The GOP Doesn’t Need Leaders like McConnell and Steele
The priority of the Republican Party is to win the trust of the voters they lost after they betrayed their conservative principles. Here’s a tip for those trying to decide who to trust: If someone plays politics with war, then they’ll play politics with less trivial matters. And that’s why voters should demand leaders unlike Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and RNC Chairman Michael Steele.
In July, Bill Kristol and other Republicans called on Michael Steele to resign after he criticized the war in Afghanistan in a reckless and mind-bogglingly stupid fashion. The blunder began with three errors in two sentences: “This was a war of Obama’s choosing. This is not something the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in,” Steele said. Needless to say, the war began under Bush and to say it wasn’t “actively prosecuted” means that he was criticizing Bush without even realizing it.
He then continued to make a remark that is only a notch or two below Harry Reid’s irresponsible declaration that the Iraq war was “lost.” He said, “Well, if he’s such a student of history, has he not understood that, you know, that’s the only thing you don’t do, is engage in a land war in Afghanistan, alright, because everyone who’s tried over a thousand years of history has failed.” Steele was so eager to criticize Obama yet so ignorant that he actually ended up criticizing Bush (again, without realizing it) for sending combat forces into Afghanistan.
Mitch McConnell is a similar case, except he can’t fall back on claiming ignorance. He repeatedly accused Democrats demanding a withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq of retreating and handing the enemy a victory. He knew the consequences of a hasty drawdown in Iraq because he was one of the leading voices articulating them.
Now we know from President Bush’s book, Decision Points, that McConnell came to Bush in 2006 and pleaded for him to “bring some troops home from Iraq” because “your unpopularity is going to cost us control of the Congress.” Bush rejected the idea. “I made it clear I would set troop levels to achieve victory in Iraq, not victory at the polls,” he writes. If McConnell acted so hypocritically and so politically when things got rough, why should voters trust him to not buckle in the future? If he was willing to play politics with war, what makes you think he won’t do the same with things like government spending?
Many Republicans high off of their big victory on November 2 will say that they’ll hold their leaders’ feet to the fire so it won’t happen again and that they deserve to be rewarded for the congressional gains. I’ve got news for you — the Republican Party underperformed the polls. Those gains largely came because of an anti-Democratic and anti-incumbent environment, not because of any genius on the part of the leadership.
“The priority of the Republican Party is to win the trust of the voters they lost after they betrayed their conservative principles.”
The voters should never trust their political leaders in such a manner. They must be watched on a consistent and never ending basis. Our country is in deep danger because too many Americans seek another Jimmy Stewart to send to Washington so they can go back to their regular business. This attitude is unrealistic, if not even utopian. Our participation of a few hours a week is minimally required. The same would be true of any party. The Republican Party could be abandoned—but the exact same problems would soon reappear.
Well said #1
While the myriad regulatory catastrophies continue to pour forth from this administration…we’re stuck trying to “compromise” with the President, an act which in itself seems anti-Constitutional to me.
The Left is doubling down on thier efforts and the Republican Party, quite frankly, needs a miracle to overcome this onslaught. Purging the likes of Steele and O’Connell is a good place to start, but we need leaders that know how to fight, have the courage to fight, are willing to fight, and be able stand tall while they kick ass and take names. It’s gonna have to be a woman; since there’s a distinct lack of males with the gonads to do the job.
Why can the Republicans not draw attention to the latest revelations of total corruption in the funneling of monies to businesses and organisations to the tune of 3+Trillion greenbacks; in 2008????
This stuff is astonishing…there’s no room for double-mindedness in combatting Communism and Islam…none. Yet this is what we have and it’s killing us.
I had no trouble understanding what steele said. What he meant was:
1) that Obama had himself stated in his campaign that the Afghanistan war should have first priority.
2) that Afghanistan attacked the US first, therefore the war was a defensive war the US had to fight. It was not a choice.
In my opinion, People that has trouble understanding this needs a brain implant.
This entire debate over what steele said is based on a sentence that was not perfectly put together. It was a speaking error. I make them 10 times every day. It has nothing to with how the guy stands on issues. And absolutely nothing to do with how he is able to organize the GOP’s campaign efforts.
