I was not among those who advocated McCain’s loss because he was not a true conservative, but now that it’s done, can we be honest?
McCain was Bush’s third term. Bush won the base on abortion and taxes alone, because he pushed the party left on everything else. Fortunately for America, Bush did most of the right things on national security in response to 9/11. Other than that* his presidency was immensely damaging to the party.
I’m not glad Obama won, but let’s look on the bright side - we are now free of Bushism (and McCainism) and can look for some real, conservative leaders.
In the meantime, we lead the opposition. As dark as the early Clinton days seemed at first, they were soon followed by some very heady days: Dan’s Bake Sale, the tomato-pelting of the “Health Care Express” buses, the Republican tsunami of 1994; here in my town and state, takeovers of the school board, the state legislature, and more; the explosion of talk radio and conservative publishing houses. Am I the only one who lived for the next issue of National Review, American Spectator, and (pre-internet) the Conservative Chronicle back in the day? Thos publications are not the same when they are half consumed with making excuses for an inadequate administration.
History is made when ideology and ambition clash with the great events of our time. I do not see Obama as a great man or a great leader. Who knows what events are in store? It is certain that he wants to implement socialism, but there is no guarantee that he will succeed, and every reason to believe that he will fail, and fail miserably. History, on its own, may stop him. But sometimes history needs a little push. That’s our job.
And on top of all that, for anybody who even so much as uses the word “racism,” we can now point to the White House and say, “Racism? That is so last century! Welcome to the 21st, caveman.”
Buck up, “my friends!” This is OUR time! President-elect Obama may not know that, but he soon will!
* Yes, I know, “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?”
“Am I the only one who lived for the next issue of National Review, American Spectator, and (pre-internet) the Conservative Chronicle back in the day?”
Back before 1990 maybe. I found NR had become worthless around that time, and TAS as well.
“Fortunately for America, Bush did most of the right things on national security in response to 9/11.”
That’s true only if you leave out his glaring indifference to the border and his constant attempt to amnesty illegals. There’s no way of knowing how many terrorists have taken advantage of Bush’s terrible immigration policies to establish themselves here for the long haul.