The GOP Ground Game

A blueprint for where the Republican Party goes from here

By Howard Fineman | NEWSWEEK
Published Apr 18, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Apr 27, 2009

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  • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/25/2009 1:52:25 PM

    JohnGatlaketahoe, I can appreciate your concern about the actions George W. Bush and the Congress, both Republican and Democrat, took that violated the Constitution and the rights of the American people. They should perhaps be tried for their actions, considering how seriously wrong the actions were and the necessity of preventing them from reoccurring.

    Nonetheless, you claim that the Republicans were responsible for funding the Bush War in Iraq. Our congress, Republicans and Democrats, agreed to going into Iraq and to funding the military operations in Iraq. Once they agreed that we would enter Iraq, they had an obligation to our troops and others to financially commit to the effort. For a country to commit resources to a military effort is a duty and not a crime. Moreover, the financial cost of operating in Iraq does not account for the full fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush administration. We may dispute the methods Bush used for the War in Iraq and War on Terrorism, but we cannot dispute that we committed to this effort.

    Your letter is desperately lacking in specifics and fails to address the number of ways Bush violated the Constitution. If you are going to put effort into such a letter, do a better job.

    Also, keep in mind that Bush is gone from office. We have a new president who is working hard to address a number of challenging issues facing our country. Let's focus on this and not George W. Bush.

    Finally and most importantly, this post is completely off the topic of the current Republican political strategy. It is ridiculous that you posted this same post over 10 times. Stop abusing this comment section.

  • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/25/2009 1:51:58 PM

    JohnGatlaketahoe, I can appreciate your concern about the actions George W. Bush and the Congress, both Republican and Democrat, took that violated the Constitution and the rights of the American people. They should perhaps be tried for their actions, considering how seriously wrong the actions were and the necessity of preventing them from reoccurring.

    Nonetheless, you claim that the Republicans were responsible for funding the Bush War in Iraq. Our congress, Republicans and Democrats, agreed to going into Iraq and to funding the military operations in Iraq. Once they agreed that we would enter Iraq, they had an obligation to our troops and others to financially commit to the effort. For a country to commit resources to a military effort is a duty and not a crime. Moreover, the financial cost of operating in Iraq does not account for the full fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush administration. We may dispute the methods Bush used for the War in Iraq and War on Terrorism, but we cannot dispute that we committed to this effort.

    Your letter is desperately lacking in specifics and fails to address the number of ways Bush violated the Constitution. If you are going to put effort into such a letter, do a better job.

    Also, keep in mind that Bush is gone from office. We have a new president who is working hard to address a number of challenging issues facing our country. Let's focus on this and not George W. Bush.

    Finally and most importantly, this post is completely off the topic of the current Republican political strategy. It is ridiculous that you posted this same post over 10 times. Stop abusing this comment section.

  • Posted By: RO in Reno @ 04/24/2009 9:25:36 AM

    Republicans who remain in office are the same Republicans who have not had to spend much time in the glare of public opinion defending their position on issues. having been shielded by a Republican administration.

    Now to in an attempt to maintain the status quo they have to defend Bush/Cheney policies of which they were always a part and supporter of.
    What we see is just how childish and morally bankrupt they are and have been all along.
    The moral bankruptcy of defending torture.
    The childish budget with no numbers, the insistence that global warming is no more serious than a cow fart.
    The idea of becoming cool by going hip hop.
    The search for a new derogatory term since socialism has lost its impact, even if it is not applicable to this administration.
    The insistence that corporate tax cuts are good for the middle class.
    The opposition to health care in favor of insurance company profits.
    Publically hoping for failure of America just to prove their point.
    I could go on but the fact is the position of the Republican party is now under scrutiny by a more aware electorate and what we see are people who at best could be called self serving and childish.
    They are the remains of the Bush Administration and apparently will defend that administrations policies to the end. Even as it brings more scrutiny to them personally
    Like leopards they are unable to change their spots and lack a broader awareness, foresight and intellect to change their thinking.

    • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/24/2009 2:27:58 PM

      "Republicans who remain in office are the same Republicans who have not had to spend much time in the glare of public opinion defending their position on issues."
      Most of the people in Congress, Republican or Democrat, have not had to spend much time in the glare of public opinion defending their position on issues. The are shielded insular districts. The incumbency rate for the House of Representatives is over 90% and for the Senate is over 75% (in many elections is over 80%). They are still engaging in the same partisan arguments and have the same policy ideas as 10 years ago. This isn't a Republican problem; this is a Democrat and Republican problem.

      I think your list of Republican party nonsense contains a lot of political attacks from the Democrats, some of which are inaccurate and others which are accurate by merely political.

      "The childish budget with no numbers"
      They did have a budget with numbers. This was overshadowed by their budget announcement before the numbers and politics. While their final budget had questionable numbers and a lot of stupid political ideas, it did have numbers and possibly had some good ideas. It's a shame that politics got in the way of this budget being taken seriously.

      "The seach for a new derogatory term since socialism has lost its impact, even if it is not applicable to this administration."
      Oh come on, this administration is clearly big government. Perhaps there are good reasons for this (such as the economy) and "socialism" isn't the correct term. But I think some of the people calling the Democrats socialists have serious concerns about the Democrat's policies. This is just a typical Democrat complaint to disregard these concerns.

      "The opposition to health care in favor of insurance company profits."
      I think the average citizen siding with the Republicans on health care are not "in favor of insurance company profits". They are simply opposed to government-run health care and there are some good reasons for this. They mostly want health care addressed and are waiting for the Republicans in congress to finally exhibit some decent health care ideas. This is just another common Democrat line.