If Steele is able to organize the GOP so they win elections, he should stay. Everything else is redundant.
Steele has never been able to form a coherant strategy for countering the Dims. He couldn’t even duplicate the strategy that the Dims used so successfully against Bush for eight years: criticize, criticize, criticize.
Steele and McConnell need to be removed from their respective offices as soon as possible to make way for leaders who are responsive to the needs of the nation and will act on them in a postive way to benefit the country, all the time and at every opportunity. It’s clear that they, along with several other RINOs, are not up to the tasks required of them.
If they’re playing politics with real-world issues in order to make themselves look good or to garner more power, then they clearly don’t have what it takes to make America great.
And your offering is the epitome of literacy and clarity?
The rational course is to understand what Steele said; not what you imagine he might have really meant.
Steele is both ignorant and shortsighted. He seems more qualified as a day laborer than a political executive, particularly in view of his immoral behavior.
Your functionally illiterate defense of Mr. Steele smacks of racism. He is as ignorant and illiterate as you, and immoral on top of it. I wouldn’t let him slop my hogs.
Well, the criticism of the war is correct. Furthermore, it is an attack on policy, rather than just politics. Steele is right that Obama chose this war by elevating it during the campaign. He took possession of it, in order to demonize the war in Iraq. Now he is forced to fight it. McConnell’s arguments are merely an echo of Obama’s own words accusing Bush of ignoring Afghanistan.
However, their approach IS a bit hypocritical. It is also bad politics. The better approach would be to make the argument that this is a generational war, but Obama is trying to find the earliest possible, politically-acceptable exit. Either you are all in or all out, when it comes to war.
“Either way is acceptable to Republicans. Just choose one. Of course, the voters may see withdrawal for what it is: You never meant all the words in the first place about Afghanistan being the war of necessity.”
I don’t think it is necessarily being weaselly. It is not called the Stupid Party for nothing.
America needs new leaders.
The republicans have lost my confidence. I’m hoping the Tea party movement would make a difference.
It’s time for America to clean the house.
Dear Dr. Bones,
Talk about “planned obsolescence”! Neocomrade (fifth class) R X. Mauro managed to win me and then lose me in under three seconds.
You must admit, sir, that “The GOP Doesn’t Need Leaders like McConnell and Steele” has its merits. What the Daughters of Virtue & Sons of Wisdom LLC need, obviously, is more Leaders of the Von Böhner and Von Kantor stripe, honourable an’ gallant neo- or pseudo-Prussians. No-More-Mr.-Nice-Guy guys. Not just foxcuckoos, but *rabid* foxcuckoos. [1]
Thus the NC5 RXM mechanism had me with it from Square Zero, which, being a headline, may have come from a Padjaamastání editor, after all. But then a funny thing happened on the way to Square One . . . .
Look at that first sentence that must have been emitted by the mechanism itself:
From out here in the bushes on the far side of the asylum fence, what the kiddies an’ their Kiddiemasters are up to within is often unclear, but we may lay it down with confidence that nobooby (other than itself) has ever designated NC5 RXM Freelord Custodian of Priorities. Why, the neocomrades do not even have such an office, at least not in their above-ground apparat![2]
Furthermore, it (the mechanism) appeals to some Secret History of Modern Times that I have never studied. Thus I have no idea exactly when the Party din’alin’s “betrayed their conservative principles.” Familiarity with the likes of NC5 RXM, however, makes me suspect that it may suppose many or most of its neocomrades to be betrayin’ True Selfservatism left an’ right pretty near every chance that comes down the pike.
Of course its notion that Televisionland and the electorate agree with it about the supposed trahison des jerques is pure dottiness: that sort of thing is why we laugh from them.[3]
Happy days (through affordable health care)
___
[1] The Freelord (hon. caus.) of Steele is an especially unfortunate misfortune for Party an’ AEIdeology: the name so full of promise, the performance so unsatisfactory! Plus his freelordship manages to LOOK so little like Rio Limbaugh.
