Posted on 11/10/2006 8:31:44 PM PST by pickrell
There has been much soul searching on this forum about why we lost. This may be normal in such times. But there comes a time to rebuild for the next engagement.
It is true that a number of conservatives may righfully declare, "In this election, the American people have broken our strategy on the war on terror. They have dealt a body blow to the troops- who have served so nobly, bested our enemies in every engagement they fought, and suffered so stoically, in order to offer the world at least a chance to avoid a planet-wide religious war. If you break it,-you buy it...so why should we now care a whit about what will befall the country? The democrats have bought what they sowed...
"They broke it- ... they own it."
At least if many haven't- I confess that I have. It is mighty tempting to reject the emotional investment and seething anger, in watching the enemies of the United States chortle and gloat that their party is now in power... by simply washing your hands of any further caring.
But after a few minutes reflection, perhaps we need to instead start earlier this time, and with the steely resolve, that WE OWE TO THE GI's and MARINES.... and nominate a team that will give us back a chance to avoid at least some of the catastrophe that many of us foresee and fear. But after what many also perceive as unconcerned pokes in conservative eyes, the only way the Republican Party will regain what they lost, is to sift through the candidates available to us, and back a more effective team next time.
This is not a diatribe against George Bush. George Bush represented a man we felt would expunge some of the slime from the White House- our White House-, and that he has done. He also promised to field a team based upon their qualifications and character, and that, I would also argue, he has done, with perhaps a few arguments from some.
But his policies on the border and spending have cut the legs out from under his base, at times.
We defended him, because that's what you do once the team is in place and the fire flies. You buy your ticket, and you back your team.
As any adult knows- no President runs the entire country by himself. Most of his choices in cabinet officers has a critical effect upon the success not only of his administration, but, more importantly, upon the continued success of the country.
And so his elite platoon is equipped with not only the men he selects, and the weapons he provides for them... but also the strategy he sets out and the leadership he provides. And, as any soldier will tell you, plain luck plays a stiff part, also, at times.
Favorite among the world's pundits is gloating about what they have done on November 7. But in a year or so, it will be astonishing how many of them will deny they ever celebrated this moment. And it will be outrageous how many will deny that they cast votes which put the Democrats, and the damage they intend, into a position where they could enact that damage. Much more despicable still, is the weasle-factor which will enable the media architects to try to distance themselves from the responsibility they bear, for having twisted the facts in the war on terror, to suit their own political agenda, and the consequences that distortion will purchase.
The role that Free Republic historians must play, is to track the liberal media, record their comments and machinations, and crush them with the evidence in two years.
It is true that we may, and unfortunately probably will, suffer greatly for the choices many have made. It won't be the first time in history that a nation has lived to rue the day. But it would be the greatest of tragedies, and the worst betrayal of those soldiers of ours, to throw up our hands and dismiss the future merely with a pox on their houses.
People can be led astray by a ruthless press, and no one who watches the coming months, and the shifting portrayal of the world by the self-obsessed media, can regard them as anything less than ruthless.
But that will only change if we change it.
It's like the drill sergeant who hammers into his company that, when they find themselves surrounded, later- it won't work to hunker down, and hope for Mom and Dad to bail them out.
"There's only you, your buddies, and the job in front of you. Momma's gone to bingo, and Dad's out fishin'. You wanna live, and you want your country ta live? Then quit bitchin' and do the job in front of you. You'll know it when you see it. When things look the worst- that's when you'll know what you are... by how you stand... or how you run."
So who's the next Captain? Let's propose a few "musts", just as we would if we were to examine and assemble a successful command structure. And the next one MUST be successful. And enduring. I would argue that we have lost a national treasure when we lost Donald Rumsfeld. This may not be a popular opinion, (he offered in astounding understatement, given today's media), but I believe we cannot lose many more competent adults.
But rather than be sidetracked with arguments about yesterday, let's cast a determined eye towards tomorrow.
The next candidate for President of the United States has to represent the best we have to select from, in over 300 million people.
1... He must be able to enlist the most talented people to the team. This is critical because, once conservatives sign on- they know that he will have to count on them to take his back in knife-fighting, just as they must count on him to do what he advertised in the election. Talented people will not join a team... just to be savaged later; from behind, by the press, while fellow Republicans duck into the convenient restrooms to avoid the shrapnel. The days of seniority are over... if the Republican Party wishes to ever hold a gavel again.
