Life, Liberty, Politics and Policy in the Land of Enchantment!
Withering On The Right
Aaron Henry Diaz, in his recent post here opposing Steve Pearce as chairman of the NMGOP makes some interesting observations. He seems to be critical of the "very conservative" wing of the GOP, and their "advocating a return to our conservative roots." He then calls for candidates with "new ideas." He doesn't say whether those new ideas would take the GOP to the left or the right.
Was the national November GOP defeat because the candidates were "very conservative"?
Of more interest to me is what role will conservative and libertarian ideas play in the GOP, if any. Should the party return to it's Lincolnian roots of opposition to free trade and support for large domestic expenditures and the growth of the central government over the states? Seems to me that’s where the GOP has mostly been for the last eight years.
If conservatism is to have influence with the GOP, what brand will it be: Neo, Paleo or Traditional? If libertarian ideas are to have influence, what brand will it be: CATO, Reason or Liberty - Lew Rockwell?
Where have we been, where are we now and where should we be going?
This is being heatedly debated on the right. For those interested, there are some links at the end of this post.
I was lucky to be a part of the early conservative movement. I was chosen to meet with Wm. F. Buckley Jr. and drive him from a speech at UNM to a reception of committed conservatives. As a young legislative assistant in DC, I was part of a free market lunch group. This was a group of individuals who might disagree on abortion or foreign policy, but did agree on free markets. Through this group I met Murray Rothbard, F.A. Hayek, William Simon and others. I was also in another luncheon group, primarily centered around Senator Jesse Helms and his staff, which was most interested in foreign policy. I was there when the Heritage Foundation was just beginning, and knew and admired Paul Weyrich, who just passed away. I attended CATO functions when it was still headquartered in California. As a legislative assistant I was allowed on the Senate floor, and witnessed Barry Goldwater in action. And lastly, I was an appointted official to the Dept. of Interior during the Reagan Administration.
So, I have a feel for where we came from and where we've been. I'm concerned though, about the current state of the conservative/libertarian movement and it's proponents.
This may be bad timing for a post like this, but I'm going ahead before some of these links expire and anyway this is a time of the year to reflect back and to look forward.
I would welcome your thoughts.
Left and Right, Piling On...Bill Kristol calls for "Big Government" conservatism.
Big Government, Small Vote Totals...James Antle says Kristol is wrong.
The Strength of Compassionate Conservatism...Michael Gerson defends Big Government
The Old New Right...Richard Viguerie calls for a conservative movement outside the GOP
Limited Government, Expanded Popularity...Says Quinn Hillyer.
A RINO vs. El Rushbo...AWR takes on Colin Powell for saying R's should reject Limbaugh
The GOP needs a Colin-cleansing...So says Doug Powers
To rebuild the GOP...William Niskanen lays down 6 principles.
Five Hard Truths For RINOS John Hawkins says moderation has been tried before, and lost.
McCain Couldn't Compete With Obama's Money It's as simple as that says Karl Rove. Ideas aren't even mentioned.
Return to the Wilderness R Emmett Tyrrell Jr says modern conservatives have been in much worse shape than they are today.
Learning From the Bush Legacy Philip Klein on Bush and conservative mistakes.
Was the national November GOP defeat because the candidates were "very conservative"?
Of more interest to me is what role will conservative and libertarian ideas play in the GOP, if any. Should the party return to it's Lincolnian roots of opposition to free trade and support for large domestic expenditures and the growth of the central government over the states? Seems to me that’s where the GOP has mostly been for the last eight years.
If conservatism is to have influence with the GOP, what brand will it be: Neo, Paleo or Traditional? If libertarian ideas are to have influence, what brand will it be: CATO, Reason or Liberty - Lew Rockwell?
Where have we been, where are we now and where should we be going?
This is being heatedly debated on the right. For those interested, there are some links at the end of this post.
