Conservative-GOP marriage over?

politico ^ | Monday May 7, 2012 | Craig Shirley

[Bigtigermike]

It should come as no surprise that the Republican National Committee has been “covertly” supporting Mitt Romney throughout the primaries, as POLITICO recently “revealed.” It was the worst-kept secret in Washington

Reagan, the über outsider, called for a “new Republican Party” back in 1977. Reagan wanted the GOP to shed its country club, corporate boardroom image and become a genuine conservative movement, focused on the individual.

Reagan’s words threatened the status quo of the scions and heiresses of the country club and corporate boardroom set. The former California governor and his conservative followers were never accepted by these insiders

[...]

The Republicans’ desire for power is usually stronger than any desire for restraint by conservatism. It always seems to leave conservatives disappointed.

Many conservatives have, in fact, decided that their beliefs have become permanently inconsistent with Republicanism. This may be more apparent in 2012 than ever before. No offense to Romney, but he is the perfect nominee for the Republican Party in 2012 because he — like the GOP — has adopted a variety of positions over the years in order to acquire power. The Etch A Sketch comment was stunningly accurate.

The “lesser of two evils” argument is now settling over the landscape. Perhaps. The “conservatives have no place else to go” storyline is being pushed. Maybe.

On the other hand, some conservatives now view this election as a clear Hobson’s Choice or possibly a Morton’s Fork. One choice is bad or nothing; the other between two bad options.

Conservatives should be clear-eyed, though. The job of the Republican Party is to deceive conservatives into handing over their support. This does not mean that conservatives can’t arrive at the conclusion that this choice is between the lesser of two evils.

But they should prepare to be disappointed.

[A Strict Constructionist]

“Taking over the Republican Party is the only real option. Taking our bat and ball and going home only guarantees the Devil’s win.”

Some people will never learn and will wonder where their freedom went. Many have only one agenda and it isn’t the Constitution...they haven’t figured out that you can’t control peoples lives either from the right or the left and believe in the Constitution. With freedom you get some good and some bad, that you have to let God sort out, but at least you get the chance to preach about the right way and change minds, under the left you get shot.

[Diogenesis]

“The Massachusetts Republican Party died last Tuesday.
The cause of death: failed leadership.
The party is survived by a few leftover legislators
and a handful of county officials and grassroots activists
who have been ignored for years.
Services will be public and a mass exodus of taxpayers will follow.
In lieu of flowers, send messages to Republican voters
warning them about a certain presidential candidate named Romney.”
- Boston Herald, 11/12/2006

---

"In 2006, while Romney was chairman of the National Republican
Governors Association - a group dedicated to electing more
Republican governors - his own hand-picked Republican successor
as governor lost badly to the Democrat, despite the fact that Republicans
have held the governorship in Massachusetts since 1990. Romney largely
ignored the Massachusetts elections and spent most of the time
during the campaign out of state building his presidential campaign.
He came back and publicly campaigned for the Republican candidate
the day before the general election!
“Locally, this is a rebuke to Mitt Romney and checking out within six months
after being elected and having accomplished almost nothing,”
[Jim] Rappaport [former chairman of the state Republican Party]."
- Boston Globe, 11/8/2006

---

"Governor Mitt Romney, who touts his conservative credentials to out-of-state Republicans,
has passed over GOP lawyers for three-quarters of the 36 judicial vacancies he has faced,
instead tapping registered Democrats or independents -- including two gay lawyers who
have supported expanded same-sex rights, a Globe review of the nominations has found.
Of the 36 people Romney named to be judges or clerk magistrates, 23 are either registered Democrats
or unenrolled voters who have made multiple contributions to Democratic politicians
or who voted in Democratic primaries, state and local records show.
In all, he has nominated nine registered Republicans, 13 unenrolled voters,
and 14 registered Democrats."
- Boston Globe 7/25/2005

---

Romney Rewards one of the State's Leading Anti-Marriage Attorneys by Making him a Judge
Romney told the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2004, that the "real threat to the States is not the
constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate,
but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage . . ."
Romney sounds tough but yet he had no qualms advancing the legal career of one
of the leading anti-marriage attorneys. He nominated Stephen Abany to a District Court.
Abany has been a key player in the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association which,
in its own words, is "dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision
on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated."
- U.S. Senate testimony by Gov. Mitt Romney, 6/22/2004 P>