      That said, the Republicans in congress, RNC, etc. have engaged in a lot of disgraceful shenanigans recently. The people who register Republican or Independent and lean-Republican are watching the shenanigans of the remaining Republicans in power with extreme disappointment and disdain. So I think it is worth noting that these shenanigans are not indicative of the Republican Party, but of the few Republicans with any political power. Those Republicans in power need to get their act together.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 9:52:33 PM

    http://my.msn.com/

    Quote of the Day

    "The man who says what he thinks is finished, and the man who thinks what he says is an idiot."
    Rolf Hochhuth

    • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/23/2009 11:26:44 PM

      What is the relevance of this? This is clearly off topic. Please stay on topic.

      While you were busy posting your quote, did you take the time to offer what the Republicans should do about racism in their own party and do to convince you that they aren't racists?

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 4:32:01 AM

    Perhaps I am misunderstanding you. Because I actually think you said that if I do not shut it, that is discontinue supporting my opinions that Republican is synonymous with racism, I am a jerk. If you think you have a valid reason that I should be censored, all you have to do is +Report Abuse.??? Perhaps it would be meaningful for not only you and I, but all readers for you to do just that. My comments have been responded to by at least four different people. You make the fifth. It appears that you have decided you can accurately supply editorial judgments to my commentary, but believe you can and should also add your personal limit upon the length of my commentary in addition to Newsweek???s built in limit of three thousand words. I think you fool yourself in regards to just how pertinent your opposition to other peoples comments actually is.

    I refuse to adhere in any manner or fashion to your asking me to shut it, and could not care less if you think I am a jerk. I have absolutely no idea for certain why you make the comments that you do. I have stated vehemently the purpose of my commentary and have every intention of continuing supporting my political goals of realizing Republican defeats regardless of how many Republicans have decided I have said to much. I am confident that I have not made any comment directly attacking any individual person. I am confident that I have not written anything not true in regards to Republicans, and my primary reason that I oppose the Republican Party.

    Here is what I think. I think the American electorate is more than capable of determining for themselves whether or not my commentary is not legitimate. More than capable of determining for themselves if my commentary is without merit. A rhetorical fabrication by me with an effort to falsely accuse anybody for any reason. I am simply using factual recorded history to support my comments and yes, they are pointed at racists, as well as Republicans that have decided to be political allies with racists to win elections. You said I made my point. Did I mention the ???Southern Strategy??? employed by President Nixon? Did I mention that President Reagan opened his Presidential Campaign in Mississippi, right in the heart of a racist County where hundreds of FBI and Navy Seaman scoured the region searching for the bodies of three murdered College students. Murdered by a Sheriff, and his KKK cohorts? Did I mention the Willie Horton adds by George Herbert Walker Bush, specifically designed to employ racial animosity to gain votes? But I have said to much? I dare you to report abuse. I dare you to continue asking me to shut it. Perhaps I will be the one reporting abuse.

    • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/23/2009 12:23:31 PM

      Man, after others telling you to stop it with the racism talk and me explaining that you are getting carried, you still persist in blabbing. (At least 2/5 replies were to ask you to stop talking about racism.) Even after 5 consecutive posts by you complaining about Republicans being racists, you still don't think you've made your point. You just don't know when to quit, do you?

      My point is that I have no intention of censoring you and no intention of reporting abuse on you. I have no intention of infringing upon your free speech whatsoever. The fact that you blabbed about it for 2 paragraphs is laughable. I just will think you are rambling jerk (and now in fact do).

      I asked you what it would take for the Republicans to win you over and you didn't bother to respond to this. All you did is ramble on a number of examples of Republicans being racists. Just because Republicans make a few actions you perceive to be racists doesn't make Republican synonymous with racism. Moreover, the things you view as racists aren't as racists as you make them out to be. The "Southern Strategy" arguably started with Goldwater when he voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on grounds of states rights. Goldwater was a strong supporter of civil rights but was more strongly a supporter of liberty and the Constitution. When Goldwater said states rights, he meant states rights. But some racists Southerns thought states rights meant racism and voted for Goldwater. Since, Republicans employed the "Southern Strategy" because it won elections and, frankly, they would have never won without the South. Of course, the Southern Strategy meant Republicans played to a bunch of racists and religious nuts and that is part of their problem now. But the Southern Strategy was merely political, not racial bigotry. As for Reagan, I fail to see how opening a President Campaign is racist. I doubt Reagan though about Mississippi being racist country and though more about winning the election. In fact, Reagan frequently talked about using Republican principles to help minorities, so Reagan clearly wasn't racist.

      Now forget for a second that "Republicans are racists" and actually look at the Republican platform. They claim to support individual liberty, limited government, fiscal responsibility, tax cuts, strong military, and traditional values. Do you agree with any of this? Note that the Republican platform has nothing to do with hating black people. What would it take for the Republicans to show you that they are not racists?

      If you do not answer what the Republicans can do to show you that you aren't racists and persist in talking about racism, I will simply continue to think that you are babbling jerk who doesn't know when to quit.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 8:59:57 PM

    Bjsassy, Thank you for your response, I accept, but see things quite differently. Here is what I think. By your pseudonym being bjsassy, I am guessing you are female. I am an older Black man. When I was twenty-one years old I was a Sgt in an Airborne Ranger Co (11b4v). Perhaps my life experiences have taught me less tolerance of BS than many. This may sound chauvinistic to you , but I kind of think much of our differences in the way we see things is because I am a man, I suspect you are a woman. If you are a woman, what I just said can easily be viewed as chauvinistic, because it is chauvinistic.

