What Conservative Media?

patriotstatesman ^ | April 15, 2012 | Josh Painter

[Marguerite]

At least we could, until quite recently, take solace that we had our own conservative media bastion, although it was nowhere near the size and the scope of the “lamestream media” (a term coined by Bernard Goldberg and made popular by Sarah Palin).

But at some point after the turn of the century, just as a majority of Americans began to visualize the true proportions of the larger media’s malpractice, our own little conservative press safe house had suffered a nasty termite infestation. Out of sight and out of mind behind the virtual walls of our conservative citadel of communications, hungry little pests were devouring the very foundation of that once proud citadel. There were signs that the framework was being eroded, but just a few on the right were paying enough attention to notice. Two yardsticks by which to measure just how deep into establishment Republican waters the erstwhile conservative press has drifted are Reagan conservatives Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin.

[Marguerite]

The first two-by-four to crumble was National Review. When founder William F. Buckley’s son Christopher endorsed Barrack Obama for president in 2008, that act of apparent treason to the conservative cause was largely viewed as an aberration, not a symptom of a problem which ran much deeper. It was not until 2011, after an NR editorial attacked Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry, that Rush Limbaugh observed that the publication had morphed from being the voice of conservatism into the voice of Republicanism, or to be more precise, the voice of Beltway Republicanism. And the new motto of the GOP establishment was unmistakable: “In Mitt Romney We Trust.” That message has been reinforced by numerous NRO articles and blog posts, with only occasional opposing views being published on the website and fewer still in the print version. National Review has criticized Sarah Palin in editorials, and contributors such as Mona Charen have lambasted the former Alaska Governor in columns and on NRO’s The Corner blog. Among the few contributors at NRO who have been generally fair to Palin and Gingrich are Andrew McCarthy and Robert Costa.

Another stud in the conservative media framework showed that it had been compromised in mid-December when The Washington Examiner not only endorsed Mitt Romney, but viciously went after Gingrich while doing so. The Examiner is owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, who contributed the maximum legal amount to Romney’s 2008 presidential run.

[Marguerite]

“I’m prompted to ask, “What conservative media?” And why the rush by so many erstwhile conservatives to embrace a moderate for president? The argument given most often is “electablity,” but John Hawkins and Milton Wolf have provided plenty of evidence that Romney’s purported electablity is little more than a myth. Too many conservatives have either forgotten Ronald Reagan or have turned their backs on his principles. That’s a shame, because although Reagan’s time has passed, his principles are eternal. One of the principles espoused by the great president was to reject “pale pastels” and settle for nothing less than “bold colors” from the candidates we support and the issues we espouse. Those colors have become so watered down that it’s difficult to distinguish them in this day and age. And that doesn’t bode well for the future of the conservative cause.”

[Christie at the beach]

Thank you for sharing this. An informative read.

I agree with the author. Glad someone is speaking for me.

I feel like the conservative movement is missing a leader.

[dayglored]

> One of the principles espoused by the great president was to reject “pale pastels” and settle for nothing less than “bold colors” from the candidates we support and the issues we espouse. Those colors have become so watered down that it’s difficult to distinguish them in this day and age.

Weak pastel colors deny the very ESSENCE of Conservatism, which in its heart and roots is a philosophy and movement of STRENGTH and POWER, of CONVICTION and ASSUREDNESS.

Conservatism is by its nature BOLD. It is PRINCIPLED.

The problem is, this adherence to principles scares some people who by rights ought to embrace them. Hence the weakness... and the running for cover when principles are challenged and ACTION is required. True Conservatives do not run for cover, they stand and fight for what is RIGHT!!

[donna]

...the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience...

[rockinqsranch]

Personally I believe RINO’s are Leftists. Not just self serving moderates trying to hold onto their gravytrain, but actual Leftists.

I recall in my earlier days at FR, having lurked since 2001 commentary with warnings the “Moderate Republican’s” were attempting to “redefine Conservatism to the Left”.

We all know Mitt Romney is NO Conservative, yet “they” define him as a Conservative as they press on with his anointment. Perhaps they think they have impressed their conservatism sufficiently to say it’s a done deal.

