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Title: Have Conservatives Learned Their Lesson?
Source:
Politico
URL Source: http://www.politico.com/arena/perm/ ... 38-442A-8C03-3EA04F87F96E.html
Published: Feb 19, 2010
Author: David Boaz, Executive VP, CATO
Post Date: 2010-02-19 16:14:04 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 7836
Comments: 37
On Wednesday, conservative leaders produced a long-awaited and closely held Mount Vernon Statement. Conservatives and politicos waited with bated breath, and then collectively said "is that it?" There's nothing wrong with restating longstanding principles, but it didn't seem to tell us much about "the state of conservatism."
What did tell me something very disturbing about the state of conservatism was Mitt Romney's speech at CPAC. It was a well-written and well-delivered speech, and I agreed with much of what I heard on C-SPAN Radio. But after all the talk about how Republicans have learned their lessons, how they know that they went badly awry during the Bush-Hastert-DeLay years, Romney drew cheers for saying, "I am convinced that history will judge President Bush far more kindly—he pulled us from a deepening recession following the attack of 9-11, he overcame teachers unions to test school children and evaluate schools, he took down the Taliban, waged a war against the jihadists and was not afraid to call it what it is—a war, and he kept us safe." And then he drew wild, foot-stomping cheers for going on: "I respect his silence even in the face of the assaults on his record that come from this administration. But at the same time, I also respect the loyalty and indefatigable defense of truth that comes from our “I don’t give a damn” Vice President Dick Cheney!" (Text )
I am reminded that in February 2008, after seven disastrous years of overspending, federal intrusion, entitlement expansion, civil liberties abuses, and foundering wars, President Bush spoke at CPAC, and the assembled conservatives greeted him with chants of "Four More Years!"
Really? You wanted more of that? And you're still cheering it in 2010?
Conservative leaders may have restated principles of long standing, principles that reflect the philosophy of Buckley and Reagan rather than the practice of Bush. And Tea Party activists may be demanding that both parties get control of spending and stop expanding government. But in 2008 and 2010, it appears that when you get committed conservatives together in a room, they display no regrets about the Bush disaster. No wonder the public is rapidly losing confidence in President Obama and his program (Romney: "the gold medal in the downhill was taken away from American Lindsey Vonn. It was determined that President Obama is going downhill faster than she is."), but voters are not yet ready to embrace Republicans.
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#1. To: badeye, war, fred mertz, Nebuchadnezzar, Brian S, sneakypete, skip intro (#0)
I am reminded that in February 2008, after seven disastrous years of overspending, federal intrusion, entitlement expansion, civil liberties abuses, and foundering wars, President Bush spoke at CPAC, and the assembled conservatives greeted him with chants of "Four More Years!"Really? You wanted more of that? And you're still cheering it in 2010?
Fool me once....
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
#2. To: go65 (#1)
When are the Democrats going to cut spending?
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
#3. To: Badeye (#2)
When are the Democrats going to cut spending?
Again, repeating the same lie over and over again doesn't make it true.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
#4. To: go65 (#3)
White House projects record deficit for 2009
President Bush inherited a budget surplus of $128 billion when he took office in 2001 but has since posted a budget deficit every year.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/28/2009.deficit/index.html#cnnSTCOther1
#5. To: go65 (#3)
I know Democrats cutting spending isn't true...thanks for playing...
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
#6. To: Skip Intro (#4)
I am reminded that in February 2008, after seven disastrous years of overspending, federal intrusion, entitlement expansion, civil liberties abuses, and foundering wars,
Focus!!!! floorlicking obamunist .......re the above.
Boosh was s@@t.........and tell us EXACTLY what is different with the new pigmented boosh other than the 10Xlog(f(x)) increasing of stupid past policy?
The boosh legacy of shame doesn't warrant further incessant bleating about how bad it was as a means of deflecting how bad it's headed under the new regime leader......IOW.... maybe stop bitching about who is NOT making policy and focus on who IS making policy.
NFM.
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way.
