Yes they were. Unfortunately too many conservatives were single issue or 100% or nothing types. They damaged the unified front and allowed the House Republicans to take a beating over the government shutdown. It's sad, but Republicans are not good winners. If they are not under attack they consume themselves. Even right now when we have the opportunity to give the Dems a whipping they'll never forget, more energy is expended on this forum on negatives than on consolidating what gains we have.
Can you elaborate on this? As I recall, most conservatives very much supported the congressional Republicans vs. Clinton in that contest. It was when they gave in that many of us became disgusted with them.
Even right now when we have the opportunity to give the Dems a whipping they'll never forget, more energy is expended on this forum on negatives than on consolidating what gains we have.
First of all, it makes sense on this forum, where we're all conservatives, to hammer out whatever differences we have here.
In pursuance of that, I prefer to take a realistic look at the situation. I don't consider it a gain to have Congress spend even more money and thereby exercise more control in an area where it's not constitutionally authorized to be involved.