Monday, October 01, 2007
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Conservatives Betrayed: Richard Viguerie on a New Political Party
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
7:49 PM
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I had a chance to interview conservative icon Richard Viguerie, this evening.
Viguerie is a well-respected conservative leader who is considered a founder of the modern conservative movement. Most recently, he has been critical of the Bush Administration, and authored a book titled Conservative Betrayed.
... He is also one of about 43 conservative leaders who attended a recent top-secret meeting about a possible 3rd party movement.
Based on what he told me, much of the reporting and speculation today -- including mine -- has been incorrect.
Viguerie believes the conservative movement has been lied to by the establishment Republicans for 45 years, and that it may be time to launch a true conservative party. He resents the idea espoused by some Republicans that conservatives "have no other place to go."
He tells me that the 3rd party rumor isn't an ad hoc one-time effort to stop Rudy Giuliani, as was reported (I wonder how the rumors that this was about Rudy got started???). Instead, it is a long-term paradigm shift in which conservatives will forever leave the GOP, it's natural home since Ronald Reagan:
"If we do this, we're going to do a very well thought-out, well-planned effort ... this is not something that will be effective just for the '08 presidential election."
Unlike other years when conservatives have fielded candidates merely to make a point, Viguerie tells me this new idea "goes far beyond the '08 elections".
He believes Republicans have gone crazy with spending -- and that the brand has been destroyed. He says conservatives are demanding new Republican leadership to "get conservatives to the political promise land." And he accuses GOP leaders of "bribing" voters. It may be that the Republican Party can't be saved," Viguerie tells me.
According to Viguerie, after years of being treated like a "mistress," conservatives are finally fed-up with the GOP. As evidence, he cites a litany of historical examples: In 1948, Dewey ran a liberal Henry Cabot Lodge on his ticket and lost an election he should have won. 1960, Nixon sold out and put liberal on the ticket and lost. 1976, Ford installed Nelson Rockefeller on the ticket and lost. George H. W. Bush betrayed conservatives across the board ...
When I mentioned my recent interview with Rep. Pete Sessions -- and the argument that a 3rd party challenge will only result in electing Hillary Clinton -- Viguerie boldly declares: "That's a very unsophisticated argument that angers conservatives."
He dismisses what a source told me earlier today about Roy Moore possibly being the 3rd party candidate. Viguerie tells me Roy Moore's name never came up at the meeting (a source told me today he was a leading pick to be the 3rd party candidate). He also tells me the concerns voiced were not just among social conservatives (as was widely reported today), but also includes fiscal conservatives, as well.
Listen below ...
Note: The audio quality starts off as extremely bad, but dramatically improves as after about 20 seconds. It's worth putting up with...
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True conservatives that measure conservatism in principles other than just apposing terrorism, have had enough! If we wanted bigger Government, more taxes and spending, non-support for family values, abortion on demand, less liberty through federal intervention, and a Congress that can't rein in the Executive Branch, WE WOULD BECOME DEMOCRATS! This GOP has given us Iminant Domain, out of control immigration and a national debt beyond my ability to count the zeros. America's 2 liberal parties(GOP & DEMS)can fight over liberal voters when we are gone! |
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The Republican Party under GWB seems intent on political suicide. Pandering to citizens of other countries illegally in our country while telling us we must be vigilantes if we object to illegal aliens ignoring our borders and laws. Mel Martinez is RNC Chairman to ensure an open borders candidate in '08. The cheap labor express will be kept running, regardless of the consequences, to party or country. GOP-RIP |
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The time is NOT now, especially if the Dems put up HRC. Her negatives could lead to a GOP win. Any of the GOPS, especially Rudy, would be likely to nominate strict constructionist SCOTUS justices. Then a third party could spawn from a position of relative strength, rather than the disintegration of the current presidency. |
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Oh boy Roy Moore, Gary Bauer and a player to be named later. The vote totals will make Ron Paul's last run seem like he was right on the verge of suceeding! Seriously, is that all you got? Sheesh. I am as conservative as the next guy and I am staying put and dragging everyone I know out to vote to make sure the Hidebeast does not get back into the White House. The bespoiled the place enough the last time. |
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Is he related to the lone ranger? |
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I'll give him credit, Vig knows when to 'cut and run' from his own party. |
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"1960, Nixon sold out and put liberal on the ticket and lost." Of course he did; how was Nixon supposed to run without putting himself on the ticket? |
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Maybe my essays aren't so nutty after all. What a difference a couple of days makes. I just heard LA City Council member Michael Antonivich making strong statements against the $1 billion LA spends annually for welfare for illegals and sanctuary city. Somebody pinch me. Oh my God! I've fallen asleep and can't wake up! I saw this in a movie once and it didn't end well. |
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So here are our choices:
1. We can vote for the party of federally-funded pharmeceuticals, No Child Left Behind and IAIA (Illegal Amnesty for Illegal Aliens).
