Things are getting interesting once again in American politics ... and Texas Republican Ron Paul's strong polling results at CPAC, SLRC, and in a hypothetical matchup against Obama, says a lot more about what's going on than the Beltway pundits and their minions wish to admit.
You can find all the "pragmatic," "realist" naysayers all over the net. Enjoy! But I'm not linking to them here, because they aren't the focus of this post. Our focus here, is that Old school conservatism is making a comeback!
Yet the question that remains ... Are the party faithful ready for genuine change? Or do they prefer platitudes over substance?
In the 2008 elections people voted for change, but instead they got more of the same old thing ... on steroids! More government. More government. More government.
Sorry, but people don't want more government. In fact, most Americans want smaller government! Which of course, is bad news for the Beltway punditry and Establishment Republicans.
Too bad.
Look, if you think the economy is going to improve any time soon, you've got rocks in your head. Beltway economists get paid to tell you one thing ... the government "saved" the economy and/or it still can! Right?
So, as the economy continue to deteriorate, does anyone really believe running another Establishment Republican like RomneyCare, Giuliani, Gingrich, Pawlenty, or Huckabee would actually accomplish something? Or even win?
Not a chance! You know it and I know it ... People are sick and tired of warmed over campaign slogans and Big Government "compassionate" conservatism, regardless of what the Beltway punditry says.
“Reviving Conservatism”
Want to “revive conservatism”? First figure out what it is. Next, reject the idea that only certain “types” are capable of governing under its precepts. Follow that up by pointing out that much of what passes for social conservatism is of the same stripe as progressivism, and should be banished, as should all attempts at nannystatism. And finally, refuse to listen to anyone who tells you to embrace electoral pragmatism at the expense of reaffirming and selling fundamental ideals and principles.
Right! Electoral pragmatism has brought conservatives nothing but bigger and bigger government. And you know it's true, whether you want to admit it or not. So get used to Ron Paul. He's going to be a major player in 2012.
Let's look more closely at the Tea Party movement.
“Tea Party snubs GOP leaders”
Heartening? Or self-defeating. Depends on whether or not your are a pragmatist or an OUTLAW, I guess ...
Me, I don’t happen to care about party affiliation. My OUTLAW posts argued that the quest to slow the growth of government and protect individual freedoms would cross party lines and appeal to a loose collection of libertarians, classical liberals, old-school Democrats, conservatives, and some of the more idealistic Republicans.
Recent polling showing that Democrats and Independents make up over 40% of Tea Party supporters lends some credence to that assertion — and it looks as though, for once, the GOP pragmatists and “realists” are losing control of the party message.
Sadly, the drubbing of McCain didn’t send that message ...
Here's what amazes me ... Conservative voters went out and voted for progressive John McCain, but throw hissy fits over Ron Paul, the one guy in Washington who most closely adheres to conservative history and philosophy. It simply doesn't make sense.
Don't like Ron Paul? Fine. Find someone else with his integrity. Just don't tell me some Establishment schmuck is "more conservative," or a "better candidate."
But if you insist, then just admit you don't want limited government! That way we can have a real conversation.
The Ron Paul Non-Fluke
Ron Paul has been denigrated by the Republican party wonks for years. The fact that he is in a statistical dead heat against Obama in a 2012 matchup is amazing.
He gets absolutely no play from the main conservative news outlets. The only time Rush Limbaugh even mentions him is when he refers to the rest of the Republican presidential nominee candidates as a bunch of “kooks.” That means that the 41% number is coming entirely from a grass roots surge from independents. People are talking, and they are sick of the same old crap coming out of the Repulican establishment. Romney is just a mini-Obama and Sarah Palin was campaigning for John McCain last month. Same ol’, same ol’.
Exactly! People are sick and tired of the same ol', same ol' ... vote for another Establishment Republican, and you'll just get more of the same. Can you imagine Paul's numbers if he got the same media treatment as Establishment types like Romney?
The question you have to ask yourself is ... Do you want genuine change? Or just the symbolic change of more "R's" in Washington?
Say What? Rasmussen Obama 42 Ron Paul 41
My initial thought was how the heck did that happen? Upon reflection though, I think it kind of makes sense. Ron Paul has always been known as the guy ringing the bell about much of our financial woes. Now that he has been proven right on that score, more people are willing to take him seriously.
In addition, as a libertarian, Ron Paul is a complete 180 from Obama. As we watch Obama’s poll numbers hit new lows his ideological opposite looks more and more appealing.
I for one never had a problem with Ron Paul’s economic views. He still hasn’t sold me on his foreign policy views. However, if the choice in 2012 was four more years of Obama or Ron Paul’s isolationist tendencies, then I am vote for Ron Paul!
Yes. This is why Ron Paul is gaining ground ... He represents a "complete 180 from Obama." In other words, a significant change. Not the same old sh**.
Not to mention he's been 100% right about the nation's finances, the loose money policy of the Federal Reserve, and warned about the economic bubbles for years.
And on foreign policy ...
Face the music! We've been spending hard-earned taxpayer dollars nation-building for 9 years now, at the cost of 5,434 American lives, 152,669 disabled veterans, and those numbers keep growing ... (Iraq Vets Come Home Physically, Mentally Butchered).
And for what? Two more Islamic States, a powerful Taliban, and a couple more terrorist attacks at home?
It's time for a new strategy.
Americans want smaller, more limited government, and the Republican Establishment isn't going to offer it. So I ask ...
Are you ready for real change? Or are you going to continue supporting the Establishment?
My old school is older than your old school. I'm in the 18th Century Zone, baby, jazzed on all the wenches - me and John Adams will be at The Bunch O'Grapes through the end of the month.