Conservatives on why the GOP should lose in 2006.

[ElHombre]

it's not just liberals that want the Rs out of power. these folks asked former bush I speechwriter christopher buckley (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.buckley.html), reagan and bush I advisor bruce bartlett (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.bartlett.html), former 'class of '94' republican congressman joe scarborough (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.scarborough.html), cato institute chairman william niskanen (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.niskanen.html), conservative lawyer bruce fein (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.fein.html), reagan speechwriter jeffrey hart (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.hart.html), and conservativeHQ.com chairman richard viguerie (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.viguerie.html) their opinions on whether or not the Rs should keep control of congress this november. their answer was a collective no (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.forum.html).


With Republicans controlling Congress and the White House, conservatives these days ought to be happy, but most aren’t. They see expanding government, runaway spending, Middle East entanglements, and government corruption, and they wonder why, exactly, the country should be grateful for Republican dominance. Some accuse Bush and the Republicans today of not being true conservatives. Others see a grab bag of stated policies and wonder how they cohere. Everyone thinks something’s got to change.

Now seven prominent conservatives dare to speak the unspeakable: They hope the Republicans lose in 2006. Well, let’s be diplomatic and say they’d prefer divided government—soon. (Perhaps that formulation will fool Dennis Hastert.) Of course, all of them wish for the long-term health of conservatism, and most are loyal to the GOP. What they also believe, however, is that even if a Speaker Pelosi looms in the wings, sometimes the best remedy for a party gone astray is to give it a session in the time-out chair.

this brought a chuckle. from buckley...


Anyone who has even a passing personal acquaintance of Bush 41 knows him to be, roughly speaking, the most decent, considerate, humble, and cautious man on the planet. Also, the most loving parent on earth. What a wrench it must be for him to pick up his paper every morning and read the now-daily debate about whether his son is officially the worst president in U.S. history. (That chuckling you hear is the ghost of James Buchanan.) To paraphrase another president, I feel 41’s pain. Does 43 feel 41’s? Does he, I wonder, feel ours?

[Dronetek]

And this is frooooooooom.......?

[ElHombre]

click the no. it's the washinton monthly. they asked the seven to give their opinions and they responded enthusiastically. give their responses a read, you might find something you agree with.

[Ordie]

Traditional Republicans support the idea of a smaller, less intrusive government with a focus on freeing the market forces.

Many traditional Republicans, feel that the current government is bloated, more intrusive and does little to support small businesses. Many are put off about the religious element some are put off about the foreign intervention.

[shocker1]

Traditional Republican, small business owner am I. (In an enthusiastically clear voice)It will be a cold, snowy day in hell before I vote democrat.

[Hollis]

Traditional Republican, small business owner am I. (In an enthusiastically clear voice)It will be a cold, snowy day in hell before I vote democrat.


There is a expression, "Yellow dog Democrat". IMHO there are more "yellow dog" Republicans than Democrats.

[shocker1]

There is a expression, "Yellow dog Democrat". IMHO there are more "yellow dog" Republicans than Democrats.
That applies to this pretty well. My grand-father was a yellow dog dem. I sure do miss those debates we had together. I could never win because he always had to have the last word and who could not let their granpa win.p-)
Edit: He did give kudos to Bush for improving his VA care.

[Hollis]

That applies to this pretty well. My grand-father was a yellow dog dem. I sure do miss those debates we had together. I could never win because he always had to have the last word and who could not let their granpa win.p-)
Edit: He did give kudos to Bush for improving his VA care.


Tell ya, atleast in my memory D's and R's had one thing in common; the best for the country. With the fringe element that has taken over the Dem... who can say.

A lot of Dems are moving to the R's to vote because of them. This new Left, would rather see more Americans dead if it will shame Bush.

[shocker1]

Tell ya, atleast in my memory D's and R's had one thing in common; the best for the country. With the fringe element that has taken over the Dem... who can say.

A lot of Dems are moving to the R's to vote because of them. This new Left, would rather see more Americans dead if it will shame Bush.
I agree, it's ashame that "gotcha" politics has taken over. All logical debate seems to devolve into some Bush bashing session. I have issues with my party but I think the democrats are getting further away from the average American, at least in the South. I know a lot of business owners here and most support Republicans. Unlike past decades it is a great enviroment right now to be self-employed. Just my opinion though, I am sure some states are in worse condition. Thanks to Republicans controlling Georgia we now have a surplus in our budget(so they say).

