What's the plan for Rational Republicans?

[N4mddissent]

I'm interested in hearing from some of the rational conservatives here. It's no secret that I hang to the left, but I also believe that competition is good. And as long as the Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, anti-intellectual, irrationalist, and/or theocractic fringe are the movers and shakers of the Republican party, I can't see them as a viable alternative to the Democratic party.

So my question is to the more rational conservatives who I recognize are present here and in the general public. The conservatives who are not anti-evolution, obsessed with abortion, spouting over-the-top conspiracy theories, and who can debate on the merits of an idea rather than make-up patently false assertions are my target.

What comes next for you and the Republican party? Do you have any ideas how to regain control? Do you think the GOP should be conceded and another party become home for rational conservatives? What if the Democratic party officially split into Conservative Democrats and Liberal Democrats? (which seems possible these days). Would any of you consider joining a separate Conservative Democrat Party? Should you try to make the Libertarian party a viable national party?

I'm asking with sincerity. I consider it to my advantage if rational people control the opposition. After all, I don't like to think that if the party I generally support loses, then the country could have a Sarah Palin as president. I may frequently support the Democrat party, but I don't appreciate feeling like I have to support them because the alternative is so out of touch.

 

[The Rabbi]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

 

[007]

I used to be a republican, right up until they forced the RINO mclame and Palin on me as my only choice. I'm fed up. Fed up completely with the two party system. It's FAILED us so far, and we need something different. So I registered as an independent, and that's the way I'll vote from now on. I'll vote for, or write in, whoever best represents my ideology.

 

[Jay Canuck]

[SIZE=+1]Pimp My GOP: How The GOP Can Become Relevant Again[/SIZE]

Even Grumpy McCain says they need a makeover

Link Excerpt:

1. Oust the Puppets Who Think They Are Masters
McCain won the South Carolina primary. The talk jocks can't even deliver South Carolina!

4. Haters Never Prosper (Except in real life)
Enough said. Start making actual plans instead of just jeering at what the Dems are doing. And celebrating that we lost the 2016 Olympic bid is just bad form.

 

[rightwinger]

Rational republicans have avatars like the Rabbi

We are looking at a contradiction in terms

 

[theDoctorisIn]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

 

[The Rabbi]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

Fuck you, eat shit, and die.
Thanks for playing.

 

[Jay Canuck]

The "conservative" GOP?
Crackpots, rightists, and wingers

Link

Excerpt:
I suppose it's only through force of habit that we still use the phrase, "right-wing Republicans," which, like "unsolved mystery" or "free gift," is a tautological offense against our mother tongue - a distinctive distinction without a different difference. I mean, when was the last time you heard someone refer to a "left-wing socialist"? Once upon a time, the "right-wing" portion of "right-wing Republicans" did have a necessary adjectival meaning. It identified right-wing Republicans, as well as right-wing Republicans, in the unmistakable sense that those chaps were indeed but one wing of the party, and they were to the right of the internal others. That was a time when we occasionally spoke of liberal Republicans, or, with far more frequency, of moderate Republicans. But those species, as you know, are long since virtually extinct; they went the way of the hula hoop and the shiny metallic grille and the single-blade safety razor. They suffered a sustained assault of brutal ideological cleansing; they are, pretty much, no more. There are only the right wingers, which, as competitive slaughter would have it, means they're no "wing" at all. Republicans are just righties, radically rotten to the core.

 

[N4mddissent]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

Fuck you, eat shit, and die.
Thanks for playing.

Thank you for exhibiting the extent of rational debate in which you engage in the same thread you defend Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh. You demonstrate the problems in the current GOP far more elegantly than I could explain.

 

[Si modo]

Unfortunately for all, more and more it seems that the GOP won't need any plan - just sit back and watch BHO and Congress crash on their own. All lose out.

 

[Oldandtired]

Both parties are so wrapped up in beating the other party, we, the American People lose.
The GOP will run on exactly what the democrats ran on...."do you want the same thing" mantra.
Until special interests are forbidden from lobbying, neither party will ever be for the people.

 

[theHawk]

I'm interested in hearing from some of the rational conservatives here. It's no secret that I hang to the left, but I also believe that competition is good. And as long as the Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, anti-intellectual, irrationalist, and/or theocractic fringe are the movers and shakers of the Republican party, I can't see them as a viable alternative to the Democratic party.

So my question is to the more rational conservatives who I recognize are present here and in the general public. The conservatives who are not anti-evolution, obsessed with abortion, spouting over-the-top conspiracy theories, and who can debate on the merits of an idea rather than make-up patently false assertions are my target.

It would be folly to think that we could do anything to please the liberal left, which seems to be what you are asking for. You assume that most of the conservatives simply follow and parrot people like Glenn Beck and Rush. What you don't get, and I suspect will never understand, is that its people like Beck and Rush that are parroting how conservative Americans feel about the state of political affairs in our country. Why would any conservative reject Rush Limbo, when there is very little we disagree with him on? We'd rather just focus on the politicians who are damaging this country.

What comes next for you and the Republican party? Do you have any ideas how to regain control? Do you think the GOP should be conceded and another party become home for rational conservatives? What if the Democratic party officially split into Conservative Democrats and Liberal Democrats? (which seems possible these days). Would any of you consider joining a separate Conservative Democrat Party? Should you try to make the Libertarian party a viable national party?