#7. To: go65 (#0)
Have Conservatives Learned Their Lesson?
Not likely.
The high-water mark of so-called conservatism in recent years was Reagan. Today's right looks back on the Reagan era with nostalgia. Talk radio windbags like Hannity say things like "the GOP needs to return to its conservative roots"
What he and others fail to understand is - THIS is the norm of the Republican party, not Reagan. It's McClown. Snowe. Collins. Graham.
They are today's representatives of the party of Rockefeller.
The GOP tried to destroy Reagan in '76. When they couldn't do that, they co- opted him (like they will with today's conservatvies.) The price we paid for a Reagan was Bush. And his idiot son.
Day after day,
Alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool,
And he never gives an answer,
But the fool on the hill
#8. To: The Fool On The Hill (#7)
The price we paid for a Reagan was Bush. And his idiot son.
This is all ancient history now, but I seem to recall that Reagan didn't like Bush much. Bush, of course, hated Reagan.
#9. To: Skip Intro (#8)
I seem to recall that Reagan didn't like Bush much. Bush, of course, hated Reagan.
You are correct.
Being the wacko conspiracy theorist that I am, I put creedence in the rumor that was going around at the time of the '80 convention that Reagan was told to put Bush on the ticket - or else.
IMO not only Bush hated Reagan, but so did the Republican establishment. (Bush being THE representative of said establishment.)
Reagan was popular - that they could not deny. So they tolerated him. And after 8 years, it was back to business as usual.
Day after day,
Alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool,
And he never gives an answer,
But the fool on the hill
#10. To: Skip Intro (#8)
Reagan was great wasn't he?
#11. To: A K A Stone (#10)
Reagan was great wasn't he?
Likable, a great speaker, and he had a great sense of humor. I remember watching him at one of those gridiron dinners during a time when he was being hit with criticism from all sides.
He showed a slide of himself using field glasses with an Army officer pointing out in the distance. Reagan said "he's pointing out where the next book is coming from". It broke me up, although I guess you had to see it to appreciate it.
Too bad he screwed up by choosing Bush as VP. Who knows how things might have turned out if he had chosen someone else.
#12. To: Skip Intro (#11)
Just wondered what you thought of him. I think he was the greatest President of my lifetime. I agree with you about him picking Bush. I was just a young lad at the time but I vaguely remember Ford turning him down.
I have thought for a while that every president from here on out will be worse then their predecessory. So far it is proving to be true. Hopefully I am wrong.
#13. To: A K A Stone (#12)
I agree with you about him picking Bush. I was just a young lad at the time but I vaguely remember Ford turning him down.
I had to go look that up. Apparently Ford wanted an unprecidented power sharing agreement, probably like what Cheney got with Bush. Reagan would have nothing to do with it, so he went with Bush Sr.
#14. To: A K A Stone (#12)
I have thought for a while that every president from here on out will be worse then their predecessory. So far it is proving to be true. Hopefully I am wrong.
With Reagan, you had an individual that was better than the flawed system that produced him. A rare occurance, indeed.
The system that produces our presidents is corrupt and broken, and it deteriorates even more every election cycle. So yes - it is unlikely that it will ever produce another man or woman who is superior.
Day after day,
Alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool,
And he never gives an answer,
But the fool on the hill
#15. To: A K A Stone (#12)
Same view here.
I'll note that LBJ and Ford were both historical accidents.Neither man would have ever become President without two unique political earthquakes. And their performances while POTUS demonstrated clearly why that was so.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
#16. To: Badeye (#2)
When are the Democrats going to cut spending?
ROFLMAO!
Ok,THAT was funny!
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#17. To: e_type_jag (#6)
Boosh was s@@t.........and tell us EXACTLY what is different with the new pigmented boosh other than the 10Xlog(f(x)) increasing of stupid past policy?
Don't ya know? He is the new,improved Bush. He has all the updates and security patches. He IS Bush 4.0.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#18. To: The Fool On The Hill (#7)
The GOP tried to destroy Reagan in '76. When they couldn't do that, they co- opted him (like they will with today's conservatvies.) The price we paid for a Reagan was Bush. And his idiot son.
