Clueless About Conservatism
Ross Douthat’s article for the Atlantic is proof that journalists don’t have a clue about conservatives or conservatism. Mr. Douthat’s column paints a grim picture of the conservative movement. Here’s a portion of Mr. Douthat’s column:
What does this history lesson mean for today’s GOP? If 2008 finds the Republicans where their Democratic rivals stood four years ago, then their challenge is tactical: they need smarter strategists and more-effective messaging; better online fund-raising and fewer inside-the-Beltway scandals—and maybe improved recruitment as well, to put forward a slate of candidates who don’t look as if they should be populating a segregated Elks Club circa 1957. And they need an infusion of nerve and principle, to remind the party’s base why they vote Republican and to give swing voters a reason to throw their lot in again with the GOP.
If, on the other hand, the Republicans are experiencing their own 1980—with Barack Obama playing the role of liberalism’s Reagan—then the GOP will need something more to hack its way out of the wilderness where George W.Bush has left his party. The Democrats of ’80 needed better ideas, not better messaging and candidates; they needed to redefine their party, not just rebrand it. It has been a long, hard road from Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale to the confident, cash-rich Democratic Party of today. If 2008 is the GOP’s 1980, then a similar period of soul-searching and internecine struggle awaits Republicans—and the sooner they get started, the better.
Anyone who thinks that there’s even a slight possibility of this being the GOP’s 1980 hasn’t paid attention. If they had, they’d realize that a new generation of leaders was forged from this summer’s House Oil Party. People like Mike Pence, Tom Price, Thad McCotter, Marsha Blackburn and Michele Bachmann stepped forward this year. Though there wasn’t the same revival in the Senate, I’d be derelict if I didn’t mention John Cornyn, Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn, who stand for integrity and fiscal restraint.
It’s important to notice the job that John Boehner did as Minority Leader and that Adam Putnam did as House Republican Conference Chairman. That’s before we start talking about people like Jeb Hensarling, Eric Cantor, Rob Bishop and others.
It wouldn’t be wrong to think that this group might be the GOP’s idea factory for the next decade.
That’s before we talk about the Palin factor.
The ‘GOP brand’ was tarnished in 2006. They weren’t the party of ideas anymore. That doesn’t mean it was destined to stay tarnished long. What made the GOP great in the early 80’s on through the 1990’s was that they were the party of ideas. Thanks to the young leadership in the House, they’re back to being the party of ideas.
The Democrats will likely keep the Senate for this cycle but I don’t see Harry Reid being the majority leader much longer. In fact, I can picture him being defeated in 2010. In 2010, Democrats will have the burden of defending more seats than Republicans. Expect that to mean them losing their majority in 2010.
Technorati Tags: Mike Pence, John Boehner, Jeb Hensarling, Marsha Blackburn, Tom Price, Thad McCotter, Michele Bachmann, John Cornyn, Jim Demint, Tom Coburn, House Oil Party, Party Of Ideas, Fiscal Restraint
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
September 21st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Friend,
You are delusional. After the shocking defeat the Republican Party will take on November 4, including down-ballot races, I doubt the party will even continue to exist.
Look for a group of young guns like Putnam and Cantor — if either of them survives the election — to start talking about a new party. It will probably have some sort of an Orwellian name to inspire confidence — the Conservative Party, the Responsible Party — but it will be the same tired ideas of less government, less regulation that is threatening our nation’s very survival today.
Question of the Day: How will we fight China, if China won’t lend us the money to fight them?
Please take a minute to review your love of country, and ask yourself if your devotion to party comes at the expense of patriotism.
Respectfully submitted, Gottaknowy2
September 21st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
If this is the Democrat’s 1980, how come Obama isnt walking away with this election, as Reagan was by this time instead of in a virtual tie?
Because only 7 out of 10 professed Democrats say they’ll vote for him, yet 8 out of 10 Republicans say they intend to vote for McCain. Why, because whether we want to admit it as a country or not, a lot of blue collar Democrats are not yet ready to elect a black man. And a lot of uncommitted folks around the rust belt are still ticked off by that very un Reagan like “clinging” comment.
He may win, but he’s not going to have a grand mandate as Reagan had by a long shot.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 am
You’re right. What am I thinking? Wanting as much liberty and as much prosperity is downright un-American. It isn’t like that’s what the nation was founded on.
Oh wait. Yes, it was.
The reason why the GOP will continue and thrive is because people have a God-given yearning for liberty. That isn’t going away anytime soon.
I’m certain that Democrats will pick up 2-4 seats in the Senate but they’re gonna lose seats in the House. the day after the election, Republicans will send Nancy Pelosi a thank you card for her dictatorial actions that wouldn’t allow a vote on a real drilling bill.
We’d send the Democrats a thank you card for nominating a man as underqualified as Barack Obama but that was the work of a ton of activists.