A measure of clarity at the CPAC...

[kage69]

Guess these guys didn't get that memo about not being allowed to reference Bush in anyway, you know, the newer fresher face of BDS...

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, like Romney an unsuccessful candidate for president in 2008, pointed to the Bush administration?s failed response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. ?You know what kind of conservatives we need most? Competent conservatives,? Huckabee said in a speech Thursday. ?It?s when we lose our competence, that Americans lose their confidence.? ?We?re no longer Reagan?s shining city on a hill; we are the ruined city by the sea,? he added.

Wow. Never thought I'd be agreeing with Huckabee but there it is!

I think that Palin and Jindal being noticeably absent may indicate that the GOP is starting to catch on. Not a single tribute (understandably!) to the Bush admin! lol!

Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman and current host of MSNBC?s ?Morning Joe,? warned the GOP against becoming the party of resistance and urged conservatives to tone down their rhetoric against Obama. ?We have to present alternatives, we can?t just say no,? he said. ?There is an alternative to everything we hear from the White House every single day, but we can?t just say no.? He added: ?We?re not going to win votes and we?re not going to win elections by calling Barack Obama a communist.?

Proof that some conservatives get it, and aren't going to take the easy sleazy way out, a la Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, etc.
I find this encouraging as lately I've been really depressed and ashamed over how conservatives as a whole have been acting since Obama took the White House.


Your thoughts?

 

[MikeMike]

the same shit gets thrown every day from each side no matter who is in office...

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: kage69
Guess these guys didn't get that memo about not being allowed to reference Bush in anyway, you know, the newer fresher face of BDS...

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, like Romney an unsuccessful candidate for president in 2008, pointed to the Bush administration?s failed response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. ?You know what kind of conservatives we need most? Competent conservatives,? Huckabee said in a speech Thursday. ?It?s when we lose our competence, that Americans lose their confidence.? ?We?re no longer Reagan?s shining city on a hill; we are the ruined city by the sea,? he added.

Wow. Never thought I'd be agreeing with Huckabee but there it is!

I think that Palin and Jindal being noticeably absent may indicate that the GOP is starting to get it.

Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman and current host of MSNBC?s ?Morning Joe,? warned the GOP against becoming the party of resistance and urged conservatives to tone down their rhetoric against Obama. ?We have to present alternatives, we can?t just say no,? he said. ?There is an alternative to everything we hear from the White House every single day, but we can?t just say no.? He added: ?We?re not going to win votes and we?re not going to win elections by calling Barack Obama a communist.?

Proof that some conservatives get it, and aren't going to take the easy sleazy way out, a la Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, etc.
I find this encouraging as lately I've been really depressed and ashamed over how conservatives as a whole have been acting since Obama took the White House.


Your thoughts?

Don't confuse throwing a former party member under the bus when it's not only helpful but essential to regaining powr, and any sincere change in ideology.

I can guarantee you there are Republican political consultants telling GOP leaders how important it is for them to say things that distance them from Bush.

Sorry, but Huckabee has shown himself to have largely terrible positions, IMO, and the backpeddling now won't put him to the front of the pack.

Just as Democrats needed a JFK in 1960, Republicans need someone a lot better than the last batch for 2012 - not that I expect to support any of them.

I should distinguish that I'm commenting largely based on what I think Republicans need to do for the good of the country should they get power, more than simply what will help them get elected. If they have gone so irresponsible nutso crazy as to want a Palin, then they are a lost cause for the time being.

 

[JSt0rm]

what else can they do. The reality (not p&n reality) is that bush was one of the worst presidents this country has ever had. They have to own up to him being in the party. Its the only way they can move on. Now with a indian front runner and a black gop leader they won't get much support from the degenerate base but they will learn that lesson too.

 

[quest55720]

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
what else can they do. The reality (not p&n reality) is that bush was one of the worst presidents this country has ever had. They have to own up to him being in the party. Its the only way they can move on. Now with a indian front runner and a black gop leader they won't get much support from the degenerate base but they will learn that lesson too.

With Obama being so far left the so called "degenerate base" will support anyone to get this run away spending and agenda of socialism under control. Obama proved in a very short time he is on the extreme fringe left with his 4 trillion in spending.

 

[JSt0rm]

Originally posted by: quest55720

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
what else can they do. The reality (not p&n reality) is that bush was one of the worst presidents this country has ever had. They have to own up to him being in the party. Its the only way they can move on. Now with a indian front runner and a black gop leader they won't get much support from the degenerate base but they will learn that lesson too.

With Obama being so far left the so called "degenerate base" will support anyone to get this run away spending and agenda of socialism under control. Obama proved in a very short time he is on the extreme fringe left with his 4 trillion in spending.

strange then how the "extreme fringe left" is mad that he isn't left enough. thems the rocks. your party fucked shit up so bad the black man has to come in and spend all you white peoples money. lol.

 

[kage69]

Don't confuse throwing a former party member under the bus when it's not only helpful but essential to regaining powr, and any sincere change in ideology.