    To me you and many Conservatives add your own twist on surmising American political history. It is as if I would purposefully make a chauvinistic statement, and then deny it is a chauvinistic statement. That is how I perceive any defense, any acceptable explanation of racism. To me it is sinful, anti-Christ, anti-American. There is no such thing that can possibly make the racist activities acceptable in this nation under any circumstances. To me it is shameful to even try to explain away racism in any fashion.

    To me the embrace of racism is equivalent to one shaking his/her fist at God. Saying, the Lord???s Commandments to Love Him, and to love thy neighbor as thyself is rejected. Anyway, I do not believe you are racist, but millions of Southern Republicans are and they have always used racism to affect their political decisions. I hope Republicans lose elections to deny those racists an opportunity to do what they have always done in the past. Create laws and policies that are specifically designed to oppress Blacks. Good night and may the Lord continue to bless you and yours.

    • Posted By: bjsassy @ 04/23/2009 9:14:52 AM

      Yes, I am a woman. I gathered from your comments that you have suffered from racism and you grew up in the south. We Caucasians will never comprehend what it is like to be judged solely on the color of one???s skin. You have seen the dark side of humanity. Bosmith, there is also a bright side.

      I have enjoyed corresponding with you. We have had a lively dialogue without calling each other names. It is possible to disagree without descending into nastiness, isn't it?
      I do hope that the next time you read or watch American citizens disagreeing with our president, you will consider that it may be based on ideology, not on racism.

      God bless you.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 12:49:57 AM

    bkrummel , something tells me you have to accept mt right to free speech whether you like it or not. Perhaps you might try contactinpt the powers that run this magazine and get them to censor me. You have no chance. I am surprised you dare thing you should be able to order, and edit the commentary oth others. I will continue to post my commentry and why I oppose the elections of Republicans. I suggest you may try that message on those that oppose my views. You truly have no chance of influencing me in any fashion. Incidently, it appears you overlooked my belief that much of the Republican Party is synonymous with racism. If you disagree, so be it. I do not believe you have the only valid opinions. I wonder if other Americans think you have the only valid opinions and the right to free speech?

    • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/23/2009 1:23:45 AM

      "something tells me you have to accept mt right to free speech whether you like it or not."
      I didn't say I'd have the censorship board fine you or storm troopers come after you if you didn't shut it. I simply expressed my desire for you to shut it. If you certainly have the right to not shut it, but if you decide to not shut it then I will regard you as a jerk.

      Besides, if I had a valid reason for wanting you censored, all I would have to do is "Report Abuse". I haven't done so.

      "Incidently, it appears you overlooked my belief that much of the Republican Party is synonymous with racism."
      No I haven't. I am well aware that some Republicans are racists, including people I know. I am also aware that the Republicans have done a very poor job of reaching out to black voters and I'm extremely pissed off about it. Nonetheless, I think your claim that "much of the Republican Party is synonymous with racism"; only a small group of Republicans are racists and the Republican Party is hardly "synonymous" with racism. I think you have a grudge against the Republicans over racism and need to take a second look to realize that the Republicans aren't as racists as you think. But more importantly, after seeing 5 straight long post from you talking about racism, I think you are getting carried away. You made your point about the Republicans being racist, beyond responding to those who disagree, you should move on.

      Could you briefly describe what it would take for the Republicans to be viewed by you as not racist? And after that, could you please, pretty please, shut it about the racism, at least until you decide to respond to someone else's post.

  • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/23/2009 12:22:06 AM

    Bosmith, shut it! The topic of the article is the Republican Party and its political strategy, not racism.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 12:21:22 AM

    As an American citizen I posted thses comments to add substance to my comments. They are simply that because of the historical embrace of racism in the South, that now overwhelmingly vote Republican. I urge all American voters to consider the beliefs and attitudes documented by the South and not vote Republican. A vote for Republicans gives a voiveand influence to a people that have demonstrated they have never even considered extending Constitutional Rights ot all Americans throughout the entire histroy of the United States. Those that support the beliefs and actions depicted refuse to even acknowledge those actions took place it the south and were defended, fought for until the mid-nineteen sixties. Consider policies that place obstacles in front of Black Americans that will not affect the vast majority of Americans. Since the founding of this nation, not one American has not been affected by the racist actions targeted towards Black Americans. Those are facts, not opinins. Consider who you are. What you approve of. What you find acceptable in American Society when you consider the denial of historical reality by Americans such as ToTheRight. Can you really believe and support his comments and misleading points of view? How many of you would take your child to witness such barberity? Has the culture in the South shown they find such things acceptable? This is our country. Vote to continue to crush any potential of a renewal of violent, subjugating racism violently or codified into American Policy.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 12:04:36 AM

    Afew more reviews just to give ToTheRight a little more to deny exposes Southern Racism. Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in Americaby Anonymous
    Reader Rating:
    See Detailed Ratings
    September 28, 2003: I am more amazed at the action of those who got dressed up, packed lunch, and drove, walked and attended an event? to see strange fruit hanging from trees. The most disturbing photo I saw in this great book is the young girl with a smile on her face as she gazes up at one Black man hanging, what is she smiling about? Did her generation catch the big one? I recommend you get this book before someone with power bans it from all libraries across the nation. To actually learn people back then traded post cards announcing this from state to state is a most terrible yet valuable piece of our history. Is it any wonder why the death penalty and our prison industrial complex is so high for men of all colors now? I hope this helps you to never forget. I know it does for me to never loan the book to a friend who has yet to return it to me. stay strong and keep reading and learning from the past while you can........can't read?, then review the picture I just described and ask yourself, what do you see??


    Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in Americaby Anonymous
    Reader Rating:
    See Detailed Ratings
    August 24, 2008: Throughout this read, I questioned my own heart. Could I have been one of these happy spectators? I hated myself at the mere suggestion. As I read of these modern crucifixions, sobs shook me. I will be forever impacted, and yet as I look at history from the ampitheater to the holocaust and beyond, I wonder will we ever learn? We've moved on from lynching our brothers to killing the unborn, and in spite of scientific and clinical evidence that these little ones are indeed experiencing real horror and pain, have convinced ourselves that our attempts to undo our own poor decisions and lack of restraint by snuffing out a life is morally acceptable, and that granting one's self an additional choice at the expense of a weaker 'or positionally disadvantaged' human being is somehow morally superior to protecting that disadvantaged person. Killing someone simply as a matter of convenience--a punishment for a crime s/he has not committed--and then deeming it justifiable it's a sickening and insatiable bloodthirst... Who's next?



  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/23/2009 12:00:36 AM

    http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Without-Sanctuary/James-Allen/e/9780944092699

    Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America by James Allen, Leon F. Litwack, Hilton Als, Leon F. Litwack, Hilton Als
    BUY IT NEW
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    Synopsis
    The Tuskegee Institute records the lynching of 4,742 blacks between 1882 and 1968. This is probably a small percentage of these murders, which were seldom reported, and led to the creation of the NAACP in 1909. Through all this terror and carnage, someone- many times a professional photographer- carried a camera and took pictures of the events. These lynching photographs were often made into postcards and sold as souvenirs to the crowds in attendance. Historians have also detailed the carnival atmosphere and the social ritual of a lynching, which was often announced in advance and drew thousands of people from the surrounding area. Most disturbing is the sight of the white people, looking straight at the camera as if they had nothing to be ashamed of, often smiling.
    These images are some of photography's most brutal, surviving to this day so that we may now look back upon the carnage and perhaps know our history and ourselves better. The almost one hundred images reproduced here are a testament to the camera's ability to make us remember what we often choose to forget.
    Booknews
    These pictures are shocking visual testimony to the unspeakable ferocity of violence against blacks in this country in the not-too-distant past. The photos are part of the Allen/Littlefield Collection and are on deposit in the Special Collections Department, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Emory University. James Allen provides notes on the content and context of the photos; Congressman John Lewis provides a foreword; writers Leon F. Litwack and Hilton Als contribute commentary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
    More Reviews and Recommendations


    Seems as though whoever wrote this synopsis must be familiar with the perceptions and opinions of ToTheRight

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 11:58:59 PM

    Although it appears that to theRight saw Democrats, the colletor, owner and narrator of the website saw something different. ToTheRight seems to interpret these photographs that in no way depicts the violent racist culture that existed in the South. I wonder if he is truly refuses to see Southern Racist culture as depicted in these photographs, or does he believe if he refuses to acknowledge what is shown in these photographs, nobody else can or will. Any way, the following is what the owner of these pkotographs said,. Notwithsatnding ToTheRight adamantly states this is not photographs of Southern racism.

    "Without Sanctuary is a photo document of proof, an unearthing Of crimes, of collective mass murder, of mass memory graves excavated from the American conscious. Part postal cards common as dirt, souvenirs skin-and fresh tatooed proud, the trade cards of those assisting at ritual racial killings and other acts of mad citizenry. The communties' best citizens lurking just outside the frame. Destined to decay, these few survivors of an orginal photo population of many thousands, turn the living to pillars of salt"


    - James Allen

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 11:49:03 PM

    ToTheRight, again you think you not only have the right to your own opinions, you seem to have the right to you own facts. About a year ago a Bill came up before Congress to decide whether or not to extend the provisions of the Voting Rights Act. Some of which were the continued practice of sending federal Monitors from the US Justice Dept. to monitor various polling places in the South. There were a few Southern Republican Congressman representing Southern Districts in the South that made speeches on the floor of the House objecting to continued monitoring of Polling Places in the South. They pretty much had their own opinions just like you. If you object to the notion that Southerners created a society based upon oppressing Blacks, then it must not be true. If you believe those photographs did not depict racist Southern culture, then it must not be true.

    The only problem is that just as your denial of what those photographs actually depicted, the opposition of those Southern Congressman were also rejected as factual or even believable. The reason those Southern Congressman failed to stop continuous monitoring of Polling Places in the South that had a history of voter suppression because of their racist beliefs is because the Justice Dept had been sending teams to recorded districts, all across the South that exercised voter suppression and reported back to their Department heads. Their report directly refutes what you just said that anybody that believes Blacks have been denied access to casting their votes are delusional. They reported back they uncovered numerous, inconsistencies adopting Federal guidelines that prevented voter disenfranchisement. at Southern State Polling Places and State Voter Registration Offices.

    That led them to conclude that Federal monitors must continue to be sent to monitor said Polling places in the South. This law will be in effect for the next twenty-five years. Perhaps those Southern Congressman should have taken you to give a speech on the floor of the House, and straighten all those Lawmakers that voted to pass the Bill , so you could straighten them out. Just as you have straightened me out, saying those were photos of democrats committing such horrible acts. What you fail to acknowledge is that Federal Monitors concluded that without Federal oversight Blacks would again be subjected to voter disenfranchisement and voter suppression that habitually occurred without Federal monitors. Now you are free to spin reality in any way that helps you to believe the South no longer is racist, that Racist White Southerners all across the South are not guilty of being a culture that embraced violent racism. Good luck getting anybody outside the racist south to agree with you.

  • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/22/2009 11:33:06 PM

    What the Republicans need to do above all else, is stop worrying about winning elections and beating Obama. They can't beat Obama anyway. They need to focus on coming up with good ideas to solve problems and working with Obama and the Democrats to implement some of the ideas. If they are seen as part of the solution rather than just the "party of no", they will get credit along side Obama and people will start to like the Republicans again. Even though they are in the minority, they are still in the government and still need to do their job of serving the people. If they want the people to trust them, they need to earn that trust by doing their jobs and showing that they are competent. The best electoral strategy right now is to serve the people and help Obama.

  • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/22/2009 11:32:52 PM

    Let's look at the Republican strategy, accurately described by the article:

    "If the GOP is regarded as the "Party of No," so be it. If the economy improves markedly by fall 2010, Republicans aren't going to get credit anyway. If the economy doesn't improve, the president will get the blame. "If he does it by himself, he owns it," says McConnell."
    So the Republicans are more worried about strategy and winning elections it seems. It doesn't matter what we do, we will still look bad, so we should do nothing to help the country get through the current economic crisis. How patriotic! This strategy, in addition to not helping our country, won't work anyway. The economy probably will improve and Obama will look really go because of it. Even if the economy weakens, the Republicans will still be viewed as having no ideas, as perhaps helping create the mess before Obama was in office, and as doing nothing to help Obama fix the mess. Either way, this strategy still ends with people not voting for Republicans.

    "In the meantime, says McConnell, the party can afford to wait for Obama to make some unpopular decisions and hope the rest of the country catches up to Sixth and Jefferson."
    Not going to work. The people at Sixth and Jefferson are a small group that were going to complain about Obama anyway and some of them don't even trust the Republicans. Also, Obama is a really good speaker and likable guy. He is not going to become unpopular. During the election, every time Obama screwed up or someone attacked him, Obama just came out of it even more likable and Presidential. The day Obama pursues an unpopular policy, the next day Obama will be even more popular.

    "Do we really want to double the national debt in five years?" McConnell asks. "Do we really want to spend so much and grow the government so much? Governing is a hazardous business, and not all of the decisions the president makes are going to be right."
    Yea, and the Republicans didn't significantly increase the national debt and spend and grow the government? Once the Democrats get carried away with growing government, the people still won't trust the Republicans to do any better. Moreover, what is this talk about President not getting everything right; almost sounds like he wants the President to fail.

  • Posted By: harringtonmb @ 04/22/2009 11:57:43 AM

    How to repair the damage to the republican Party? NEXT TIME when we have three (3) finalist left and it come down to:

    1) a business man, retired governor w/great virbil skills w/a very good family GOP track record and proven smarts

    2) a preacher, retired governor w/ good store telling skills, But has problem with separating church and state.

    3) a navy brat, life time pollitician w/ no true beliefs, ego made him run for president 3 or 4 times likes to argue.

    Now I know I am not the smartest person in the room but I voted for number 1

    • Posted By: bkrummel @ 04/22/2009 11:08:57 PM

      I see. You voted for the business man, retired governor that is a slim ball who would say anything to get elected and changed his policy positions frequently. You chose Candidate 1, who said ""Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom" (big slap in the face to atheists like myself), over Candidate 2, who "has problem with separating church and state". Good choice (sarcasm).

      Why didn't you vote for Candidate 4, good candidate that makes sense, a strong believer in limited government and fiscal responsibility, who actually has some ideas - ideas that address problems like health care, energy, the economy using Republican principles and ideas are better than more tax cuts or doing way with the IRS? Oh, I know! He wasn't running.

  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 7:35:35 PM

    Bjsassy, Up to including you implications that racism has no influence on Republican decision making. I wonder if you believe that racism had nothing to do with Jim Crow Laws that ended all across the South in 1965. How many years ago was that? Perhaps if you and other Republicans keep saying that anybody that thinks racism affets the politics of Southern Whites and the Republican Party, someone will believe you. I have read some nasty assertions by Conservatives. Such as Obama is a Muslim, Obama is not an American citizen, Obama this and Obama that is merely political opposition? I read on a different thread a comment by a Conservative Republican, many of them in fact that Michelle Obama was ugly, had no taste, no style, was a racist, blah, blah, blah.

    You actually believe intelligent mature Americans cannot tell the difference between political opposition and racist attitudes? Even when this nation has been exposed to vehement racism for the entire history of this nation? So you know what is racist and none of the rest of us do? Oh well. Keep saying what you are saying. Who knows, throw the dice. Maybe such BS will help Republicans expand their party. If it is alright with you, I???ll go along with the decisions decided at the ballot box who a majority of Americans believe is offering political governance they are willing to take a chance on. Something tells me that you and millions of other Conservative Republicans are experiencing some highflying mental gymnastics to come up with the rhetoric you guys spew. Problem is, it appears that Conservatives are the only people buying into it.

    Like it or not there are still millions of racists in the South. Like it or not those racists lose votes for non-racist Republicans. If you think otherwise, I accdept that. See you at the polls. I know they should be honest polls because the Justice Dept will send election monitors all across the South to insure that Southern racism that you deny is real, do not again try to prevent Blacks from voting. You say this nation is still growing. Do you expect this nation to grow to accept racism or continue to oppose it and crush it whenever it gets too far out of line?

