Left Full Rudder, Aye!
Posted by: George Dienhart | 11/05/2008 7:15 AM
When I woke up this morning, the birds were still singing. Of course, their taxes won't go up. The sun was still shining- although, I've always thought it was a socialist. The sky, as I suspected was still blue. Though depressed, I've resigned myself not to act like the Democrats have acted for the past eight years. As always, I'll call 'em the way I see 'em. That's one thing that won't change. If Obama flips and decides to tack to the center- I'll tell you. However, now that he has won, the course will likey be "left full rudder" for the immediate future.
The question that lingers is what will change? I'm not talking about President elect Obama's plans for government. We've debated that for years. I am talking about what will change in the Republican party. While this election was not the complete disaster that left predicted, it was bad. How do we regroup?
The first thing we need to do is count our losses. As I write this we actually did better than expected in both the House and Senate. So far, we lost only 5 seats in Senate, and 15 seats in the house. This is 4 seats short of the Democrats Senate goal, and 10 seats short of their goal in the House. This is proof that no matter how the major media sells this, there is no left wing mandate. There is, however, a foundation for the GOP to build upon.
The foundation must be built on Republicans such as Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal and Michelle Bachman. They share something besides their conservative values. Youth. We as Republicans need to shake the perception that we are the party of, and for, elderly white guys. We need to get back to being the proper stewards of low taxes and cuts in spending. We need to offer a vision of a strong, safe, economically vibrant America. I fear that the left turn the nation has taken is not consistent with that vision. We need to offer ideas- not rhetoric. That will be the beginning of true change- and something neither party offered in this election cycle.
I mentioned youth above. I'm not taking a cheap shot at Sen. McCain. Age does seem to be more of an issue now than it was back in the eighties. Looking back at the last 5 Presidential elections there has been a trend. Clinton beat Bush. Clinton beat Dole. Bush's primary victory over McCain. Obama's primary victory over Clinton and general election victory over McCain. The political landscape has been undergoing a youth movement- and we ignored it in this election cycle. It's not the only reason Sen. McCain lost, but it is a contributing factor. We must, as sports fans say, go young.
I also mentioned some other things. We must take the lead in balancing the budget- again. To do this we must work with the "blue dog" democrats. This will be in direct opposition to the Obama/Pelosi/Reed faction within the Democratic party. This not only provides the nation with a much needed balanced budget, but it also splits the blue dog faction (nominally lead by Jim Webb) from the extreme left leadership. This is one area where we can and must work with the center of the Democratic party. It's good for the nation and a good political move.
Taxes. We are not likely to get a lot of help from the blue dogs on this. We must remain the opposition party on this. Obama's taxes will devastate the small business sector. We have to let them know that we are on their side. When Joe the plumber has to lay off Joe the apprentice because he can't afford to keep him on, we will need to be there for them. Unfortunately, we don't have the votes to prevent this- but we must speak out and offer alternatives that will grow business. This must be the foundation of our economic policy- we need to convince the middle class that we are trying to create jobs for them. We will also need to point out what the left has done. These economic figure should become readily apparent in time for the next mid term elections. We need to have ready a plan that cuts taxes on the middle class and all small business. This will drive the economy forward.
A strong defense. Obama has promised to leave troops in Iraq. This is a good start. He will reduce their number, redeploying troops to Afghanistan. We must ensure that he listens to the field commanders. If he does not, the right must hold him accountable foe each and every failure in Iraq. As President Bush leaves office, he has all but won the war in Iraq. If Obama manages to snatch defeat form the jaws of victory, he must take the blame for that defeat.
The biggest risk on defense is that the president elect will often defer, as opposed to making a decision. As president, you can't vote "present". As a war president, this course of action will cost Americans their lives. President Obama must be decisive with our enemies- not being caught up in endless rounds of negotiations. Such negotiations will only weaken us. When this does happen, Republicans must step up and be heard. With time, the results of such negotiations will become obvious. We must be willing to offer advice and council. We also must be willing to remind the electorate of such advice and council during the mid terms.
