Where Do Conservatives Go Now? Part 2 (Don’t Get Suckered into Supporting the Republican Party)

Conservative HQ ^ | 19 Apr 12 | Richard A. Viguerie

[xzins]

Fourth, Remember the Difference Between Republicans and Conservatives.

Conservatives look at the endorsements Mitt Romney has garnered from such establishment figures as former President George H.W. Bush and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and most importantly from business-as-usual Washington insiders, such as lobbyist Ed Gillespie, and they see advocates of positions they often opposed, not friends of the transformational agenda that won the Tea Party wave election of 2010.

Surveying Romney’s record and agenda, and most importantly the people he is likely to bring to Washington to implement his agenda, movement conservatives see little likelihood a Romney administration will differ from a Bush administration, or a McCain administration, or a Dole or Ford administration.

This is why conservatives remain so deeply skeptical of Mitt Romney’s candidacy for President. They look at his record as Governor of Massachusetts and the policies he espouses and see no commitment to the kind of transformational change the conservative movement has been working for the past 50 years to achieve.

Republican Party insiders still can’t come to grips with the reality that the rebellion of the small government constitutional conservatives of the Tea Party is as much a rejection of their stewardship of the government – the earmarks and massive spending and debt of the Bush years – as it is a rejection of Obamacare and Obamanomics.

Let’s be quite clear – there is a difference between Republicans and conservatives. The goal of the Republican political party is to elect its candidates to control the levers of government power. Conservatives should not get so swept-up in the Republican Party’s campaign for power, that they loose sight of the fact that the goal of the conservative movement is to hold the government to constitutional principles, no matter what political party is in power, and in the process rejuvenate our society and culture.

Fifth, Don’t Get Suckered into Supporting the Republican Party.

If the difference between conservatives and Republicans is based in the conservative movement’s commitment to holding the government to constitutional principles, no matter which Party is in power, then one of the most important things conservatives can do is to support organizations that are committed to that same goal.

This also means declining to support organizations, including the national, state and local Republican Parties if they are not committed to holding the government to constitutional principles.

The folly of conservatives supporting the Republican National Committee, and many state Republican Party committees was made readily apparent during the presidential primary. In state after state the establishment GOP did its best to thwart the will of the grassroots conservative voters by using its power to tip the scales toward Mitt Romney to the disadvantage of the conservative candidates in the race.

In the same vein the Republican National Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have become virtual incumbent protection rackets – appearing to sell influence and access in return for donations to keep incumbent members of Congress in power.

Thanks in part to the ability of the new and alternative media, especially the internet, to empower grassroots activists it is now possible to bypass the establishment Republican Party. There are now dozens of sound organizations committed to constitutional conservative principles that are doing everything from training volunteers in grassroots campaign techniques to recruiting and training conservative candidates to run for Congress and their state legislatures.

Just because an organization has conservative in its name doesn’t mean the organization is actually conservative – especially if it is headquartered in Washington DC. Too many Washington-based organizations, even ones that began with the intention of fostering conservative government, have become part of the inside-the-Beltway Republican establishment.

Very often the best organizations to support are not the state parties and national committees, but the local groups; County Republican Committees and Tea Party organizations who share our values and are doing the hard work to elect conservative candidates to office up and down the ballot. By supporting these local organizations, which are always struggling to raise money, it is possible to know their leadership, know whether or not they share our values and determine whether they are accountable and effective.

During the Bush – Hastert – Frist years too many Washington-based policy organizations sold their souls for a few tickets to the White House Christmas party or a seat at the State of the Union Address. They failed in the real test of whether they were effective advocates of conservative policy – holding the government to constitutional principles, no matter which Party is in power.

Don’t get suckered into supporting the Republican Party’s incumbent protection racket. Donate only to small government constitutional conservative organizations and committees dedicated to holding the government to constitutional principles, no matter which Party is in power, and electing small government constitutional conservatives to office. Avoid establishment Republican-oriented organizations and Party committees that don’t hew to conservative principles, and work against conservative candidates and blindly support Republican incumbents even when they oppose conservative policies.