    • Posted By: bjsassy @ 04/22/2009 8:15:11 PM

      Now, now, bosmith. I never said that there was no racism in the South. I jdisagreed with you that it is exclusive to the South or to a political party. There are millions of nasty blogs out there lambasting both parties. You stated that there are wackos claiming that Obama is not an American citizen. What do you expect from these blogs? They are malicious. What they said about Obama is pretty soft compared to what they said about Sarah Palin or Bush.

      BTW, I am a moderate conservative and pro-life. I have voted for candidates of both parties all of my life. However, the Democrat politicians have turned in a different direction. I look carefully at a candidate that shares my values and there aren't many. How can anyone trust politicians anymore? Congress is the worst. They are letting America down.

  • Posted By: mattieice @ 04/19/2009 11:18:59 PM

    This was all about Obama, let's not fool ourselves. Where were all these people when Bush gave the tax breaks to the wealthy, on the backs of the rest of us. Where were all these people when Bush took a surplus and turned it into a deficit
    Where were all these people when the first bailout occurred under Bush? We all know what this is about, it isn't about taxes, or bailouts or anything other then a Black guy is now President. Sorry it has to be said!

    • Posted By: Wise1 @ 04/20/2009 4:05:55 PM

      Quit throwing the race card out there. He's only part black and alot of people that put him in office have now realized what a mistake it was. He appologized to for our arrogance, I see more pride than arrogance. He bowed to another countrys king. He's doing business with one of the biggest US haters there is, but we just don't like him because he's black. GET REAL! All you're looking for is an excuse. W. screwed some things up, but what BushBashers can't seem to realize is that he was a president, not a king. Things were voted on, he couldn't just snap his fingers and do what he wanted. And BOTH parties voted to go to war. BOTH parties have become corrupt and greedy. They are worried about themselves, lining their pockets, instead of taking care of us, the people that voted them in, who they "work for". While many of us have recently lost jobs, congress and the judges voted themselves a raise. Where does that money come from? Give you one gues there matt. The only thing Obama did impressive was put a hold on his cabinets paycheck, but look at who he's put in there. I'm willing to bet that a couple of them would still be overdue on their taxes if Ol'Berry boy hadn't put them in there.

      • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/21/2009 7:24:41 PM

        Wise1, you said , ???quit throwing the race card out there. Why? Why do you voice your opinions, while at the same time viewing the opinions of others as somehow unbelievable, inaccurate, perhaps unfair? Although you may not view Republican opposition to President Obama as racist, your opposition to the opinions of those that do, you reject. Personally I find your suggestion to quit throwing the race card around to be rather inexplicable. Since the founding of this nation the race card has been not just thrown around, the race card has been extraordinarily played by a very large minority of Americans. A racial attitude exercised by some, so onerous, so passionately so violently; the exacerbation of racist attitudes almost tore this nation apart. I wonder if in your wisdom, wise one you have ever considered the actuality, the indefensible actions fomented by race?

        What do you think about a person or people that would take a child from his parents and sell that child for profit? What do you think about a person that would take another human being; castrate him, beat him, set him on fire, shoot him, all with an attitude, this is right, this is just, that is the society that I prefer to live in? I ask you, assuming that you do not consider this type of behavior acceptable, what do you think of such people that have found such behavior so acceptable they desired to create a territory inside the United States where that was the rule of law?

        If you possessed the humanity, the fairness, the inclination to accept the teachings of Christ as what is acceptable and unacceptable, how can you say to one ???stop throwing the race card around??? when you must purposefully turn a blind eye to those that have done such things, or supported such things and/or defended such things; and desire to continue to do such things? I do not know your age but if you are even fifty years old and have been living in this nation you are aware these people are still a very large population in the United States. How long ago was it this nation watched people, children and old ladies being attacked with German Shepherds, children being fire-hosed? Mass arrests simply because racism was codified into law?

        No use in saying anything further. My point is that you seem to take issue with any person seeing people for whom they have shown us they are. It seems as though for one reason or another you choose to become political allies with those that embrace racism while at the same time admonish those that justly, wisely consider the history of racist ideology, recognize it when they see it, while you attempt to overlook it, perhaps defend it, minimize it, think it not important. Why? Because the answer for you is personal. It is who you just showed all that read this thread, who you are. I appreciate you showing me who you are. It reinforces my opposition to allowing/electing such people to influence national policy that affects all Americans.




        • Posted By: DedeStael @ 04/22/2009 12:13:00 PM

          I'm sorry, but i believe you misunderstood. He was saying he hates the race card because he {and I) are tired of people saying we hate obama because he's black, when it's more correctly- we hate obama because of his values, actions, principles, etc...

          • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 2:14:53 PM

            DedeStael, Thank you for your response. I have no reason to disbelieve your response. You hate President Obama because of his ???values, principles, attitudes, actions, etc.??? That makes sense to ma, very reasonable, indeed. Does that imply that you accept, do not hate racist members of the Republican Party with a history of violent racism? Ok I think I get it. You hate President Obama for his values, principles, actions, etc???, yet do not hate those whose values, principles, and attitudes that include racism, violent racism; as this nation watched in disgust and horror all across the south in the mid-sixties?

            If you can, try not to take this as a personal attack. You are aware the most Americans consider the Conservative South, the base of the Republican Party? You are aware those are the people that perpetuated Racism since the founding of this nation? In fact states all across the south fought to maintain Jim Crow Laws (racism codified into law) until the mid nineteen sixties. So what you are saying what those people did is more acceptable to you than President Obama???s policies. If that is not what you are saying I sure would be interested in hearing any sort of explanation at all that states you are political allies with Americans that have shown the people of this nation, they support and tolerate violent racism, while you say that even though Obama???s is Black, that is not why you oppose his Presidency.

