Now, others here are perfectly free to choose otherwise. However, the argument being made here is that you can't be a conservative if you're voting for Romney in the general election. And by that definition, you've squeezed out everyone listed above, from Palin right on down, and I imagine just about every GOP member of the House and Senate. Probably all our governors as well.
Where does that logic leave us?
Yes, I agree. That is very counterproductive. With very few exceptions, we all belong in the same conservative camp. We have two opposing view points here and that is all.
On that note, those of us who have decided enough is enough are not going to capitulate to the GOP establishment who truly doesn't value our conservative principles. They regard us as their fringe. The Democrats are far more tolerant, if not all out accepting of their fringe elements. As I have said before, how many times are we supposed to be shoved up against this same wall? How many more times are we going to get the same go-along-get-along moderate to left, socialist-leaning GOP candidate shoved down our throats?
My vote is my voice. I only get one. My vote is a precious thing to me and I will not use it to vote for a Republican socialist over a Democrat socialist...though he be so much worse. The Republicans value my vote, but not my voice. So, I choose to vote for conservatives all down the ticket. Even the top spot. That may mean voting for someone not of the two parties who are bent on the same big, intrusive government status quo.
Romney does not get my vote. Ever. Period. All the derision from my fellow conservatives who ridicule my principled stand are not going to sway me in the slightest. The GOP bandwagon is heading the wrong way and I'm not staying aboard.
It leaves us facing the fact that those politicians are allowing political expediency to lead them to error.
“However, the argument being made here is that you can’t be a conservative if you’re voting for Romney in the general election. And by that definition, you’ve squeezed out everyone listed above, from Palin right on down, and I imagine just about every GOP member of the House and Senate. Probably all our governors as well.”
In the case of politicians, you have to expect them to, at least nominally, get behind the eventual candidate.
I cannot speak for others, but for myself, I ONLY get mad about those voting for “Romney regardless” IF they insist that anyone refusing to vote for Romney is “wasting their votes” or other dispariging remarks. Or IF they try to be apologists for Romney. He does not deserve to be defended here. The ONLY thing remotely acceptable to me is someone who is ONLY voting against Obama because they fear him. I disagree with that line of logic because I don’t see Romney as any better than Obama, but I can understand their fear. So, if someone holds to the “lesser of two evils” line of thinking, I don’t get mad until they foolishly berate those of us who don’t. IF you are so afraid of the big bad Obama you will accept a wolf in sheep’s clothing. That is your choice. Just don’t try to foist that, IMO, nonsense on us that aren’t so timid.
Folks, it appears to me, that Free Republic is becoming the home of the Rebelion against Republican Establishment Tyranny. I’m glad to see this, and I’m on board 100% with what Jim Robinson is doing. Romney’s coronation was the last straw. I have been loyal for too many years (since 1976 to the GOP) and gotten so little back for that loyalty. I’m sick of any conservative not being able to get the nomination because they are torpedod by the establishment country club GOP.
IF this rebellion cannot wake up the GOP to get its house in order, then I’m ready to see the GOP go the way of the WHIGS. It may take time to get a new conservative party, but it needs to be done if the GOP refuses reform. These are the times that try men’s souls. Rebellion has started...long live the revolution.