In closing, this is not the disaster that it could have been. The left did not get a filibuster proof majority in the Senate, and there is a faction of Democrats that will be inclined to work with us on some issues. We have two years to make our case, and point out the danger of the path that the president elect has laid out. We need to be positive, not bitter. Once we do this, we will be able to set course to a brighter future for America. A future that will create jobs- not a nanny state. A future that will keep America safe and strong, without giving credibility to the leftist thugs that the Obama administration is likely to negotiate with. In short, a better future for us all.
George, this piece is thoughtful and doable over the next 2 years. Thank you!
Went to bed last night praying Psalm 23. Woke up this morning with God still on His throne, walked my dog, read my Bible, said my rosary, ate my cereal, showered, dressed and came to work.
I am grieved for the heart and soul of our nation and will continue to pray for God's mercy.
I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of disappointed people come January when those mortgage payments still have to be paid and gas is not magically appearing in the gas tanks, and the 401Ks are still 201Ks. There will be the usual whining from the Dems. And that is one thing that won't change! LOL
Will write more tomorrow after a strategy session tonight. In the meantime, God bless you and GOD BLESS AMERICA.
I laughed out loud at the intro though a sobering analysis of the leftward tilt of the ship of state.
Thanks for the kind words!
Doc- "I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of disappointed people come January when those mortgage payments still have to be paid and gas is not magically appearing in the gas tanks, and the 401Ks are still 201Ks"
You are absolutly correct...
What kind of dystopian reality do you live in? Last time I checked the USA isn't being attacked by terrorist right and left, even if the current administration has tried it's hardest to make us the most hated country in the world.
Taxes? Taxes? All that matters in life is taxes, right? At the end of the day, we don't care if we bail out huge corporations with billions in profits, as long as they don't raise my taxes a bit. But, WAIT! Are they helping that poor man with MY money? How dare they pay someone's health care with MY money? Wonder what Jesus would have done... he didn't seem to care much about taxes.
What really pisses me off is that nowadays America isn't any more about integration, free trade with other countries, being a friendly mediator and being the biggest secular society with the most advanced technology. Now America means nation building (British Empire style), war, selfishness and religion taking rule of every aspect of life. Move a bit further into that region, and there's *no difference whatsoever* with the Muslim regimes in the Middle East Americans love to malign.
David-
I said nothing about nation building or religion. This is why conservativsim will make a big comeback in 2 years- liberals are bitter even in victory. Enjoy the next 4 years- America is not going to fall for this dog and pony show again...
This is an excellent commentary on what happened last night.
All is not lost, however if the Republican party is to survive this wave of liberalism in this country it must redefine itself for the 21st century. Fiscal conservatism must be our mantra in 2010 and beyond. The days of old white guys running government in the executive or legislative branches of our democracy are about to end. Caucasians are witnessing for maybe the first time in a Presidential election the changing of the electorate. We've known it was coming for years. The GOP must learn from the networking accomplished by the Obama campaign. It was effective and thrust him into office on a tsunami of Bush-hate. Mr. Dienhart addresses another important issue...Where will President-elect Obama lead from? The far left or more towards the middle...time will surely tell.
Who said anything about "YOUR" money David? If YOU choose to give YOUR money to pay for someone elses healthcare or anything else, THAT IS YOUR PRIVELEGE and right to do so. I want to choose who to give MY money to if I wish, and I do often. The government has NO right to steal MY money and give it to someone who most likely does not deserve it. It is better to teach a man to fish by providing job opportunity (which Obama will fail miserably) than to give the lazy bum a fish and watch him stay a lazy fool.
Dave-
To David your money is his money...
George, don't get me wrong. I agree with a lot of what, 30 years ago, was called "conservative thought". I'm against gun control as much as the next guy, and I don't think bigger regulations and unions will help the economy, etc.
Hey! I'm even all for bailing out the fat cats if it helped the economy... except it doesn't and it further aggravates the problem.
The problem with conservatism these days it's that's too diluted, and it includes such risky tenets as gay hating, warmongering, and a bunch of stuff that certainly doesn't have *anything* to do with the true conservative values. I think this self-serving, retarded form of conservatism isn't coming back in the short term.