I was lucky to be a part of the early conservative movement. I was chosen to meet with Wm. F. Buckley Jr. and drive him from a speech at UNM to a reception of committed conservatives. As a young legislative assistant in DC, I was part of a free market lunch group. This was a group of individuals who might disagree on abortion or foreign policy, but did agree on free markets. Through this group I met Murray Rothbard, F.A. Hayek, William Simon and others. I was also in another luncheon group, primarily centered around Senator Jesse Helms and his staff, which was most interested in foreign policy. I was there when the Heritage Foundation was just beginning, and knew and admired Paul Weyrich, who just passed away. I attended CATO functions when it was still headquartered in California. As a legislative assistant I was allowed on the Senate floor, and witnessed Barry Goldwater in action. And lastly, I was an appointted official to the Dept. of Interior during the Reagan Administration.
So, I have a feel for where we came from and where we've been. I'm concerned though, about the current state of the conservative/libertarian movement and it's proponents.
This may be bad timing for a post like this, but I'm going ahead before some of these links expire and anyway this is a time of the year to reflect back and to look forward.
I would welcome your thoughts.
Left and Right, Piling On...Bill Kristol calls for "Big Government" conservatism.
Big Government, Small Vote Totals...James Antle says Kristol is wrong.
The Strength of Compassionate Conservatism...Michael Gerson defends Big Government
The Old New Right...Richard Viguerie calls for a conservative movement outside the GOP
Limited Government, Expanded Popularity...Says Quinn Hillyer.
A RINO vs. El Rushbo...AWR takes on Colin Powell for saying R's should reject Limbaugh
The GOP needs a Colin-cleansing...So says Doug Powers
To rebuild the GOP...William Niskanen lays down 6 principles.
Five Hard Truths For RINOS John Hawkins says moderation has been tried before, and lost.
McCain Couldn't Compete With Obama's Money It's as simple as that says Karl Rove. Ideas aren't even mentioned.
Return to the Wilderness R Emmett Tyrrell Jr says modern conservatives have been in much worse shape than they are today.
Learning From the Bush Legacy Philip Klein on Bush and conservative mistakes.
Views: 18
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Scarantino on -
Here's one value I haven't seen mentioned: competency. The GOP used to enjoy an aura of competency the Dems could not touch. That has evaporated under Bush. The GOP needs to show Americans it can do a better job of simply running government, fixing potholes, providing disaster relief, keeping the streets safe, defending the country and enforcing the law than the Dems. Its best hope in that regard will rest with the Governors who can show they know how to get things done.
This is a nonideological benchmark. But one that is a precursor to whatever philosophical direction prevails. -
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Permalink Reply by A Lawyer for Cowboys on -
Fair enough, I will let sleeping dogs lie. I enjoy a good scrap and I think through heated debate there is much illumination to be had, but I will keep it in check and use it on the State Engineer in the courtroom instead.
As somebody who has seen what it means to try and reform the party to ideals of liberty in recent past, it is my opinion change will only really come from a revolution outside of the party. Especially if you want cast a wide net of the young group. The way that the GOP treated the Ron Paul people here in NM and around the US is a good indication. The fact that party chose McSame is another good indicator. The fact that GOP is so firmly committed to bailouts and big government intrusions like the Patriot Act is another. The list goes on and on. -
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Permalink Reply by mike horning on -
What we need are honorable leaders with values. In reality, that is what honorable people want as well. Do not assume that that what we see as social and moral decay negates that Hornorable can do dishonorable things, nut they want homor and values leads.
We need leaders with GREAT strength and values to turn our fears into anger and action in a responsible way. I believe Steve Pearce and Greg Zanetti can do that. I think Pearce would better serve the party if he regained his forfeited seat in his district.
Gary Johnson should forgo his presidential bid and seek to unseat Bingaman in 2004. He can play a pivotal roll in supporting candidates in 2010 if he can keep his mouth shut o,r simply say that now is not the time to discuss decriminalizing drugs use.
Reagans successes should be looked at and repeated in 2010 not avoided. The "tired old ways of the past" that Barak Obama opposes are the very engine of the economy and freedom that has created democracies worldwide. The "tired old ways of the past" that he proposes are the economics of Keynes that dragged our nation and the world through a decade of depression and, quite possibly into a world at war.
