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The Republican Identity Crisis
Newsweek ^ | Dec. 25, 2006 | Michael Gerson

Posted on 12/21/2006 2:57:12 PM PST by Small-L

...

This reaction previews a broader, high-stakes Republican debate as we head toward the 2008 election. One Republican Party—the Republican Party of movement conservatives on Capitol Hill and in the think-tank world—will argue that the "big government Republicanism" of the Bush era has been a reason for recent defeats.

Like all fundamentalists, the antigovernment conservatives preach that greater influence requires a return to purity—the purity of Reaganism.

But the golden age of austerity under Reagan is a myth.

...

As antigovernment conservatives seek to purify the Republican Party, it is reasonable to ask if the purest among them are conservatives at all. The combination of disdain for government, a reflexive preference for markets and an unbalanced emphasis on individual choice is usually called libertarianism. The old conservatives had some concerns about that creed, which Russell Kirk called "an ideology of universal selfishness." ...

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush; compassionate; conservatism; gerson; michaelgerson
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To: AmericanMade1776
Nor am I one.

"Fair weather" apparently meaning that my loyalty to the party is based on their actions? Yes.
21 posted on 12/21/2006 4:02:44 PM PST by TeenagedConservative
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What's that old axiom? Oh yeah, "I didn't leave the Party; it left me."

That's precisely the way I feel about the current "Republican" organization.


22 posted on 12/21/2006 4:16:58 PM PST by Sooner1938 (Disgusted)
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To: TeenagedConservative

Ditto, my loyalty to the party reflects the parties loyalty to me. I don't expect to agree 100%, but we are down to bedrock principles, and I won't concede further.


23 posted on 12/21/2006 4:18:20 PM PST by SWAMPSNIPER
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

Exactly. I have a feeling that 60% of the posters here would vote for a Republican candidate who favored abortion, was a socialist, opposed guns, favored gay marriage, as long as he beat the Democrat on just one issue.


24 posted on 12/21/2006 5:02:12 PM PST by TeenagedConservative
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To: TeenagedConservative

"as long as he beat the Democrat on just one issue."

Or just beat the Democrat regardless of issues.

For some, this is a game. They cheer for their team on the field, but don't care what happens to the stadium after the game.....


25 posted on 12/21/2006 5:19:29 PM PST by EnochPowellWasRight
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To: TeenagedConservative
Hey kid...come on over to the Dark Side.
26 posted on 12/21/2006 5:20:43 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (Some people see the world as they would want it to be, effective people see the world as it is.)
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To: TeenagedConservative
"Abandon the Republican Party. It is dead and deserves to be."

And...go...where?

Do we have a "terrible fight" going on in our party or is it more likely that some want to marginalize us. Don't fall for their nonsense. Our power is in the Republican party. Don't be fooled. And don't despair these fights are necessary and happen periodically.
27 posted on 12/21/2006 5:20:44 PM PST by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

LOL


28 posted on 12/21/2006 5:21:59 PM PST by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: Nuc1

What fight? This is a complete routing of conservatives by Washington elites who have bought our party.


29 posted on 12/21/2006 5:23:02 PM PST by TeenagedConservative
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To: Luis Gonzalez

I'm in!


30 posted on 12/21/2006 5:23:25 PM PST by TeenagedConservative
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To: Small-L

Newsweek propaganda. Why do they care about the intra-party fights in the GOP.


31 posted on 12/21/2006 5:24:06 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Why can't Republicans stand up to Democrats like they do to terrorists?)
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To: TeenagedConservative

32 posted on 12/21/2006 5:26:29 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (Some people see the world as they would want it to be, effective people see the world as it is.)
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To: Small-L

I was beginning to nod my head in approval while reading this until I came to : "But the golden age of austerity under Reagan is a myth. During the Reagan years, big government got bigger, with federal spending reaching 23.5 percent of GDP (compared with just over 20 percent under the current president)."

I don't have time to research whether these figures are even accurate. What's remarkable with Reagan is that he DRAMATICALLY cut taxes, the economy suddenly grew (compared to the stagflation of the 70s), and tax revenues actually increased. When people make more money, keep more of that money, and get more government services in return....thats the best possible scenario. How to people get paid to write these columns and overlook these simple evaluations.

While his logic is bogus, his conclusions are worth pondering. I too have become frustrated at the ideological nature of free-market/less-government absolutism. In MOST cases, this is the best approach. In other approaches, a blend of the two serves the people best. Just as liberals hold an almost laughable paranoia at corporate America, we sometimes tend to hold that view about government.


33 posted on 12/21/2006 5:28:46 PM PST by jagrmeister
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To: TeenagedConservative

"The Libertarian Party would be good if you must pin me down though."


The "libertarian" party is a joke. And not a very funny one at that.


34 posted on 12/21/2006 5:33:27 PM PST by alarm rider ("O thou who changest not, abide with me!")
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To: TeenagedConservative
The fight is over ideas. As our ideas resonate with the people we will have more conservatives elected. We will then have more power. It is not up to us or the elite. Nor can power be bought, at least not legitimate power. In our country power is granted by the people.

And we are not routed. We were fooled a bit but our eyes are more open now and we are perhaps a little more realistic about our ability to shape events. And who on our side can be trusted to support us on the hard issues. All things good to know.
35 posted on 12/21/2006 5:36:02 PM PST by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Why do they care about the intra-party fights in the GOP.

They don't and the only reason this thread is still up is so the screen names that are allowed to turn this site into a cute, one liner, flame wars, bash forum can make their lists of enemies screen names to attack when the next nights of the long knives comes along.

36 posted on 12/21/2006 5:43:01 PM PST by michigander (The Constitution only guarantees the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.)
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To: Russ
I believe it is time to either retake the party or move on. You don't have to form a new party or join a third party. For a start, just withhold donations and vote for only conservatives.

That is exactly my attitude... if they nominate a country club liberal with a fancy Madison Avenue designer label for the White House, no money, no volunteer, no nothin' at all, I vote with my feet, write in Bullwinkle and vote for all the other Republicans I do like...

37 posted on 12/21/2006 5:52:15 PM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: TeenagedConservative

I like the Constitution Party better.

It's easier to sell to the people.


38 posted on 12/21/2006 6:02:30 PM PST by gogogodzilla (Republicans only win if they are conservative. Woe befalls any who forget that.)
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To: AmericanMade1776

Sheeple? This is one of those tell tale signs that you listen to the fire-breathing Michael Savage -- a former left-winger that never put away his authoritarian and paternalist ways. Yet you're the good conservative, aren't you? I can tell it in the knuckle-dragging way that you resond the fredom minded people here in this forum. Do you even have a clue as to what (The Spirit of) 1776 represented. Here's a hint, it has little resemblence to the extreme statist desires of that Savage assclown you probably listen to.


39 posted on 12/21/2006 7:38:16 PM PST by LowCountryJoe (I'm a Paleo-liberal: I believe in freedom; am socially independent and a borderline fiscal anarchist)
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To: LowCountryJoe

JUMP...Lemming, Jump.. and by the way, I don't listen to Michael Savage, I do not even listen to the News, I read it, and make an assessment of what is said. And anyone who puts any puts stock into an article that comes from MSNBC, the same News Network that brings you Screaming Chris Matthews, is well just silly.


40 posted on 12/22/2006 5:03:27 AM PST by AmericanMade1776 (Democrats don't have a plan)
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