            Perhaps what I am about to say does not apply to you. But Someone once told me, a pair of lips will say anything. Often times not knowing the meaning of their words and/or actually do know the meaning of their words yet believe they can say one thing and get others to believe something else. As much as I truly want to believe what you are saying, I find it difficult. Although, I think I can easily believe what you just said if you will explain to me how becoming political allies with historically known racists is preferable to you than an elected President of the United States, that happens to be Black. This conversation is just simply an exchange of views, is it not? Is it acceptable to you for others to engage in differing points of view with honesty and clarity, or must you simply require others to accept your points of view without question? I think it very poor judgement for any American to believe Southern Conservatives being able to influence national policy will seek policy that will benefit all American citizens. I hope you respond.


            • Posted By: bjsassy @ 04/22/2009 3:01:47 PM

              Hello, bosmith. You sound like a sincere person, passionate in your beliefs. You talk about bigotry, but you accuse Republicans of being racists. You may be a very nice person, but you are biased. Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. Racists point a finger at certain ethnic groups and accuse them of being criminal or lazy or inferior. Isn't it just as wrong for you to accuse a whole group of people, Southerners or Republicans, of being racists? Racists come in all colors, from all walks of life and from every section in this country. The better educated are adept at hiding their intolerance from others. Unfortunately, I have met some very bigoted Democrats.

              You really should take some sensitive training classes. It will do you a world of good.

              • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 3:55:40 PM

                • Posted By: bjsassy @ 04/22/2009 6:55:43 PM

                  Unfortunately, you just proved my point. You are blaming Republicans for much of this country's ills. They certainly can share some of the blame, but it isn't that simple. At any given time, 50% of the people are critical of their president. It was true during the administrations of Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush. It is now Obama's turn. It isn't racism. It is American politics!

                  This country has a glorious history and a shameful history. Our country was torn apart by the Civil War. For hundreds of years, this country prospered on the backs of slaves. Our ancestors tried to decimate the Native American tribes and then forced them onto reservations. Children worked in sweatshops, women and blacks were not allowed to vote and there were public executions. America is a different country now. Yes, we still have a long way to go, but we are growing as a nation. We will continue to grow..

              • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 4:02:01 PM

                Bjsassy, you say ???Abraham Lincoln was a Republican??? then hopefully equating the Republican Party of 2009 with the Republican Party of the 1800???s that defeated the South and in so doing ended slavery. But you know as well as every other American that has attended High School that is simply a misleading statement. Unless you subscribe to the idea that even though the South lost it ability to enslave Blacks when they lost the Civil War, fought to tear this nation apart, fought to create a territory where Slavery and the oppression of Blacks was the law of the land; have somehow changed their ideology simply by changing political party affiliation. I cannot believe that even you believe there is any resemblance of Lincoln???s Republican Party that successfully prosecuted the Civil War and the people whom President Lincoln fought a war against to preserve this nation and, expediently ended Slavery at the same time.

                To me, that is a clear illustration of a person either not knowing what he is saying and/or knows what he is saying and wants others to believe something that he himself doesn???t believe. Do you actually believe the war was not fought between the North and the South. That Southerners that have since joined the Republican Party and now have taken on the mantle they are now the Party that opposes Racism? Phooey. What an outrageous notion. Who can be silly enough to accept that, believe that? After a 100 years of Jim Crow.

                The other reason I thank you for responding is I find it somewhat important to clarify something you have said. You accuse me of calling all Southerners and Republicans racist. That is not true. I suspect you have made such generalities because in spite of recorded factual US History you still (even in 2009) do not want to acknowledge that millions upon millions of Southerners all across the South were and for the most part are still racist. Unless you care to say that Jim Crow Laws that were exercised all across the South, implemented by the vast majority of Southern Americans were not racist. I suppose if I wanted to somehow ameliorate statements that most Southern Whites, now members of the Republican Party are labeled racists, one way to have objections to my statements is to suggest that I have labeled all Republicans racist. Millions of Republicans are not racist, but they hardly outnumber the racist members of the Republican Party. They just seek political power so bad they have allied themselves with racists. That is what I am saying, that is what I mean. I hope they fail, never win an election because of the natural quid pro quo they must extend to racists that help them win.


        • Posted By: DedeStael @ 04/22/2009 12:11:20 PM

          i belive you misunderstood, when he said he was tired of the race card,I believe he meant he was tired of people like you saying people like him hate obama because he's black- when it is actually that people like us don't like Obama for his values, principles, attitudes, actions, etc.

        • Posted By: DedeStael @ 04/22/2009 12:09:44 PM

          i belive you misunderstood, when he said he was tired of the race card,I believe he meant he was tired of people like you saying people like him hate obama because he's black- when it is actually that people like us don't like Obama for his values, principles, attitudes, actions, etc.

        • Posted By: teddyo @ 04/22/2009 9:28:47 AM

          Nice

        • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 04/21/2009 8:53:32 PM

          Excellent, bosmith! Perfectly said.

        • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 04/21/2009 8:50:42 PM

          Excellent! Well said, thank you!

      • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/21/2009 11:49:37 PM

        Wise1, please take a look at the following link.

        http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/

        I am curious, but expect no response from you what you think of the content of this website. Then again, you may be so certain of your own wisdom you may have convinced yourself there are no Americans that would participate in such behavior. Perhaps you see nothing sinful, anti-Christian revealed in these photographs and postcards, yet you see something unacceptable, intolerable exercised by our President elected and supported by a majority of Americans. I have no way of knowing your thoughts when you view these photos. Knowing the acceptability of such actions were so far advanced, these postcards were actually sent through the mail; until the US Postal Service refused to continue sending them through the mail.

