30 January 2005
'Moderates' Could Orchestrate GOP Disaster in '08
In spite of the noteworthy successes of the terror war, I have noted here, here, and here , areas of convern with administrative policies, especially relating to issues concerning border security (or more accurately, border insecurity). The GOP may well find itself rhetorically out-flanked TO THE RIGHT by the likes of Hillary on this, and some other issues, like a defense of marriage amendment, etc. (Of course, this begs the very different question of Hillary's sincerity on these issues, which on the face of it doesn't exist.)
Here's a further treatment of this question from the GOPUSA site. I can't say that I disagree with the basic point being made - the GOP will be vulnerable to this sort of wedge unless it takes a decisive and more consistant conservative stance. When it does so, it wins (1980, '84, '92, '04). When it goes soft on the core issues, it loses ('76, '92, '96). Fail to remember history, and it'll bite you in the butt every time.
My own view right now the administration looks shaky on a lot of issues except the terror war. Alternatives like the Libertarians, Constitutional Party, etc. are better on those other issues, but fatally flawed in failing to recognize the transcendent significance of dealing with the Islamofascist offensive against the core of Western Civilization. We cannot survive the jihad by adopting the attitude of traditional American isolationism, whether accompanied and justified by ideological purity or not. The answer? I don't know...we need a Goldwater-Reagan type torch bearer - but where are they?
Here's a further treatment of this question from the GOPUSA site. I can't say that I disagree with the basic point being made - the GOP will be vulnerable to this sort of wedge unless it takes a decisive and more consistant conservative stance. When it does so, it wins (1980, '84, '92, '04). When it goes soft on the core issues, it loses ('76, '92, '96). Fail to remember history, and it'll bite you in the butt every time.
My own view right now the administration looks shaky on a lot of issues except the terror war. Alternatives like the Libertarians, Constitutional Party, etc. are better on those other issues, but fatally flawed in failing to recognize the transcendent significance of dealing with the Islamofascist offensive against the core of Western Civilization. We cannot survive the jihad by adopting the attitude of traditional American isolationism, whether accompanied and justified by ideological purity or not. The answer? I don't know...we need a Goldwater-Reagan type torch bearer - but where are they?
