tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post3739525560327256664..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: I'm Calling Out RushAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-81368351461820286792012-02-28T12:29:20.853-05:002012-02-28T12:29:20.853-05:00DUQ, I saw that this morning. I guess we'll s...DUQ, I saw that this morning. I guess we'll see what happens tonightAndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-57478501713730983182012-02-28T12:07:12.842-05:002012-02-28T12:07:12.842-05:00Did anyone see that Santorum is now asking Democra...Did anyone see that Santorum is now asking Democrats to go vote for him? Shameless.DUQnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-46681087429589255422012-02-27T18:47:51.613-05:002012-02-27T18:47:51.613-05:00DCAlleyKat, Conservatism is taking the hit here an...DCAlleyKat, Conservatism is taking the hit here and that's the real problem.<br /><br />We have a race right now with no actual conservatives in it. Yet, we are being told that we need to support one candidate or another because they are "the only conservative in the race." This is what is killing me.<br /><br />We have come to a point where we are being led to believe that big government liberalism is conservatism just because one guy claims it is and because too many conservatives who should know better are buying into this and repeating it. They should be screaming at the top of their lungs that this is a trick and that we are being offered RINOs under the banner of conservatism. But they aren't. They just mindless repeat what the establishment tells them.<br /><br />We literally have two establishment people trying to attack the two outsides as part of the establishment, and people are falling for it!<br /><br />I agree that Obama needs to go, but we can't let someone pretend to be a conservative when they aren't, and then let them re-define conservatism as big government liberalism. We need to stand up and expose that. If people want to vote for a RINO, that's fine, but don't call him a conservatism when you do it.<br /><br />We need people like Rush et al. to stop pretending any of these guys are conservatives (except Paul).<br /><br />I agree too that the candidates have largely brought this on themselves, but again, we are as much to blame as they are. Why? Because Candidate X says, "here's what Obama did wrong" and everybody ignores that so they can focus on the latest punch one candidate threw at another.<br /><br />But in the end, I think the real fault here lies with the conservative establishment, which failed to find acceptable candidates BEFORE the primary and make sure we have some people representing us. That's where this all went wrong.<br /><br />Moreover, now that we are in this position, they are handling it poorly by trying to relabel a RINO as a conservative rather than taking an honest assessment.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-31952260350090250162012-02-27T18:34:25.442-05:002012-02-27T18:34:25.442-05:00If you listen to Rush on a daily basis you'll ...If you listen to Rush on a daily basis you'll know he has been educating and vetting conservatism and Republican candidates for a long time. Same now, he's pointed out their good points and their not so good points. He's also educated many as to the money strings of the party, and their determination to have their candidate rather than let the primary process run its course.<br /><br />In defense I have to say the candidates are to blame for the current state of affairs. Rather than creating an anti-Obama policy platform and then going out and hammering it home, they've allowed themselves to get down in the mud where a whole lot of people wanted them to be. Two errors:<br />1. It takes the focus off Obama.<br />2. It plays into the 'these guys don't know what they want and are just hot air for hot air's saked.!<br />Rush warned all of them of this. They did not listen. And now as we near the final stretch look what conservatives have to pick from.<br /><br />Let this be a lesson to all conservatives. The moneybags of the Republican party are NOT conservative, and they are going to do all they can to shove their candidate down your throat, and then blame anyone in the crosshairs when it doesn't go over the way the want it to!<br /><br />Conservatism is what is taking the hit here. The last thing it needs is for us to help it along. <br /><br />Run against Obama, and progressivism. <br /><br />A flea would be better in the White House four more years than BHO!DCAlleyKathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13595521064453455995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-33744406476336509672012-02-27T18:30:19.400-05:002012-02-27T18:30:19.400-05:00Ed, Read the last line of the article:
"And...Ed, Read the last line of the article:<br /><br />"And in any case, it's freaking hilarious. I mean, Rick Santorum? Really? The Republicans have offered up this big, slow, juicy softball. Let's have fun whacking the heck out of it."<br /><br />Here's the link: <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/15/1065052/-Announcing-Operation-Hilarity-Let-s-keep-the-GOP-clown-show-going-?detail=hide" rel="nofollow">LINK</a>AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-33016011368681465232012-02-27T18:24:33.044-05:002012-02-27T18:24:33.044-05:00As expected, the left is encouraging Democrats to ...As expected, the left is encouraging Democrats to go vote for Rick Santorum in Michigan and some other states. It wonder if it will be lost on his supporters that the Democrats see him as the joke candidate?<br /><br />http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/15/1065052/-Announcing-Operation-Hilarity-Let-s-keep-the-GOP-clown-show-going-?detail=hideEdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122308626703654554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-49326987343117368852012-02-27T17:39:42.330-05:002012-02-27T17:39:42.330-05:00Stan, So true. No matter how messed up the Republ...Stan, So true. No matter how messed up the Republican establishment gets, we can never stop fighting. I've seen the party move a lot in my lifetime, so it is possible to change the party. But we can't achieve that if we quit.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-45932966615868210942012-02-27T17:24:29.511-05:002012-02-27T17:24:29.511-05:00Yeah Patti, you’re a street fighter, the conservat...Yeah Patti, you’re a street fighter, the conservative movement needs you. This is what establishment Washington wants, for the Tea Party people to slip back into coma, conservative apathy. But brother I’m with you, at times this crap is very bad for the blood pressure. And like Andrew said, we can’t let the bastards win.StanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-3245670905613764922012-02-27T17:19:37.145-05:002012-02-27T17:19:37.145-05:00Joel, I agree. There's something very wrong a...Joel, I agree. There's something very wrong about the "fact checking" of things that aren't facts, but are instead opinion. Especially where it's done selectively. Unfortunately, that's been something everyone left and right has adopted.<br /><br />I agree too about the backing but not backing. It's deceptive.<br /><br />We have a no endorsement policy because we want people to be able to speak their minds. But we do have opiniond, and I've shared my opinions/thought-processes throughout -- as you've seen those opinions have changed significantly. But I won't pretend I have no opinion and then give you all a slanted version of reality. Far too many others are doing that.<br /><br />I'm not saying Rush is necessarily doing that or that he's anywhere near the worst. I get the feeling he is leaning toward Santorum but I can't say that for a fact. But others I've heard have been flat out in the tank for people while claiming "oh no, I'm 100% neutral."<br /><br />I think that's unfair the audience.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-38165227903805986272012-02-27T17:11:53.089-05:002012-02-27T17:11:53.089-05:00Patti, I feel the same way. This shouldn't be...Patti, I feel the same way. This shouldn't be so hard and yet the powers that be, establishment or otherwise, seem to make it impossible. It's like some great game of frustrate the public.<br /><br />It is enough to make you want to give it all up and just walk away. Except I refuse to let them win.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-8055351961828678252012-02-27T17:11:28.501-05:002012-02-27T17:11:28.501-05:00Andrew,
I do want Rush to get back to his humorou...Andrew,<br /><br />I do want Rush to get back to his humorous analysis of liberals and their intentions. I dislike this backing but <b>NOT</b>-backing of candidates. This <b>"faux-fact-checking"</b> that, until this cycle, had been the exclusive domain of the Democrats/Liberals/Socialists.Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-68280259312695298992012-02-27T17:10:29.946-05:002012-02-27T17:10:29.946-05:00Stan, Well said and I agree completely. You have ...Stan, Well said and I agree completely. You have in fact, just encapsulated my thoughts on the matter.<br /><br />Also, let me add, that we should all keep in mind too the tremendous pressure Rush is always under, particularly from the MSM which sees him as Satan-incarnate.<br /><br />So take my criticism for what it is, a wish that he (and others) would get back to top form, but certainly not a condemnation or an abandonment.<br /><br /><br />And for the record, I truly miss William Buckley. :(AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-27226093237769306712012-02-27T17:07:17.816-05:002012-02-27T17:07:17.816-05:00as i look over the field of crap candidates, all i...as i look over the field of crap candidates, all i can wonder is: why is this so stinkin' hard?<br /><br />it's obvious what the majority of Americans want: a true conservative. yet, the establishment is playing with us. it's nothing short of making something harder than it has to be. and for what? that's the question, isn't it. what is to be gained?<br /><br />i swear every day i get thismuchcloser to turning my back on all politics. i don't know how much more i'm willing to take.Notawonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388997298014397980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-40872663648457770832012-02-27T17:05:35.250-05:002012-02-27T17:05:35.250-05:00Andrew: Agreed, he seems to be flailing at times, ...Andrew: Agreed, he seems to be flailing at times, with a massive caveat, he’s the consummate professional entertainer/orator by any measure, who delivers a fair three hour conservative oratory, all things being considered. But my biggest personal beef with Rush, at times, he tows the party line, as others had said up-thread, if somebody’s wrong they’re, no matter what party…not speaking as the keeper of right and wrong. With the assault of 98% of the MSM media, if not Rush, then who? <br /><br />What you say about education is so true, our “leaders” of the conservative movement like William F. Buckley, Dr. Sowell, etc. must teach. I think Rush tries, but he does have an obligation to entertain as well, but I agree.StanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-24004560381229272962012-02-27T16:15:53.748-05:002012-02-27T16:15:53.748-05:00Stan, I saw that on Newt. When Newt is focused, h...Stan, I saw that on Newt. When Newt is focused, he can come up with very good plans. Let's hope people in Congress are paying attention and some of this works its way into the next budget no matter who wins the election!