And if the Republicans meekly signal their humble acceptance of permanent minority status- then they'd better brace themselves for some seriously minor minority. Because some party- somewhere- is going to arise to champion conservatism. And that party will be squaring off with the Democrats, when America has been sickened, and is on it's knees, by two years of Pelosi and Reid.
2... He must forget any such nonsense as setting a new tone in Washington. It should be amply demonstrated by now, that the way to set a new tone among the Washington Press Corps- who feed their version of truth to their subsidiary mouthpieces...- is to wipe the floor with them. He must choose a talent, tough, hard-nosed press secretary from Day 1. Grab them buy the ball-microphones... and their hearts and minds will follow. The truly compassionate conservative smashes the Dan Rathers among us early, and so saves them from a protracted and painful humiliation later. Compassion allows them to withdraw from politics early enough to get a job at Columbia, and so to brainwash the next squad of "journalists", with their duty to "save the world, as John Kerry knows it."
3... He must decide if the Constitution is a contract, the foundation of a representative Republic... or else "ermmm- kinda more of a guideline, ya know?". If he fields only such candidates for Supreme Court Justices that meet the approval of the New York Times, he will be slaughtered in the first off-year election; so will his party; and rightfully so.
4... He must decide who and what he serves- the Party... or the country. Conservatives will put him there, but they'll be much harder to convince, next go-around. Conservative is not synonymous with Republican. We may like to be- but that will be the choice of the Party... and then us. We are Americans first. At least- on this side of the aisle.
5... He must be convincingly able to act as the articulate spokesman and champion of a resurgent conservative majority. George Bush is a good man, but those who thought, or hoped, that articulation was secondary to policy, have just learned resoundingly that any policy can and will be twisted in the minds of the public... unless firmly, forcefully... and constantly defended effectively over the airwaves by our leader. He MUST be able bring the party back together.
He must be able to reach around the media to communicate effectively with the American public. Ronald Reagan has already done the heavy lifting... and shown us that it is possible.
6... He must unequivocably and firmly reject friendly fire. Over the last few years the Swiftboat Veterans, who arguably saved the country and the world from the catastrophy of a Kerry abomination, suffered mightily for their efforts from the press. This they had steeled themselves for. It is unforgivable that they were also cast adrift, and in a few cases fired upon, by the very convoy that they offered their reputations to protect.
By that same token, many good men have stood watches along an unprotected southern border, and have, and are, suffering much the same fate.
When the country has been served so courageously by that iron few- they cannot be simply offered as convenient pawns to appease to maw of the Left. To do so will discourage the type of men we will so desperately need in the times ahead; and is unforgiveable, when done for political advantage. Trust me that courage will reach far more than $ 90.00 per barrel, as America faces a dwindling supply in the future.
But even more specifically- he must counterbalance, in the psychological war between us and our enemies, the consistent and unrelenting championing by the Media of the leftist agenda. Talk radio and the Internet helps immensely... but the bulk of the dupes still watch the evening news to "remain current" on the world. If they never hear, as Paul Harvey would say, "the REST of the story...", then we can only expect more losses.
7... He must, early on, defeat the idea of defeat. We may sustain damage in the short term. The country may, and probably will suffer humiliation and loss. We can flinch and be beaten down by this... or we can work with grim determination to not let this period be suffered without working bloody hard to field a winning team which will prevail, in 2008.
If John McCain, and the media who adore him, successfully convince the mass of bruised conservatives out there, that there are no better candidates than him- then we are truly lost.
We had better use the intervening years to assembly a hasty shoebox full of explanations to our grandchildren as to exactly why we couldn't manage to safeguard their futures. Why... we failed them.
But if we decide that we will never again settle for less than exactly what we need, then we had better start early.
I personally don't know much about Senator Jeff Sessions, but I have long wondered why no one has formed an exploratory committee to draft him for Presidential Candidate in 2008.
There may be good reason, and I expect that the wealth of talent on this forum will be far better equipped than I, to vet him early, and then to either form up behind him, and encourage him with early, strong support, or else to move on to a better choice.
But it does no good to say the next is better... unless you are prepared to name... and defend... the next choice.
