Quote: WASHINGTON – Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele offers a simple explanation for why the GOP all too often lost touch with typical Americans since the Ronald Reagan era: "We screwed up," he claims in a new book offering a blueprint for the party's resurgence.
That "we" includes the last two Republican presidents and the most recent Republican candidate for president.
Quote: In "Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda," released Monday by Regnery Publishing, Steele says the GOP should acknowledge where "we most glaringly compromised our principles" in the past decade and hold its elected officials accountable.
"We must support Republican officials who assert these principles," he writes. "When elected Republicans vote against Republican principles, the voters must withhold their support — withhold it vigorously and consistently."
I like it. Gives me just a bit of hope in a depressingly cold day. Say did Al say we were having global cooling or warming. Right now I could use some global warming. I'm freezing to death. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 05 Jan 2010 21:47
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This'll probably warm your heart too.
__________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 06 Jan 2010 01:39
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Ironic, isn't it, that a half-black man(from the same state as Lincoln, no less) gets himself elected president through deceit and corruption, and sets America on a path that will divide us more deeply than any crisis since the Civil War.
Food for thought from
GOParty __________________
Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain. And most fools do! - Benjamin Franklin
Posted: 11 Jan 2010 20:38
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GOParty
Is it your statement that during the years of Geroge W Bush this nation was united in common cause?
Is it your statement that during the years of William J Clinton this nation was more united?
The era of Barak H Obama is no more devided than any of our previous presidents. There is just more soap boxes for the most angry on both sides of any issue to stand.
50% approval rating is actually pretty freaking good for a president in economic times such as ours.
Posted: 11 Jan 2010 20:50
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I would look for an approval rating of around 28 to 32 percent by the time he leaves office. Just a good guess. We'll see if I'm right. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 11 Jan 2010 21:04
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I think that is a wish for you Tim, not a guess it doesn't seem to be based on any analysis of the polls or his trends. All that said however, a president's popularity has little to do with his influence on history or the rightness of his vision.
And as was pointed out elsewhere the only president more unpopular than Obama at this stage in his career was a Ronald Regan. Who came into office in similarly depressed economic times.
Much like Regan, if the economy turns around, Obama will be riding high again. That's really how it works for every president. If the economy does better, you are seen as fixing it (even if you didn't) and if the economy does poorly you are seen as breaking it (even if you didn't).
Obama came into office at the start of a horrific financial crisis, that the economy is starting to turn around, or at least not crashing further is a sign that Obama may get credit for saving the nation form barabarism by the end of his first term.
It's hard to say so early on, but Obama is poised, historically speaking, to be regarded very highly provided there is a real recovery.
If there isn't it'll be President Palin's turn, and we'll likely be just as unforgiving of her if the ecnomy is still in the outhouse by then. (Especially if your program is do nothing and hope the problems just go away on their own).
Posted: 11 Jan 2010 21:31
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President Palin? Perish the thought. We'd do better with Lex Luthor. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 11 Jan 2010 21:37
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Hey yeah, about that, was Luthor impeached? I know he wound up in Salvation Run (when they exiled all the super villains to another planet) so I am guessing he wasn't president any more, I never quite got the whole Luthor as President thing.
At least Osborn was appointed to his office, meaning he didn't have to stand the scrutiny of the bloggosphere.
Honestly, I doubt Clark Kent could really get elected president...way too many questions about his birth certificate.
Posted: 15 Jan 2010 21:14
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The economy is unlikely to get as far ahead as it did in the 80's. Obama is to much into regulation and his big government ways are likely to keep any all recovery slow at best. I do think they'll be a boost to the economy if the republicans get in control of congress again. I'm sensing a little repeat of the 90's again when Clinton was in power. Ironically, a republican victory will quite possibly save Obama's administration. For any and all good things to the economy that might happen because of conservatives, he will of course take full credit and tell the voters it was his policies that worked. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 16 Jan 2010 12:34
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Reagan's deregulation and tax cuts for the big corporations are a key element of why we're in the mess we're in with the economy. He is no less culpable than Clinton or either Bush or Obama or Hoover, FDR or Nixon for that matter.
