I read this Dana Milbank column over the weekend – don’t blame me, blame RCP. Basically it is a rehash of that hoary old bit of Beltway conventional wisdom, and no doubt the supposedly “Republican” Davids Gergen, Brooks and Frum would gladly repeat it for you at the cocktails celebrating the Democrats’ (temporary) victory in attempting to bring 1/6th of the nation’s economy under the control of government bureaucrats; that government programs, especially entitlements, are impossible to repeal.
To buttress his argument, Milbank’s cites the eventual resigned acceptance of social security by the GOP even after Alf Landon made its repeal a plank of his Presidential platform in 1936. The message, meant to be reassuring to Obamacare supporters – Milbank’s actual target audience – was that their voting for Obamacare would be the final say of the issue – even if the GOP were to take over Congress and the White House in 2012, they wouldn’t touch the program, much less repeal it.
But then again, there is a reason why I contend that Beltway conventional wisdom is often long on convention and short on wisdom.
The conventional wisdom was that there was no way the Democrats would pass such an unpopular far-reaching bill (a Republican won a Senate seat in Massachusetts in large part by making his opposition a centerpiece of his campaign) with such massive visible opposition on a partyline vote. Practically every single swing district has large pluralities to solid majorities against this bill – given the typical politician’s instinct for self-preservation, this should have died long before today. But the Democrats voted for it – and significant numbers of them must know that they’re very likely not returning to DC next year as a result.
So why do it? Why sacrifice their majority for something that the opposition is swearing to repeal the instant they get back in power?
Simple, for all that Milbank is a disingenuous partisan hack masquerading as a disinterested observer, he does have history on his side; he could have also cited the Department of Education’s continued existence, the non-rescinding of JFK’s Executive Order 10988, the general non-enforcement of EOs enforcing the Beck decision by Republican administrations beyond their issuance even as unions poured millions into Democratic campaign coffers, etc. It is a history of Republican cowardice, fecklessness and timidity that no doubt every single Democrat that voted for the bill was made familiar with by Pelosi and her henchmen.
They simply do not believe Republicans would have the fortitude to repeal it even if they do win Majorities in both Houses of Congress. They believe the GOP would dilly-dally, tarry and dither, worrying about “bipartisanship”, fretting over liberal editorial pages and cancelled invitations to swanky dinner parties, with some Republicans even after five decades to the contrary believing that there is some sort of deal or compromise that would make the unions like them, until the massive new government bureaucracy is in place, thoroughly unionized and funneling billions (1/6th of the American economy, after all) into Democratic campaign coffers. In the mean time, the grass roots opposition would die down and leave the battlefield of public opinion to the Democrats and their allies in the media to win the middle to their side.
By the time the GOP would realize it, it would be too late. Flush with taxpayer dollars kicked back to them by their newly inaugurated government healthcare bureaucrat union bosses, the Democrats would roar back into massive Majorities on the votes of an electorate now thoroughly dependent on government-run healthcare.
That’s the Beltway conventional wisdom.
We need to prove it wrong, just like it was wrong that this could never pass.
Every single Republican must pledge to vote for repeal, year in and year out. And like the Democrats in passing it; by any means necessary. If it takes using reconciliation, DemonPass, etc. it would be repealed. Simple and short. No attempts to fix it, reform it, improve it or some other milquetoast language. Let the left-wing activists calling themselves journalists in the establishment media call it an unconscionable “litmus test” showing the GOP’s supposed “extremism”, lack of “tolerance” or “inclusiveness” or some other stupidity. Let them scream that it is hypocritical to use the same tactics they supported when they were being used by the other side.
Luckily (or unluckily) 2006 and 2008 purged the GOP of the compromise caucus (Johnson, Leach, Chaffee, etc.) that would have made this vote “bipartisan”, yet somehow, the GOP is winning Independents over at 2:1 rates in swing districts all over the contrary. According to another bit of Beltway conventional (un)wisdom, this was also supposed to be impossible.
