Where We Went Wrong

Washington Post ^ | Oct 29, 2006 | Dick Armey

[Hildy]

We had a part in it to. We didn't hold their feet to the fire as we should have. Where were the demonstrations about border control? Why weren't (aren't) we marching to Washington DEMANDING immigration control. We're good on the computer, but we don't take the action. We're as much to blame.

[johnny7]

See a doctor...

[PerConPat]

The likely Republican losses in next week's elections will not constitute a repudiation of the conservative legacy...

True. If there is a loss of one or both Houses, which at this point seems too difficult to predict, it will be the result of a lack of fire in the belly of the Right. Times are good if one remains isolated from facts behind the facade of a debt induced plenty. Also, it's been over five years since the terrorists have managed to strike the homeland. Less than half of the qualified voters, as usual, will probably bother to vote.

This is the continuing legacy of America. Only desperate times can fashion a strong, effectively unified political environment. Things will, unfortunately, only improve after they have been allowed to deteriorate to a place where imminent danger once again concentrates the minds of those who really would rather play with their toys than think.

I wish it were different; but haggling with folks who only want to debate the finer points of what the Constitution really has to say about subjects such as deploying troops, tracking terrorists within our borders, interrogating captured enemy combatants etc.-- while fanatics are openly working for our destruction, is always going to be the case until the situation becomes sufficiently grave.

I know that a reinvigoration of the Conservative movement is needed, and the fact that it may come as a result of another setback at the polls won't diminish my faith that it is only a matter of time until the Left is put back into its box. The sad aspect is the amount of suffering that will likely be necessary to bring it about.

[LibLieSlayer]

I only listen to winners. What cha won lately dick? How's bob barr doing?

LLS

[rob777]

"So your idea of obtaining this goal is by firing Republicans?"



Though this post was not meant for me I thought that I would respond anyway. Why is it that ANY criticism of the GOP is so often met with the mantra about preferring the Dems? Though the Dems are worse and should be kept far away from power, that does not mean we should exempt the GOP from criticism. If we do so we run the risk of being taken for granted by those whose main interest is political power.

[rob777]

"I only listen to winners. What cha won lately dick? How's bob barr doing?"



Clinton won two straight elections and was successful in stopping the Contract With America. Does that mean you are are willing to listen to him? Winning at any cost and power at the expense of principle is what is wrong with Washington politics.

[DarthVader]

Americans do not want Democrats but they want conservative hypocrites even less.

They will also learn to enjoy getting more terrorist attacks on our home soil and live with it.

[Nav_Mom]

Are you planing to vote GOP?

[Nav_Mom]

Are you planning to vote GOP on Nov 7th?

[LibLieSlayer]

Yeah right. I won't even do business with dims... I sure a heck don't listen to them.

I'll be up front. I don't like Dick Armey. I don't like him in the same way I don't like Novak and Barr. If he is so smart and so tuned in, why isn't he in Washington? Why isn't HE personally leading the pack?

Nothing but whining and no solutions... who else sounds like this? Pssst... it's the dims.

LLS

[centurion316]

Republican leadership from the President down are not committed to grassroots conservative issues

Then you will no doubt enjoy your life in the socialist utopia that your are about to visit upon the American people. Be sure to cite your firm conservative principles when you report to your local police station to surrender all your weapons and submit to government surveillance of all your thoughts, words, and deeds.

However, I do not intend to commit suicide just because I'm mad.

[Revolting cat!]

Said it before, say it again (with no hope of anything happening): We need a multi-party system. We have two parties, or more precisely, one and a half parties, that both stand for everything, or again, more precisely, that both stand for some vague idea of "goodness".

In countries with multi-party systems each party stands for a well defined set of ideas, and any member who strays from this set of ideas is kicked out of the party, even if that means losing a legislative seat he occupies. Principles mean something. Here, we often can't even spell the word right in mainstream newspapers.

