REPUBLICANS...or Not?
Posted May 2nd, 2008 by Kevin Tuma
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The movement is gaining steam again. Ron Paul is getting lots of publicity from his GOP run and our delegates have the enemy squirming.
I still think a big unanswered question that is still problematical for the movement is "Are we Republican or not?" I would contend that we are not; that we are a new breed of conservative/libertarian hybrid. Despite what Dr. Paul says on the campaign trail, the Republican Party has never been a bastion for paleoconservative or libertarian thought. There was a refreshing rhetorical surge with Reagan essentially followed by business-as-usual GOP federalism that calls itself "conservatism". If we manage to take over the GOP it will not be a return to conservative and constitutional values. It will be a 'first contact' with said values.
Personally, I think the easiest way to plant a garden on soil that is 95% weeds is to break new ground, plow the weeds under, and start anew. But many people are committed to staying Republican and somehow "taking back the party".
If we are serious about taking over the GOP, we need to balance a take-no-prisoners approach to the McCain camp with outreach to conservative media types like Limbaugh, Peggy Noonan, Ann Coulter, and so on. In many ways Ron Paul is like a Ronald Reagan who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. Aside from the war issue, where we are opposed, I think they can find common ground with him. Ann Coulter has praised his stance on the economy and abortion, for example.
If we have no stomach for diplomacy with Republican icons, maybe we should leave the GOP and go Third Party, and run against them.
I favor either approach as long as the movement makes up its mind.
We need to make up our minds what we are. What's your opinion?
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YES, REPUBLICANS
YES, REPUBLICANS
I have been met with a lot
I have been met with a lot of anti 2 party system rhetoric from both conservatives and neo-conservatives that I know of. There is a strong sentiment that a 3rd party is needed in this country. IMO it will take a catalyst much like the one approaching in September. IF RP does not finesse the nomination and the GOP knowingly and willing refuses to stand for us then they will see the single biggest exodus of a political party of our lifetime. Ironically after the single biggest growth spurt in the party happened all this past year. If a 3rd party can break into mainstream politics at all this is their time. When the exodus occurs there needs to be profound and overwhelming support for the lesser known parties to be brought into the limelight. There has never been a better time and if this fails here there won't be another better opportunity to be had, ever.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the moon, don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory." - Bruce Lee
We are republicans
Traditional conservatives are republicans. Neoconservatives are not. The republican party is in desperate need of reform.
No offense---but can you
No offense---but can you name five Republican presidents who were traditional conservatives?
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Support the Constitution of the United States
5 Presidents
This is off the top of my head but how about Hayes, Coolidge, Reagan, Taft, and Hoover. Now can you name just 1 3rd party candidate that was elected president?
No need to. From whatever
No need to. Whatever party it is, it should stick to the constitution. Many other issues where Ron Paul stands on are traditional republican issues like a humble foreign policy, cut spending, less taxes, safe borders etc..
Yes, Republicans!!
We want our republic country back. A small group took over our 2 parties but we only need one. They did it so why not us? You think they have the majority? I did but still went to caucus in my district and found out their numbers are tiny. We only had 15 people but their was only 72 total people there and we never got less then 23 votes!!! Why let the bully push you out? How do you think they got there? I am not saying don't vote 3rd party but I'm suggesting we band together and throw this minority out of the Republican party. I don't mean to offend you but I must ask isn't this worth fighting for? If your like me then the answer is yes so then screw the icons and get them out! I just don't think we should limit ourselves to just Republicans and root out ALL candidates who don't support our values.
Personally
I think this is a better discussion for after November. Anybody with me on that?
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I can't see why. Maybe after
I can't see why. Maybe after September?
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
parties shift their ideologies
Fortune Favors the Bold
the republican party, and the democrat party, has undergone a bunch of transformations. Since the inception of the two party structure, ideologues have used the parties as vehicles. I say lets wait till the convention. If the plan fails completely, then maybe it's time to think about a third party. That will be ALOT harder though.
We have had this discussion
We have had this discussion before. I think most of us would just as soon dump the Republican party even though some of us have been life long republicans. The problem with that is it would set us back far more years then we have to build a new party from the ground up.
The goal here is to use a vehicle that will get us to our goals in the shortest time possible. The republican party is that vehicle. Why? Because of the national clout it already has and the numbers. Like it or not to win a national election we need those republican voters who just go along with the party line without really knowing what's going on. You know... the ones who will just vote McCain because he happens to be the nominee in their minds.
If we start a new party or go to the LP or CP we would not have enough numbers because those mindless R voters would not come with us and the 3rd parties do not have the numbers so we for all practical purposes would be starting from the ground up.
That's why were taking over the republican party and not for any other reason. Not because we have some sentimental or nostalgic feelings for them. Simply because it is the vehicle that will help us reach our goals the fastest.
It's about principal not party so the label doesn't matter only the viability.
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Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death. Patrick Henry
Good posts Kevin + Hawkiye. Hijack the GOP?
My opinion is that we should hijack the GOP with libertarians. Take it away from the conservatives. The party's ballot access is just too good to not mooch off of!
Let's continue the infiltration that has been started by people like Taft, Buffett, Goldwater, Reagan, and Paul!
I'm ok with any of your
I'm ok with any of your options....the most important thing to me is that we stay united and we do what we do with ultimate unity.