Opinions/Editorials
See other Opinions/Editorials Articles
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: 8144
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.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 36.
#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....
#2. To: go65 (#1)
When are the Democrats going to cut spending?
#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.
#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
#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.
#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.
#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?
#25. To: e_type_jag (#24)
...if you know what I'm talking about?
No...
But I'm not alone.
Nor is anyone else.
#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!!!
#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...
#32. To: war (#27)
Helpful hint...NOONE is "savvy to" but one can be "savvy about"...
Helpful hint....No one is two words.
#33. To: sneakypete (#32)
Don't ya hate it when a well placed rant ends up taking off one of yer own toes?
#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?
Replies to Comment # 36.
Uh-huh...
End Trace Mode for Comment # 36.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]