[Marguerite]

"We all know Mitt Romney is NO Conservative, yet “they” define him as a Conservative as they press on with his anointment. Perhaps they think they have impressed their conservatism sufficiently to say it’s a done deal."

All we have to do in order to measure Romney's conservatism is to look at his deeds, not at his ever-change-direction words. He has a baggage, check THAT out:

I'm not impressed with what the GOP ghost-writers put on a paper for Romney to read aloud. I looked up his career since the 80ies, and I don't LIKE what I've found out. The more I read about, the less I like him.

[Marguerite]

Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney; Comparing Conservative ‘Products of Work’

http://gulagbound.com/25637/newt-gingrich-vs-mitt-romney-comparing-conservative-products-of-work/

[RitaOK]

I’m with you, Donna, and have to believe that for something like freedom to be so salvageable and so worthy of a knock down, drag out fight to the death to keep, any fighting for it is utterly resisted, and is instead met with blindness, silence, lethargy and betrayal of both God and country.

All this from our own and among our own. This can not be a simple political anomaly, or accident. The evil is now too palpable, boldly obvious, and ever increasing.

God, we know, sets our leaders before us for our good or for our chastisement. HE has something in mind when HE does so, and we are going to deserve it. We either repent and reverse, or the mountains and hills surely beckon.

We know Romney’s awful record on abortion, socialistic mandates on the people and on the Catholic Church in MA, his tolerance for “gay” rights and his signing off on gay marriages, and we know Newt’s personal sins.

Only one of the two has repented. It’s Newt, or Obama. Romney is not an option.

[katiedidit1]

Marguerite! this needs to go viral! I just shared it with some facebook friends but it is one of the best comparisons I have read online. Got to get the word out. THIS IS A MUST READ, TWEET AND SHARE! Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney; Comparing Conservative ‘Products of Work’ http://gulagbound.com/25637/newt-gingrich-vs-mitt-romney-comparing-conservative-products-of-work/

[donna]

Nicely written!

[Marguerite]

Newt Gingrich vs. Mitt Romney; Comparing Conservative ‘Products of Work’

http://gulagbound.com/25637/newt-gingrich-vs-mitt-romney-comparing-conservative-products-of-work/

I found it earlier, Katie, and reposted the link twice on FR and Facebook :)

[Marguerite]

This list of videos should go viral too:

A Mitt Romney Abortion Timeline:

Romney in 1994: I support Roe v. Wade
http://youtu.be/NVnPzXAE7ow
Romney in 2002: “Unequivocally” pro-choice
http://youtu.be/m7-hmjlr7tk
Romney in 2005: I’m pro-life but will maintain the pro-choice status quo
http://youtu.be/Pt3yoSiwERo
Romney in 2007: I’d be “delighted” to sign a bill banning abortion across the country
http://youtu.be/uVjMQj3fMYQ
Romney in 2008: Return abortion to the states
http://youtu.be/4a3YJWW7Vsk

[katiedidit1]

Great find! I posted it on the National Tea Party site on fB and also on CRA’s for Gingrich and a few others..also to some friends. Will have to tweet it. Thanks so much for the link

[Windflier]

Agreed, Katie.

That article is jam-packed with documented facts about both Gingrich’s and Romney’s performances while in office, and completely exposes Romney for the worthless liberal he is, while setting the facts straight on Newt’s excellent career accomplishments.

There’s absolutely no question that Gingrich is the more qualified candidate. None whatsoever.

[Marguerite]

Katie,

Have you seen the video in which Newt Gingrich was defending Sarah Palin in 2008? It is fabulous!

http://youtu.be/AjGhy8LVwAo

[Mad Dawgg]

"I feel like the conservative movement is missing a leader."

Minor Edit: "I feel like the conservative movement is missing." a leader.

[katiedidit1]

Excellent! the reporter, “Ron Allen” just shaking his head yes and at the end when Newt asked him to name one thing Obama has done...he cut the interview and Newt smiled:) I love the cheerful one.

[rurgan]

This article makes good points about how the conservative media has gone against Palin and Gingrich.

What the heck is up with Glen beck bashing Palin and Gingrich?

However Rush Limbaugh has not bashed Palin nor Gingrich. So is Rush still the conservative media?

[b9]

I love the cheerful one.

You said it, Katie.