So there should be no tolerance for any Republican, even if he or she has a 100% ACU career rating, who equivocates or attempts to sit on the fence with a finger in the air – all (Ayotte, Norton, Castle, etc.) must come out full-fledged for repeal. We need to make it clear to Michael Steele or whoever it is at the RNC that no Republican who is in any way conflicted about whether this should be repealed should receive a cent of GOP donor money.
A party must have some room for compromise, but even more importantly, there must be some principle that is inviolate and not subject to any deal-making. This is it.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Agreed...
neoavatara (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 9:58AM EST (link)Repeal is the goal. We must shoot for the ideal solution, which is complete removal of this bill. We may not achieve that, but we must fight for our ideals, because our lack of faith got us here.
This is a bill that will raise the deficit, will decrease the sustainability of Medicare, will cover more people but put them into our broken system, and worst of all, will not control costs.
And the American people ALREADY believe that.
November will be about the economy. But it will also be about how Democrats failed to help the jobless and underemployed in this country as they fought for a health care plan that does nothing in the long term.
http://neoavatara.com/blog/?p=10474
www.neoavatara.com/blog
Will 60 Senate seats be a prereq?
mbauer (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 9:59AM EST (link)And if it is, remember, 2012 and 2014 are the years in which the senate races look favorable to us in terms of the raw numbers of D’s that have to defend seats.
I’d be glad to hear an argument for why we won’t need a full 60 seats.
We probably need at least 55 or so after the 2012 elections.
jeffreywturner (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 11:09AM EST (link)The SCOTUS will strike down the non-money related parts of the law (individual mandate, etc.).
The rest of the law (money-related) can be killed through reconciliation with 50 votes plus the VP in January 2013, since it affects the budget, and we will probably need about 55 seats to do that, because there will be 4 or 5 Republicans (mainly New Englanders) who will not support it.
“Life is too short, can’t we all just eat pork and kill some terrorists?”
I seem to remember
sta46 Monday, March 22nd at 5:25PM EST (link)reid inserted a clause in the senate bill which stated that 67 were needed to repeal. I do not remember if that applied to the entire bill or just the existance of the “rationing board”. Pls. someone with a better memory than mine clarify.
All we need is a Republican VP to rule that clause out of order
Finrod (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 6:58PM EST (link)That is, if the Senate Parlimentarian doesn’t do it himself.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?
A Congress cannot bind a succeeding Congress ...
Martin Knight (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 8:22PM EST (link)In other words, Reid could place a requirement for 60, 67 or even unanimous consent all he wants, it would still take only 51 votes to repeal it in the Senate.
Hey Martin
Jack_Savage (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 8:34PM EST (link)How are you, buddy? It’s been too long – anything good going on?
Let's just say I've got a lot to be thankful for ... :-) [nt]
Martin Knight (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:31AM EST (link)Excellent
Jack_Savage (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 4:55PM EST (link)We’ll leave it at that!
I have already contacted the 2 candidates I was....
caseoftheblues Monday, March 22nd at 9:59AM EST (link)planning on supporting (Rep and Senate) to verify with them that they will work tirelessly and bravely to REPEAL , not tweak, not fix the health no-care bill. I let them know it was a deal breaker for me if they were not because really if not repealed then all other issues are moot.
have you gotten a response, caseoftheblues?
avgjo (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:20PM EST (link)If so, what was it? If not, can we know who they are so we can write them demanding the same thing?
Thanks!
Ceterum autem censeo, Obamaecuram esse delendam.
IF the GOP wins in Novemeber...
andyd (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 10:01AM EST (link)we should go to the offices of the newly elected Republicans with one message:
“We got you here to repeal this tyrannical health care bill. Do it, or we will get rid of you just like we go rid of those Demoncrats.”
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
– John Adams
http://politicalfriendsblogs.com
Political debate without the name calling
Let's not forget Snowe
VizBiz (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 10:13AM EST (link)Unless I’m mistaken this thing would have never got out comity without her vote.
Yes, work to repeal it and get rid of the Libs in our party!!!!
Runs with scissors, walks with Wacom.
