If you look at even the best Republicans (Reagan included), I’ll bet there are issues on which posters at this site would disagree.

If he backstabs us again, though, I’ll call for his head on a pike.

And I also agree that Olympia Snow is not serious. Maybe you missed my parenthetical comment above? But at least she understands what is SUPPOSSED to unite us.

I think you missed my point. This diary was about uniting Republicans and specifically it presented a letter that presented an outline of the principles and positions that we were going to unite around.

The only leg of the Republican stool that all of us agree on (except perhaps the leaders who wrote this letter) is fiscal conservatism. This letter is supposed to be a document that we are going to unify around and it makes no mention and does not even give a hint that it understands that fiscal conservatism is what unifies us and it is what the Republican base and the independents in the TEA Party protestors MOST want.

Anyone or group so short sighted as to not listen and consider other Republicans points of view (even if they want to refer to them as RINO’s) is in a sense becoming a RINO them self. For many of these flame throwers it is always about the social issues and wanting a big government solution to the abortion or marriage issue. These issues, just as smaller government on fiscal issues should be left to the states, municipalities, and private sector to work things out. Churches and synagoges change minds and attitudes, not bigger government.

I have not seen any effort to identify a strong conservative senate candidate in either North Dakota or Washington for 2010. We need serious challengers in every district held by a Blue Dog. I’ve believed for a long time that conservative blogs can help bird dog candidates. Indeed there are folks at Red State whose background and good judgment commend them for public office. I’d love to see a Jeff Emmanuel run in Georgia and Dan McLauglin run for the congressional seat representing Staten Island.

Talking and policy is important, but finding more Coburns and Kyls to add to the Senate is much more important.

I hope red state can figure out a way to play a key role in talent spotting.

It sounds like I have to “Drink the Kool-aid” of politics as usual. I have done that with Republicans for past 20 years and they finally broke my faith. You call their office and get the standard form letter. You call the RNC and they just send a request for more money. They promise they are conservatives and then brag about securing Federal taxes dollars for a frigging fire engine. Believe me being a constituent of Mitch McConnell is a regularly disappointing relationship.

I realize that political compromise forces us to accept part of what we don’t like. While I did not vote for Perot in 1992, I think many learned their lesson about being taking out their frustrations on the party … that resulted in Clinton. However after being handed the entire government in their lap this decade the Republicans ignored their principles (and maybe the party). I am frustrated that once again I am expecting to fall in line. It has gotten so bad that many Republicans have to claim they are conservatives who vote Republican because they have no option. I probably fit the mold of 95% of Tea Party attenders … and I have been to both in Cincinnati. If that makes me an outsider so be it.

I know that by November 2010 those of us attending parties will have to fall in line for the best option available. But for at least this part of the cycle, can’t we ask for a little more from this current set of leaders? Can’t we demand they break out of their consultant tested comfort zones? Can’t we ask them to be brutally honest about the situation the country faces and the lies the American people are receiving from the Democrats? Why are they not as mad as we are and screaming at the top of their voices about the fraud being foisted on us?

It’s called backbone.

We deserve a chance to make our way throuh life as free men and women—-that is what we deserve from government. The rest is up to us.

I agree that health care reform should be a poitical advantage to Conservatives and that we need to sell it from a position of strength—but the word “deserve” is third-way Republicanism

Your privilege, but don’t expect me to pretend that you’re being helpful.

The reason they don’t offer such a proposal. Is because they themselves don’t believe in limited government. They feel they and they alone can solve our problems. Wrong, only individuals making decisions for themselves. Free of manipulation and coercion from the government. Can make the best decisions for themselves. We don’t need more legislation or contracts. We have the Constitution. If only they had the guts to follow it.

I have beef with their national security discussion too. No matter how bullish you are on foreign policy and national security. You must ask yourself. When they say we have the best. We must stay the best. Ask yourself, How far are you willing to go? Will you do as the Soviet Union? Spend so much money chasing a dream that you hinder the very people you are protecting. I believe it is dangerous to continue this charade. The idea that America must the best and most powerful military, intelligence and security apparatus in the world. We need what is required to keep us safe. Nothing more. Note the best money can buy or the most advanced in the world. Just what is needed to do the job. How many billions/trillions have been spent by government. So we can have the best money can buy. The best education money can buy. The best health care money can buy. The focus should not be on the best or most advanced. It should be based on what is needed to defend America. Nothing more, nothing less. This best and most approach tells me they don’t know what we need. So they will just make sure we spend a ton of money on it.