Well stated!
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#19. To: sneakypete, The Fool On The Hill (#18)
And don't forget that Reagan tried to co-apt the "Weiker Wing" of the GOP by stating that if he was "given" the nomination then Dick Schweiker would be his running mate.
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#20. To: war (#19)
And don't forget that Reagan tried to co-apt the "Weiker Wing" of the GOP by stating that if he was "given" the nomination then Dick Schweiker would be his running mate.
I don't remember anything about Weiker.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#21. To: (#0)
Pikers, pikers all.
This site is filled with PIKERS (see first definition).
So much so, I'm going to begin calling this 'the piker site' ...
No offense A K A Stone; it's the crowd that's attached itself ...
. .
#22. To: _Jim (#21)
Thanks for clearing that up...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#23. To: sneakypete (#20)
Lowell Weiker...GOP liberal...abandoned party and becamse governor of CT as an Indy...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#24. To: sneakypete (#17)
He has all the updates and security patches. He IS Bush 4.0.
GAAAAACCCCKKKK!!!!
Kind of makes one wax nostalgic on the ol' "Blue Screen" if you know what I'm talking about?
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way.
#25. To: e_type_jag (#24)
...if you know what I'm talking about?
No...
But I'm not alone.
Nor is anyone else.
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#26. To: war (#25)
...if you know what I'm talking about?No...
But I'm not alone.
No war, you are not alone.
Not that I'd expect you to be savvy to topics between Pete and I .
So don't you worry your little flat maoist noggin about things far above your intellectual plane....we have that covered.
However what you should be worried about is the coming boosh-sr/boosh-jr/nixon coup....you ARE in our sights and we ARE watching you. Tonight Badeye and I are parked around the corner from your basement hovel just "eye-ball-in" you.
BOOO!!!
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way.
#27. To: e_type_jag (#26)
...savvy to...
Helpful hint...NOONE is "savvy to" but one can be "savvy about"...
One can be "privy to" which is probably what you meant...
See, the problem with the Reader's Digest "It Pays To Enrich Your Word Power" is that it gives you no practical application of the words...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#28. To: war (#27)
Helpful hint...NOONE is "savvy to"
"Savvy to" works for me.
The day I start counting on you for "fact" will be the day I ask my toothbrush which funds might be best for my 401K.
But thanks for the attempt:)
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way.
#29. To: e_type_jag (#28)
"Savvy to" works for me.
Of COURSE it does...anyone who reads your posts is struck by the fact that your brain needs to catch up to your vocabulary...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#30. To: e_type_jag (#28)
...which funds might be best for my 401K.
I can he'p you there as well...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#31. To: war (#30)
...which funds might be best for my 401K.I can he'p you there as well...
Well....let me query Mr Oral-B first then we'll schedule a 3 way conference call.
It'll be my first conference call where I'm conversing with 2 inanimate objects in you and the toothbrush.....but who knows??
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way.
#32. To: war (#27)
Helpful hint...NOONE is "savvy to" but one can be "savvy about"...
Helpful hint....No one is two words.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#33. To: sneakypete (#32)
Don't ya hate it when a well placed rant ends up taking off one of yer own toes?
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#34. To: e_type_jag (#31)
I have only had one year under 20% return since the "internet meltdown" ended and that 2008...
But feel free to earn your <1%...it's not like I have to live on it...
The fact I was an RM2 escapes you obviously, and what that implies.
Boofer posted on 2007-01-30 16:42:29 ET Reply Trace
#35. To: sneakypete (#16)
It would be more amusing if we weren't goig bankrupt...but yeah, it is funny.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
#36. To: war (#33)
Don't ya hate it when a well placed rant ends up taking off one of yer own toes?
If "love" means "hate" in New Yorkese,yeah,I do.
Not that I have ever had this happen to me,you understand?
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
#37. To: sneakypete (#36)
Uh-huh...
Day 1 of Packrat refusing to register here.
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