I'm fairly certain that is incorrect
mbauer (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 1:50PM EST (link)Snowe’s vote was a token vote to try to keep her in the negotiating process. From her perspective, I can see how it was a reasonable move, not that I endorse it.
Snowe Broke Ranks With Republicans On The Committee
Ausonius (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:17PM EST (link)But the vote was lopsided, 13-9 I believe, and her vote did not cause the bill to leave the committee.
Certainly the lack of a real filibuster on the part of Republicans in the Senate did not help!
Ausonius: 310-395 A.D. Teacher, Poet, Consul, General, Farmer.
Personal Tutor to the future St. Paulinus of Nola and to young Gratian, heir to the throne during the turbulent final years of the Western Roman Empire. When his former student Gratian was assassinated, Ausonius threw up his hands and retired to his farm in Gaul. Rome was captured by barbarians 14 years after his death.
Cato@rock.com
Call and raise you.
John E. (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 10:21AM EST (link)Call: Granted, Republicans should campaign on repeal. But that will require significant congressional majorities and the presidency.
Raise: I’m ready to start calling on my governor and state legislators to call for an Article 5 constitutional convention.
What about it, can we win this way?
I like the Article V solution.
jaydickb Monday, March 22nd at 11:35AM EST (link)Just the start of this process in several states could scare the bejeebers out of the career politicos in DC from both parties. That would be a good thing. It would be a long, but very worthwhile process.
Outright repeal of the HCR law would also be very good, but it will be very difficult unless we control both legislative and executive branches and have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. There are many other avenues available, but they all require the Republicans to control at least one house of the congress.
Many things can be accomplished through the appropriations process if the Republicans have the backbone to do it. For example, don’t appropriate the money to fund some of the more onerous provisions. Provisions can also be slipped in to reconciliation bills to gut parts of the new law.
Lots of work to be done, but there is no reason to shy away from it.
Constitutional Convention
edintexas Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:27AM EST (link)You do realize that there is absolutely nothing you, or anyone else, can to to limit what a Convention can consider, don’t you? You do recollect what happened the 1st (and last) time a Convention was convened (there used to be Articles of Confederation, until that Convention got done redoing everything)?
How do you expect to ensure that the Convention is controlled by, and has a majority of members who agree with, your political position? The down side to consider is that such a Convention could as easily be controlled by people like San Fran Nan, and populated by delegates who are kindred spirits, as to be controlled and populated by folks who regularly read and contribute to Red State.
typo correction
edintexas Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:28AM EST (link)that should be “…or anyone else, can DO to..
We got the greatest government
utahrepublican Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:12PM EST (link)in the history of the world! Yes, the convention went beyond what was intended, but the result was purely inspiration. Also note that, after the convention, the states still had to ratify. That got us the Federalist Papers.
As near as I can tell, the first out of control convention created the world’s best government. Then, over time, we have been losing that government steadily (see last Sunday). So why are you afraid of the very process that worked the first time? I can’t tell we have a lot to lose, and history says we have a lot (i.e., our Republic) to gain. And if it is a really bad job, then stop the ratification process. Without the risk of an uncontrollable convention 200+ years ago, our whole government would have DIED under the Articles of Confederation. I’m for showing the courage of our forefathers, not cowering towards socialism in fear of the unknown.
ff
utahrepublican Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:02PM EST (link)gg
A Constitutional Convention is a BAD IDEA
JSobieski (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:03PM EST (link)We would be on the defensive against. . . right ot healthcare, rights of animals not to be abused, right to clean environment, right to be protected from global warming, right to a job, right to internet access, right to a quality education, right to . .
The USSR had a constitution that promised all sorts of goodies.
A constitutional convention in a 24/7 news cycle would be a disaster
My rules of the road for primary season.
Rule #1: Vote for YOUR first choice in the primaries
Rule #2: Vote for the R in the general.
Rule #3: Don’t let anyone convince you to violate Rule #1 or Rule #2
Rule #4: When in a center-right argument, reaffirm Rules #1-#3–it will help us all to get along better.
