Getting the Elephant Back on its Feet

Although I personally disagree with some of the goals you laid out, I think that this is seriously one of the best posts I've seen in TH in a long time.

Obama supporters act as if the polls are a true reflection of what's going to happen on November 4th. When you don't have an actual record to run on ... and all you can do is point out problems, and blame others, as Obama has, you have to rely on gimmicks that have nothing to do with your actual ability to lead ... like early voting ...busing and indoctrinating homeless people on the way to the polls ... photo ops with big crowds ... spending 4 to 1 on advertising ... having the media in the tank ... having Hollywood in the tank, having Acorn in the tank ... and, having 98% of all black voters in the tank. But, all of these things are nothing more than a fabricated perception. They have nothing to do with a person's experience, or ability to lead. They just reveal a candidate who will say, or do anything to get elected. That's why the Obamabots are so worried. That's why Obama is telling his disciples not to get over confident. That's why the Obama campaign tries real hard to make it look like Obama has already won ... just like they did in the run against Hillary in the primaries. I happen to believe there are legions of people who are going to vote for McCain on November 4th ... unlike the 'in your face' Obama supporters, November 4th is when the McCain supporters will express themselves. Keep America safe and strong, elect McCain/Palin on November 4th.

EXCELLWNT!! I agree with Chris, this post is a must read and a great blueprint for the future. Send it to the GOP Hdqtrs!

it is over,face it.obama has been president for the last couple months. so its the end of western ideas. so get over it,we were wrong and the hippes were right.

However I think what we really need to do is create an entire new party. The problem with trying to reform the republican party is that their are some in the congress and senate who are going to resist reform because they want to stay in power. Why agree to term limits when you can stay in elected office for 20 years? Why eliminate earmarks when they help you get re-elected? The list goes on and on. I think that a new party founded on some of the principles that you have laid out is a good start. I have actually been working and finally posted my thoughts on the current state of the American Republic you can find it at: http://currentstateoftherepublic.today.com/ I also have a blow on townhall.com where I have posted the same document. I think that all of us who are like minded in reforming the current process need to come together and map out a course. Please feel free to contact me at federalist08@yahoo.com

I am inclined to start with giving the GOP a chance to reform itself, Congress and bloated federal government. I believe that would be the most practical approach and the party is ripe for this after the drubbing in '06 and the likely one in '08. Getting the people in charge to change their own institution is very difficult, but I think it is doable. Certainly, if it eventually becomes futile, then a new party as you suggest will be the only option. I think we are on the same page with many of the issues facing this country. If we, and others, keep putting forth ideas on how to solve them, maybe the best of them will get picked up and put into action. Keep up the good work! I will be following your future posts.

I like the republican "reform" concept a lot and I will be a firm supporter! Palin should be on that ticket. My only problem with this featured post is that the focus is all wrong for today; We need to be talking more about how to get McCain/Palin elected NOW, rather than talking about what GOP needs to do next time.

I am encouraging ALL to take a risk today to edify as many undecided voters as possible about why Obama is wrong for America. Moderates are voting for Obama because they believe he is moderate despite his voting record. The Obama campaign has worked hard to hide his history and people will care about this if they can see the facts for themselves.

Please see http://www.activated.blogtownhall.com for the FACTS and tell a fiscally moderate supporter of Obama TODAY that Obama is hiding his extreme social agenda and goals for America. Use facts and the truth to support your case that fiscally minded voters need to hear. I am having success with this approach!

Please 1) see http://www.activated.blogtownhall.com for ideas and approaches for getting the truth about Obama's far left agenda to undecided and fiscally moderate voters, especially those you know who are voting for Obama, 2) please leave your ideas and suggestions for how to intelligently and respectfully edify moderate voters regarding the truth about Obama that they are not going to hear from the media and 3) most importantly, do something TODAY to reach these voters!

In addition, please contact your local McCain/Palin campaign offices and ask how you can help right away especially in swing states. McCain is far behind Obama in financing and needs our help. No more time to think about it, DO IT NOW!

I liked the post, but it could be expanded to cover other topics that people care about. We need a conservative agenda that resonates with average people. We also need a very articulate spokesperson to explain the agenda and why it will be good for America and the average American. The only person I know of that could do that is Newt Gingrich, but he seems determined to stay out of politics, at least for now.

I have a lot of other topics that the GOP can adopt in my "21 Steps to a Greater America", but I thought it would be best to focus on only a handful at first to be able to ensure success with them. Also, term limits and the Fair Tax are reforms that will take away power from the Democrats (tax and spend)and put the GOP in a stronger position to address other economic and the social issues. It is meant to take on key reforms like Newt's Contract with America did. It would be great if Newt would be the one to lead the GOP out of the wilderness. He is the one driving Drill, Baby Drill which I mention in the post.

Please take some time and peruse my Contract with America II. I think it fleshes out much of what you propose. http://drpetestevens.net/index.php?option=com_content&task =view&id=12&Itemid=26

I must take exception to your call for "energy independence". It cannot, will not, and should not happen. I've explained at gumballs.
http://gumballs.blogtownhall.com/2008/09/26/the_energy-inde pendence_scam.thtml

I think, Mike, that Reagan's 11th commandment is wrong and has disabled the elephant. The elephant doesn't stand; it sits. The Republican Party -- national, state, county -- only involves itself in helping Republican candidates in general elections. It doesn't choose and promote Republican A over Republican B in primaries. It doesn't discourage candidacies. Promotion of candidacies is informal, off-the-record, not institutionalized, certainly not funded.

Incumbency by RINOs ends up supported and funded by the Republican Party de facto. Witness the Party and President (as party leader) campaigning for incumbent Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania in 2004 against a bright, energetic, and competitive real conservative Republican candidate. Many real conservatives around the country certainly witnessed that, and saw the mountain as even higher and steeper, and were discouraged from stepping up.

It is my sense that the issue is -- as you frame it -- getting the elephant back on its feet, not replacing or competing with the elephant as Nicholas suggests. Third parties have, well, remained third parties. And it is an iterative world, sorta like going to the optometrist. You know, better or worse, better or worse.

Maybe, Mike, a bunch of us need to try to become county chairs of the party, then, as you say, recruit, promote, support, train real conservatives with core and fortitude.

This video needs to be seen. It speaks to the heart of the voter issues. It is traveling like wildfire through email..

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/194373.php

but we have to ditch the RINOs first.

Anglico, the video is great and I plan to send it around myself.

GunnyG, there is no room in the reformed Republican party for RINOs as you said. I've read a lot of your stuff on TH and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks for the comment.

I agree, but first and foremost we need election reform. This whole ugly process has been a disgrace and an embarassment.

I like just about all of your ideas, and I hope McCain and Palin can implement them (I still have hope for this year)! The only problem is the guys who want term limits aren't around long enough to implement them...

In order to turn the slide America has been on for the last 40 years we must first recognize it's roots and then we must rise up and take back all the sources that liberalism has taken over. Hit my link to see my blog on America's Trojan Horse.

In order to turn the slide America has been on for the last 40 years we must first recognize it's roots and then we must rise up and take back all the sources that liberalism has taken over. Hit my link to see my blog on America's Trojan Horse.

Campaign reform is also a sorely needed. I discuss my thoughts on this another post in the "21 Steps to a Greater America" (Every Vote Counts).