Fear not, I possess no such confusion. I'm not saying this heralds a huge change in policy, just that for once seeing prominent conservatives admit what a disaster the Bush admin was is a good step in the right direction.

I can guarantee you there are Republican political consultants telling GOP leaders how important it is for them to say things that distance them from Bush.

Of course you can, that's been happening since before Obama won!

Sorry, but Huckabee has shown himself to have largely terrible positions, IMO, and the backpeddling now won't put him to the front of the pack.

I am definitely not a Huckabee fan, but feel his comments here are completely valid. His position within the GOP is irrelevant to me as I'd never vote for the man anyway.

Just as Democrats needed a JFK in 1960, Republicans need someone a lot better than the last batch for 2012 - not that I expect to support any of them.

Agreed.

I should distinguish that I'm commenting largely based on what I think Republicans need to do for the good of the country should they get power, more than simply what will help them get elected. If they have gone so irresponsible nutso crazy as to want a Palin, then they are a lost cause for the time being.

Distinction noted and appreciated, and again I couldn't agree more. As long as conservatives are duped by the Palin/Bush category of politicians they will continue to reap failure and contempt.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: quest55720

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
what else can they do. The reality (not p&n reality) is that bush was one of the worst presidents this country has ever had. They have to own up to him being in the party. Its the only way they can move on. Now with a indian front runner and a black gop leader they won't get much support from the degenerate base but they will learn that lesson too.

With Obama being so far left the so called "degenerate base" will support anyone to get this run away spending and agenda of socialism under control. Obama proved in a very short time he is on the extreme fringe left with his 4 trillion in spending.

This is the kind of stupidity that will keep the Reps out of Power indefinitely.

 

[kage69]

This is the kind of stupidity that will keep the Reps out of Power indefinitely.

Beat me to it.


Extra tip of the hat for him here, what with him doing exactly what is bolded in the opening quotes. :laugh:

 

[Craig234]

Kage69, we're in agreement.

I'm just cautioning people against too positive a reaction to this calculated messaign, because its *purpose* is to get people to trust them again.

It's the old 'what do you believe, what we say our policies are, or your lying eyes?' problem.

Just look at the Bush 2000 campaign for a fine example of how it works - they railed and railed about how Clinton had 'disgraced' the White House, and Bush promised "compassionate conservatism" and environment-friendly policies and to 'unite' Republicans and Democrats to work together well and to be a fiscal conservative, paying for his tax cuts with *part* of the *surplus* - and - sorry, I have to choke to type it - he said the US needed to adopt more "humility" in its foreign policy!

It's the wife beater syndrome - now is the 'sorry honey it won't happen again' cycle.

Sorry, we need to view Huckabee's comments as cynically as he's making them, and not get fooled.

I do appreciate their making them insofar as it helps prevent the polishing of Bush's record as easily as they did with Reagan, insofar as they represent one small step of the GOP returning from actually defending his disastrous policies, but to the extent that these comments get people to trust the GOP again, until *real* changes are made, they're nothing but harmful to the nation's interest.

However, note how little he assigns blame to his own party directly - he more simply describes the damage without blame, leaving plenty of room to blame someone else.

I don't think Huckabee deserves people thinking he's now on 'their side' for his saying what the consultants say needed to be said, when his positions remain bad.

Remember how the backlash against Nixon after Watergate softened enough to let Reagan get elected? We need to learn our lessons.

To digress, it's also notable that our country has this same hardcor 20-25% who both continued to support Bush, and who when Nixon resigned remained on his side, and immediately were creating stories about how corrupt Democrats had succeeded in a 'coup' driving the president out of office, and they were apoplectic.

This group included many who were behind the Clinton impeachment, who insisted so strongly that he be impeached without any compromise simply to 'get back for Watergate'.

Indeed, that experienced largely shaped Rumsfeld and Cheney early on. But they didn't tell us we were getting the 'Nixon was right' revenge crew in the 2000 campaign.

It's just amazing how deluded so many are.

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: kage69



Your thoughts?

The single most important thing that a (successful) politician has to do is choose his words carefully, and after that, raise money.

 

[kage69]

I hear you Craig, and well said. One of my main complaints with the Bush admin was over competency, so naturally I'm going to cite it when even a fundie nutbag I normally disagree with echoes my gripe. I attribute your wise caution to both your exceptional knowledge of recent history and the fact that you are more liberal than I am. While I've given up on the GOP until it overhauls itself completely, I still hold hope that some conservative ideals will survive the damage its representatives inflict upon it, hence my creating this thread.

A long view of the conservative movement makes me shudder, and you just mentioned a few of the more egregious affronts in my mind. To think that so many were caught up chasing a blow job when they should have been listening about AQ, and then compounded that with an 8 month vacation..... Amazing indeed, as is the kind of delusion that still persists concerning 2000-2008.

The single most important thing that a (successful) politician has to do is choose his words carefully, and after that, raise money.

