What's Happening to Conservative Websites?

vanity | 3-7-07 | Bob J

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>I tell you what I'd like to see go, and I'll get some flack for it, the "caption this photo" threads.

They should have their own forum...at least keep 'em out of news for sure.

[NathanR]

Except that the few we can all agree on (Hunter/Gingrich) have little or no chance of winning.

[AFPhys]

Very true.

I've never allowed cookies from most sites to begin with - or at least only those that I REALLY REALLY need to allow. I specifically have disallowed alexa as well as nearly all other news sites.

[Bob J]

They won't bolt but will stay home on election day.

[NathanR]

We shall see, won't we.

My fear, is that enough will bolt that the Democrat (whoever he (or she) is) will be able to win.

[Dominic Harr]

How can one be 'hopelessly liberal' on social issues (gun control, abortion, family integrity, open borders, personal responsibility are social issues) and still be a Conservative?

Because we're talking politics here, and 'Conservative' should refer to political issues.

Which we all agree on.

If you start saying "X is not a 'real' conservative', like me", then you're kicking them out of your coalition. And that is a sure way to lose elections.

[Dominic Harr]

Thanks Dominic....I am getting sick and tired of being baited by these faux conservative hicks.

Something tells me I better have on my flame-retardent underwear today!

[Dominic Harr]

The right to life is one of the unalienable rights, listed (...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), and should be sacrosanct.

You've probably noticed by now, there is significant disagreement on this topic. A large % of R voters do not agree with banning abortion at the federal level.

If you're going to say this is a requirement in being a C, then you're kicking out a lot of people who believe in a conservative use of federal power.

That, and Gays, seem to be the big 2 issues dividing us.

[MEGoody]

You're still here.

LOL, yep. But I don't visit as many sites as I used to. I got all riled up over the Bush/Gore thing and started spending lots of time on conservatives sites. Then I remembered I had other things I should be spending my time on and cut back on the amount of time I spend on line.

But I can't completely give up FR. ;)

[jmc813]

In short, the hard-right ideologues have made life so miserable for center-right posters that they have decided that Free Republic no longer represents them.

I've seen your posting history. To you, anyone more conservative than that dork Michael Medved is "hard-right" to you.

[Dominic Harr]

Who is insisting this?

I've been told several times that my being 'pro-choice' defines me as a liberal, no matter how much I believe in the conservative use of federal power.

I want Roe v. Wade overturned, so it's a state issue. I would oppose any candidate who intended to make a federal law illegalizing abortion.

And because of this position, many of folks here want me kicked out of "their" conservative coalition.

[Dominic Harr]

Sounds like someone needs a hug. Help him out Dom.

:-D

[Sloth]

Fatigue.

[Dominic Harr]

What, no 'can't we all just get along' lectures for this fellow? Surprise surprise.

Problem is, I've witnessed the socials calling him names (Liberal is a nasty, nasty insult to me!), and that's what he's complaining about.

Never call a fellow conservative a Liberal just cuz you disagree. That's only going to shrink our power base.

[jmc813]

Do you see the immigration issue reaching the destruction of Elian or Schiavo?

My opinion is that the immigration issue will not, but the GOP '08 nomination process is going to turn into a bloodbath. The future of how conservatism is defined in the party is at stake.

[joesbucks]

They won't bolt but will stay home on election day.

Other than the truly hard core zealots, most will do what they have to do. They may hold their noses, but they'll do it.

And the hard core zealots only represent a small fraction of the total who will vote in Nov 08.

The Rudy candidacy will likely redefine the influence and role of socons in conservative politics. Without bashing or responding to their press releases, he has marginalized most of the leadership to a fringe corner. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to do that.

[NeoCaveman]

Conservatism was replaced with big government Republicanism and people noticed?

Not on the sites first, in Washington first, then on the sites. The site owners had to decide do I rip Republicans apart for the things I'd rip Democrats for or do I go with the flow? Most went with the flow.

[RobRoy]

Fewer Crevo threads on FR could be part of it. ;)

[Tribune7]

I want Roe v. Wade overturned, so it's a state issue. I would oppose any candidate who intended to make a federal law illegalizing abortion.

That's pretty close to my view and I consider myself very much pro life.

[jmc813]

Unfortunately the libertarian vs. conservative thingy led to our first big blowout on FR...the Dec '98 "Night of the Long Knives"...heheh

Would you possibly have a link to that thread? Sounds intriguing.