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-81748832407517851482012-02-27T16:11:26.663-05:002012-02-27T16:11:26.663-05:00Stan, There's no denying Rush's influence ...Stan, There's no denying Rush's influence or what he's contributed to conservatism. Without him, much of modern conservatism simply wouldn't exist. He's the guy who let everyone know how many conservatives there truly were in this country and he's the guy who taught conservatives to finally speak up. Those are vital contributions.<br /><br />My biggest issue with Rush has been that for some time now, he's no longer the voice he was. He used to be the guy who kept conservatives on the straight and narrow path. He told people when they were right or wrong, and he did it in ways that really taught people how to understand the world.<br /><br />But lately, he's been very negative and the intellectual aspect of his show is missing. In other words, he's gone from reaching out to people and explaining why they should be conservatives to preaching to the choir. In the long term, I think that's bad for us.<br /><br />So my point is that I want to see Rush get back to doing what he used to do because I think that's vital to conservatism.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-50377347608597095132012-02-27T16:04:51.632-05:002012-02-27T16:04:51.632-05:00I saw this as a side note, thought it was interest...I saw this as a side note, thought it was interesting with the coming vote.<br />“Reagan economists Gary Robbins and Peter Ferrara have scored Mr. Gingrich’s plan using dynamic, rather than static, scoring, a method which takes into account behavioral reactions to changes in tax policy. In other words, when people and companies pay less in taxes, they tend to do things like start new businesses, hire more employees, and invest more money. Their conclusion is that the former speaker’s economic plan will provide six million new jobs in two years, and balance the budget within the first term of his presidency.”<br />In addition, Art Laffer, another Reagan economist and author of the Laffer Curve, said, “Newt Gingrich’s plan is the only fiscal policy that would effectively boost the nation’s economy and spur growth.” In endorsing the former speaker, Mr. Laffer added:<br />Gingrich’s flat tax proposals — along with his proposed balanced budget amendment — would put a quick stop to overspending and return America to fiscal soundness. No other candidate comes close to doing this.StanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-56474922544650950182012-02-27T16:02:05.284-05:002012-02-27T16:02:05.284-05:00Well I’ll be the turd in the punchbowl. Rush has d...Well I’ll be the turd in the punchbowl. Rush has done more for conservatism than perhaps anyone in America, save William F. Buckley. He brings a different point of view that until Rush was only heard on talk radio, in pockets around America. I thoroughly enjoy his “show,” notice I put show in quotes, it’s entertainment with a political twist. Does he have everything correct, certainly not, but be certain however when Mitt locks this down, and the safe money says he will, Rush will be his biggest supporter and perhaps most important, as he did with McCain. As far as a deal between Romney/Paul who cares, as was stated above. His point was, as I heard it was he had that thought in an email with his brother some months earlier, and used it as a talking point about something that was happening in real time in the press, of which he is a member. I’m a firm believer of Reagan’s 11th commandment, “thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican.” In doing so only reinforces the continual attack that Rush endures from the MSM, like it or not he’s important to the conservative movement. As far as who wins the primary, and I believe it will be Romney, I will support with every fiber in my being, including Santorum.StanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-48589666713948822162012-02-27T15:47:52.159-05:002012-02-27T15:47:52.159-05:00Apparently, btw, Google has now given us a differe...Apparently, btw, Google has now given us a different look on the comments page. This was not our doing and I can't say I like it.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-64783868350961695422012-02-27T15:47:16.449-05:002012-02-27T15:47:16.449-05:00Crispy, You and me both.Crispy, You and me both.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-87536532411350891022012-02-27T15:45:02.311-05:002012-02-27T15:45:02.311-05:00Ugh! I'll be so happy when this election is ov...Ugh! I'll be so happy when this election is over. I'm tired of it all.CrispyRicenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-65196214424914826792012-02-27T15:03:51.082-05:002012-02-27T15:03:51.082-05:00Jed, Very well said.