Sixth, It’s the Primaries, Stupid – Support Small Government, Constitutional Conservative Candidates

If 2012 is another big wave election, like 2010, but it sweeps into office the usual big-government, establishment Republicans, then we will have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

Supporting small government, constitutional conservatives, no matter how far down the ballot they are is crucial to our long-term success, and running for any office, no matter how far down the ballot, is worthy of your efforts.

If constitutional conservatives are to govern America, we must not only elect a President and a Congress, but also city council members, school board members, state legislators, Secretaries of State, Lt. Governors, etc.

Of course, there are many good candidates already running who are with the Tea Party movement. However, the vast majority of positions on the ballot this year do not have small government constitutional conservatives running, and many will have incumbents who have not faced a contest in years.

We who want constitutional, small-government should be running candidates even when it appears they have little or no chance of victory. The mistake of assuming good candidates will emerge from the regular party process does not work most of the time because the establishment Republican Party has no real interest in the kind of transformational change sought by conservatives.

Do you really trust Party leaders like Mitch McConnell and John Boehner to build a Republican majority of small government constitutional conservatives? If we leave it to the national congressional and Party leadership to recruit the candidates we will end-up with a Congress just like them; incumbents such as Bob Bennett and establishment figures such as Charlie Crist, and Trey Grayson.

When making decisions about where to put their financial support, conservatives should remember that if the national Republican committees had their way, such now-stalwart conservative Senators as Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Mike Lee would never have been elected.

The only time we are guaranteed to lose is when we don’t compete. In today’s volatile political environment, no establishment candidate is truly safe. The American people want the chance to take out the big-government, establishment politicians; put your money and your hard work directly behind those candidates who are committed to small government, constitutional principles.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with your premise of trotting out a guy ‘just not as bad’ as the guy running for the Dems.

(I phrased this next comment poorly)

Let’s hope you’re wrong about the 2012 vs 2020 thing. I’m not convinced of that. Meant that I’m not convinced you are wrong,

D1

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you Trisham. I appreciate it.

[katiedidit1]

Memories of Newt as Speaker of the House vs Clinton.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the discussion. I know some of this is rather pointed, but I'm not upset with you. I'm just frustrated by what we are continually faced with every four years. I want it to stop.

Thank you as well. It is unfortunate that conservatives who are ultimately all on the same side often can't seem to disagree reasonably over what amounts to a difference in strategy rather than a difference in principle.  I generally agree with that, but it's not entirely off base to question where some advocacies germinate from.  If my perception is that a advocated policy might further the desires of Leftists in my own party vs the Leftists in another party, it isn't all that unreasoned to come to the conclusion that Leftists are still going to be the benificiary of that advocacy.  That doesn't mean the advocate realizes the ramifications of everything his advocacy may support in the long run.  And then again, it doesn't mean they don't.

I'm actually frustrated by those who chose not to run. He was not a perfect candidate, but Mitch Daniels was certainly more conservative than Romney, and right on all the issues even if he generally eschews red-meat rhetoric.  I share some of that frustration, but we don't know all things about people.  He may have a good reason for not wanting to run.

I'm just crossing my fingers that we make it to 2016 without things going beyond repair, when we'll hopefully have a much more conservative candidate.  Frankly, I'd like to see a majority enter the Republican Convention this year demanding the whole thing be tossed out on it's ear, and someone new be drafted.  IMO, that's the greatest most patriotic thing that Santorum and Gingrich could do right now.  They should form an exploratory committee and come up with a strategy and some names.  Sorry Newt, no way...  You had your chance and it wasn't you.

Failing that, we have got to start a Conservative coalition that will end the Republican party's lock on the nomination process.  It's past time for a civil war in the Republican party.

[Windflier]

You make do with the hand you are dealt.

Yeah, that louse, Benedict Arnold, is all we've got left....sigh. I guess we'll just have to vote for him and hope for better luck next time.

[Windflier]

I dislike Romney but he is better than another Obama term.

You can't make the case that "Romney is better than Obama" if you judge him solely on his record, which is indistinguishable from any liberal Democrat's.

Vote for that snake oil salesman if you must, but just know that he will become the de facto leader of the Republican party, and a Republican dominated Congress will not oppose his liberal agenda with anywhere near the force that they'd lock arms in opposition against Obama.

In fact, if history is any guide (GWB), the Congress will roll over for him like a puppy.

