'Why Party Trumps Person' (a good review for the cut'n'run conservatives planning to sit out)

Mike Rosen archive page at KOA ^ | October 2004 | Mike Rosen

[ajolympian2004]

Based on this most recent poll here at FR a pathetic 4.7% of FReepers are planning to stay home during this election. You cut'n'run conservatives (intentionally undermining the outstanding men and women of the USA military with your no-show) are in desperate need of this review, a column written by Mike Rosen every few years during the election season:

"Why Party Trumps Person". (from 2004)

With just 80 days to go before the election, it's time for my quadrennial column on party vs. person. I've been offering and updating this polemic for more than 20 years. For veteran voters, this may be review; for rookies, perhaps, a new concept.

A time-honored cliche heard every election year goes something like this: "I'm an independent thinker; I vote the person, not the party." This pronouncement is supposed to demonstrate open-mindedness and political sophistication on the part of the pronouncer. It's your vote, cast it any way you like - or not at all. But idealism and naivete about the way our electoral process and system of government works shouldn't be mistaken for wisdom or savvy.

For better or worse, we have a two-party system. And party trumps person. Either a Republican, George W. Bush, or a Democrat, John Kerry, is going to be elected president in November. No one else has a chance.

Not Ralph Nader, not the Libertarian candidate, nor the Communist, nor the Green. Minor party candidates are sometimes spoilers - like Nader costing Gore the presidency in 2000 - but they don't win presidential elections. Ross Perot got 20 million popular votes in 1992, and exactly zero Electoral College votes.

In Europe's multiparty, parliamentary democracies, governing coalitions are formed after an election. In our constitutional republic, the coalitions are formed first.

The Republican coalition includes, for the most part, middle- and upper-income taxpayers (but not leftist Hollywood millionaires and George Soros), individualists who prefer limited government, pro-market and pro-business forces, believers in American exceptionalism and a strong national defense, social-issues conservatives and supporters of traditional American values.

The Democratic coalition is an alliance of collectivists, labor unions (especially the teachers' unions), government workers, academics, plaintiffs-lawyers, lower- and middle-income net tax-receivers, most minorities, feminists, gays, enviros, and activists for various anti-capitalist, anti-business, anti-military, anti-gun, one-world causes.

I say party trumps person because regardless of the individual occupying the White House, the coalition will be served.

A Democratic president, whether a liberal or a moderate (conservative Democrats, if any still exist, can't survive the nominating process), can operate only within the political boundaries of his party and its coalition. The party that wins the presidency gets to staff all the discretionary positions in the executive and judicial branches of government. Members of its coalition are awarded vital policy-making government jobs, judgeships, ambassadorships and appointments to boards and commissions, as well as a host of plum jobs handed out to thosewho have political IOUs to cash in.

A vote for Bush is a vote for the Republican agenda and conservative players in key posts. A vote for Kerry is a vote for the influence of the National Education Association, the National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union and the likes of Al Sharpton and Michael Moore.

The legislative branch is no different. After the individual members of a new Congress have been seated, a figurative nose count is taken and the party with the most noses wins. That victory carries with it control of all committee and subcommittee chairmanships, the locus of legislative power.

Now, let's say you're a registered Republican voter who clearly prefers the Republican philosophy of governance. And you're a good-natured, well-intentioned person who happens to like an individual Democrat, a Senate candidate, who's somewhat conservative. You decide to cross party lines and vote for him.

As it turns out, he wins, beating a Republican and giving the Democrats a one-vote majority, 51-49, in the U.S. Senate.

Congratulations! You just got Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahy, Dianne Feinstein and Hillary Clinton as key committee chairs, and a guarantee that your Republican legislative agenda will be stymied.

That's the way the process works. Does this mean that in a two-party system like ours it comes down to choosing between the lesser of two evils? You bet it does. That's not to say that either party is really "evil," that's just an expression.

If we had 280 million custom-tailored minor parties, everyone could find his perfect match.

But that's not practical.

You can be a purist and cast your vote symbolically with a boutique party, or be a player and settle for the least imperfect of the Republican or Democrat alternatives.

Your vote, your choice.