---

"Romney announces he won't fill judicial vacancies before term ends
Despite his rhetoric about judicial activism, Romney announced that
he won't fill all the remaining vacancies during his term - but instead
leave them for his liberal Democrat successor!
Governor Mitt Romney pledged yesterday not to make a flurry of lame-duck
judicial appointments in the final days of his administration . . . David Yas,
editor of Lawyers Weekly, said Romney is "bucking tradition" by resisting the urge to
fill all remaining judgeships. "It is a tradition for governors to use that power to appoint judges
aggressively in the waning moments of their administration," Yas said.
He added that Romney has been criticized for failing to make judicial appointments.
"The legal community has consistently criticized him for not filling open seats quickly enough
and being a little too painstaking in the process and being dismissive of the input of the
Judicial Nominating Commission," Yas said.
- Boston Globe 11/2/2006

[Theophilus]

But they should prepare to be disappointed.

That won't happen. At least one of our enemies will lose. That's something to look forward to. I'm also delighted that I don't feel any compulsion to pay any attention to this vacuous campaign. I remember the angst I used to experience waiting for the VP choice. This time, I couldn't care less if Romney choice Joe Biden himself as the VP.

[joe fonebone]

If conservatives need a home, there is one party out there with a platform that is closer to their beliefs than the pubs.... it will sound crazy, but before you barf please check out their platform... with a little rework, it can be very appealing.... here it is.... Libertarians... go line item for line item on the platforms, add up the score, and you may find yourself a little shocked... freepers here do their homework, so all I am asking is to do yours.. put down 3 columns, you, libertarians and pubs... list the issues, and give a point for each issue to one party only, then add up your score... I think you will be a little surprised at the result

[ScottinVA]

I completely agree. The GOP is out o` gas.

[central_va]

All early primaries are in Nortern states and/or open to democrats and republicans. So a NH democrat has more say in the nomination process than a Texas republican.

[Leep]

Conservatives who want to obtain and maintain political power are well advised to do so by taking over the Republican Party and to strictly eschew flirting with third party

---

Problem is the GOP are the gate keepers. In much the same way the libs control the media. The lib media selectively picks what it deems is and is not news.
Its not easy getting around their machine because they control all the key levers.
Likewise, the GOP-e controls all the key levers.
Romney is a perfect example of the power and control the GOP-e pocesses.
In an election cycle when a conservative would have been the best choice to combat a liberal progressive Democrat.
A conservative, at the least, would have certanly been a greater contrast.
Instead, we “choose” a liberal progressive Republican to combat Obammunism?
Was Romney chosen? More like the sheeple were hearded through the GOP-e gate.

Obama is the annoited one and Romney is the second coming of John McCain.
Good luck America.

[Leep]

Conservatives who want to obtain and maintain political power are well advised to do so by taking over the Republican Party and to strictly eschew flirting with third party

---

Problem is the GOP are the gate keepers. In much the same way the libs control the media. The lib media selectively picks what it deems is and is not news.
Its not easy getting around their machine because they control all the key levers.
Likewise, the GOP-e controls all the key levers.
Romney is a perfect example of the power and control the GOP-e pocesses.
In an election cycle when a conservative would have been the best choice to combat a liberal progressive Democrat.
A conservative, at the least, would have certanly been a greater contrast.
Instead, we “choose” a liberal progressive Republican to combat Obammunism?
Was Romney chosen? More like the sheeple were hearded through the GOP-e gate.

Obama is the annoited one and Romney is the second coming of John McCain.
Good luck America.

[darrellmaurina]

19 posted on Mon May 07 2012 23:52:42 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) by onyx: “The best candidate doesn’t always win. The best campaign does, (ruthless as it just may be, and his was).”

That is an important message to remember.

The Democrats learned it long ago. We need to re-learn it.

[CynicalBear]

Sometimes in situations of tuff love you just have to let them hit bottom and be prepared to help them rebuild their life after they do. That’s where America is today. It’s time to let those who have refused the “right path” to destroy themselves and be prepared to restart and rebuild from the ashes of bad decisions. This time there will be no “intervention” attempted by me. Those who have chosen the path of destruction for this country have been warned enough. Whether they be Republican, Democrat or neither it’s time to allow them to “hit bottom”. Scripture shows over and over again that when an individual, group or country turns their back on Him He removes His protection and allows them to destroy themselves or be destroyed by others. Without God’s protection it is futile to try and save this country without Him. We can be assured that God will protect the “remnant” that remain faithful just like He did Noah, Lot, and will do for the remnant of Israel.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Blaming "the party" is a copout, because "the party" really isn't anything more than the people who comprise it. The problem in this election cycle wasn't "the party elites", but the lack of a good conservative candidate. As a result, the majority conservatives within the party split their votes, including some who voted for Romney based on their hatred of Obama and a belief, right or wrong, that he was the most likely to defeat Obama.