What worries me is that people willing to go back to the "old, good" conservatism won't have a candidate. Well, there's always Ron Paul, but you know he won't fly when running against such luminaries as Sarah Palin (gasp!). So, the risk being choosing a Democrat that won't do much and a Republican that digs us a deeper hole, I'd rather go with the Democrat.
David,
Ron Pauls anti-semitism and racism is no differnt than the gay bashing you point out. He's definatly not the answer.
Sarah Palin has lived what Ron Paul pretends to be. So has Bobby Jindal. They are a youthful, energetic portrait of the future of American conservatism.
George, to me MY money is the money I earned with my work, and YOUR money is the money you earned with yours.
Don't be silly, what I was pointing out is that under the current neocon thinking it's OK to be socialist (and waste MY and YOUR money) when it involves making sure a multi-billion investment bank has enough liquidity to pay a ridiculously high bonus to its CEO, but not to help your next of kin.
How do you justify that? And no, "trickle down" doesn't work I'm afraid.
I think you points on taxes made everyone assume you were an agry liberal. So what, you are an angry Libertarian?
Point is, we got what we got. I certainly don't agree with socialism, but what we are going to see over the next 2 years is going to make the bailout look good in comparison.
Oh George, just now I see where you are coming from.
So, for you someone with exactly 0 experience in foreign affairs, the most socialistic state out of the fifty (even she says that they live off what the oil companies pay in taxes!) and barely able to repeat talking points over a microphone when supposed to be answering questions (and getting angry when a question is re-asked and she has no answer) is a personification of what the Republican party should become?
C'mon, you must be joking.
BTW, yeah, Ron Paul seems to be anti-Semitic nutter and whatnot, but at least he (allegedly) wants to keep that away from the legislation.
George, I agree with you in that what's coming might be shit, but I completely disagree on your point that "we got what we've got". We could have much better. It's this lazy assumption that we have to accept and be happy with what the party throws us that got us in this mess.
Anyway, I'm adding you to my news reader, it's always good to see the other side of things :)
Cheers,
David
George,
Counter to you, I went to bed in a rather sour mood and awoke with the same taste in my mouth. Wanting to make the best of the situation, I sought solace in the company of my work mates, most of which are moderate to conversative Repulicans. One of team made a very candid statement when he said, "I voted for Obama." He continued, "I didn't vote for him, but rather against our party who seems to forget who they work for." I was at first taken aback, but quickly realized that others in the group felt the same way. After short analysis of the mornings events, I came to realize that your points are very well made and need to be worked toward; but I also realized that my workmates are right as well. Our party needs to stop the self loving oration and listen to those who can help us change our course.
Most question asked of Gov. Palin were framed to make her look bad. I think we both know that. Additional what candidate has had forign affairs experience? DId Reagan? Does Ron Paul?
The payments made from the oil companies to the people of Alaska originated well before Gov. Palin was elected. Like any entitlement it is virtually impossible to kill.
David,
Thanks for the add. I do agree- we could have had much better. I mearly mean we can't change what we have- at least not for another 4 years.
Paul,
I agree- we need to make politicians listen. The best way is to vote them out of office. The trick is, they need to hear stories like what happened in your office. They need to know that their peers were fired- not victimized. Then they will be more responsible to their constituents.
I guess we, conservatives, who don't want to have our "wealth redistributed" are not the same as those Pam the Moochers who want the Prez to take our money through taxes and give it to her so she can fill her gas tank? I'm very confused. Because I want control over who I give my money to, then I'm selfish? And Jesus would just let Caesar take his money and redistribute? Don't think so.
He said, Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. I want to give everything to God and very little to Caesar! As a free person, I should be able to do that!
Look, the people voted their pocketbooks yesterday, not their principles, so please, don't bring up Jesus. He wasn't in the election booth with most of you yesterday!!
Doc,
I guess we will have to see what freedom means in Obamaland...
