Posted on 06/15/2008 7:30:54 AM PDT by CounterCounterCulture
For conservatives and Republicans who are wondering what in the world happened to their party, we should recall June 12, 1987.
On that day 21 years ago, President Ronald Reagan stood before the wall dividing East and West Berlin and directed his famous appeal to the leader of the then Soviet Union: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
Two and half years later, the wall was down and a new chapter had begun.
It's always worth recalling Reagan's courageous act and words of that time. But we particularly should consider it now in light of today's Republican conundrums.
The story of Reagan's Berlin speech, as recounted by former Reagan speechwriter Peter Robinson, is about change and fighting the Washington establishment. Exactly the themes we're hearing almost every day now from our current presidential aspirants.
Robinson wrote the speech for Reagan, including the famous "tear down this wall" line, and submitted it for review. Opposition to it from the administration's entire foreign policy establishment was uniform and adamant.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
The first thought of todays courageous republicans would be: “How will the NY Times review my imperialistic language?” Naturally our rock-ribbed politial tiger would then run for the comfortable space under his desk. And these gutless wonders can’t understand why they aren’t being re-elected!
Re-elect RINOs?
The only thing they stand for is getting re-elected.
As a conservative I’m disgusted with the party and will support CONSERVATIVES, not republicans.
THe GOP is dead. Time for a new party. The unwanted pests, RINOs, won’t leave.
US President Ronald Regan unilaterally declared the death of the New International economic order at the Cancun Summit on International Development Issues in 1981
Au Contraire mon amie, us Reagan Republicans are returning to the Democratic Party in exponentially increasing numbers, no doubt you'll miss us once we're gone.
I know what it's like working with RINOS but I also KNOW that we need RINOS to win elections. Without RINOS, we will never win. The numbers just aren't there.
I'm also hopeful enough to believe that some RINOs and a few RATS can be converted. It has to be that way. But if you think that you're ever going to advance your desired agenda even one inch without a RINO, you're not dealing with reality.
I'm amused at the Freepers who believe that we just have to turn our back on the Republican party because we don't like some of those in the Republican party and all will be well.
We are NEVER going to find a perfect political party or a perfect politician. We're made up of flawed, sinful human beings. Jesus has not been on this earth for about 2000 years.
You are kidding, aren't you?
I think you missed the sarcasm tag. : )
Sorry, I don’t need RINO’s. No one is asking for perfection. That is such BS. I’m putting my $$$ and votes where it counts. It’s not my problem that you won’t do the right thing for the country and stand aside.
That was the year he killed that awful 55 mph speed limit too.
I resent your inference that I may somehow be a RINO. Trust me, I'm a long way from it and for you to insult an ally because you believe you're more perfect is a sure way to alienate people.
I've worked in the political field for many years. I've been doing the dirty work. I've had to work with RINOs and RATs alike. Rinos are more frustrating than RATS but the fact is we do not have the numbers to advance any agenda without RINOS. I don't like RINOS. I wish we could tell them we don't want them but if you can find a way to advance a conservative agenda, please share because I don't know a way.
I'm willing to follow someone that has proven they know the way forward without RINOS but I don't think that person exists.
The system isn’t working because it’s a bad system. To force change it has to break. 80/20 is the compromise threshold. With the current clueless clowns in the system it’s 10/90. It’s broken and can’t be fixed. Better to start over than fix this abomination.
Reagan could utter those words because he had the power of the Strategic Air Command, the Navy's SLBMs, and NORAD's defenses, including the "Star Wars" defenses that were and remain only potential. Reagan knew he had that. After years of Bush I and Clinton cuts, and no real buildup under Bush II. The next President no matter who is is, will not have that "warm fuzzy" rely on.
OK. Whatever. You’re in charge. Lead us to this better system you have in mind.
That’s the way the CINO’s in the R party portray those who won’t vote for McCain.
Great article, written by a conservative black woman who apparently is NOT considering voting for Obama.
And what are you finding in your new home, weasel?
I believe that most of these purists haven’t really been active in party politics; that is the only way you learn that it is the art of the possible, not the ideal.
Oops!!!Guess I missed it, too.
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