I supported Newt, but I wasn't blind to his flaws as a candidate, and could understand why others wouldn't support him. That's just the way it was this election cycle. But 2010 proved that the majority of the GOP (regardless of the leadership) will support good conservative candidates in the primary.

Taking our ball home and sulking in the corner just means we will have no chance to nominate a good candidate in 2016. If a significant number of conservatives abandon the GOP to go 3rd party, the resultant GOP nominee will be less conservative, and those conservatives left will be far too few to gain a plurality in the election. After all, if they are enough to gain a plurality in a general election, then they certainly would be enough to pick a conservative nominee in the GOP.

The lesson to draw from this election isn't that "the GOP-E" has ruined the party, but rather that we need to have better candidates at the national level.

[MaxFlint]

...what SCOTUS decision in living memory has moved our society overtly to the right over the objections and efforts of the left?

D.C. v. Heller.

[sergeantdave]

“The TEA Party movement has been very clear from the beginning that the goal was to take over the Republican Party. We need to continue working at a local level to ensure conservative candidates end up in positions of political power.”

People need to remember that more than 700 patriots were elected under the Republican banner to state legislatures in 2010, resulting in control of 26 states. This is our farm team and it’s a good one.

You don’t take over a political party in one election. For the first time in my life, I’m seeing conservatives showing an interest in taking back their local governments from the commies infesting village and county governments. That is progress, and they’re doing it under the republican flag.

I’m not willing to throw that effort away.

[Mamzelle]

Dittoes, nathan. I fear this thread is one of many urging conservatives to stay home and despair rather than get out and vote.

I was forced to do some growing up at my advanced age when I would nevernevernever vote for john McCain, for years and years, No! Never!

Then I voted for John McCain.

It's time for us to go after our wayward husband and bop him over the head with a bat and make him leave his hottie whores and come home to his family, however unappealing he is as a human being and a man.

That's what we really have to do as conservatives, and I'm sure a lot of men highly resent not being able to just dump the father of our children. The gals understand a little better what's at stake--the future, not our pride.

We can't. Not really. No matter how much we want to.

So it's time to pull the RINOs out of the barroom and drag them home. Dear Jim--this thread a continuation of previous conversation.

[Uncle Miltie]

“Conservative-GOP marriage over?”

Yes. We now have two avowedly Socialist parties.

Hard Socialists and Medium Hard Socialists. See Romney.

[MaxFlint]

The best candidate doesn’t always win.

The best campaign does, (ruthless as it just may be, and his was).

That sums up the whole thing.

Romney had the resources to run a national campaign. Gingrich and Santorum were outmatched by Romney in organization and cash. I knew Gingrich was in big trouble when he lost most of his staff in 2011. Not getting on the Virginia ballot when there was a simple procedure to guarantee you'd be on it (submit 15000 signatures), which Paul and Romney did, was an even bigger misstep. Especially when your whole plan to win is based on a southern strategy.

That's the kind of problem underfunded, disorganized campaigns have. Wacky Paul, with no chance of being nominated and his cult followers paying the bills, was able to get on the ballot in every primary held to date.

I credit this to experience. Romney and Paul went through this before. This was Gingrich and Santorum's first run. If they try again in 2016 they'll do better.

[Mountain Mary]

“They can buy the nomination but they can’t buy my soul and my vote”.

Kudos, BE. I’m with you.

[Uncle Miltie]

Some conservatives will be able to stand the stench and vote for “our” Socialist. I can’t. He smells too much of RomneyObamaCare.

[Keith in Iowa]

The choice of the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.

I refuse.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Ping (see tag line)

[WOSG]

“By 2016 SCOTUS will be packed with Obama stooges for the next 20 years.”

And they will declare presidential term limits racist and make Obama president-for-life.

[WOSG]

“Problem is that Robozombie has never dione ANYTHING but LIE in politics for his whole miserable elitist life. “

Unlike many life-long politicians, Romney has spent most of his life in the private sector, and in a sector where results count a lot more than words. The bottom line cant lie - you either succeed or dont.

As such, the above statement could be more accurately applied to the many politicians who HAVE been in politics their whole lives.

[redgolum]

This has happened before. The GOP will split, as will the DNC. A shotgun marriage doesn’t work well.