[ajolympian2004]

Now keep in mind that Mike is specifically referring to the general election, NOT primaries in this piece. "Party Trumps Person" does not apply in primaries.

---

The primary is where you volunteer and work for the candidate based on their beliefs as they relate most closely to your own. Once the general election comes around and you are a conservative you better be voting (R) in for example a Senate race... otherwise, like us idiots here in Colorado, you will end up sending a (D) Senator to Washington who will be voting with the far left most of the time... see Pete Coors vs. Ken Salazar in the 2004 Senate election here in Colorado two years ago.

You can let Mike know what you think about 'Why Party Trumps Person' here: mikerosen@850koa.com

Mike Rosen's weekly columns:
http://www.insidedenver.com/rosen

Mike Rosen's 850am KOA webpage:
http://www.850koa.com/shows/rosen/index.html

Mike Rosen in the studio furing a show earlier this year -

[longtermmemmory]

VICTORY Bump!

VOTE!
VOTE!
VOTE!

[umgud]

A single politician, no matter how good or how bad, will NOT take your guns away, cause paid abortions for all, raise your taxes, risk the nation's security, etc.

But a dem majority will. Never ever vote for a dem, even if he appears better than the repub opponent.

[tomnbeverly]

Amen Brother... Those conservatives that do not vote in this election will have to live with their decision. If the GOP loses and we are attacked they will be just as much to blame as the liberals.

[DManA]

The party has no responsibility to run palitable candidates? Throw all the insults you want, I'll never be a "Bend Over and Take It" Republican.

[RegulatorCountry]

"The Republican coalition includes, for the most part, middle- and upper-income taxpayers (but not leftist Hollywood millionaires and George Soros), individualists who prefer limited government, pro-market and pro-business forces, believers in American exceptionalism and a strong national defense, social-issues conservatives and supporters of traditional American values."

I'm going to vote almost exclusively for Republicans, and would never vote for a Democrat. That said, how many different blocs of this coalition have been put off or even shunned in the past two years? Rather than trying to browbeat with constant party hackery, maybe a conciliatory gesture or two, towards limited government advocates and illegal immigration foes, among the many potentially disaffected but usually reliable Republican voters, would be in order ... heck, maybe even announce a broad initiative or two, for after the election, a "send us back to Congress, help us keep our majority, and ..." sort of thing. There's still time.

[AmericanMade1776]

Remember 2000! Vote! President Bush defeated Al Gore 271 electoral votes to 266. Imgaine what would of happened if....Al Gore had been elected, we would be all taking Prozac and hiding from al quaeda. REMEMBER ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!

[Oberon]

The Republican party-liners would have us be frightened into line by the prospect of "Speaker Pelosi! Booga Booga!"

That's entirely appropriate. Myself, I would like to have the Republican party-liners frightened into line by the prospect of "Speaker Pelosi! Booga Booga!"

[Oberon]

Those conservatives that do not vote in this election will have to live with their decision.

And the RINOs who stink too badly for us to be able to hold our nose and vote for them...they get a pass.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Never ever vote for a dem, even if he appears better than the repub opponent.

Absolutely. Some on our side just do not "get it".

[Hydroshock]

Party over principle. Isn't that the reason Jefferson (La freezer money congressman) are winning their elections?

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A PRIMARY? That's why we have them.

[RegulatorCountry]

Who brung who to the dance? Party leadership appears to believe that they did the bringing. We're about to find out.

[Oberon]

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A PRIMARY? That's why we have them.

In all the races that matter, primaries are generally won by the candidate anointed by the party.

That's one good reason why one of my senators is Liddy Dole instead of Jim Snyder. The decision to run Dole was made in Washington, not Raleigh.

[Obie Wan]

In some ways the stakes may be even higher now then when this article was written in 04. Every election cycle the same choice is offered, a Constitutional "free market" Republic or a socialist\marxist state and sadly many of our fellow citizens chose the latter !!!

[LWalk18]

The problem is, if you reward politicans regardless of behavior simply because of the letter (R) next to their name, what incentive is there for the party to put out better candidates? Or will things stay the same, as if nothing happened? Someone mentioned the primary, but then you are told that if you vote for the challenger he/she will be unelectable in the general, so stick with the incumbent.