As to the other nominee, well, the fewer Mac’s and O’s, the better. Everybooby knows *that* rule.
[2] The Underground Elephant must be a topic of great interest to every neocomradologist, but naturally accurate information is difficult to obtain: oddly enough, the paladins of the Secret Sector are not too bad at Party secrecy.
If there does exist some one Lord High Prioritiser–which seems to me unlikely, mais que sçay-je?–then her freeladyship the H.P. definitely ought to add punishin’ NC5 RXM to one of her little lists. Even if it only disclosed the classified information inadvertently, an example ought to be made! And this *could* be a matter of espionage or treason. Imagine, sir, what could happen if Saul Alinsky or Bill Ayers or Mr. Olbermann were to kidnap, even assassinate, the High Prioritizer, now that they know she exists!
[3] Should you be perversely determined to give NC5 RXM the benefit of every doubt, sir, I see that you could read its words very strictly: the Party of Grant & Hoover, it claims, once upon a time possessed “the trust of the voters” but then ‘lost’ it. It does not explain exactly what the Homeland™ers were trusting the PoGH to be or to do. It does not, for that matter, actually accuse the Homeland™ers of actually votin’ for the PoGH on the basis of this ‘trust’, even though it does refer to them as ‘voters’.
So, then: a pretender could pretend, without flatly contradicting the NC5 RXM device, that this check was intentionally left blank, that “the trust of the voters” has always been, say, that militant extremist Republicans will always pull a goldwater when they think they can get away with it.
The chances that it (the mechanism) original-intented anythin’ of that sort are negligible.
On the other hand, I cannot deny that NC5 RXM thinks that such OUGHT to be the attitude of Televisionland, with, naturally, the proviso that to pull a goldwater is always a grand and noble act. A YaleoDramatic (Pat. Pend. kind of act, even, maybe.
Madison Avenue assures us (or used to) that the single adjective most likely to lure the Homelander™ers to buy a food product is ‘bland’, an analysis I have always found dreadfully plausible and would extend to political gastronomy. This means that the mechanism is not goin’ta get that indispensable proviso any time soon. Should the couch potatoes ever clearly decide that the Party of Hoover is indeed the Party of Goldwater, why, then most of them will be voting for somebody else.
The Freelord of McConnell is possibly a little TOO bland, while the honourary Freelord of Steele serves to remind us that unblandness is not the only political fault, but these are, in my view, rule-proving exceptions. By and large, the rule BLAND WORKS BEST is sound enough. ’Tis but a rebuttable assumption, if you insist, yet the level of rebuttal required is high.
In that case, the NC5 RXM mechanism proposes to steer its Party straight toward the rocks, which is certainly OK by me.
The single, rational notion you offer, “I don’t know…” resonates with truth and is surely sound. Does the phrase, “Baffle ‘em with bullshit” ring a bell? Shame on your silly hoax!
‘Tis why we have what we have in DC.
The solution? Get conservatives to win elections in 38 States and convene a Constitutional Convention. Make it a permanent Convention. Then propose and pass Amendments that control the unbridled power of the Federal government and those that have their hands on the levers. It’s the only way to put the public back into Republic.
You know who would be a great replacement for RNC Chairman Michael Steele? Sarah Palin. Just think of money she could raise and the political races she could influence. She would also dramatically increase interest in the Republican Party while pushing conservative views and candidates. But she would never go for the job. Pity, she would be a natural for it and she could even keep her many day jobs as well. She would also be increasing her publicity for a potential presidential run in the future. It would be a smart move, but she would probably never go for it.
I agree with David Thompson. After all, politicians want to get re-elected (should they not want to?) and the polls tell them how to do it. It is better to make them fear the electoral consequences of their actions than to hope for more “authentic” leaders. In fact, commonplace politicians mostly concerned about staying in office are much less of a problem than the ideologues–McConnell could come over to support the ban on earmarks because he could read the prevailing political winds, while the democrats ignored the polls regarding Obamacare–it would have been better if the Democrats had been less authentic. If politicans have their eyes on the desires of their constituents, then we can win by creating a more informed public.