[ViktorNavorski]

Many traditional Republicans, feel that the current government is bloated, more intrusive and does little to support small businesses. Many are put off about the religious element some are put off about the foreign intervention.Speaking of supporting small businesses and government becoming less intrusive, how 'bout abolishing capital gains tax and minimum wage...Wait, try that, guess who is high horse preaching against it.


My fellow Republicans, it is time, as Madison said in Federalist 76, to "Hand over the tiller of governance, that others may **** things up for a change."

(Or was it Federalist 78?)

Finally, on a purely partisan level, I believe that loss of one or both houses will strengthen the Republican Party going into 2008. It will force a debate on issues that have been swept under the rug, such out-of-control government spending and the coziness between Republicans and K Street, home of Washington’s lobbying community. Afterwards, the party will emerge stronger, with better arguments for keeping control of the White House. Also, Democrats may well be placed under so much pressure from their left-wing fringe that they’ll be forced into politically self-destructive acts such as trying to impeach President Bush. Every Republican I know thinks Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are the best things they have going for them. Giving these inept leaders higher profiles would be a gift to conservatives everywhere.

On the domestic front, Democrats still don’t get Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, which teaches the superiority of free markets to government-regulated markets euphemistically styled “industrialization policy” or otherwise. Smith lacerated the economic philosophy of modern Democrats: “The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.” With Democrats controlling Congress, we could expect command-and-control laws requiring windmills on every farm, photovoltaic cells in every home, and hydrogen fuel in every car.

In foreign affairs, Democrats are stalled in the horse latitudes. They have no philosophical starting point. They sport no strategy for confronting the nuclear ambitions of Iran or North Korea, the quagmires in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the growing friction between Japan on the one hand and China and South Korea on the other. Beating swords into plowshares and making war no more is not a strategy but utopian faith.The few quotes that get me smiling, though not uneducated delirious like ElDumbre.

Some good articles that goes beyond partisan politics in 2006, detailings a lot of good arguments for divided government along with the usual academia realpolitik you can lecture to in a college hall.

[XShipRider]

Who knows how it will turn out? No one. I feel the Republicans will lose
some seats only because fiscal conservatives are POd about the way
President Bush is spending. They might just stay home which is probably
enough to send the votes across the aisle. The above commentators
are probably correct.

That said, will anything change other than the Pelosi Impeachment
Proceedings? Little to nothing will change. Special interest controls
both parties to such a degree that nothing can ever really change.

Oh, we'll piss and moan about some ridiculous gay marriage amendment
again. But this is merely a diversionary tactic while Congress goes about
spending money on bridges no one will ever cross, monuments to
posterity for themselves, research dollars on bovine mating rituals (psst..
'cause they're horny), and let's not forget - their personal pay raises.
Oops, back to the topic...

The Democrats are enjoying this intrusive government. Yes, right now
they're all aflutter about various programs like the Patriot Act,
Prescription Drug Benefit, No Child Left Behind, War on Terror, NSA
eavesdropping, etc. But these same Democrats will look at this as
a win-win after November. If they regain the White House in '08,
regardless of candidate, these same intrusive programs can be modified
to meet their goals. And the beauty of it is no matter what they do
they can blame it on Bush, rightfully so.

[annihilation]

Tell ya, atleast in my memory D's and R's had one thing in common; the best for the country. With the fringe element that has taken over the Dem... who can say.

A lot of Dems are moving to the R's to vote because of them. This new Left, would rather see more Americans dead if it will shame Bush.

What about the fringe right who are messing up the republicans? I use to vote republican but now I don't think I want too.

[annihilation]

Who knows how it will turn out? No one. I feel the Republicans will lose
some seats only because fiscal conservatives are POd about the way
President Bush is spending. They might just stay home which is probably
enough to send the votes across the aisle. The above commentators
are probably correct.

That said, will anything change other than the Pelosi Impeachment
Proceedings? Little to nothing will change. Special interest controls
both parties to such a degree that nothing can ever really change.

Oh, we'll piss and moan about some ridiculous gay marriage amendment
again. But this is merely a diversionary tactic while Congress goes about
spending money on bridges no one will ever cross, monuments to
posterity for themselves, research dollars on bovine mating rituals (psst..
'cause they're horny), and let's not forget - their personal pay raises.
Oops, back to the topic...