Yes, we have ideas on how to regain control - have candidates run on their conservative principles, and not vote for candidates that grope for the so called middle. The last thing we need to do is fall for this doom and gloom mentality that we've lost everything and will never win another election unless we just give up on our beliefs and turn liberal. Look how much political power we still have with a full majority Democrat House, Senate, and White House. They don't need one Republican vote to pass any of their socialist crap, yet they still haven't achieved anything on their agenda. Dems are so afraid to pass anything because they know there will be severe backlash come the next election.

As for either of the two parties breaking into other parties, its not going to happen.

 

[N4mddissent]

I'm interested in hearing from some of the rational conservatives here. It's no secret that I hang to the left, but I also believe that competition is good. And as long as the Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, anti-intellectual, irrationalist, and/or theocractic fringe are the movers and shakers of the Republican party, I can't see them as a viable alternative to the Democratic party.

So my question is to the more rational conservatives who I recognize are present here and in the general public. The conservatives who are not anti-evolution, obsessed with abortion, spouting over-the-top conspiracy theories, and who can debate on the merits of an idea rather than make-up patently false assertions are my target.

It would be folly to think that we could do anything to please the liberal left, which seems to be what you are asking for. You assume that most of the conservatives simply follow and parrot people like Glenn Beck and Rush. What you don't get, and I suspect will never understand, is that its people like Beck and Rush that are parroting how conservative Americans feel about the state of political affairs in our country. Why would any conservative reject Rush Limbo, when there is very little we disagree with him on? We'd rather just focus on the politicians who are damaging this country.

What comes next for you and the Republican party? Do you have any ideas how to regain control? Do you think the GOP should be conceded and another party become home for rational conservatives? What if the Democratic party officially split into Conservative Democrats and Liberal Democrats? (which seems possible these days). Would any of you consider joining a separate Conservative Democrat Party? Should you try to make the Libertarian party a viable national party?

Yes, we have ideas on how to regain control - have candidates run on their conservative principles, and not vote for candidates that grope for the so called middle. The last thing we need to do is fall for this doom and gloom mentality that we've lost everything and will never win another election unless we just give up on our beliefs and turn liberal. Look how much political power we still have with a full majority Democrat House, Senate, and White House. They don't need one Republican vote to pass any of their socialist crap, yet they still haven't achieved anything on their agenda. Dems are so afraid to pass anything because they know there will be severe backlash come the next election.

As for either of the two parties breaking into other parties, its not going to happen.

You do not speak for all conservatives. I've had many good discussions with rational conservatives here. You are fringe.

 

[WillowTree]

it's a stupid inane question since I'm quite sure "rational" means agreeing with the lunatic left.

 

[N4mddissent]

it's a stupid inane question since I'm quite sure "rational" means agreeing with the lunatic left.

No, rational means using logic and one's ability to reason, then accepting whatever conclusion is suggested by careful consideration rather than pre-determining one's conclusions by adopting partisan dogma.

I've so missed you willowtree...How've you been?

 

[The Rabbi]

That's the thing. When Democrats ask about Republican strategy they start off by discounting anything the GOP has done. Never mind that there were what, 3 Democrats elected president post WW2?
Suddenly they get all defensive and trot out their mantras "they are all hypocrites." Bush lied. Look where we are now.
You can't reason with such people. You can only shoot them to the ground. Rhetorically speaking of course.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

Fuck you, eat shit, and die.
Thanks for playing.

Great response! You're only proving the point of the OP.

 

[Jay Canuck]

Consciousness of a Conservative:
A Philosophy Without a Party - by Ted Rall

Link



Excerpt:
Conservatives think the election results prove that conservatism is in trouble. Actually, conservatism is fine. It's the Republican Party that's in trouble...In the United States, conservatism is a philosophy without a party... For the sake of my long-suffering conservative friends as well as the country, it's time to unravel the conflation of conservatism and the Republican Party. Why do I care? Simple: America needs conservatives--real conservatives. Deficit hawks, America Firsters and get-that-dang-guvmint-outta-my-bizness types are essential watchdogs of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom. Moreover, ideological diversity sparks intellectual innovation.


Ted's right.
If Republicans were actually conservatives, their party would be more successful. But the party of smaller government was hijacked by the religio-crazies, Neo-Cons and fat pundits who would rather have the POTUS and the U.S. fail than lose power.

 

[The Rabbi]

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

Fuck you, eat shit, and die.
Thanks for playing.

Great response! You're only proving the point of the OP.

The "point" of the OP was to look for Republicans who will think like Olympia Snowe. Those people don't win national elections. When I pointed out how the GOP won national elections the response was immediately to denigrate those achievements and pretend they didnt exist. There is no arguing with someone like that.
And your sig line comes from Rep Steve Cohen of Memphis. You might want to credit him. If someone said it earlier than him I dont know.

 

[bodecea]

You ought to try listenng to Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh instead of forming your opinions based on what CNN says.

The path to victory is the same as it was in 1980, 1984, and 1994: small limited government, lower and simplified taxes, vigorous foreign policy. If they get back on that message they will win elections.
But if the GOP sounds only marginally competent they will still beat the tar out of the Democrats, who have welched on every promise they made in the last 2 years.

Cause the government sure get smaller in 1980, 1984, and 1994, right?

Of course not. The government has NEVER gotten smaller. It has only ever gotten bigger.

So if the GOP ran on smaller government in 80, 84, and 94 - aren't they the ones who've welched on every promise they made in the last 30 years?

Fuck you, eat shit, and die.
Thanks for playing.

The Rational wing of the RNC speaking?