Now, You might find this hard to believe, but I have never voted for a republican presidential candidate in my life. I am 49 years old, and never registered with a major party in my life. I will register Republican soon and will never vote for a Democrat again.
Before 2010 the ploys that the Democrats are employing will become tiresome and there will a be desire for fresh, values led leadership.
TWO THOUSAND AND TEN may be the last hope for a free and great nation. -
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Permalink Reply by Frank DuBois on -
There was no "Reply to This" tab under A Lawyer For Cowboys post, but this is for him.
Excellent.
As a fellow Paulista in the recent primary I understand. I may not have reached the same conclusions, yet, but share your feelings toward the R. establishment and the current crop of congress critters.
Will try to post more on the general topic after Christmas.
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Permalink Reply by Frank DuBois on
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More articles for your consideration:
The GOP must reject Big GovernmentLos Angeles Times – Richard Viguerie flatly rejects the ideas of some ‘conservatives’ who’ve recently argued the GOP should abandon its small government emphasis.
Conservatives enjoy a long-term advantage Washington Times – J.T. Young writes that conservatives will eventually win out because we are right, and though things don’t look good now, we shouldn’t despair.
Where Have All the Neocons Gone? The American Conservative
The Stab in the Back TAKI's magazine - The battle for the future of the conservative movement
Hayek and Kristol National Review Online
You Say You Want a Revolution? TAKI's magazine - Book Review
We Are All Democrats Now? National Review Online - Contra Kristol
Size Matters TAKI's magazine - Contra Kristol
Theodore Roosevelt Was No Conservative Wall Street Journal – Teddy Roosevelt is often heralded as a figurehead of the Republican Party, but by closely examining his record, he wasn’t anything close to an ideological conservative.
Conservatives can take pride in domestic policy successes Weekly Standard – Matthew Continetti refutes the claim by liberals that conservatives can’t govern, pointing to several ‘successes’ where ideas were enacted that turned out very positive...This column show what is wrong with this brand of conservatism. Come on, The War on Drugs? Homelessness?
Come Home, Conservatives!—to the Antiwar Conservative Movement TAKI's magazine - Book Review
The Republican Search for Self Better Find Something Quickly CQ Politics – John Bicknell writes Republicans only have two years to find out who they are, or they could face a long time in the ‘wilderness.’ Unlike the Democrats, the GOP is largely based on ideology – and if the Party can’t define what it stands for, then why support it?
Lessons From '92 Offer Hope to GOP Gerald Seib writes that the political conditions of today are nearly identical to those in 1992, which should give the Republicans hope.
Bush Auto Bailout Shows Split in GOP Human Events – John Gizzi writes of congressional Republicans’ anger over George W. Bush’s decision to use TARP funds to bailout the Big Three.
David Broder’s analysis of the GOP goes south Washington Post – David Broder writes with contempt of the GOP’s recent shift towards the prevalence of white southern conservatives – as if the Party had only held onto its Big Government ways, it would have earned an electoral ‘reward’ from other regions.
GOP power struggle starts Washington Times – We’re a month away from electing a new RNC chairman, and the internal power struggles are already in full roar. One coalition is questioning the motives of a supposed ‘conservative’ group that apparently is just a front for reelecting Mike Duncan to head the GOP.
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Permalink Reply by Frank DuBois on
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Twelve Steps for the GOP Wall Street Journal – A post-election poll on voters’ preferences has just come out, and it confirms the GOP is largely out of favor because it’s no longer seen as conservative or competent.
Should Palin Be Conservative Of The Year? GOPUSA - The influential conservative newspaper Human Events has named Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin "Conservative of the Year." But it turns out that she is not so conservative on some critical economic and international issues.
What Conservatives Must Now Do The American Spectator - Laying the foundation for a political comeback.
Time for a Choice — Not an Echo National Review - The GOP must bolster its argument for spending discipline with a loud case for tax cuts.