I think you've distilled...Jed, Very well said.<br /><br />I think you've distilled the problem precisely.<br /><br />Most voters don't have the time or inclination to do their own research. So they put their faith into others who they trust will do the research for them. In return, they expect the right decision to be made and that decision to be conveyed in an easy to grasp manner. In other words, they turn to a guy like Rush (or Brit Hume or Rachel Maddow or whoever) for a simple statement of why they should pick one candidate over another.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this relies on trust, and often the pundits are abusing that trust. Indeed, rather than doing the thoughtful leg work and distilling their findings in an easy to understand way, they are either merely repeating conventional wisdoms, or they slant their views toward a favorite.<br /><br />(And that's leaving aside that these things don't have simple answers in the first place.)<br /><br />Further, they have learned to cover their tracks with demagoguery. Why? Because fear and hate blind the ability to reason. Thus, if I pound the table and tell you that someone is a mortal danger to you, you are more likely to buy in and less likely to ask questions about how thorough my research was.<br /><br />Moreover, with people shopping for a "genuine conservative" in a world of phonies, the demagog hosts will do better at attracting people because they sound more "genuine" compared to the guys who are being truthful and realistic. That makes it that much harder for the rational analysts to compete.<br /><br />In effect, the entire system is a disaster because it lead to the exact things we should be seeking to avoid. And since voters keep falling for it, we are getting the leaders we deserve.<br /><br />That's why Obama has been such a disappointment to the left and Bush was such a disappointment to the right -- because we never looked at the real person, we only listened to the screamers who assured us this person was the real deal.<br /><br />I would like to see someone, like <i>National Review</i> actually lay out the case for and against each of the candidates. I think it's long past time for that. They should have done that a year ago before things even started.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-13834160699084832822012-02-27T14:44:23.545-05:002012-02-27T14:44:23.545-05:00You know, as I've read through the comments th...You know, as I've read through the comments this afternoon, I was struck with an obvious fact. Most of politics is served by highly partisan, red meat types on both sides, who have a tendency to over-simplify almost everything. It is the opinion people on t.v. news, syndicated columnists, who boil stuff down for (perhaps) the majority of people who are not political junkies AND willing to take the time to seriously consider issues.<br /><br />In fact, many partisan opinion shapers automatically disagree with anything and everything stated by the opposition. That doesn't mean some are not more sophisticated in their analysis, but the reality is, most voters have not invested much, if any, time in getting objectively schooled in the issues. It is hard to criticize them because it does take time and effort. Nevertheless, it may be an indictment that we get the leadership we deserve, proves demogaging and negative advertising continues to work, and so on.<br /><br />We have made the case that Romney is a transactional politician rather than a charismatic leader, and yes, he is prone to the gaffe from time to time. As the early "prohibitive" favorite, he fed into that perception by using the time tested front-runner tactic of avoiding controversy. As National Review pointed out very well in their latest issue, it could be time to really lay out just what he would bring to the table. It actually is quite a lot. :)Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-88473704713467676592012-02-27T14:29:34.369-05:002012-02-27T14:29:34.369-05:00Joel, I have absolutely noticed that -- Red State ...Joel, I have absolutely noticed that -- Red State in particular. If you don't toe the line that Romney is the world's greatest leftist villain, then you will be shouted down by dozens of people who will call you all sorts of names.<br /><br />I know I've pushed the Santorum thing rather hard (and I honestly do want to stop talking about him), but I do respect people's right to choose their candidates. I just want people to go in with their eyes open and not pretend they are supporting conservatism with any of these people.<br /><br />We can agree to disagree and still be friends, and that's what conservatism should be about. It should not be about groupthink and personal attacks, but that's what I'm seeing at so many other places -- be it pro-Perry, pro-Newt, pro-Santorum, pro-whatever. It's become believe or die.<br /><br />Let's take the emotion out of this and think things through because at the end of the day, we as conservatives agree on so much more than we disagree about.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-16305509674903958312012-02-27T14:21:38.884-05:002012-02-27T14:21:38.884-05:00Andrew,
Have you noticed, that some blogs like Re...Andrew,<br /><br />Have you noticed, that some blogs like RedState are going off the deep end? If you wander over and say something like "Romney is great!" They jump all over you as if you said,"Allahu Akbar!" On some, it is Newt that is defended. <br /><br />TownHall is extremely susceptible to this.Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.com