I am waiting to see what he backtracks on.Not so easy to spout promises when you have to act on them.
george,I am a disheartened person today and try to remind myself that my life probably wont change much!
Tho I wanted to punch some women who were screaming "Obamaaa" in the jury room.God help us all
Yep, it's been a long day for all many of us...
Your taxes are going up!!!! So you are making over $250K? Wow, leaving Chicago must have been good for you!!!
Btw, if you want to calculate how much more in taxes you will have to pay when compared to McCain - use this site:
http://taxcut.barackobama.com
For me - Obama's tax cut was almost 4 times bigger than McCain's.
Nermin,
Welcome to Red County!
Unfortunatly, we'll be taxed on legislation that is passed, vs. promises that were made (and will be broken). As late as last weekend, Biden declared that the cut off was down to 150k. The actual Obama plan has already moved down to 200k- your 250k figure is out of date.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/28/mccain-jumps-on-bidens-tax-comment/
Thanks for the link George, and I hope you do not mind a little sarcasm from my previous comment. Just trying to be funny. I am aware of that, and I believe that McCain has raised that in the third debate, forcing Obama to explain it a bit better.
And while I understand that you are a bit weary, about trusting a democrat, I think Obama has actually been consistent on this. If you are making up to $250K your taxes do not go up. Less than $200K the go down.
The murky thing is what happens to Bush tax Cut. I hope for following. Obama tax cuts are combined with Bush tax cuts and enacted next year to stimulate growth. Then in 2010, Bush tax cut is just allowed to expire, and that combined with our withdrawal from Iraq by somewhere in 2011 should account for cutting big chunk from a deficit. Hopefully economy turns around by then too.
Again - this is an optimistic view of mine, and I completely understand if you disagree with that.
As far as the point of your article - I must point to something that I find despicable. We all have seen the interviews of Sarah Palin and have seen two sides of the issue arguing for and against her qualifications as a commander in chief. And I am ok with that - it is part of vetting the candidate.
But after the elections were over I have noticed this flood of news coming from these "anonymous" source in McCain camp, about Sarah being diva, unmanageable, then the most ridiculous of all "the towel story". It appears to me that there are certain elements in the back of that campaign that intentionally want to drag Sarah's name trough the mud, kind of trying to assure that she does not become a leader of Republican party. I find that extremely unfair. They picked her - it was their call. She has done nothing but poured her heart into it, and I have seen as many of us been excited about Obama in my camp, people been excited about Sarah in yours. And now I see same folks behind the scenes that decided that Ayers and "terrorist" attack on Obama was a more effective attack on Obama (I guess because of hiss middle name), instead of one that you and I know would have worked - Rezko! These folks made so many mistakes, and yet they are finding someone else to blame. If they are effective in selling that - that leaves them in charge. You have to take your party back from a "back-room dealers" - if that makes sense...
Just my 2c
The infamous towel incident?
Here’s how Newsweek described it: “After a minute, Palin sailed into the room wearing nothing but a towel, with another on her wet hair. She told them to chat with her laconic husband, Todd. ‘I’ll be just a minute,’ she said.”
IF this happened, and I have my doubts, iIt was a hotel room. She was showing far less skin in a towel than she would have been in a swimsuit- this is a former model. Dressinf areas for beauty pagents, and fasion events are open to men and women- people are to busy to be modest. I can imagine that the VP candidate was also a little busy.
As far as the sources. It's sour grapes. Everyone is trying to pin it on Gov. Palin beacuse the campaign was managed so poorly.
They're trying to smear Palin, in order to assure that she's not going to help create a real conservative movement. The Country Club Republicans want to hang onto their control of the party (not that they're really controlling it now, but they like to think they are).
I have read that same description from Newsweek George. I did not even want to mention details of that part because I find it ridiculous. I mean they showed up in her hotel room after what must have been hectic 20 hour day, and she asked them to talk to Todd while she finishes with shower or whatever.
The fact that this was raised says much more about those guys than about Gov. Palin. I think Talkinkamel has a good point too. And like I said - I am a democrat - share no love with Palin, but this is absolutely unfair!