Our cold shower should not be allowed to mellow with age. Sometimes a good smacking gets a recruit's attention far more effectively than an ice cream bar.
We've been smacked. No use denying the obvious.
Now... let's resolve to get some, in 2008. Starting now.
Preparing now.
What about Senator Jeff Sessions?
Lindsey Graham MUST BE DEFEATED IN THE PRIMARIES
How many third partys do we need?
The third party that needs to be created is within the Republican Party. A new party doesn't have grass roots orginizations in every county in the country, the Republican Party does. New partys don't have fund raising orginizations, the Republican Party does. Third partys don't have equal ballot access in most states, the Republican Party does.
Wouldn't it be easier to take charge of of an existing organization, than to reinvent the wheel?
I like Mitt Romney, but I do not think he is well known enough. He would probably do well in the northeast and some of the western states. I do not know about the south. John McCain seems to be the front-runner in the news. I would like to see Condi on the ballot
I fear for the future of my country. abu-masri is celebrating the demoncrat victory. What's that tell you?
First things first!
RNC Chairman
Ken Mehlmen is stepping down. The name Steele has been put out there. Anyone else and who is in charge of appointing this position or is it put to vote? Can we have an influence in who gets this position? I suggest it's someone who isn't associated with this administration because they will be gone in 2008 and we do not need their influence anymore when they won't be here to face the consequences.
Second
Congressional leadership
Pence and Shadegg are running for leadership positions. We must push as hard as we can to see that new people or people who have stayed true to conservatism get these positions.
When do they hold the vote for these positions?
When would be the best time for us to contact our representatives to show them we support electing these people to these positions?
Candidates for POTUS '08
I suggest we put as much of our weight as possible behind conservatives who actually stand a chance of getting through the primaries. Star names aren't gonna kick it like Guilliani and McCain unless you like reviving the Perot vote of '92/'96 and thus giving the WH to Dems at 40% of the vote.
Here are some names for you all to think about.
Mitt Romney, Gov Massachusettes
(little iffy, I've heard he flip flops on the issues depending on where he's running)
Mark Sanford, Gov South Carolina
(the guy I've been stumping for here on FR the last couple days http://www.petitiononline.com/msan2008/petition.html)
Someone trolled the petition but I'm trying to get ahold of the guy to remove the offensive signature >_<
Rick Santorum
(yes he lost in PA but he is beloved amongst conservatives and could run for the sake of getting VP)
Haley Barbour
(heard he did well after Katrina)
It's time to stop "bickering and arguing about who killed who" and start rebuilding.
Fixed the link
http://www.petitiononline.com/msan2008/petition.html
You need not guess, it's a fact!
Dick Cheney (after he's convinced not to retire)
We need grownups in the Senate too. Jeff Sessions if needed anyplace should be on the Supreme court if not the senate.
Newt for president
Trancrado for president
Hunter for president
Take your choice and as an added bonus
John R. Bolton SEC OF STATE
A new party doesn't have grass roots orginizations in every county in the country, the Republican Party does. New partys don't have fund raising orginizations, the Republican Party does.
The Republican party wasn't a national force until the mid 1850's. The party didn't occur suddenly out of thin air. It evolved with a grassroots effort strong enough to replace one of the two existing parties at the time, the Whig party. If the Republicans could do it as a third party then another party can replace either the RATS or the RINOs.
Wouldn't it be easier to take charge of of an existing organization, than to reinvent the wheel?
The organization you refer to no longer exits as did in the past. All they have left is the party name. Their character has changed. It has shifted so far left it is increasingly difficult to distinguish the between the Republicans and the Socialist Democrats. It is time to build a new wheel that won't sacrifice its core principles.
That's a good point. They all may be voting democrat already and it won't change a thing.
AMEN!!!
Nancee
We need to learn from Reagan versus Ford in the 1976 primaries.
The votes had been counted and Ford had won, but Reagan was pressured to make a speech.
By the end of that speech, the entire room knew it had made a mistake by going with Ford.
Lucky for us, Reagan didn't give up.
Our primary system needs a lot of work if we want to make sure Reagans don't get beaten by Fords.
Lindsey Graham MUST BE DEFEATED IN THE PRIMARIES
The thing that is difficult is that if he wins, then everyone says vote for him....you must
Good point, however our leadership is gone already and it's time to gameplan to re-take it.
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