        Perhaps you have convinced yourself all of these people, all of those that embraced Racism as acceptable. Have you convinced yourself that all those people have disappeared, have changed their attitudes and ideology towards American Blacks? Have changed their attitudes and that racist Jim Crow Laws that were judged illegal and unconstitutional in the mid sixties convinces you there is no substance to one American saying that he sees what looks like to him/her as racist. Who knows?

        I am grateful to you for revealing who and what types of attitudes you feel allied with. Is that why you say to not throw the race card around? Is that you r way of defending or shielding Republicans, Southern White Conservatives that supported such behavior? But then again, you must have reasons for supporting those people and criticizing hard working, intellectuals, excellent role models. People like the Obama???s. But as mattieice says, President Obama is Black. That appears to be the most believable reason why any American would oppose such a brilliant President of the United States that has only been if office a very short time. So far he is working very hard to help the people in this nation, while a minority only want to see him fail, even if his failure hurts this nation and its people.

      • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/21/2009 7:21:26 PM

        Wise1, you said , ???quit throwing the race card out there. Why? Why do you voice your opinions, while at the same time viewing the opinions of others as somehow unbelievable, inaccurate, perhaps unfair? Although you may not view Republican opposition to President Obama as racist, your opposition to the opinions of those that do, you reject. Personally I find your suggestion to quit throwing the race card around to be rather inexplicable. Since the founding of this nation the race card has been not just thrown around, the race card has been extraordinarily played by a very large minority of Americans. A racial attitude exercised by some, so onerous, so passionately so violently; the exacerbation of racist attitudes almost tore this nation apart. I wonder if in your wisdom, wise one you have ever considered the actuality, the indefensible actions fomented by race?

        What do you think about a person or people that would take a child from his parents and sell that child for profit? What do you think about a person that would take another human being; castrate him, beat him, set him on fire, shoot him, all with an attitude, this is right, this is just, that is the society that I prefer to live in? I ask you, assuming that you do not consider this type of behavior acceptable, what do you think of such people that have found such behavior so acceptable they desired to create a territory inside the United States where that was the rule of law?

        If you possessed the humanity, the fairness, the inclination to accept the teachings of Christ as what is acceptable and unacceptable, how can you say to one ???stop throwing the race card around??? when you must purposefully turn a blind eye to those that have done such things, or supported such things and/or defended such things; and desire to continue to do such things? I do not know your age but if you are even fifty years old and have been living in this nation you are aware these people are still a very large population in the United States. How long ago was it this nation watched people, children and old ladies being attacked with German Shepherds, children being fire-hosed? Mass arrests simply because racism was codified into law?

        No use in saying anything further. My point is that you seem to take issue with any person seeing people for whom they have shown us they are. It seems as though for one reason or another you choose to become political allies with those that embrace racism while at the same time admonish those that justly, wisely consider the history of racist ideology, recognize it when they see it, while you attempt to overlook it, perhaps defend it, minimize it, think it not important. Why? Because the answer for you is personal. It is who you just showed all that read this thread, who you are. I appreciate you showing me who you are. It reinforces my opposition to allowing/electing such people to influence national policy that affects all Americans.




  • Posted By: bosmith @ 04/22/2009 6:18:57 PM

    It is somewhat astonishing you actually believe the American electorate is unintelligent enough to believe what you are selling. Wouldn???t it be much easier, acceptable, believable for those Southerners, Republicans to admit to the truth. A historical truth. A truth written in blood, misery, scorched by hate, written with a iron pen that violent racism has been embraced and supported by millions of Southerners since the founding of this nation? Wouldn???t it entail much less consternation for modern day Southerners to do what thousands of members of the Southern Baptist Convention did. Admit they were wrong for supporting Slavery, Segregation, discrimination; and apologize?

    However, an alternative has been fomented. One you seem to have embraced. Refuse to admit under any circumstances that Southerners have a legacy, a heritage defined by hate manifested in violent racism. I suspect that even Blacks whose heritage is inextricably liked to Southern racism will soften its mistrust of the South if only they would admit their wrongs, sincerely state they reject such behavior and walk anew, with heads held high, feeling good about themselves, absolved of their past. But no. Some think it somehow better to attempt to put forth some rhetoric that suggests there was no violent racism in this nation, and if there was it was not those of us that hail from the south.We are Republicans; the Party of Lincoln. It sounds reasonable but it simply isn???t the truth.

    This is what I think. If a person truly opposes racism, murder, child molestation, etc??? they have absolutely no problem saying so. Until you and others are willing to say with candor, racism was bad, is bad, I reject those racist exercises; do you really think that will be an adequate substitute for truth and reality. Do you think the imaginations of that type of rhetoric will allow Blacks, and the offspring of heroic Northern Whites to believe what you are trying to sell? The South is now the people and the party that opposes an ideology that actually attempted to tear this nation apart? Your choice on what you think is best. I tell you this. I have never met a person that could turn a falsity ( a lie) into the truth. I strongly advise you to advocate for truth and the reconciliation that naturally comes after. Or attempt to get others to believe what they know is not the truth. That is, if Southerners have truly given up their goal of having racism accepted in mainstream American society. The answer to that question up to 2009 is what I believe has heralded an unending embrace of racism from the very beginning.

  • Posted By: teddyo @ 04/22/2009 9:04:07 AM

    Republicans have no place to go. There hate for Women, the poor, people of color, and gays will continue to drive them in the ground.

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