Finding another Jimmy Stewart is never the answer. The general public must do its part. Sadly, few people spend even a couple hours a week keeping up on the issues of the day. We must begin guilt tripping them for their laziness.
There are two types of victims of propaganda. The unfortunate individual living in North Korea can do next to nothing to find out the truth. They are truly victims of their evil regime. In America—many people are simply too lazy. They spend a few minutes here and there paying attention to the MSM and refuse to invest a little more time to get a fuller understanding of the news. Yup, these folks richly deserve to be guilt tripped.
AMEN!!!!!
And lets not forget the lacking of even elementary analytical skills!
Beware the politician too eager to “win your trust.” Politicians are experts at determining what you want to hear and saying it to you. They’re Mankind’s most despicable sub-species. Our new Republican majority in the House of Representatives, and our strengthened Republican caucus in the Senate, are already demonstrating that they’ll sell the nation down the river for the right price.
The only hope we have of gaining anything from electoral politics is to put our candidates’ cojones in an inescapable vise, and let them know plainly that we’ll close that vise the moment they depart from the “principles” they’ve espoused to gain our votes. Failing that, there’s only mass revolt.
Politicians should never be blindly trusted. Human beings are flawed creatures and their behavior must constantly be checked and balanced. This requires constant vigilance. A few hours a week keeping up on the issues should suffice. Those who have failed to do their part must be guilt tripped. That’s the real answer—and not silly talk about third parties and revolutions. No political system can thrive when too many of the citizenry is “bored by politics.”
I agree with that assessment wholeheartedly. The conservative/GOP/Tea Party has helped propel some exciting young(er) people into both houses of congress. People like Rand Paul, Governor Christie, Reps Cantor, Ryan, etal certainly represent my views of how the conservative movement should direct itself. I look to these young turks to lead our side in the future; hopefully the NEAR future!
I am no fan of Steele or McConnell but Steele’s comments about Afghanistan ring true. Mr. Obama chose to focus his war effort on Afghanistan and referred to Iraq as a diversion from the real war during the campaign. Now that Obama has the war he wanted, he is bungling it royally. Bush deserves some criticism for his conduct of the war in Afghanistan as well as Iraq.
I sent the RNC a letter about six months ago telling them my dissatisfaction with the leadership in the Republican Party. The only good thing to come from that letter is that they remove me from their mailing list, haven’t heard a word from them since. Politics and power is the Almighty God to these people. Reminds me of the old saying ” you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.”
Mr. Mauro speaks the truth. Rare these days. I recall the comment about Clinton that ” If his wife can’t trust him why should any one else ?” The “Old Guard” Republicans need to go away as their style politics gave the country over to Obama and friends. Now they ask us to trust them to turn things around. Not unlike asking Barney Frank to clear up the Fanny/ Freddy mess. Yet he keeps his job. Let’s hope the Tea Party can continue surging and promoting patriots. Lets watch closely those Tea Party winners who made it to DC- Will they be corrupted by the career track mentality and the “good old boy” dynamics ? Hard to be optimistic when you look at the current crowd of opportunists running the country as a cover for self promotion. Obama may well win in 2012 given the general stupidity of the Republican party and American media led voters.
I think you probably meant to say the “New Guard” Republicans should go away. The “Old Guard” Republicans haven’t been around since the Reagan era…actually before that! I turned heels and switched to the GOP in 1952 and the GOP started going downhill systemically from the 60′s. They had a significant and historic opportunity in the 90′s and blew it! Until the GOP gets back to its Traditional Platform of constitutional ideology, I’m afraid they remain a multi-ideological and lost cause.
1) Repudiating the Bush legacy in a visceral fashion would actually give the Republicans some credibility with the public again.
2) Steele is actually mostly correct in pointing out that no one has been successful at occupying and transforming Afghanistan.
I think this the plain truth. McConnell is part and parcel of the whole stinking mess in Washington, D.C. When we take the Senate in 2012, he would not be my choice for Senate Majority Leader, seniority be damned. Come to think of it, it seems Mr. Boehner has been right there in the thick of the mismanagement for years. Why do we think the same Republican bonehead leadership that was part of the previous problem is going to set things right going forward?