The Democrats are enjoying this intrusive government. Yes, right now
they're all aflutter about various programs like the Patriot Act,
Prescription Drug Benefit, No Child Left Behind, War on Terror, NSA
eavesdropping, etc. But these same Democrats will look at this as
a win-win after November. If they regain the White House in '08,
regardless of candidate, these same intrusive programs can be modified
to meet their goals. And the beauty of it is no matter what they do
they can blame it on Bush, rightfully so.

I agree with much you said. But there really is no difference between a dem and a rep. They are the same beast in different clothing. Neither will do anything unless forced too. This past few years, congress as a whole has done nothing at all. Every topic they brought up got placed on the way side without even bothering to try to fix the real problems because they fear they might not get re-elected. Man I wish term limits were in place. No one should make it a life career as a congressman.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

It just doesn't make sense to lose. No matter how sh*tty some of the Republicans are, they are still miles ahead of the alternative. If conservatives don't like their positions, they'll like the Democrat alternative even less.

Just like most things, our choices are not between X and perfection, they are between X and Y. And Y usually sucks even worse.

Those wailing about Bush being the worst pres in history have been saying as much since before he even took office.

[Durandal]

Ummm....

I voted for him and a couple State reps...and a governor.

In my mind, all have shown me that they Republicans in name only.

That's why I registered Libertarian.

I am tired of the BS. I am tired of the Congress selling their souls to special interest groups and not listening to the people. I am tired of a President trying to make the Executive Branch more powerful. I am tired of a State Governor making anti-gun statements. I am tired of the local Republican Candidate claiming family values and cheating on his wife.

Dr. Bill Peirce for Ohio State Governor!

[XShipRider]

It just doesn't make sense to lose. No matter how sh*tty some of the Republicans are, they are still miles ahead of the alternative. If conservatives don't like their positions, they'll like the Democrat alternative even less.

Just like most things, our choices are not between X and perfection, they are between X and Y. And Y usually sucks even worse.

Those wailing about Bush being the worst pres in history have been saying as much since before he even took office.

Agree wholeheartedly with you and annihilation. I see the Repub's losing
seats out of apathy, which was really the point of my wandering diatribe.
One thing will apall me -- Nancy Pelosi as speaker. The last good
Democrat speaker was Tip O'Neill. For some reason I really liked that
old sop. He was a real person who thought politics was politics but
that BS stopped when they left the chamber.

I also liked Newt Gingrich. People can say what they want about him
but he did EXACTLY what he told people he was going to do. I have
a deep respect for any politician who does exactly what they say
they're going to do. Which is why I have so little respect for 99%
of them today.

[annihilation]

It just doesn't make sense to lose. No matter how sh*tty some of the Republicans are, they are still miles ahead of the alternative. If conservatives don't like their positions, they'll like the Democrat alternative even less.

Just like most things, our choices are not between X and perfection, they are between X and Y. And Y usually sucks even worse.

Those wailing about Bush being the worst pres in history have been saying as much since before he even took office.

Well its not like Bush has done anything to disprove that theory....

I don't know how you can thinkn republicans are "miles" ahead of the democrates. They are really the same beast and as Durandal puts it, they are republican in name only.

[joedirt]

how are they the same beast.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Well its not like Bush has done anything to disprove that theory....

I don't know how you can thinkn republicans are "miles" ahead of the democrates. They are really the same beast and as Durandal puts it, they are republican in name only.

Well their behavior is one thing - pandering to their base, getting as much for their district as they can etc. is one thing, but their policies are another. But I dont' see how you can lump both sides in together. They don't support the same things - Pelosi, Biden, Kerry etc. do not vote the same as McConnell, Coburn etc. It's just very easy to say "they're all the same - throw them out" ...but in reality we'd live in a very different country if we let the lefties take the wheel (sounds like a good Dixie Chicks anti-war song "Lefite Take the Wheel"). :)


Agree wholeheartedly with you and annihilation. I see the Repub's losing
seats out of apathy, which was really the point of my wandering diatribe.
One thing will apall me -- Nancy Pelosi as speaker. The last good
Democrat speaker was Tip O'Neill.

Oh Christ Top O'Neill. I'm from Mass, - one of my friends parents was a rich bastard and had a campaign party for O'Neill at his house, where I met him. Big, loud, good with people - but man I couldn't stand his politics even back then (musta been about 1982 or so). Nice enough guy though.



