Conservatism Versus Party Loyalty

(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Jeb Bush wasn’t my first, second, or third choice in the primaries. In fact, while I actually love his brother and his dad, I can’t find much to say that would be deemed positive about Jeb Bush.

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Until now, that is.

Given a chance to hit rewind on this past insanity, I would leap at the chance to have Jeb Bush over Donald Trump, as nominee.

For all his faults, his dubious positions on things that matter to conservative Republicans, Jeb has experience in executive leadership, having served as governor of Florida. He has a grasp on policy, and while he’s as exciting as mayonnaise, he’s also not a delusional maniac, who would set off public relations trip wires every time he opened his mouth.

Something else he is: Angry.

I don’t blame him. The train wreck that is about to become of the Republican party, thanks to a poorly-coiffed charlatan and the dull witted simpletons with ballot access who have forced him on us will be the death of the conservative movement and this nation will suffer because of it.

During a recent interview with a Dutch newspaper and translated in English by the Huffington Post, Jeb talked about Trump’s comical attempt at Hispanic outreach on Cinco de Mayo:

“’What Trump did was so insensitive,’ Bush, a fluent Spanish speaker whose wife is Mexican, said to NRC. ‘First, not all Hispanics are Mexican. Secondly, not all Hispanics eat tacos. Thirdly, showing your sensitivity by eating an American dish is the most insensitive thing you can do. Fourthly, to say this, next to all things he already said, is a further insult. It’s like eating a watermelon and saying ‘I love African-Americans.’”

Gallup found that 77% of Hispanics have an unfavorable view of Trump in a March survey.

“’This guy,” Bush continued. “If we lose in November, we Republicans have ourselves to blame.’”

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And while some, like Byron York, are questioning whether George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush are doing a disservice to the party by not publicly working to promote the current GOP nominee, as former President Bill Clinton is doing for his wife, and likely Democrat nominee, Hillary Clinton, the question should be: Why should they?

Trump is not a conservative. His loyalties to the Republican party are as thin as the paper he filled out his registration on.

He has espoused liberal viewpoints, attacked other Republicans viciously (in direct opposition of Reagan’s 11th Commandment), even publicly denounced George W. Bush’s efforts in the Middle East and perpetuated the liberal canard of 9/11 being an “inside” job.

As one Branch Trumpidian sneered at me, after I pointed out that a Trump candidacy is damaging to the conservative movement, “This is the new GOP! Get used to it!”

I’m afraid I won’t be getting used to it. I don’t want to get used to it, nor should any who joined the GOP because of its conservative underpinning, that once championed God, country, and family be compelled to go along to get along.

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If the GOP has traded its conservatism to hoist up crass and mindless idiocy, fueled by populist anger, then no self-identified conservative voter should be compelled to put party loyalty over principle.

That includes past presidents who have no desire to participate in the self-destruction of the party.

 

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