Rule #5: If you are using the language of the left, you probably aren’t furthering conservativism
Rule #6: The priority is issues first, candidates second, and supporters third. Nobody is bigger than the issues. Conversely, if you spend your time focusing on supporters, you are wasting everyone’s time.
STOP THE MADNESS!
A reduction in the rate of spending increases is NOT a cut!
In-state tuition for illegals is NOT amnesty!
Requiring someone to pay their medical bills is NOT an individual mandate!
Reducing tax rates is NOT a tax increase!
Relying on politicians, lawyers and federald judges is also a disaster
GJ Merits (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:40PM EST (link)Sorry, my experience with them has cleared my head of any illusions it may have had before. I don’t trust them and they are the dregs of society. I trust people – like you and me. Hard working, liberty loving individuals. I hope we will see the solution is right in front of us. I hope we will see where we have leveraged pressure on some politicians at the state level and I hope we will use it in every state or as many states as possible to nullify ObamaCare.
Every other solution puts the power in others in a far away city that has a slow broil party and a fast broil party to big government. If enough people stand up and say no, the government is powerless against us. If we put our trust in the powers of others, we are sheep leading ourselves to the slaughter. Trust in yourself, not some politician or lawyer.
I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents….James Madison
If you want to go fast – go alone. If you want to go far – go together.
To win against tyranny you must embrace not only novel solutions, but fear of the unknown as well.
Convention--conservatives need not be afraid
A_Texan (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:41PM EST (link)Fears of a runaway convention are overblown. A convention could only “run” as far as the broad consensus of the American people would run. Any amendment would have to be approved by 38 states–which counts 10 states that voted for McCain-Palin in a lousy year for Republicans. If we can’t defeat some crazy liberal idea in those states, we’re already doomed. And yes, we can.
Moreover, a convention called under current circumstances is likely to be dominated by the developping center-right–more especially because it will be the states who will select the delegates. This bill is unpopular, and will be unpopular with Democrats in state legislatures as well. Keep in mind, that the last nearly-successful call for a convention to propose a balanced-budget amendment was approved by many Democratic-dominated state legislatures.
Indeed, an appeal to the state legislatures to act is much more promising than an effort in Congress, because the states have their own itnerests that transcend the red-blue national divide–which interests will induce the state legislatures, and their delegates at a convention–to adopt pro-states-rights amendments to the Constitution.
Finally, a convention is a thoroughly conservative idea. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Abraham Lincoln all called for such conventions.
Barack Obama: The most inexperienced, far-left candidate the Democratic Party has ever dared to nominate to be our President.
I'm Not Scared of the Idea of a Convention
GJ Merits (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:50PM EST (link)So long as the people of this country were made fully aware of the Commerce Clause and its misuse through history. So long as they were made fully aware that any new Convention must have as its goal not only the repeal of ObamaCare but a new amendment to limit the powers of the federal government and strip the federal courts of their ability to take that power back through some other machination. The problem has always been primarily the nationalists that sat on the bench of the SCOTUS in the past and the SOBs that put them there.
It’s sad we would need a convention to reassert what the constitution originally said, but the language was never put in to stop the SCOTUS under Marshall from starting the landslide to nationalism which places us firmly where we are today.
It’s time to get back to liberty and state’s rights. If a Convention can do that, I’d be for it. I don’t know enough about how delegates to such a convention are chosen. If they are not chosen by the people, then I would not be for it. Politicians are for the most part self-serving creatures who don’t give a damn about you or me.
I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents….James Madison
If you want to go fast – go alone. If you want to go far – go together.
To win against tyranny you must embrace not only novel solutions, but fear of the unknown as well.
I'm leaning more toward the Art. V solution
louisiana (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 3:21PM EST (link)We can put more pressure on our state rep/sen. much more easily than at the fed. level. Like GJ, I have no faith in our fed. courts/judges. Neither do I have faith that all the members of the GOP will energetically pursue a repeal (think Graham working w/ Kerry on cap& trade). I would have to learn more about the process to endorse it 100%, but this seems a faster, more viable solution than repeal.