I also liked Newt Gingrich. People can say what they want about him
but he did EXACTLY what he told people he was going to do. I have
a deep respect for any politician who does exactly what they say
they're going to do. Which is why I have so little respect for 99%
of them today.

I like Gingrich too...not afraid to speak his mind even if people will react as if they just drank curdled milk. But he's another one who managed to shoot himself in the wang. You'd think with a head as big as his, that he wouldn't have to use the little one at all p-)

[dangerclose]

I want higher taxes and a Bill of Rights for terrorists so I will be voting Democrat.

[annihilation]

I want higher taxes and a Bill of Rights for terrorists so I will be voting Democrat.

The bill of rights is for everyone. If you exclude one group then you can exclude another one just as easily (just need an excuse like they are gay or something).

Now im not saying that terrorist should have rights, if done right they never see the light of the public.

[dangerclose]

The bill of rights is for everyone.

Agreed, which is why I'm voting democrat. al-qaeda operatives in the U.S. should be able to call home without our government infringing their privacy rights.

[ed316]

The American public is fed up with BOTH the parties. They just hate the democrats less.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

The American public is fed up with BOTH the parties. They just hate the democrats less.

Yeah that about sums up my position.

[dangerclose]

The American public is fed up with BOTH the parties. They just hate the democrats less.

I'm fed up with having more money than I should. Please raise my taxes.

[ed316]

I'm fed up with having more money than I should. Please raise my taxes.


The promise of tax cuts will always win you some votes.

[annihilation]

I'm fed up with having more money than I should. Please raise my taxes.

The question is do i have more money now or more money in the future. All those programs that bush has setup will have to be paid by someone. We can't continue this war, and medicare on credit forever.

[ElHombre]

I'm fed up with having more money than I should. Please raise my taxes.

enjoy your money while you can. you didn't get a tax cut, you got a loan from china which you will have to repay with interest. lots of interest.

[annihilation]

Agreed, which is why I'm voting democrat. al-qaeda operatives in the U.S. should be able to call home without our government infringing their privacy rights.

Who says the government doesn't have to infring on their privacy. The government can do what it has to by just breaking the law and not getting caught. Keep it under the radar and everything is fine.

I see it this way. Its like the highway speed limit is 55. Everyone driving really doesn't do 55 , they do more like 65 and the cops don't care as long your nut driving dangerously or above the pack. Change the speed limit to 65, and now everyone will be driving at 75. People always trying to get that extra inch. Might not be the best way to describe it.

[Durandal]

how are they the same beast.

Because outside of social issues, which usually the Republicans (lately) loose on, they are both the same.

You vote them in and they stop representing you. Oh, for certain there are a couple good Congresmen/women and maybe 1 or 5 Senators worth a damn, but lets be honest, every one of those votes they cast (or cast and then change...which the do, a LOT after its seen on CSPAN) is bought and paid for.

But hey, I've been saying that for a couple years now. Find alternatives to the candidates you have.

For me, here in Ohio we have a governor's race. Ted Strickland (D) vs. Ken Blackwell (R)....oh boy, now there is a ƒucking race. I was honestly looking at Strickland, since Taft (R) sucks at being a republican and horrible when it comes to gun ownership and Blackwell...well Cincinnati was lucky enough (sarcasm) to have him as City Council person for several years both as a Dem and a Charterite...oh boy. The guy makes my skin crawl...and his wife is completely drowning the local public schools, which she heads. The NRA had given Strickland As on Gun Control...or rather supported his record of defending the 2nd Amendment and that got me...it took a month or longer for them to say a word about Blackwell...now they have, hopefully not because a lot of gun owners were going into Strickland's camp. Anyways...then I looked at Strickland's performance in Congress...screw that noise. I want a guy that actually WORKS on the tax payer's dime.

That said, I decided to check out who the Libertarians were running this year and I have to say, I like the guy. I emailed them requesting campaign signs and bumper stickers and have been handing them out to whomever will take 'em. Got one on my car...

Both parties can hug the nuts till they come back on track and actually WORK for the people rather than various groups of corporations and quit wasting our time with bull$hit like "Flag Burning" and "Pro-Marriage" Amendments...there are FAR more important things coming at us in the future that out weigh the fact that some tight ass Baptist mom dislikes the idea of dudes kissing.

And THAT if you pay ANY attention on how folks vote in both the House and Senate is why there is VERY little difference between parties...