibly a third party ? The failure of Republican establishment to defend the Tea Party is telliung.
If the Elites in the Repub camp AGREE with Obama that the 'TEA PARTY IS THE ENEMY" then there is going to be a real problem and the selection of the ultimate candidate will be telling in that regard. If there are questions about who the ultimate nominee is and how they were chosen then I fear my prediction will become reality. The issue of the"Elites" in the Republican Camp will for many become just as much a problem as Obama himself.