Defining The New Conservatism Part I

Every single time the Republicans lose, the media says that we have have to become more liberal and conservatism has to be redefined. That is not the answer. Original Conservatism has noth been used in almost 30 years now. Originalist Conservatism set forth by people like Burke, Kant, Adams, Henry and others will win elections every time.

Stop by my place when you get a chance.

like a terminal diagnosis.

listen, i don't see the GOP regrouping without a more prominent role for the social conservatives than the fiscal conservatives. mccain was trying this, and he was on the right track. he was derailed by a panic in the economy so severe that the fierce "independent" found itself (the fierce independent is genderless, as well as being thoughtless) thinking (well, sort of) about all those history lessons about the Dust Bowl. mccain would have won, had it not been for the meltdown.

the blue-chip republicans would like to have it the other way around; they'd like to throw the social conseratives under the bus while the fiscal conservatives drive.

it'll be a short ride if they don't correctly diagnose the party's problems. this party has been changed, irrevocably, by the reagan democrats. fiscal conservatism is the passenger, it's not the other way around on this any longer. if the GOP doesn't recognize this, they will be doomed to bigger bloodbaths than the one suffered in this election. and if the dems are smart, they will continue the obama phenomenon, nothing more than a cult of personality coupled with a solid and energized voting bloc in the pocket of the winner. an hispanic candidate might be next. this is the only way they can win. we all saw how john kerry did last time around. same ideas. different guy, voting bloc.

A good essay. Speaking strictly for myself, I didn't have any problem with the old conservatism which is exactly what the Constitution Party bases it's platform on.

We have, IMO, by losing this election, a very brief window of opportunity to fix the GOP. This is the second part of the "let McCain lose" strategy that I and others here at TH have been advocating for since the primary.

For a brief moment we will have the chance to make a noise about the RNC chair and the congressional leadership but that moment will pass very quickly.

It is essential that strong conservatives replace the current leaders. McConnell and Boehner are too close to Bush and McCain to be effective and we must make our voices heard NOW while they are still smarting from the defeat.

Very insightful essay, Chad. I have never understood the appeal of the Left/Progressives/Reformers. They are the party of suppression willing to quash our freedom of thoughts, speech and dissent. They are the party of big government, high taxes, indoctrination in public schools and government mandated healthcare. They want to spread the wealth and share, taking from achievers to provide to slackers. Insert any one of Karl Marx` famous quotes. Of course, there is more, ad nauseum....

Conservatives are "live and let live". Keep government small and hold it accountable. Support free markets, supply and demand. Work hard and enjoy the success that comes from it. Continuously strive to be the best you can be. Become energy sufficient by supporting drilling, etc. Support a strong national defense and respect our military and our flag. All life is precious. And more....

Two different ideologies and there can be no doubt which is more appealing. The left and MSM have sold the population a bill of goods that the right is a bunch of whacked-out, gun toting, racist extremists. In fact, the extremists are on the left. Proof in point, the riots/demonstrations against churches and blacks who opposed Prop 8.

We must find a better way of promoting and educating people about true Conservatism. One of the first things would be that we are not scary, frightening people! The internet and blogs are a start. And authors/scholars such as yourself, a bonus.

it needs redefining. Maybe just practiced. By Congress. New post up Chad...

as are your others. Been reading them and they're right on.

Stop by my place when you get a minute. We'd love to have you join us. We need all the conservative voices we can muster. Looking forward to hearing from you.