I think such thinking can only work for so long before voters simply no longer believe the party line, and let the chips fall where they may. I don't think that we at that point yet, but the Republicans have to start listening to the dissatifaction among the base, and make changes accordingly, no matter what the outcome is on November 7.

[Matchett-PI]

"The party has no responsibility to run palitable candidates?"

Palatable to whom? Conservatives only have a voice at the table in "one" particular political party, and it isn't the 'RAT party. The bigger the coalition of conservative voices there are, the more palatable to us will be the Rebublican nominees.

We are the ones who must increase our numbers by persueding people that we have the best ideas for governance and by helping them overcome the fear that DemocRATS have instilled in them about what we would do if elected.

Our numbers are growing - and when our numbers reach critical mass, the Republican party will have no choice but to listen to us more than the rest of those who also have a voice at the table.

Until then, we must be willing to do everything we can to keep the only one of the two viable political parties in power in which we have any voice at all.

Politics is the art of the possible. Those who don't want to hear that are either dictatorial mentalities, or naive. bttt

[Tymesup]

"For better or worse, we have a two-party system. And party trumps person. Either a Republican, George W. Bush, or a Democrat, John Kerry, is going to be elected president in November. No one else has a chance.

Not Ralph Nader, not the Libertarian candidate, nor the Communist, nor the Green. Minor party candidates are sometimes spoilers - like Nader costing Gore the presidency in 2000 - but they don't win presidential elections. Ross Perot got 20 million popular votes in 1992, and exactly zero Electoral College votes."

If Ross Perot can get 20 million votes, why can't John Doe get 200 million votes someday?

"A vote for Bush is a vote for the Republican agenda and conservative players in key posts."

It's also a vote for a prescription drug plan and a continued invasion by illegal aliens. It's a vote for Norm Mineta and Michael Brown.

We wonder why blacks continue to vote Democratic even though we think Dems do not help them. We wonder why Jews vote Dem even though Dems appear to not support Israel. Shouldn't we wonder why conservatives vote Republican even though Reps don't support conservative issues?

While the country has had a two-party system throughout its existence, it has not always been D and R. Either the R's will shape up or they will be shipped out.

While I will not vote for Menendez as New Jersey Senator, I haven't heard anything good about Kean, either. Someone else will probably get my vote. I am not going to vote against my long term interests.

[Old_Mil]

It is truly sad when the Republicans have to base an entire election campaign on the slogan, "You must vote for us or the other side will win!"

Where's Tancredo's wall? Why are 100,000 new legal Muslim immigrants being brought into the United States every year? Why has Planned Parenthood received more money under the Bush administration than under any previous administration in history?

[NordP]

I'm a Republican because...

I believe:

« that our government's most solemn duty is to keep its citizens safe.

« a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit will keep our economy strong and provide more opportunities for workers and families.

« that free enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system second to none.

« in building an innovative economy to compete in the world, because America can compete with anyone, anywhere, thanks to our entrepreneurs and risk-takers who keep us on the cutting edge of technology and commerce.

« in strengthening our communities, because our children deserve to grow up in an America in which all their hopes and dreams can come true.

« in protecting our families, and I respect the family's role as a touchstone of stability and strength in an ever changing world.

I choose strength over uncertainty, results over rhetoric, optimism over pessimism, opportunity over dependence, freedom over fear, and moving forward over turning back.

Finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best suited to preserve, protect, and defend these ideals.

NordP

When Democrats ask for your vote on Nov. 7th...JUST SAY NO!

[Matchett-PI]

"In some ways the stakes may be even higher now then when this article was written in 04. Every election cycle the same choice is offered, a Constitutional "free market" Republic or a socialist\marxist state and sadly many of our fellow citizens chose the latter !!!"

That's why it is important that every conservative must hold his nose and be a "broken glass Republican" in every election. The fickle and clueless vote will cancel out our informed vote if we allow it. Our vote must be double theirs in order for our vote to even count.

[Matchett-PI]

"..I am not going to vote against my long term interests.