General Strike called for April 30th!
wiccanwolf Monday, March 22nd at 10:36AM EST (link)We need to nor only repeal this crap passed yesterday. We must take action to force the repeal of it. That is why on April 30th 2010 there is a General Strike called for April 39th beginning at 8:00am and ends oat 12:00 pm. We are calling on every pissed off American to
participate.
Do not shop, go to work, unless you are in Health Care, 1st responder, Fire, Police or Ambulance services. Get your friends, neighbors, family members to help shut down the country those 4 hours. This is vital, they failed to listen to us so we will force them to repeal what they crammed down our throats! Let this action be the 1st of many boots broken off up their rear ends!
Uh, no.
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 10:42AM EST (link)Some Marxist fantasy isn’t going to defeat this. ELECTING REPUBLICANS WILL.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
This will work about as well
Christine (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 10:51AM EST (link)as those “OMG DON’T BUY GAS FOR ONE WHOLE DAY THE OIL COMPANIES WILL SUFFER!!1111!!!” campaigns.
Meaning, not at all.
Go to a local GOP meeting instead. Or, visit your Congressional representative’s office to either thank them or berate them, as the case may be.
The primary process is FLAWED. Two states should not decide our candidate.
“I would be a poor Commander in Chief”
– Barack Obama, July 3 2008
I have a better idea. Become a precinct committeeman and *become* the party -nt-
eburke (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 4:46PM EST (link)“All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Unified Patriots
In this particular case eburke
mbecker908 (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 9:05AM EST (link)I don’t think that would be a good idea.
Touche' becker. Didn't catch the screen name but
eburke (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 9:47AM EST (link)it has become my standard answer to all the whiny a**wipes on here who complain but don’t do anything meaningful about it except, well, pee and moan.
It’s my you-know-what or get off the pot line. In some cases, like this one, not only is it wasted oxygen (or keyboard strokes) you are correct- would rather *not* take the chance of them taking my advice
“All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Unified Patriots
Huh
chabsentia Tuesday, March 23rd at 12:54PM EST (link)A strike of this nature will never happen. If you count people who are no longer looking for a job because they are discouraged etc and people who have had to accept less hours which are not counted then you have a 16.8% unemployment rate. It was 16.5% the previous month. Unless you could get all the employers to go along with it which wont happen then the people who are lucky enough to have a job dont want to lose it. You are also punishing the small businesses who are trying to eke out a living. This will work ,however, when we become completely Socialist.
Corrected Date..
wiccanwolf Monday, March 22nd at 10:38AM EST (link)The correct date is APRIL 30th pardon the error.
American Exceptionalism
justfedup Monday, March 22nd at 10:52AM EST (link)Now is the time to show what American exceptionalism can do. I’m tired of pundits wailing that this will not be repealed. It’s just like Social Security & other entitlements, it will be permanent. Or that no other nation has repealed socialized medicine. Rumors of America’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. We have just woken up. If you listen to the people, we know what’s going on & we are madder than hell. Rush was right again, there is no such thing as a moderate Democrat. We will over come this, because that is what “Americans” do. We are exceptional! We will nolonger tolerate walking across the aisle. It should be a very bad year for democrats & RINO’s alike. And just so the anger won’t go, amnesty is next.
TEA PARTY TSUNAMI IN NOVEMBER
Castor (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 11:03AM EST (link)There will be a tea party tsunami in November where the Republican party will pick up 60 house seats, 10 or 11 Senate seats and clobber in the races for governor and state legislatures.
Still, It will not be enough.The dems will be able to filibuster in the senate,but only 51 votes will be required to withhold funding for the healthsnare bureaucracies.
If the states through the courts and and the new conservatives in the house and senate can keep up these delaying actions we can get to 2012,oust Obama and reach 60 in the senate plus pick up additional house seats due to redistricting. Then with a Republican president we can get full repeal.
Let this be our goal!
