Bruce Bartlett : Why I Am Anti-Republican (Former Reagan domestic policy adviser explains why)

New Majority ^ | 8/29/2009 | Bruce Bartlett

[Moonman62]

I think the party got seriously on the wrong track during the George W. Bush years, as I explained in my Impostor book. In my opinion, it no longer bears any resemblance to the party of Ronald Reagan.

I agree, but the purge of Reaganism out of the party started with GHWB.

[SMM48]

Hey Bruce, nice to hear your two cents worth. Now go crawl back in your hole for 20 more years.

[roses of sharon]

Yawn is right...these bores are all the same...as Hussein's numbers fall, their rationalizations are sounding more nutty.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Still on that mythical quest for the moderate and independent vote. Gee, how did Reagan achieve his historic landslides then? He sure as Hell didn't "move to the center." Bartlett is full of horse excrement.

[LS]

Reagan would be ashamed of Mr. Bartlett.

[ari-freedom]

he was pretty good. I’ve seen some of his stuff from the NCPA

[GOPJ]

Who knows maybe he’s more comfortable with Holder, Obmaa, ACORN, and the ACLU. If he is, he needs to move on over to them.

[andy58-in-nh]

Bad analysis, and I think disingenuous, too.

The Democrats were forced to move a little to the center in the 80's because the were perceived as too liberal, while the Republicans had built a successful center-right coalition.

Now, the Republicans occupy a space a little further to the left than before, while the Democrats have gone hard-left. So, Bartlett's helpful suggestion is for the GOP to move a little more to the left?

I call BS on two counts. One, because his analysis fails to properly identify the current political center of gravity in America, which is still center-right, and two, because I believe his real objection is to the war on terror and the influence of Israel on our foreign policy. He has written a scathing book about the "neo-cons" that all but screams: "It was the Joooos!!!!". Just my opinion.

[ari-freedom]

at least mccain voted for himself even though Palin was on the ticket. :)

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

“The party’s adults formed the Democratic Leadership Council to push the party back to the center and it was very successful. “

The center of what, Stalingrad?

[ari-freedom]

He has written a scathing book about the “neo-cons” that all but screams: “It was the Joooos!!!!”. Just my opinion.

ahhh that’s why

[vetvetdoug]

Bartlett sounds like a self serving renegade that feels his self importance has left the building and is trying to get it back. There are going to be Quislings like him in every situation. I have two words that are appropriate for this man, Screw Him.

[adorno]

As a free agent I am able to say what they can’t or won’t say publicly.

That explains the thinking behind the decision by some republicans who have become either "independent" or "libertarian". They don't wan't to be accused of being partisan while being able to express whatever they want, even if it sounds republican. However, there are some who pretend to sound libertarians or independent while holding clearly "liberal" views.

[BamaDi]

What a complete idiot.....I guess he voted for Hugo, er I mean zerObambi....

[bitterohiogunclinger]

NCPA?
National College Paintball Association?
National Community Pharmacists Association?
National Center for Physical Acoustics?
National Cottonseed Products Association?

[RAO1125]

When I first started reading the article, I figured it was about how he hated the GOP because it had become too liberal and militaristic. Instead, it’s because the GOP is too conservative? Isn’t that a bit like grabbing some raw ground chuck and complaining that it’s overcooked?

[CharlesWayneCT]

Yes, it’s funny how he says that in the 80s the democrats were “out of touch”, when in fact they kept winning elections until 1994.

He also believes that the entire 2012 presidential election will be based on the GNP for the year. If that was really the case, he’d be saying that we can only win the White House if we destroy the economy until after the election.

[reagan_fanatic]

What a self-serving jackass.

We went to the middle of the road with McCain, remember - and look what that got us. What would have WON the election would have been a candidate who did exactly what Reagan did in 1980 and 1984 - espouse Conservative values and the greatness of American ideals. McCain did none of that. Why? Because he wanted to present himself as a ‘middle-of-the-road’ candidate, that's why.

This idiot calling himself a Reaganite is an embarrassment.

[roses of sharon]

I agree, this irrational Jew/Israel hating has left these men very confused.

The “stability” crowd is not to stable these days.

[RichInOC]

By the way, Bruce, you seem to be confused about the role of a RNC chairman. Figuring out ways to screw the Democrats is not a horrible distraction from Mike Steele’s job, it is his job.