Posted by
Sanity 102 on Thursday, October 19, 2006 4:23:17 AM
There’s a new poll out there, showing that previous “independents” are leaving the Conservative Tent.
I believe it.
There are all kinds of theories…most starting with “it’s Bush’s fault”…but I can only go by my own experience…and I am fairly certain that it holds true for other previously politically unaware-middle America-concern with work and family “independents.”
I have always voted, leaning toward Republican candidates because I am a Christian and pro-life. But being ultimately practical, I do not spend time on things I can neither control or affect. Politics, especially national politics is handled thousands of miles away…and one vote in an extremely Blue state has little or no impact.
But like hundreds of thousands, 9/11 changed all that. I began to listen to Conservative pundits, read their columns, and subscribe to their magazines. For four years, I became part of the guys in white hats fighting the “evil” Liberals who were trying to take down a wartime president. These bright and well educated pundits were careful to never come out and say it, but I believed and voiced the opinion that such political bashing when we are fighting for our American culture and our very existence was tantamount to treason.
And I clung to my new found “core” of Americans.
There was of course, one uncomfortable glitch in those four years when one man made a birthday toast, and the MSM took his words and made it mean something racist—and the Conservative media joined in, forcing that man to resign as Senate leader. This sanctimonious “mob job” of a loyal Republican smacked of disloyalty and Liberal type hypocrisy but as I said, it was just one among reams of good things about Conservatism and I was still a “believer”.
Then two pivotal things happened.
One-- Ronald Regan died—and his previous speech writers, rewrote his history. He became a paragon of Conservatism, a name of inspiration on a par with the likes of Lincoln, King, and JFK.
Two—Bush won his second election—which meant he could no longer win—or lose--another term.
And the Conservative pundits turned on the latter. It began slowly…complaining about his inability to “make” his slim majority held Congress cut big government…pork spending…deficits…as though they forgot there was a war going on—and all wars cost money and deals between those who hold opposite views need to be struck.
Then Bush nominated the same woman who had been the one to choose all those great judiciary appointees, including Roberts. But like spoilt children who didn’t get someone on their wish list, the pundits threw a hissy fit. This man, who they had assured us for 4 years was the ONLY man in America that should be trusted to send our sons and daughters to war, could NOT be trusted to appoint someone HE trusted to the Supreme Court.
Had they forgotten all the times they told us that the president had the absolute right to appoint judges and that the Liberals could “advise” but not dictate their own choice for judiciary seats?
And the woman who wrote a book about the Liberal “Elites” talked about how only the “best and the brightest” should sit on the SCOTUS…and how Miers did not have the “proper” education or judiciary pedigree.
The NRO who had spent a good portion of their columns bashing the Liberal press for using their newspapers to try to put pressure on the White House, took out full page ads to tell the world how Bush had let down the party of Reagan.
All of a sudden Laura Ingraham found doors previously closed to her opened…like O’Reiley, who had gained fame after his fight with actor George Clooney over the releasing of funds to the 9/11 families, Ingraham became the champion of those who like to see in your face irreverence for people in power.
After the removal of Miers’ nomination and the appointment of Alito, I waited to see if Ingraham would get back to supporting the man she told us to trust the lives of our children to. But Ingraham needed a reason to continue to be angry at Bush and the GOP and she pulled out her pet cause—the immigration issue.
Never mind that her idol Reagan NEVER solved this problem—and yes, it WAS a problem even back then. Oh it never had the tag of “national security”, but there were stories of hospitals and schools closing because of illegals using the welfare system.
It was during the ensuing fervor over the immigration issue that I began to realize that Reaganites did not like calling themselves “Republicans”. Or in the case of Ingraham, they claim to be “Conservatives” first, “Republicans” second…maybe.
And exactly what being “Conservative” meant became walking lock step with their opinions…based on the “sacred” writings and teachings of Reagan and Gingrich.
I will admit. I never knew the Reagan years. I was oblivious to Gingrich’s contract with America.
Imagine my shock when I learned that Reagan never lowered government spending, wanted line veto because he had no power to stop pork spending, did not break the unions when he was governor of California, enacted a true amnesty program, caved in to political pressure and “cut and ran” out of Libanon!
And the man who would be president, the guy Reaganites wished led the House during Reagan’s time instead of Clinton’s—and whom many desire to run in 2008-- had to resign because he lacked shall we say--“moral” clarity. The idea that 10 years later, we would want this man to run as president begs the question; in another decade, will we be pining away for a Foley return?
Ok, that was a low blow.
But the fact is, Gingrich (as one of his ardent supporters says) got snookered by the Clinton machine. And guess what machine Gingrich will have to face in 2008 if the GOP was stupid enough to put him on the ticket?
And another thing I noticed…Reaganites were always talking about a “Third party”…someone that wouldn’t care that half the nation didn’t share their beliefs or ideals…someone that would keep government out of people’s lives…
This sounded suspiciously like Libertarians…and I wondered…how Conservatives could be the core of the Republican party when they don’t even like admitting to BEING Republicans…and if they are not Republicans, why do they think they have a right to dictate how Republicans act?
A few days ago…a Libertarian told Ingraham that he didn’t like the Evangelical Christian hold on the Conservative Party. Ingraham told him that Republicans appreciated the inclusion and participation of Libertarians, BUT he should never forget who brought Republicans to the dance: Christian Conservatives.
She’s wrong. It’s not the Evangelical Christians, the Libertarians, OR the Reaganites that brought the Party to the Dance…it was REPUBLICANS. For there were only two parties who had tickets…and each of these groups got there under the GOP’s ticket.
But all three have forgotten that…
And with so much pushing—and backstabbing-- in their jostling for power, there is little room for the only base that really counts…people like me, ordinary American voters, who they gave no reason to believe