Take a good hard look at those dynamics and ask yourself which scenario is preferable.

[katiedidit1]

The republicans are in a good position to take control of the senate. IF we maintain control of the house and gain in the senate it will be a win (if the republicans stick to conservative strengths) without Romney. Conservatives could block Obama and the dems legislation. I say fight for the republicans in your states and districts but do not cave to the republican establishment in their selection of Romney.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/race-ratings/85743-race-ratings

SENATE

Democratic Seats (23)

Safe Democratic: (8)
Feinstein (Calif.)
Carper (Del.)
Cardin (Md.)
Klobuchar (Minn.)
Menendez (N.J.)
Gillibrand (N.Y.)
Whitehouse (R.I.)
Sanders (Vt.)

Likely Democratic: (6)
Lieberman (Conn.) - OPEN
Akaka (Hawaii) - OPEN
Stabenow (Mich.)
Casey (Pa.)
Cantwell (Wash.)
Kohl (Wis.)

Lean Democratic: (4)
Nelson (Fla.)
McCaskill (Mo.)
Brown (Ohio)
Manchin (W.Va.)

Toss-up: (5)
Tester (Mont.)
Nelson (Neb.)
Bingaman (N.M.) - OPEN
Conrad (N.D.) - OPEN
Webb (Va.) - OPEN

---

Republican Seats (10)

Safe Republican: (5)
Lugar (Ind.)
Wicker (Miss.)
Corker (Tenn.)
Hatch (Utah)
Barrasso (Wy.)

Likely Republican: (3)
Kyl (Ariz.) - OPEN
Snowe (Maine)
Hutchison (Texas) - OPEN

Lean Republican: (0)

Toss-up: (2)
Brown (Mass.)
Ensign (Nev.)

HOUSE

Democratic Seats (27)

Races To Watch:(3)
Carnahan (Mo.-03)
Wu (Ore.-01)
Rahall (W.Va.-3)
Toss-up: (5)
Barrow (Ga.-12)
Kissell (N.C.-08)
Heinrich (N.M.-01)
Sutton (Ohio-13)
Altmire (Pa.-04)

Lean Democratic: (10)
McNerney (Calif.-11)
Donnelly (Ind.-2)
Chandler (Ky.-06)
Peters (Mich.-09)
McIntyre (N.C.-07)
Bishop (N.Y.-01)
Owens (N.Y.-23)
Schrader (Ore.-05)
Matheson (Utah-02)
Connolly (Va.-02)

Likely Democratic: (9)
Giffords (Ariz.-08)
Himes (Conn.-04)
C. Murphy (Conn.-05) - OPEN
Loebsack (Iowa-02)
Boswell (Iowa-03)
Peters (Mich.-09)
Walz (Minn.-01)
Shuler (N.C.-11)
Critz (Pa.-12)

---

Republican Seats (27)

Races to Watch: (4)
Crawford (Ark.-01)
Heck (Nev.-03)
Rigell (Va.02)
Hurt (Va.-5)

Toss-up: (10)
West (Fla.-22)
Walsh (Ill.-08)
Dold (Ill.-10)
Schilling (Ill.-17)
Buerkle (N.Y.-25)
B. Johnson (Ohio-06)
Fitzpatrick (Pa.-08)
Barletta (Pa.-11)
Duffy (Wis.-07)
Farenthold (Texas-27)

Lean Republican: (8)
Ellmers (N.C.-02)
Rivera (Fla.-25)
Bass (N.H.-02)
Grimm (N.Y.-13)
Cravaack (Minn.-08)
Rehberg (Mont.-AL) - OPEN
Runyan (N.J.-03)
Canseco (Texas-23)

Likely Republican: (5)
Berg (N.D.-AL)
Pearce (N.M.-01)
Lee (N.Y.-26) - OPEN
Herrera Beutler (Wash.-03)
McKinley (W.Va.-01)

[af_vet_rr]

A Right leaning/Conservative Congress can easily remain united behind an Obama re-election....whereas the same Congress will be sliced and diced by the RINOS if Romney is in the White House.