But in _reality_ that's exactly what you'll be doing. See #17.

[no dems]

I will vote and I pray that the GOP holds both Houses. But, I've heard no one but myself mention this.

When you talk about "cut-and-run" Conservatives; please note that the most despicable "cut-and-runner" was, and is, TOM DELAY!! He cut and ran from Distict 22 (TX) and left us with a write-in mess that may give that seat to a very liberal ex-Congressman, Nick Lampson.
I hope ol' Tom "prissy walk" Delay is happy.

[Matchett-PI]

"...what incentive is there for the party to put out better candidates?

See #17.

[Obie Wan]

Amen brother, that's why I plan to vote early and often :>)!!!

[savedbygrace]

What a simplistic pile of pablum.

Your argument seems to be that Republicans, after having lost the majority to a large extent because they left conservatives behind in their lust for power and money, and knowing that, will turn into Dimocrat floor mats, letting them pass ALL their fave anti-conservative legislation. And that President Bush will continue to holster his veto pen, signing crap bill after crap bill.

I call BS.

By following your acript, the pubbies will prove that they have been earning their minority status, probably for the forseeable future.

[TET1968]

For the most of my life I have been against unconditional solidarity.
Times have changed. We live in a different world.
Look at the big issues....like Freedom vs melting ice bergs.

Keep control, vote Republican.

[jan in Colorado]

Based on this most recent poll here at FR a pathetic 4.7% of FReepers are planning to stay home during this election.

My guess is, they are trolls, NOT conservatives!

[DManA]

Mui

We've got to be the loudest. We've got to bitch the hardest. We've got to make it so miserable for them when they buck us that they'll thing twice, three times before they attempt it.

[jsmaineconservative]

I agree. About 14% of those polled plan to sit out, or vote for democrats, third party lunatics. These trolls start talking about how many seats the republicans will lose, try their best to tick us off. But momentum is on our side. If you look at all the recent polling data, most of the Senate races, contested House races are all within the margin of error. With the based fired up as I think it is due to all the left-wing dirty tricks, I think victory will be achieved.

[Grampa Dave]

McCoy sums up, who really supports the stay at home to punish the Republicans by allowing the rats to control the house and senate. One wonders who much of this cut and run posting and behavior has been financed by George $oreA$$ and Opecker Princes and Thugs.

[Tokra]

The party has no responsibility to run palitable candidates? Throw all the insults you want, I'll never be a "Bend Over and Take It" Republican.

Then you become, by default, a "Bend Over and Take It" Democrat.

It's one or the other - there is not a third option.

[Tokra]

It is truly sad when the Republicans have to base an entire election campaign on the slogan, "You must vote for us or the other side will win!"

Reality is often "truly sad" - sad but true.

Anything else is not "reality" - just pipe dreams.

Pipe dreams will not defend this country against another terrorist attack.

Neither will the democrats.

[Hildy]

Does Rush give credit to the guy who came up with "CUT AND RUN REPUBLICANS." I remember the call vividly. Then, all of a sudden, Rush was using the term ad nauseum.

[ElPatriota]

[Zack Nguyen]

I agree with this to a certain extent. I've worked in politics and I understand the need for practicalities. To that extent I agree with the article - I voted for Bush twice despite grave reservations in 2000, and have never regretted it. I have voted all but straight Republican for the last several years, and have never regretted it.

But there is a point beyond which I will not go. I will not support or vote for a pro-choice Republican for President or Vice President. This includes Rudy Guiliani, for whom it seems some Republicans are already "measuring the drapes" for his nomination.

And yes, I am prepared to allow the election to swing to pro-abortion Democrats in order to maintain the Republican party as a pro-life party, which for now is where I hang my hat. If this appears unreasonable and stupid to some, so be it. I am in politics for principled reasons, not for reasons of power. I am not interested in being placated, bought off, or co-opted with a few symbolic photo-ops or comforting words in speeches, which is how a lot of Republicans prefer to deal with their Christian base. Ultimately I want to see concrete advancement on a specific agenda for government spending, abortion, judicial nominees, defense, taxes, etc. But if the Republican Party refuses to honor its stated committment to the unborn, I will not honor it with my vote.