Marco Rubio
Pat Toomey
Marlin Stutzman
Mike Lee
Chuck Devore
Danny Tarkanian
Ken Buck
and more to come!
Wont happen.
chabsentia Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:13PM EST (link)The Republicans arent going to repeal anything unless they get enough of then to over ride a veto which is 2/3 or 3/4 of the chamber. Cant remember which. I told you people last year that this was a done deal.The House has 435 members so 218 is a majority. The Democrats had 230 as of November 20 2007 and a majority in the House. Today they have 253. They needed 216 yesterday. They got 219. That means that 34 in the most vulnerable districts that were allowed to vote “No” to make some people think they cared..Many people suck this up all the time. The Reverend Al Sharpton said yesterday that the majority of the voters want Socialism because Obama is a Socialist and said he would transform America in the 2008 campaign. This is either true or the voter is Stupid. Obama and the Democrats say every day that the voters gave them a mandate to transform the Country. It is too late. I have seen these grass roots movements for twenty years. They always die out and the people re-elect 90% of the incumbents because theyare either Apathetic, gulllible, mis-informed or un-informed. Their Idol is Britney Speard and they can tell you more about Brad and Angelina while they can’t name their Senator or Congressman. Many talk about the last eight years of Republican rule when the Democrats ahve been the majority party since January 20 ,2007 and these are the people that are going to vote to retake the House and Senate in November?. One of the few things to take effect will be extending Health Insurance to children until they are 26 years old.Many if not most are going to be grateful. It is too late.
Keep thinkin that.
avgjo (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 1:18PM EST (link)That’s your prerogative. But keep it to yourself. We who are actually doing the real work to get rid of this don’t need you downing us.
Later!
See ya here in 13? We’ll see who’s right.
Have a nice day!
Ceterum autem censeo, Obamaecuram esse delendam.
Our mantra
usedtobelib Monday, March 22nd at 12:34PM EST (link)Another constant mantra from the conservatives should not only be “Repeal” but this, which I just heard from Rush:
COVERAGE IS NOT CARE
It is the reminder that rationed care is on the way. You know, Americans have a stupid habit of thinking that health problems don’t develop for most until they are in their seventies. I know too many people who think that the rationing will only affec tthe very elderly who are on their death beds. They think that extending life with expensive care when the treatment will only add a few months to one’s life is not that bad (yeah, they do) but, they never have thought long and hard about the rationing of their own care even in their forties or fifties. They need to know.
Repeal Must be able to override presidential veto
ahab627 (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 2:39PM EST (link)Absolutely, the ObummerCare bill must be repealed; but, Obummer will veto a repeal. In order for the repeal to stick, there mus be a super-majority in the Congress to override his veto.
Congress can override a presidential veto by having a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and Senate, thus enacting the bill to repeal ObummerCaare into law despite the president’s veto.
Nothing is more important at this time, and especially for the November election than to defeat incumbent Dems in both houses.
Yay! No compromise! Purity tests!
[Fire Pelosi.] (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 4:49PM EST (link)I love you guys. Of course, I’m a democrat.
freeDUMB11.....
barry915barry (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 4:51PM EST (link)Do you actually have something to offer? Oh wait, I already called Franz rule. Never mind.
Troll! Troll! Troll! Kill another one pleeeeeease!
makemyday (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 4:57PM EST (link)You just put a BIG target on. Neil if you read this bam the scamp
When all else fails…….. Shoot!
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” –American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)
“We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times.” –George Washington, letter to Philip Schuyler, 1777
whack-a-troll (thump) whack-a-troll (thump)
tngal (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:04PM EST (link)What a fun game.
I hereby resolve not to engage a troll, and call upon the moderators to ban it forthwith
Jack_Savage (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:26PM EST (link)And I CERTAINLY will not mention “pro-life” Democrats and then laugh.
This may become my new banning widget.
Moe Lane (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:43PM EST (link)What do you guys think?
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
I give it two virtual thumbs up.