The Left, The Right and The State Lew Rockwell's new manifesto is a clarion call—creative and thought-provoking on every page—for a principled liberty in our time.
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Permalink Reply by Al on
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seems to me that, in that gopusa article, Gov. Palin explained herself, her positions and situation well enough.
No way, with what she said in that article, would it be enough to disqualify her as being Conservative of the year...
Gov. Palin is only going to get better...like a fine wine...she will get better with age.
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Permalink Reply by Kenny on -
I think joining with the libertarians is the best way forwards for the party. That means letting everyone have their own way by advocate States rights (Federalism).
This should be sold as the compromise position in lowering the tension. The GOP might even pick up democrat votes that way. Most Democrats only really care about local domestic policy anyway, if we do a State by State campaign advocating states rights, we can talk about all the liberal views that liberal states could hold while talking about all the conservative view that conservative states could hold. Everybody wins!
This leads inevitability to the greatest truth in politics: The government that governs best governs least.
That's not a lot of news to feed the media and just as bad it makes the national networks less important than the local ones, which causes the national networks to lose market share.
Naturally the national networks try to earn it back while at the same time avenging this lack of Government feeding them “important stuff to broadcast” by eating the heads of the same government alive. (Slow news day)
So the question is how do you co-exist with people of vastly different preferences while still monopolizing the time on the national level with “important stuff to broadcast” such as the national news network media’s require to keep their market share? Is it even possible?
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Permalink Reply by Kenny on
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Our State has been hijacked by illegal Aliens and their interest groups!
Massive electoral fraud, with illegal Alien in mass numbers in many different states, including here in New Mexico, voting as if they were us and State citizen.
I seriously don't think the state is even making a serous attempt to find out what happen or ever will our own voting registration process is a sham.
We got people here who openly admit they voted many different times in many different counties. there is no conservative way the state could even prevent someone from stealing your vote because state workers are forbidden from checking any kind of ID for recurring voters.
All someone has to do is go thou a phone book and you can vote as anyone you want.
Its really sad but the State is run by democrats in the legislator and now the governor oft he last 8 + years and they enacting most of theses crooked laws. Under the guises of "increasing voter turnout and making it easier to vote".
I have no reason to have any faith in our State electoral system none at all, fraud is just so insanely easy and proven to have taken place. State officials know it too.
One of our own former state Reps to congress, Heather Wilson openly admitted to it when she was talking about Acorn and how they effectively "robed" a non-us citizen of his ability to become a citizen by lying to him about his eligibility to vote and having him vote in a State/General election, and this was only discovered because of his honesty in saying it while applying for us citizenship!
To be quite frank its disgusting to me, that they be more conserved about the non-citizen "being robed" of his chance to ever become a us Citizen, than the fact that such non-Citizens can so easily and provably vote in the first place and rob the rest of us REAL Citizens of our due representation!
This is even worse because Heather Wilson was a Republican!
Its really bad illegal aliens and "Hispanic" illegal immigration activist groups have hijacked our government. Many Republicans are scared to even suggest that they don't have such rights, and they will never get elected if they do because theses illegals will swing the vote against them on top of the already existing flaming liberal vote. Not to mention using it as potent propaganda.
They will do it because anyone who does it is directly threatening the democratic power base in this State.
Our State has been hijacked by illegal Aliens and their interest groups!
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Hankoff on
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The Republican Party will probably never be exclusively paleo- or neo-conservative. Adam Kokesh, candidate for U.S. Congress in New Mexico's 3rd District, will be making a big announcement on Monday you might be interested in. Media coverage will undoubtedly be asking why the Republican Party to present the message of peace and liberty? I look forward to hearing his answers. Here's the schedule if you're interested in attending and blogging about the event:
Monday July 20
1:00PM MST
Capitol Rotunda
625 Gaspar Ave
Santa Fe, NM 87505
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Permalink Reply by John Slenes on
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Frank, I especially like "The GOP needs a Colin-cleansing". As I recall, your conservative roots go back to UNM in the late 60's. Maybe before that but we didn't know one another prior to UNM and the YRs.
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