[ajolympian2004]

The party has no responsibility to run palitable candidates? Throw all the insults you want, I'll never be a "Bend Over and Take It" Republican.

Maybe you are one of those candidates. I'm planning on running in a few years. And one of my brothers is in 2010 or 2012 depending on how quick the young ones at home grow up.

For now each election cycle we get out there and put our money where our mouths are. We spent many extra hours each week registering new conservative voters since the beginning of this year, just as we did in 2004, 2002 and way back in 2000.

The last thing I want to hear from any conservative who didn't vote in this election is whining and complaining afterwards.

[ajolympian2004]

Not voting is against your long term interests. Tom Kean Jr. is certainly not the perfect candidate for a true Reagan conservative, but in the end he counts for the Republicans and on balance for the conservative coalition when the Senate establishes who will chair each committee. That does matter.

[ajolympian2004]

Most Republican candiates are excellent. It's the few, maybe 20 to 30 in the House, and what? 7 to 8 in the Senate whot are holding up the conservative agenda that a majority of Americans do support.

So the "cut'n'run stay at home" conservatives can punish the excellent conservatives we have in Congress or they can throw a hissy fit and suffer the consequences of a democrat controlled House and/or Senate.

And worst of all, what about the outstanding men and women of our US military??? IS there any doubt in your mind that democrats will pull the carpet out from under them??? coward dean, traitor kerry, cut'n'run murtha, etc.

[Joan Kerrey]

But if the Republican Party refuses to honor its stated committment to the unborn, I will not honor it with my vote.

And the result will be a democratic win, no committment to the unborn, no committment to national security, appeasement, accommodation to the radicals in the world, a weakened military, gay marriage, tax increases, anti-business and a socialist agenda. There is more involved than one issue. I'd hope you'd reconsider just what's at stake here.

[ajolympian2004]

Yeah, I hope you are right. Unfortunately I've heard a few conservatives in the blogosphere, in the media and people I know state how staying at home this time around is the best plan. It's a lame strategy.

[DManA]

I would never withhold my vote from a real conservative.

[ajolympian2004]

So what state are you in? Who are your candidates???

[ajolympian2004]

I got it! You are in Minnesota.

So you are thinking about staying home vs. voting for (R) Mark Kennedy??? That's a potential pickup for Republicans. The ultimate goal is to reach 60 in the Senate so all judges, conservative legislation, etc. will get an up or down vote on the Senate floor.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

In all the races that matter, primaries are generally won by the candidate anointed by the party.

You are wrong. We had great proof of it this year here in Iowa during the primary. We got rid of RINOs. Now, the conservatives selected just have to get elected. One thing I've noticed about you cut-and-run conservatives is that you are a very miserable bunch. You can't see the good in anything. You have a lot in common with liberals.

[DManA]

Our former Senator Rod Gramms is running for the house in our district (soporifically lamb I'm afraid ). I'll be voting for him without any hesitation. Kennedy just barely fits into my criteria so I'll be voting for him too.

[pgyanke]

Another take on the same topic (shameless personal plug that it is):

Why Should Christians Vote for Democrats?

[Oberon]

One thing I've noticed about you cut-and-run conservatives is that you are a very miserable bunch. You can't see the good in anything. You have a lot in common with liberals.

I've accused you of nothing, Cgg...nor will I hold this impoliteness against you.

[Zack Nguyen]

Oh, I'll be voting Republican this fall. I'm not champing at the bit like I was in 2004, but the wife and I will vote. The Republicans have got to turn it around. The good news is that two years is a lifetime in politics. But regardless of what happens in 2006, the Republican Party must not learn the "lesson" that a leftward tilt wins elections. If that results in a Guiliani being nominated at any level it will mean unmitigated disaster for the party, and for the country. It will mean the fracturing of the Republican coalition.

[ajolympian2004]

That's exactly what has to happen. And it can take years to accomplish and their are so many variables including retirements, the bob neys and mark foleys of the world, etc.

I always wonder if our best candidates are the many great nationally syndicated and local talk show hosts all across our great country. They certainly are the best spokesmen and women for our side.