[katiedidit1]

Newt, Santorum, Perry are not ignorant men. They were unable to make the primary in Virginia; the Fla primary was moved UP in violation of RNC rules (they waived 50% of their delegates as a penalty) and changed to winner take all. That is only 2 examples.
You will NEVER convince me the RNC was not onboard with Romney and the maneuvering of the process from day one.
As for the conservatives not sending a message to the RNC..once again I refer to the 2010 elections; heck the 2008 presidential election (McCain); Indiana, Utah.

[Josh Painter]

Nonsense.

In the month of September, Sarah Palin realized just how deep the fix was in for Romney. The millions Mitt spent to destroy Newt twice after Gingrich had worked his way to the top of the polls would have been spent against her had she jumped into the race. With mostly small donors, she would not have been able to fight off those “scorched earth” attacks.

She also realized that the Republican Media (NRO, Human Events, The American Spectator, Townhall, Hot Air, etc.) would have gleefully piled on with the Mittwits against her. She knew Mitt would have the endorsements of the elected GOP-e pols, including many she had endorsed in 2010, including Ayotte, Haley and others.

With both the Democrats and Republicans against her, she would not have stood a chance, and she would have suffered much the same fate as Newt. She would have sacrificed any chance she might have had for a political future if she had run in 2012.

By staying out, she remains a threat for 2016 if Mitt loses, which is very likely to happen. Sarah is smarter than your average bear.

[spodefly]

A voice of reason, and a welcome break from the whining ...

[dfwgator]

There needs to be a conservative candidate worth voting for....this time around it was trying to get behind the candidate that sucked the least. Hard to unite around one candidate if they are all so mediocre at best.

[rightwingextremist1776]

You sir are exactly correct. The crybabies who whine about the progressive arm of the GOP would rather sit on the sidelines and complain then go out and WORK at making a difference. ANYBODY who sits on their hands and allow this TRAITOR another term are no better then he. We either hang together or we hang separately.

[redgolum]

Agreed.

It is like those who like to pressure you to buy a certain brand because it is NOT another brand. You don’t have to buy the product.

[tacticalogic]

Next time, the Republicans would be well advised to raise money, disband their circular firing squad, and support an electable conservative.

Why would they want to do that? As long as what they've been doing keeps working, they're going to keep right on doing it. We've been holding our nose and voting for the RINO, and warning them about "next time" for how long now?

[ReformationFan]

Since I live in a state whose electoral votes will surely go to whoever the GOP nominee is, I thinking of supporting this party instead:

http://constitutionparty.com/

[Freestate316]

This is news? 1984 was the last year that the GOP had a candidate that conservatives could get excited about. GHWB lost because of Perot, Dole was a hideous candidate, GWB had his strengths but was a big spender, and McCain was Dole without the charisma. Now we have Romney.I will not give the RNC a penny. I am a fiscal and social conservative, so I guess that makes me a RINO! I am especially nauseated by their spineless refusal to defend candidates, and to not go after liberals.

[dfwgator]

GHWB lost because of GHWB.

[Freestate316]

Yah, I guess “read my lips, no new taxes,” didn’t help.

[Dawgreg]

Good idea.....something to think about. :)

[Darren McCarty]

The questions are these as a conservative.

1. Why did Mitt Romney win the primary?
2. What are the rules of the game>
3. What can we do in the future?
4. Is it feasible?
5. If yes, how? If no, why not?

6. Do we have the patience necessary to succeed?

A1 - He got more votes. That was due to good campaign organization by Mitt, and flawed opponents who either dropped early or self-destructed due to blunders or inexperience. Other potential winners did not run.

A2 - Know them. Study them. We know that many party apparatuses supported Mitt. How does one get appointed to a party apparatus? It's our party, too. In Michigan, precinct delegates elect county party leadership, and state delegates that pick their leadership. Most of those positions are also unfilled.

A3. We can build our party. We have a two feasible party system. There is not the structure, nor loyal electorate for other parties besides the two party system. What we need to do is become active in the party and take it over, long term. It doesn't get done in one election or two elections.

A4. Yes

A5. It's feasible through primaries and party leadership from the ground up. That's how Marco Rubio took out Charlie Crist. Counties and Districts.

A6. Right now. No. Most mainstream party activists support those who put in the work with the party. That's how most conservatives I know get in. They go to most, if not all the meetings, and also work on certain things. It takes years.

[Darren McCarty]

Next time, the Republicans would be well advised to raise money, disband their circular firing squad, and support an electable conservative.

Yep. Look at all the attacks here on Perry, "Saint Rick", Newt, Cain, Bachmann, etc. Before Palin decided not to run, a lot of groupies here were trying to clear the field for her, assuming she was running.

