Proud To Be A Conservative
I’m usually, though not always, proud to be a conservative. Today is one of those times that I’m especially proud of being a conservative. Earlier this afternoon, I was fortunate to catch the debate that erupted between Rush and Tony Snow. Tony was Rush’s guest for essentially the last half hour of the show today. The topic was immigration reform.
Those who were listening heard 2 men of undeniable gravitas arguing their points with passion, with substantial command of the facts and with a willingness to let the other person state their case. In short, it was conservative talk radio at its finest.
Rush’s frustration with the inaction after Simpson-Mazzoli was very obvious at a couple points. It’s a frustration that most conservatives, myself included, relate to all too well. Tony countered by stating that illegal immigration wasn’t a national issue at that time. Rush countered by saying that it’s always been a big issue in California. Tony responded by agreeing, then saying that it’s now an issue in Maine, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc., so it’s a national issue.
Rush also brought up the issue that the government isn’t enforcing the laws against employers now, then asking why we should believe that they’ll start now. Tony’s response was that Simpson-Mazzoli made it a misdemeanor but that there was no penalty for the criminals. Rush said that he thought it was a felony but Tony reminded him that it was this year’s House bill that made it a felony.
Tony’s defense of the President’s policies and Rush’s voicing the concerns that millions of conservatives in such a professional, informed manner should make all conservatives proud because it was a perfect example of how conservatives disagree with each other.
When a Kossack/MoveOn.org advocate disagrees with a DLC advocate, it gets bloody and it gets personal.
When conservatives of that much gravitas disagree, the entire debate is elevated.
Check back later when I post the transcript of the debate.
UPDATE:
Audio and transcript available at ExposeTheLeft
Technorati Tags: Rush Limbaugh, Talk Radio, Tony Snow
Cross-post at LetFreedomRingBlog
May 25th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
[...] Cross-posted at California Conservative Categories: GOP, President Bush, Immigration, Tony Snow, Conservatism | [...]
May 25th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Rush has a point. Why should we believe now that the law is (will) enforced? How about every law official that doesn’t observe the law, and then gets caught, and then we deported them to a Mexico hacienda? Things will snap up really fast. I believe the Congress wants to relive itself of its duties now hand-over the responsibility to the Mexican government ‘n’ exchange for a burrito.
May 25th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Great essay, Gary. Ditto the sentiments. And thanks for making us proud!
May 25th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
That’s one of the reason I’m a defector
the debates on the right are more reasoned, calmer and very intellectual. When I left the young democrats it was after I had been called a Nazi for the fourth time in three weeks by the third different person (this one was because I said that we didn’t get Aristiside (haiti but sp?) out of Haiti because of oil. the previous week it was from supporting the war). The Tony/Rush debate was very well done and was a fine moment of intellectual debate. I respect both men a great deal and it was fun to listen to.
May 26th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
[...] Alexandra has a good post up on the issue, and she ends by linking to this very interesting partial transcript of an interview between Rush and Tony Snow. Radio Equalizer also has a partial and some thoughts. California Conservative said conservatives should be proud of the debate and he’s probably right about that. [...]