[Nav_Mom]

Please re-read post #15 several times.
If the GOP loses you know damn good and well the spin will be "Republican Voters tired of Right Wing Agenda" and the DC Politicians (both parties) Will jump through hoops to prove they are "moderates"
Rather than getting the message they were too Left...GOP politicians will begin to emulate McCain types. The fact that you don't see this troubles me.
Also you are sooooooooo pissed in your post. Yet you give the obstruction of Democrats as well as their MSM accomplices a 100% pass.
How nice it must be to sit on your throne in front of a computer & pass judgment on those who are in the trenches fighting the fight. Its easy to be a genius when you don't actually have to participate in the game.
(except of course complain) I guess if all 300 million Americans would simply subscribe to your way of running the government all would be "RIGHT" with the world. (eye roll)

[Bernard]

We've got something like this going on in Illinois in the governor election. Judy Baar-Topinka is running as the Republican against Rod Blagoevich, who is up for reelection. He's also likely to indicted some time the upcoming 4-year term, but that's what you get with Chicago politicians.

Anyway, the good news is that if B-T wins, we have a republican governor in Illinois. Even better, since she is the last of the George Ryan Republicans in Illinois,, if she loses we can start over again while the Democrats have the scandal-ridden Gov Rod as a legacy.

But if the Pubs do rebuild, they have to avoid getting another George Ryan in the mix, who would just soil the good things.

[Nav_Mom]

BRAVO~!!!! TO POST #35

[Lurking in Kansas]

Power corrupts and many Republicans have fallen under its sway.

Ding... ding... ding, we have a winner. We can close this thread now.

;-)

[wildbill]

I sent Congressman Armey the following letter:

Dear Congressman:

I still think of you with that appellation because of all the great things you stood for and the wit and wisdom you gave to that body during your years of service to the country. As a former constituent, I was so very disappointed that you chose to retire.

However, I was saddened to see your recent column in the Washington Post. It came at the wrong time in this campaign season. I even wondered if it was inspired by that leftist rag. Did they come to you?

It's hard to believe that you would attack your erstwhile comrads while they are in a fight for control of the Congress--a fight that will determine the course of government and possibly the Supreme Court. It will even impinge upon the war on Terrorists and the fighting our young men are doing to bring some sort of freedom and democratic governing to the Mid East.

I don't disagree with most of your sentiments. But wouldn't this open letter to Republican congressmen have been better if sent privately, rather than in the midst of a campaign?. You know the Democrats will pick up on it, take sections out of context, and use it against the GOP. They need a life preserver, and you threw them an anchor.

This would have been a great letter AFTER the election if they lose control. It would have been a proper admonition of the root causes and a call to return to Reagan's premises. Or if they maintain control by the skin of their teeth, it would show them the way back to the principles we all should adhere to as Republicans.

You always have been forthright in your views. I can't say you were wrong to say these things. But the timing and the open venue were not helpful at all.

[BLS]

"But today, my Republican friends in Congress stand on the precipice of an electoral rout"


Could we please wait until AFTER the "oh-so-hoped-for" rout (hoped for by leftists and cut-n-run conservatives) before assigning blame and crying in our drinks? I am really getting sick of te defeatism.

[BLS]

"Republicans, fearful of taking on big tasks and challenges, may be defeated next month by a party that offers nothing on the key issues of our day."


True but I would say that the dims have something to offer on those issues, it's just not in their best interest to share.

[drsbb]

Hello, Hildy:

"We had a part in it to. We didn't hold their feet to the fire as we should have. Where were the demonstrations about border control? Why weren't (aren't) we marching to Washington DEMANDING immigration control. We're good on the computer, but we don't take the action. We're as much to blame."

Good point. It's much too late in the season to be complaining about how Republicans have lost their way. We had the chance to get "our" candidates on the slate. Now we are faced with the reality of these particular candidates. That's what the choice is now. Doubtless there could be "better" candidates that would more correctly express the "true" Republican ideals and principles, but they aren't on the ballot right now. We need to focus on what is real right now and remember for the future what we would like to have the next time.