[Quickgun]

Amen to that post. This is not the election to show disgust with the party by totally destroying the Republic. Vote as conservatively as possible in all state and local contests. And then,...And then...Yes I will vote for Romney. Romney will be entertaining the thought of being re-elected in 4 years, so he can’t alienate everyone. Obama,on the other hand will have no such constraints. If you folks thought Zero was bad this time around, let him have 4 more years and the USA will be totally unrecognizable. If you look at state election results, the conservative movement HAS made great headway in the last few years. We are winning, just not all in one election. However, the conservative movement WILL suffer a serious setback if Zero is re-elected

[ExCTCitizen]

Reagan’s words threatened the status quo of the scions and heiresses of the country club and corporate boardroom set. The former California governor and his conservative followers were never accepted by these insiders

We need to stay in the GOP, and kick the RINOs out. we started it in 2010 with the deefeat of Bennett...now we can defeat Lugar today. and tell the GOPe that we are taking over.

3rd party will hand the USA over to the American Zombie Party (aka Dems). The Republicans, without us, will help the AZP rip up the constitution!!

[ExCTCitizen]

I will support any 3rd party conservative. Screw the GOP. We have irreconcilable differences. The GOP is just out for power and not the people or the republic.

I'l go for Romney, because voting 3rd party is a vote for the MARXIST. We need to unite behind Romney and defeat OBUMMER.

if we are going to give up, the constitution will be trampled on by OBUMMER!!

[Manic_Episode]

The GOP is now a pro-choice party, among other things. It would be immoral for me to support, approve, submit or vote for Mitt, the Whig.

I'm not taking my ball and going home, I'm playing ball at another field.

I do kind of secretly hope Mitt does beat Obama, but he will have to do it without my vote.

[ExCTCitizen]

I don’t care if a third party gets the dems elected as my conservative beliefs are not being met by the GOP. I will continue to support conservative republicans but will not be bullied into electing a liberal in the GOP. The GOP is no longer a 100% lock on my vote.

The GOP never had me 100%. I voted Democratic before, but I know that voting 3rd party in this election will mean that the Marxist DICTATOR WANNA BE will trample the Constitution. He'll stack the SCOTUS with Marxists and then force Obamacare down our throats.

I will no longer be scared to vote third party if that is what is required to get a conservative elected.

You may never get a chance to vote for a CONSERVATIVE again, if Obama gets his wish. (I think he is more dangerous then Hugo Chavez).

If the GOP wants to get elected then they will have to move to the right

Agree, but we need to get the tea party people into the gop leadership

otherwise the dems will get elected and they will lose their power. It goes both ways the dem party gets elected if they do not support conservative values as well.

The American Zombie Party don't care for conservatives. What we CONSERVATIVES need to do is to talk to the union workers (the Reagan Democrats) and get them to join the gop.

However, as a FISCAL CONSERVATIVE... I want the government out of my life and my kids life.

[ExCTCitizen]

The Whig party is for the Moderates...

[zeugma]

Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. This was her year. She had a large built-in base to operate from who were ready and motivated to take the charge to the foreigner in chief.

If she just wants to be another talking head, there's nothing really wrong with that, that's operating on a completely different level from actually being in the fight.

As for the GOP-E having her in their sights, do you really think there ever be a time when that won't be true?

[boxlunch]

Next time, the Republicans would be well advised to raise money, disband their circular firing squad, and support an electable conservative.

---

Choose ONE ahead of the R primaries, and then support that ONE with boatloads of money, time, commitment, etc. Choose the conservative BEFORE the primary season!

[papertyger]

Given my position is non-disprovable, I must concede to your reasoning.
I don’t like it. I don’t believe it. But damned if I can marshal an adequate argument against it.

[papertyger]

D.C. v. Heller.

I had considered that case in forming my challenge, but decided to challenge anyway, because I don't believe a case of such limited practical scope qualifies as moving our society substantively to the right.

[Darren McCarty]

The GOP is now a pro-choice party, among other things.

No it is not. Mitt Romney may very well be a pro-choice candidate, but the GOP is bigger than one man. Vote your conscience when it comes to Mitt, but there's a lot of other candidates running for different offices that call themselves Republican.

It's time that people think bigger than just one presidential candidate who controls 1/3 of the government.

[redpoll]

I appreciate your posts, especially these. You are correct, sir.

[papertyger]

Choose ONE ahead of the R primaries, and then support that ONE with boatloads of money, time, commitment, etc. Choose the conservative BEFORE the primary season!

We had one, but she, and we, succumbed to a protracted preemptive strike from the left and the GOPe.