2. We can vote for the party of interventionist big government that doesn't give a flying rat's rear about defending our border and our sovereignty.
Tell me again - WHY should a conservative show up for such an election? |
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Has the Bush Cheney “debt does not matter” leadership style ended hope for the GOP in 08?
Deficit Hawks Defect
As Social Issues Prevail;
‘The Party Left Me’
By JACKIE CALMES
October 2, 2007; Page A1
WallStreetJournal — The Republican Party, known since the late 19th century as the party of business, is losing its lock on that title.
New evidence suggests a potentially historic shift in the Republican Party’s identity — what strategists call its “brand.” The votes of many disgruntled fiscal conservatives and other lapsed Republicans are now up for grabs, which could alter U.S. politics in the 2008 elections and beyond.
Some business leaders are drifting away from the party because of the war in Iraq, the growing federal debt and a conservative social agenda they don’t share. In manufacturing sectors such as the auto industry, some Republicans want direct government help with soaring health-care costs, which Republicans in Washington have been reluctant to provide. And some business people want more government action on global warming, arguing that a bolder plan is not only inevitable, but could spur new industries.
Already, economic conservatives who favor balanced federal budgets have become a much smaller part of the party’s base. That’s partly because other groups, especially social conservatives, have grown more dominant. But it’s also the result of defections by other fiscal conservatives angered by the growth of government spending during the six years that Republicans controlled both the White House and Congress.
READ MORE
http://controlcongress.com/uncategorized/gop-is-losing-grip
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The best thing that could happen to the Republican party would be if all the dispensationalists, economic men and neocons would leave and form their own party. They can call themselves the "Neoconservative party" to distinguish from those of us who really are conservative and believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
As long as the Republican party is dominated at the top by the above groups it will continue its death spiral. I believe if anyone but Ron Paul gets the nomination they will lose next year in a big way. |
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While I know most here dismiss Ron Paul out of hand, he is rapidly becoming a top-tier candidate. He has placed consistently near the top of straw polls throughout the country, and he has won every debate poll except the questionable values debate. His campaign collected $1.2 million from on-line giving in just seven days to round off last quarter in addition to an already strong quarter. This was done without mainstream media attention, and very little support from the Republican party.
If you study his positions and the reasoning behind him, you will find that he is the ONLY conservative running right now for the Republican nomination. He is the only one who wants to shrink the size of government. He is the only one who wants to protect our individual liberties so that we don't become the very enemy we are trying to defeat.
While I think a third party is inevitable, the conservatives have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who doesn't even require them to switch parties. He already has momentum on his side. He is a strong Christian, and a firm supporter of the right to life.
Check out my blog to learn more. |
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I am extremely disappointed in the Republican party insofar as they have dropped the ball on spending, taxes, social security, and immigration. However, I am old enough to remember what happened in 1992 and the resulting 8 years of Clinton 1. Conservatives can leave the Republican party, but in so doing, we will be assuring Clinton 2. If you think things are bad now, let's just see how bad it can get with Hillary as President and a Pelosi/Reid led congress. There won't be anything left for conservatives to hang onto. Do I like the options given us? Not especially. But I will vote for the Republican nominee. Personally, I like a lot of what Ron Paul says, but he is in too many ways just like Dennis Kucinich. A nut. |
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If we wish to keep our representative Republic, we must elect a President who will secure the borders and enforce the laws. The actions of the next President will determine the fate of this great nation. Texans have been on the front line of this inundation and understand its consequences. They know that Duncan Hunter is the one man who can be trusted to do what needs to be done.
The primary responsibility of the U.S. government is to protect the territorial integrity and people of this country. They have completely abdicated this responsibility. Both parties have been complicit in this. We are being told it is not possible to control our borders, enforce our laws, and thereby control our destiny as a nation. Hogwash. We are being sold out by corporations intent on importing workers for jobs that can't be exported with the taxpayers paying the true costs, financial and human. If we act like sheep and don't stop the inundation across our borders, we will lose our country without a bleat.
http://www.gohunter08. |
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