“If they’ll put politics above national security, they’ll put politics above you.” REDUNDANT!!! Because if they put politics above national security they already have put politics above EVERYTHING, and it’s called treason!!!
You can add Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney or any other republican elites from the good old boy politic, not to run. If you want change in Washington then vote for some strong young republican male or female. When you clean the body you get rid of the old blood or it will contaminate the new blood. I lean more towards a female candidate for president because the men have screwed things up long enough. Women have always come up with new ideas before men!
There should be NO RNC or DNC so that is my response to Steele.
The States should be the only GOP & Dem organizations and allot a percentage of funds to the cost of a national convention. Presidential races (Primary & General) should be funded soley by States funding and $50m per candidate in the General election from federal taxpayer funding and assisted by the old system of patriotic PSA’s through the media by ONLY the candidate created ad’s.
McConnell! I have NO appreciation for this politician. However, he is accomplished at knowing how to use the convoluted, corrupted congressional rules, from either the offense OR defense side of the “game” expecially, in the environment of the past 18 years. Otherwise McConnell is just a butter knive in a drawer full of chef’s culinary knives.
These 2 hosers should be thrown out with all of the left over turkey bones from Thanksgiving….
The far right conservatives always want things done their way and large numbers of voters disagree with their stands on many issues. The conservatives in Virginia always managed to get their candidates nominated but those candidates lost by big margins in Northern Virginia. I was very surprised that the ultra conservative won the gubernatorial election.
LOL Your post is self-defeating.
“The far right conservatives always want things done their way and large numbers of voters disagree with their stands on many issues.” But then you are surprised that an ultra-conservative won? Perhaps the people do not disagree so much after all.
Truthfully, it’s not like VA has not elected Conservatives before. Gilmore is Conservative. He ran for President last time, you might remember.
So, let’s take a look at Conservatives and what they believe in. Let’s see how many of their position folks really disagree with, shall we? Let’s see how extreme we are?
Abortion. More than 50% of the people now oppose it.
Gay Marriage. Goes down to defeat at the ballot box every single time. 35 straight defeats.
Gays in military. DADT was THE compromise. End of discussion.
Immigration law enforcement. Folks were buying the lies, until Americans started getting kidnapped and killed. Jan Brewer has high national approval ratings. Now THERE’S someone who could run for President and maybe win.
Fiscal responsibility? Balanced budgets? Unimpeachable on this issue.
National defense? Lots of opinions on this. No one consensus, even amongst Conservatives. Strong defense, but how strong? Most folks, however, believe in strong defense.
If you look at Conservative positions, most folks actually agree with almost all of them.
Donna, you have simply been buying the Leftist lies that we are “extreme”. Conservatives, by definition, are not extreme.
But what Donna is saying is that whatever you are, you don’t have the votes. If you edge the shifting center slightly to the right, you have a good chance, but if you hold forth on all ten of your commandments of conservative principles…you lose. Settle for five or six and keep them economic. But your problem is that you feel your other four so deeply, that you rarely can shut up about them. You can win on guns but not gays etc.
To: JHM, aka whatever:
The GOP promised us the Contract With America. Read it and weep. They just didn’t do it.
We The TEA People,, Have only One Mission Statement ,, Take Back Our COUNTRY ,, Now , Who didn’t want to Listen to The CITIZENS ?
["Take Back Our COUNTRY"]
The rhetoric of “TEA” candidates elected somehow does NOT align with [your] mission statement!
Not a single “TEA” candidate has ever addressed fixing the real underlying causation(s) of the problems that brought our nation to this point in time and circumstance. Most are stuck on rhetoric and way short on realistic comprehensive strategic plans and implementation. All are stuck on playing with the least of the economic problem; i.e., the measley 40% of the budget called disreationary spending while ignore the 60% non-discreationary spending that is sinking the nation. None of the TEA’s talk about the real national debt that includes non-funded debt and interest on the debt.
Don’t get me wrong! We need drastic change but, I’m not seeing anything positive thus far, from the “TEA’s” and the poor field of candidates and rhetoric they have supported.