If at any time in our history, "we the people" genuinely needed "A Choice Not An Echo," that time is now.
Yet the question remains ... will the Republican Party offer a genuine choice? Or just another "me-too" candidate.
Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Eric Cantor, and of course, the "Maverick" John McCain, have embarked on a "listening tour."
Oh, goodie.
The Washington Times reports:
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Saturday that it's time for the Republican Party to give up its "nostalgia" for the heyday of the Reagan era and look forward, even if it means stealing the winning strategy deployed by Democrats in the 2008 election.
"You can't beat something with nothing, and the other side has something. I don't like it, but they have it, and we have to be respectful and mindful of that," Mr. Bush said.
Uh? One has to wonder if they're serious about connecting with the voters, or if they have their minds already made-up, therefore they're just out hoping to sell their own version of socialism to the American people. But for the sake of this post, we'll assume their intentions (at least) are pure.
Nostalgia? If you think we wish for days gone by, you're thoroughly confused. Nobody wishes to go back in time. That's simply ludicrous. And Reagan isn't a cult of personality like Obama either. Let me sum it all up for you in one word, and maybe, just maybe, you'll understand.
Freedom.
Freedom is a universal message. Believing that everyone deserves to live as a free person is a message that transcends political lines. There's no need to "appeal" to any particular group or person, nor any anguish over "excluding" anyone either when your message is freedom. This is America, freedom is in our blood!
Sen. Jim DeMint gets it! Just a few days ago in The Wall Street Journal he opined:
To win back the trust of the American people, we must be a "big tent" party. But big tents need strong poles, and the strongest pole of our party -- the organizing principle and the crucial alternative to the Democrats -- must be freedom. The federal government is too big, takes too much of our money, and makes too many of our decisions. If Republicans can't agree on that, elections are the least of our problems.
But the "listening tour" folks don't seem to understand, as Jeb continues:
"So our ideas need to be forward looking and relevant. I felt like there was a lot of nostalgia and the good old days in the [Republican] messaging. I mean, it's great, but it doesn't draw people toward your cause," Mr. Bush said.
It's not about "the good old days," Jeb, it's about Republicans not being afraid to talk about freedom! Nobody suggests that you go out there and reminisce on the campaign trail, no, it's about getting out there and advocating the things that not only made this country exceptional, but made America the last refuge of freedom for everyone across the globe! These are principles that always were, and always will be, timely and something that resonates with one and all.
But let's make no mistake about it, there are people in the Republican Party who want to leave Reagan behind, chalk Goldwater up as a failure, and let go of the limited-government ideals that built our nation. Considering both his father and brother's combined 12 years in the White House, I believe it's safe to consider Jeb one of them as well.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I'll tell you straight-up ... I wouldn't support him, even if he sounded like Thomas Jefferson on the campaign trail. Sorry, but we don't need another ruling family (Kennedy's) in our "land of the free." In other words, NO MORE BUSHES!
Here's more from Jeb:
"From the conservative side, it's time for us to listen first, to learn a little bit, to upgrade our message a little bit ... "
Here's the thing Jeb, you don't have a "marketing" or "message" problem. You have a "product" problem! Let me put it another way: If you can't stand on your own two feet, campaigning on what you believe in your heart, and win ... YOU are the problem my friend, not your marketing/messaging strategy.
Jeb, here's why the party lost the last couple elections:
Your brother George, grew the size and scope of government greater than any president in history, including FDR and Lyndon Johnson (until Obama that is). And in 2004, let's be real here ... John Kerry was a pathetically weak candidate. But what really happened over the last 8 years, is the Republican's governed hard to the left!
First, we had run-away monetary policy, coupled a criminal, government-banking cabal led by HUD, FHA, Fannie and Freddie Mac that imploded the banking industry. We had the Iraq War which at first was popular, until the Republican government failed to unleash the true potential of our military to end it quickly and decisively. Instead we got what the Democrats said we'd get all along, a quagmire. One we're still stuck in today.
Then of course there's the abomination of state rights, otherwise know as No Child Left Behind. Not only was this federal power grab unpopular with conservatives, but it didn't help the party win and of those mythical "swing votes" either. And let's not forget the Grand Prescription Drug Give-Away! Did that help the party achieve it's desired "permanent status?"
Looking at the past two election results, it's clear it achieved the exact opposite.
Then there's that "Maverick" John McCain. How did he lose? The answer is simple, I'll sum it up for you nicely, right here:
- Prior to Sarah Palin, McCain had no real grassroots support. Republicans can't win without conservative grassroots support. Period.
- The over-handling of Palin, but more so, the complete failure to defend her.
- The "housing crisis" was (and is) so incredibly easy (and accurately) to pin on the Democrats, a child could do it. But instead the "Maverick," who was "going to name names," failed to name even one. Talk about pulling your punches.
- The economy is always a strong Republican position, but instead, you let the media and Democrats paint the exact opposite picture.
- Bush announced imminent Financial Armageddon, and despite the "bailout" being very unpopular with voters, he "suspended" his campaign to go twist arms to pass it anyway.
- And the icing on the cake ... handing Obama the White House on a silver platter - McCain's insane $300 billion plan to buy up bad mortgages!
And one last bit from Jeb:
"We have principles, we have values. They are the values that are shared by the majority of Americans, there's no question about it. But we have to now take those principles and values and apply them to the challenges that our country faces today and in the future. ...
"And then, hopefully - God willing - [we] embrace our conservative principles and take these new ideas and present them to the American people," he said.
There you go Jeb. You don't need to go out on a marketing, er, "listening tour." Instead, you should be out doing everything you can do, to both advocate and apply those principles and values.
That is, if you really believe in them yourself. And therein lies the real problem ... doesn't it?
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Let’s be real … it’s an insult to equate the current Republican Party as conservative. How in America, is it that people feel limited by only two options?
The idea that a third-party can’t work in America is completely false, but it would take a lot of work. If people open up to the idea of voting third-party, they’ll start playing a larger role in the debate, therefore influencing “issues” and platforms.
The Libertarian Party can be a significant player in the elections … if enough conservatives realize they offer the best platform right now to achieve conservative goals.
Rather humerous to any independently-minded individual reflecting the Republican initiative to listen to the people and make an effort to rebrand the Republican franchise. BUT the primary question remains the same: why would any individual want or choose to be branded and swear blind allegiance to any political party? The politicians have acted in a self-interest manner focussed on the political class, not of the country and its people. Perhaps it really is time to kickstart the libetarian party in order to really send the message that the two party system has failed in every way imaginable when comparing their list of accomplishments to the baseline of beliefs presented and established by our founding fathers.