All that aside, I do not get the mancrush on the glossy rememberance of Reagan at all-you guys seem to be reliving a fantasy. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 18 Jan 2010 23:05
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More like the same kind of deep respect you might have for an older wiser grandfather like the other old guys that started this country. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 18 Jan 2010 23:13
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So, based on the age he was when he died and that's it? __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 20 Jan 2010 15:28
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You overlooked the wise part. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 20 Jan 2010 20:36
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Ok. What things would you say made him wise? __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 20:21
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His ability to communicate for one. That's something born of his years of experience. He was wise enough to stick to his conservative beliefs and thus led the way vs following the polls. He was wise enough to realize that the power of America lay in the people and not the government.
Wise enough to realize that humor can break even the most stubborn political barriers. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 20:44
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If the ability to communicate were a praiseworthy feature you'd be a big fan of Obama. I'm thinking you're much more in tune with what he communicated than the ability to do so. Your nod to his sense of humor noted as well.
The wisdom in ignoring polls is debatable. Polls can very easily be manipulated and in most cases should be ignored at all costs by someone who is supposed to be a leader of any sort. There's one small hitch though. You praise him for acknowledging the power of America is in the people. This sounds counter-intuitive to put the two together if you consider that ignoring the polls could also count as ignoring those same people.
I've got a slight problem with the validity of that second idea as well. His actions in office orbited around military and corporate concerns for the most part- his realizing that the power is in the people doesn't seem anywhere to be found in his actions.
I'm being left with the impression that you guys love a cowboy if his show's entertaining enough, if he does enough tricks, and if he's funny in spots, regardless of his actual work performance when he's not supposed to be a cowboy at all. It still sounds like fantasy worship. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 26 Jan 2010 16:50
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His trust in the people didn't mean he had to take a poll to figure out whether or not to step outside that day. He didn't ignore the people. He simply stuck to his basic beliefs and attempted to persuade the people his direction. He never tried to act like a dictator.
Second I was referring in his trust in Americans as a whole to rise above the harsh economic trials of the early 80's and move forward. In other words he got the government out of the way and the people got the economy going again.
See, I think to you, people like Reagan are corny, but to me I see the real American spirit of freedom and democracy. He really believed in the American people,freedom, and democracy. He was probably the closest thing to our forefathers we are ever going to see in a political office. If he were here today, he'd probably say that was true because he was also there with the fore fathers when they signed the Declaration. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 26 Jan 2010 16:59
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I know the word I was looking for I wanted to say. It's optimism. That's part of the American spirit and that's what Reagan had in droves. Kind of reminds me of Captain America. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 26 Jan 2010 17:20
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Not so much corn as corn syrup- a fuzzy fantasy. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 26 Jan 2010 20:16
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You are so pessimistic. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 26 Jan 2010 21:42
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I'm not pessimistic(at least not here). I just don't retain a rosy shading over this individual's biography due to an apparent mancrush. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
Posted: 28 Jan 2010 18:27
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It's not like that at all. We all have heroes and those that inspire us that we look up to. I'm sure you have yours too. Reagan was still a human being that had plenty of flaws, but it was what he aspired to be and succeeded in for the most part that I respect him for.
Like the old saying you hit what you aim for. Reagan aimed really high in life, and that's the kind of perspective I like to have for myself.
The good thing about Reagan in fact was that he inspired others to do their best while most politicians tell us to wait around for what the government can do for us. If you wait around for the government to make your life better, you've got a long wait. __________________
Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
Posted: 28 Jan 2010 19:41
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Quote: If you wait around for the government to make your life better, you've got a long wait.
I agree on the sentiment, but not on the person you ascribe it to. __________________
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way and the cast get eaten by the play, there's a murderer at the matinee, there are dead men in the aisles
And the patrons and the actors too are uncertain if the show is through and with sidelong looks await their cue, but the frozen mask just smiles