It's sad that your criteria really do trump things like intellect and sanity.

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: kage69
I hear you Craig, and well said. One of my main complaints with the Bush admin was over competency, so naturally I'm going to cite it when even a fundie nutbag I normally disagree with echoes my gripe. I attribute your wise caution to both your exceptional knowledge of recent history and the fact that you are more liberal than I am. While I've given up on the GOP until it overhauls itself completely, I still hold hope that some conservative ideals will survive the damage its representatives inflict upon it, hence my creating this thread.

A long view of the conservative movement makes me shudder, and you just mentioned a few of the more egregious affronts in my mind. To think that so many were caught up chasing a blow job when they should have been listening about AQ, and then compounded that with an 8 month vacation..... Amazing indeed, as is the kind of delusion that still persists concerning 2000-2008.

The single most important thing that a (successful) politician has to do is choose his words carefully, and after that, raise money.

It's sad that your criteria really do trump things like intellect and sanity.

Oh no, They aren't my criteria, my guy wasn't successful.

 

[microbial]

CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RP!!!

 

[Drift3r]

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

None of these people on the list inspire any sort of confidence whatsoever. CPAC and the GOP have a long rough rode ahead of them. The GOP reinventing itself will be like watching the Mexican cartels off each other in a struggle for power before it is all said and done.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

Looks like Obama could F up pretty bad and still have nothing to worry about against these losers.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

Looks like Obama could F up pretty bad and still have nothing to worry about against these losers.

I'm not so sure, I would have voted for Hillary over McCain and Obama only beat him by 7%, I have a feeling that Obama will create havoc and chaos in the US and we may see a lot more R's, then again if Acorn gets $4 billion we may see 500 million votes for Obama.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

Looks like Obama could F up pretty bad and still have nothing to worry about against these losers.

Don't get overconfident; these are the CPAC choices, he picks of the wing of the Republican Party that laughs at Anne Coulter's jokes, and considers Rush Limbaugh the intellect and conscience of the party.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: microbial
CPAC Straw poll results:

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

Looks like Obama could F up pretty bad and still have nothing to worry about against these losers.

I'm not so sure, I would have voted for Hillary over McCain and Obama only beat him by 7%, I have a feeling that Obama will create havoc and chaos in the US and we may see a lot more R's, then again if Acorn gets $4 billion we may see 500 million votes for Obama.

rofl. At this point, it would take the GD for the Republicans to stand a chance in 2012. Smart money is on Obama being POTUS until 2016.

 

[xeemzor]

I was at CPAC this year and it was awesome One thing to keep in mind is that CPAC has like a 50% college attendance, while that general demographic does not vote conservative as a whole. Overall, as a social liberal and fiscal conservative I was surprised to see the amount of people who share my views. The amount of social conservatives among the younger voters is extremely small. Clearly, the party will be heading into a new direction in these next few years.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask

 

[Thump553]

They may not have had Jindal or Palin there, but they did have as one of their featured speakers that paragon of conservative intellectual thought, Joe the Plumber.

 

[Lemon law]

Six months is an eternity in politics, in 1962 even Nixon pronounced himself politically dead, six years later he was POTUS.

And now the GOP is trying to figure out what it did wrong, and whoopee if the GOP comes to the obvious conclusion that they followed GWB the idiot too slavishly. The real question regards will they change their behavior and quit being total obstructionists? Old habits die hard, and as long as voices like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin are the GOP cheerleaders, and dimwits like McConnell in the Senate and Boehner in the house constitute the GOP leadership, its hard to be optimistic that the GOP has the brains to either reinvent itself or to be truly honest about how its its ideologies work in this current economy.

Now that Bobby Jindall totally blew the response to the Obama speech, ignoring Mitt Romney, one has to go all the way down to Mike Huckabee at 7% to find anyone on the above list that are remotely resembling pragmatic.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Six months is an eternity in politics, in 1962 even Nixon pronounced himself politically dead, six years later he was POTUS.
And now the GOP is trying to figure out what it did wrong, and whoopee if the GOP comes to the obvious conclusion that they followed GWB the idiot too slavishly. The real question regards will they change their behavior and quit being total obstructionists? Old habits die hard, and as long as voices like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin are the GOP cheerleaders, and dimwits like McConnell in the Senate and Boehner in the house constitute the GOP leadership, its hard to be optimistic that the GOP has the brains to either reinvent itself or to be truly honest about how its its ideologies work in this current economy.
Now that Bobby Jindall totally blew the response to the Obama speech, ignoring Mitt Romney, one has to go all the way down to Mike Huckabee at 7% to find anyone on the above list that are remotely resembling pragmatic.

A pragmatic Theocrat?

?I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution. But I believe it?s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living god. And that?s what we need to do ? is to amend the Constitution so it?s in God?s standards rather than try to change God?s standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other and how we treat the family.? Mike Huckabee, Jan 14, 2008

 

[Red Dawn]

Coulter and Limbaugh, the Republicans version of Laurel and hardy