Where We Went Wrong

Washington Post ^ | Oct 29, 2006 | Dick Armey

[Westbrook]

I don't mean to be making excuses, but even our alternative media has no legs unless the mainstream media picks it up.

For example, Dan Rather's hoax would have continued to pass as valid, in spite of the Pajama news corps, if one or more media outlets did not take the story and run with it.

Our penetration into the consciousness of the very large independent voting block is limited by what the Alphabet News organizations allow.

Consider the fact the Donkeys have absolutely NOTHING to offer other than higher taxes and surrendering Iraq to the terrorists. While we discuss it here and in all the conservative sites in the blogosphere, the news media has reported NONE OF IT. Note one iota of it.

I submit that the vast majority of the independent voting block is mad at the Republican majority, not for excess spending, not for failing to protect the boarders, not for ANY of the pet peeves of the conservative block.

They are mad because of the continuous negative drumbeat about Iraq, the economy, "health care", the sorry state of the gummint schools, guns and violence.

I submit they are mad about all the pet peeves of the LEFT, as hammered endlessly, day-after-day by the enemy news media.

.

[RKV]

I wouldn't say that. The plain facts indicate that under Bush, Frist and Hastert, the small government conservative agenda has been forgotten or ignored. We, for instance, could have easily balanced the budget by now, and certainly didn't have to pass the prescription drug entitlemnt. The security theater we have now known as the TSA, could do the job for less and do it more effectively, etc. etc.

[The South Texan]

"What went wrong? We lost Newt."

No, the Republican rank in file in the house (mainly spineless moderates like Chris Shays) threw Newt under the bus. And that is the problem with the GOP. When the Liberals/Drive By Media attack one of our leaders, the rank and file in the Congress stand back and let it happen. Love him or hate him, but look at the Trent Lott example. I think Lott should have been replaced as Senate Majority leader for the lack of a spine in standing up to the Rats, not for saying something that was just a point of flattery in regards to Strom Thurmonds birthday. But what did the GOP do? They threw Lott under the bus instead of defending him in the media and at the very atleast making the media take notice of some of the things (Byrd and his KKK days) that the Rats have actually done that are racist.

When the GOP in Washington learns once and for all that they WILL NEVER be on the Drive By media's good side in that town, then they will excel at winning elections by wide margins and not by just skating by. When they go on these talking head or morning shows and point blank, call what the anchor or anchorette is spewing nothing but DemoRat talking points and a lie, then they will make the media take notice of themselves that the GOP is not going to take it anymore from them. When the GOP refuses to let the esteemed Senators like McCain, Grahnm, and Hagle be spokemen for the party in the media, then the party will earn the respect of the Conservative rank and file out here.

Win or lose, I really hope the GOP takes a big look deep down inside itself and does what needs to be done. Rush was so right in 1995 when he warned the new GOP Newbees in DC that they should never seek the approval of the Drive By MSM . He was right then and he is right now.

[texaslil]

In Texas, we say, "you have to dance with who 'brung' you."
Think the GOP never learned that, but should have since Bush is a Texan.

I don't know what happened, but we're disgusted to say the least. Think the conspiracy theorist are correct, it's about money, lining one's pockets, and too many having a big ol' party in Washington---or "sex, lies, and video tape." Think WE forgot that government has never been anyone's friend. Never.

[advance_copy]

What kind of Republican takes the occasion of one week before an election to bash his own party? Not a Reagan-Republican. Dick Armey should be ashamed of himself for attacking the GOP at the same time he calls Bill Clinton a "masterful political operator". Frankly, I am glad Mr. Armey is gone and I wish he'd shut his mouth.

[RKV]

That says it all. Have an agenda consistent with conservative values - win the war on terror, close the borders, lower taxes, lower spending and eliminate regulation - those would be me first 5 picks for a new contract.

[RKV]

Sorry to hear you say that. I for one, would prefer Dick Armey to Denny Hastert, by a country mile.

[advance_copy]

Speaker Hastert is an honorable man and a great leader. Our country is well-served with him as Speaker of the House.

[no dems]

The answer is simple: Republican lawmakers forgot the party's principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy. Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect -- and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

He could have ended the article right there; that says it all. Plus the fact that we paid this Congress 6-digit salaries and they only met 93 days this year.

But, better the do-nothing Pubbies than the anti-Christ Peolsi.

[RKV]

Yeah, Hastert obstructs the William Jefferson investigation and presides over a barrel load of pork spending - mixed results at best, but certainly better than Frist.

[BlackbirdSST]

Gee, Dick, you don't think it had anything at all to do with the constant negative drumbeat of the enemy "news" media, do you?

Ignore that RINO in the "middle" of the room at your own peril. Blackbird.

[sirchtruth]

Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect -- and we have no one to blame but ourselves."

What rewards??? The DBM/dems have been out of power for 10 years and have been increasingly losing power.

Just because the DBM/dems are able to put the lie out, you automatically accept it? Good grief, don't you pessimistic proclaimers get it? The LIE maybe shown, but the monopoly is over! Get on board, Republicans are not as proactive as we would like them to be, right now, but they have 40+ years to try and turn over, a the WOT to fight, and a daily barrage of attacks by DBM/dems. Elect conservatives in the "primaries" and stop bitchin' and moaning about Rinos after the fact which WE elect!!!

Concentrate on fighting the real enemy, DBM/dems when it matters, not some lame dissenter rinos.

[BlackbirdSST]

I'd settle for "Ball's of flesh". Blackbird.

[Dems_R_Losers]

I agree with everything you say, but on the other hand, to blame Newt Gingrich for not being perfect is a little much. Republicans expect perfection from their leaders and are way too quick to throw them under the bus when they aren't. In retrospect, doesn't it look very stupid that we allowed the MSM to hound Newt Gingrich out of the House over a little book deal? How bad was that deal compared to what Harry Reid has done -- yet Reid is tough and his party has been tough in defending him and changing the subject.

Maybe if Republicans would stop demanding perfection and keep our eyes on the prize we wouldn't be losing this election.

[Big Horn]

I would rather have a bad republican than a good Rat because the Republican would do a better job. A rat is a rat.

[Gritty]

[Paladin2]

Hastert has no vision, no motivation for progress and no taste for taming the 'rats.

[ez]

I agree that the Republicans have caved before the onslaught of the MSM, rather than combating and defeating it...like Reagan did.

But for Mr. Armey to base his piece on the questionable prediction (IMHO) that Dems are about to score a major political victory, places his whole line of thought in danger of being fantasy. That was my only point.