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:47PM EST (link)Maybe you could have fundraising meters from vulnerable dem districts – just to make them sweat when they see the cash flowing in to republican opponent’s coffers.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
Well, Moe,
barry915barry (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:50PM EST (link)Seeing as I called shotgun on THIS particular bandwagon, I give it two enthusiastic “Go Spartans” thumbs up!. Barry
Click through, ocleverone.
Moe Lane (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 6:04PM EST (link)They’re color-coding on the state level. The top donating states include such Republican stalwarts as Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, & New York.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
Ah sweet! Definitely two thumbs up.
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 6:07PM EST (link)This morning when I donated, I just saw Pelosi’s face and the word “fire” and just sent money (those were good enough to get money from me).
Love, love the color coding.
Thanks for pointing it out.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
LOL, California is in the top 10%, too [nt]
qixlqatl (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 8:47PM EST (link)“Yet, Freedom! yet thy banner, torn, but flying,
Streams like the thunderstorm against the wind.”
George Gordon Noel Byron
I like it
Jack_Savage (Diary) Monday, March 22nd at 5:53PM EST (link)Salt in the wound in open defiance of Bloomberg’s ban.
If the thing played her laugh it would be even better.
PS – Was it just me, or did she have a little cottonmouth last night? Too many B-hits after dinner maybe? The last time I saw someone look like that was a couple of years ago at a Fleetwood Mac concert…
How to Capture the Silent Majority
josephusmyer (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 8:32AM EST (link)I was reading Reason Magazine’s blog – which I’d recommend for its fiscal libertarianism even if you disagree with its social positions – recently. It reported a study which reckoned that the vast majority of self-identified independents are socially tolerant but economically opposed to big government.
The GOP can guarantee the majorities needed to repeal this bill and replace it with a free market alternative if it plays for these people. What must it do?
1. De-emphasize social issues. They preach to the choir, and scare independent voters. (Abortion, being more an issue of when life starts rather than enforcing particular moral views, may be a possible exception).
2. Make sure Palin doesn’t get the 2012 nomination. I know many of you guys like her, but even if she does scrape the presidency, she’ll hurt downticket candidates and thus lack sufficient legislative support. The target voters dislike her, and that probably needs to be accepted. She strikes most people outside the core vote as a Bush-like culture warrior who loves pork and won’t cut government – exactly what will drive swing voters to Obama, who is incumbent and hence the default candidate.
3. Preferably, nominate candidates whose key focus is eliminating government waste. Ryan and Daniels stand out here.
4. Tolerate candidates who break with the line on social issues, as long as they hold it on fiscal ones. Snowe thus can be denounced as a RINO over the porkulus package, but things like immigration reform shouldn’t be such lines in the sand.
5. The focus of the 2010 and 2012 campaigns should be that government is too big, and that we need a little temporary austerity so that we can have future prosperity.
Quick clarification
josephusmyer (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 8:41AM EST (link)To clarify, my criticism of Palin is based on what the electorate are likely to make of her and the “Bridge to Nowhere” pork issues. She’s not a bad person, just she has the zeitgeist of a decade ago rather than today, and I don’t think she can win.
I’m sure you’d rather have a Republican who shares some of your key views in the White House than one who shares more outside. Even if you support Palin, consider whether she’s going to get the support of the swing voter. If not, there are other solid conservatives like Ryan and Daniels who will.
no, as a libertarian-CONSERVATIVE
Doc Holliday (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 8:58AM EST (link)I say immigration “reform” is a line in the sand. If we create millions of new citizens who are criminally here, Republicans will never win another election. I am tired of the idea we must give up our laws to please criminals.
I say, screw the pandering and attempts at Demonrat lite. We will never get votes because they will always vote for the real thing. To me immigration reform is increasing H1B visas to engineers and building the wall twice as high.
Molon Labe!
Your title is right, but I don't think all your ideas are.
Brian Hibbert (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 8:59AM EST (link)I think you make some good points but I would argue some.