I am glad others see this. Romney and Obama are both bad for the country. Romney will get his agenda pushed through because he will have both Democrats and RINOs in Congress supporting him, and he will appoint the same types of people that he surrounded himself with as Governor. We are in a bad shape - both Romney and Obama want to take us to socialism, one just wants to do it a little slower.

[hattend]

You can't make the case that "Romney is better than Obama" if you judge him solely on his record

I'm judging Obama's record.

Who are you voting for?

[greyfoxx39]

Excellent, DoughtOne. Thank you.

[dragnet2]

I was done with the big insiders party years ago, when I realized the Rs and Ds are all riding in the same limo.

How many times can Americans be lied to and BS’d?

America needed a 2nd party since Bush’s second term.

[elpadre]

Obama will destroy this nation even with A Republican Congress. He will appoint far lefties to the courts, he will dismantle our national defense, he will turn every department into a center of socialist activism, he will increase the number in poverty thereby securing his base, he will destroy small businesses in favor of large corporations who depend on government largess, he will make the US subservient to the UN, and on and on. Give him another four years, and the USA will truly be a third world nation, regardless of who has the House and Senate. Anyone who supports Obama because they don't like Romney is acting against the best interests of the nation and selling our kids into a life of misery.

Romney may not be all that we want but he will do none of the above. And, with a strong conservative Congress he will more than likely follow suit IMO

I will enthusiastically support whomever the Republican nominee is and I pray everyone on FR will do the same.

[onyx]

Thanks very much for the ping to D-1’s excellent post.

This ugly primary isn’t yet over. Romney hasn’t yet successfully bought the nomination he’s insatiably lusting for, but he’s close and he’s managed to get some nationally known TEA Party elected officer holders to support him in a call for “Party unity.”

This is not the time for “Party unity,” -— it is the time for TEA Party conservatives to rebel! Vote for Newt Gingrich is all the remaining primaries, keep praying and then, take the convention by storm!

I remain praying for Divine Intervention and short of that, praying for strength and resolve that somehow, someway, TEA Party Patriots a whole lot smarter than me, will come forth with a plan to stop Romney!

God help us save our Republic.

[dragnet2]

I will enthusiastically support whomever the Republican nominee is and I pray everyone on FR will do the same.

People like you must have the political equivalent of the battered wives syndrome.

Ya keep getting lied to, raped and beat up and ya keep coming back for more.

[ichabod1]

That’s the thing - if conservatives want the republicans to stop playing big tent, they need to take over the party. Or find a way to destroy the two party system - which would be great!

[Windflier]

I'm judging Obama's record.

Sorry, but that logic doesn't bear up to even casual scrutiny. You have got to vet the candidate you're actually placing your vote for.

Have you done that? If you have, how can you in good conscience cast that vote?

As to my vote, Newt Gingrich has that, as long as he's on the Texas ballot when we vote. If Romney clinches the nomination, I will write-in another choice, or abstain from voting for president.

I'm done giving my solemn vote to RINOs and assorted frauds. I'd rather stand and fight against a sworn enemy, than place my trust in a quisling betrayer like Romney.

[Windflier]

Romney may not be all that we want but.....

Your faith in this quisling is sad and pitiable. I'd rather face up to what he is right now, than in three years time, when he's advanced Obama's agenda into rock solid permanence.

You're unlikely to fight someone posing as a team mate, but you will oppose an avowed enemy with everything you've got.

That is the simplicity of the thing.

[Windflier]

Romney hasn’t yet successfully bought the nomination he’s insatiably lusting for, but he’s close and he’s managed to get some nationally known TEA Party elected officer holders to support him in a call for “Party unity.”

This is not the time for “Party unity,” — it is the time for TEA Party conservatives to rebel!

Amen, sister!

[hattend]

Well, if it’s illogical to vote against a candidate running on a 4 year old socialist record whose sole intent is to destroy the US, financially and spiritually, so be it.

Palin’s not running so my candidate is long gone. It won’t help to write her name in unless 60 million others are going to do the same thing.

It’s ABO for me.

[doug from upland]

Remove Obama for fraud? We have been through impeachment before. As you know, it takes a 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict and remove from office. A nice idea, but it will never happen.

I don’t particularly like Romney, but if Obama gets elected, he will complete the destruction of this country. That may be acceptable to you, but it is not acceptable to me.