1. De-emphasize social issues in areas where the candidate has no effect. If someone’s against a pro-life candidate in a local election, point out to them that the local politician is unable to affect abortion and that he/she is great on issues that matter like finance. The same is true if someone says a person is “too conservative”. Ask them to explain what they mean and deal with it politely. Talk softly, but confidently.
2. I think you’re wrong about Sarah’s effect on down ticket races. If she gets enthusiastic people to the polls, they’re likely to vote Republican for the other candidates too. That same effect worked for the Democrats in 2008. Republicans won very few races in areas won by Obama. He had better turnout.
3. I agree.
4. Everyone has their favorite hobby horse. Immigration reform may not seem important to you, but people in border states tend to have a different view. Candidates must deal with these issues. Know your audience.
5. Definitely.
But I’ll add a little of my own that expands on item #2. Getting people out to the polls is what wins elections. Rove reminded me of something Lincoln said “Find out who every voter supports. Have someone the undecided voters trust go talk to them. Make sure everyone who is on your side gets to the polls.” He gave that advice over 150 years ago and it’s still the best election advise around.
So how do you do that? Become a precinct committeeman. Talk to your neighbors. Make sure the people who are on your side get to the polls.
Turnout is the key to winning.
Also write editorials. Respond to editorials from the other side (I’ve got one to write this morning…). Talk to independents. Talk to the people who think they’re liberals because they think liberals represent freedom. etc. In other words we have to communicate our message to people. We have to show them that we AREN’T just like the Democrats.
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Socialism doesn’t work. It looks nice on paper, but it’s been tried and it’s failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
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Quick response
josephusmyer (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 11:28AM EST (link)I don’t have time to write a full response, but just want to talk quickly on the Palin thing. My view at the moment is that the base is already motivated and will turn out heavily. Palin is very much a base candidate. I would say that Ryan or similar can have the same effect on the base while getting more support from independents.
Why Repeal is so unlikely
rol14 Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:04AM EST (link)To pass Obamacare, the Dems needed (a) control of the House, (b) control of the White House and (c) a supermajority with filibuster proof control in the Senate. That’s what they had and that’s why we are where we are today. For Republicans to repeal, they will need the same. Will voters give Republicans such power to overturn Obamacare? It’s possible, but improbable. PLUS, a Republican 60+ supermajority control in the Senate would require complete unity to repeal. Just as they have in the past, RINOs are likely to side with the Dems and vote for closure.
LOL, this has been your only comment?
izoneguy (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:07AM EST (link)The red tide is rising and you cannot stop it.
Once we are done – welfare will be gone.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
CALL SENATORS TO CO-SPONSOR DEMINT'S REPEAL THE HEALTH CARE BILL BILL
bomackin Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:57PM EST (link)Okay, Obama signed the Health Care Bill into law today at 11:56 a.m.
THEN DeMint submitted a one page bill to repeal the Health Care Bill!
Why? To delineate between those who will repeal the bill, and those who will not.
HOW TO HELP SENATOR DEMINT:
1) It’s time to contact your senators and tell them to co-sponsor this bill.
2) It is also time to contact your congressman and ask him if he will author a house version of the same bill!
3) Which sets us up to put pressure on our congressmen too once that is done!
AND DON’T FORGET TO SPREAD THE WORD……….. This can help us all define who’s who. That’s some serious pressure, folks!
Who knows, with enough pressure, we might even get a repeal before November!!! Wouldn’t that be hilarious?????
This fight’s not over yet!
Republicans are gutless wonders too.
dwscho Tuesday, March 23rd at 3:18PM EST (link)Like the Democrats who sold out their constituents, the Republicans will prove, if they win the House in November, they too are “gutless wonders” and will not stand on principles. For whatever reason, they will not do what’s in the best interests of this country. There are very few politicians period, who stand on principles and fight to enforce the Constitution and limit the control and scope of Congress. The good ole boys and girls club all stand together.
If this Bill was good for America then why isn’t Congress and its senior staffers also going to participate in this health care marvel?
Nancy says 'Thanks.' [NT]
Moe Lane (Diary) Tuesday, March 23rd at 3:22PM EST (link)NT
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