I had an instant messenger conversation with one of the many aides in Congress that I know about the funk conservatives are in. Here's an edited transcript of our conversation, which I published with permission, that you may find interesting.
John Hawkins: The thing to keep in mind is though, in my experience, is that conservatives are so irritated and crabby now that pretty much anything other than "Get back to conservative principles" aggravates them. They don't want strategy. They don't want new conservative principles. Just get back to conservative principles! So, unfortunately, although that's not enough, people don't respond well to new ideas right now. Anything other than "We need to get back to Reagan's agenda" makes people mad.
Random Anon Aide: I have little hope for our party then, if our people are that narrow minded. I love Reagan, but the Reagan agenda is not going to save us.
John Hawkins: It's because the trust factor is so low right now. It will just take time.
Random Anon Aide: I hate when people ask for a new Contract With America --like that is going to save us. People forget Newt was kicked out soon after. The next election we lost seats...
John Hawkins: I think the big problem is that conservatives have zero trust in elected Republicans.
Random Anon Aide: Yes, I agree, but none of the ideas we propose makes them happy. If we invoke Reagan people say - RECYCLED IDEAS. If we move away from Reagan -- they say "where is Reagan?" It's like a no win situation.
John Hawkins: Personally, I think the key to it would be to have the party commit to something big on spending -- like a no earmarks pledge, or a Balanced Budget Amendment and a no amnesty pledge on illegal immigration along with a "we've changed" message.
Random Anon Aide: They have done all that -- kinda of.
John Hawkins: They haven't.
Random Anon Aide: We are working on a balanced budget pledge.
John Hawkins: That is an excellent idea.
Random Anon Aide: We tried the earmark moratorium.
John Hawkins: McCain is pushing one.
Random Anon Aide: Yet many members are reluctant to sign on to a total moratorium, including some of our fiscal conservatives, like members of the RSC.
John Hawkins: See, that's a trust thing though. That's the Republican Party not doing what conservatives want. That's why they're not trusted.
Random Anon Aide: I personally think people put too much focus on earmarks. There are some Republicans who aren't going to stop giving earmarks so Democrats can do it and then the Democrats will be seen as the only ones helping districts.
John Hawkins: I agree that there is too much emphasis on it, but eventually it will be something counter-intuitive like that gets conservatives back on board.
Random Anon Aide: I am more into sunset provisions, balanced budget and transparency. Conservatives have to figure out what is important. If they want a smaller government, taking out earmarks is not going to do it. We have to do much more.
John Hawkins: Immigration is a key to it, too. The GOP isn't getting conservatives back on board until they get right on illegal immigration.
Random Anon Aide: Members are talking about immigration
John Hawkins: Yeah, but conservatives don't trust the party because of the way the Senate acted during the comprehensive immigration fight and because McCain is the nominee. The House did a good job on it. They get no credit.
Random Anon Aide: Well honestly, people have to stop just skimming through things and act like educated voters. I might not agree with parts of the immigration debate, but at least the GOP has made an effort to do something about the out of control chaos that is immigration. The Dems have done NOTHING in a year and half. The House GOP has tried to use maneuvers this year to get a bill on the floor and they were stopped by the Dems. People give them no credit. At the end of the day, Republicans don't control Congress, Democrats do.
John Hawkins: The House is always in a bad spot. The House always gets ignored and people pay attention to the Senate and the President, which is too bad because they are always less conservative than the House.
....
John Hawkins: I think we're losing probably 10-20 seats
Random Anon Aide: i would say as much as 30. I say between 20 - 30. We have about 30 open seats.
John Hawkins: I think the only thing that will keep us from losing that many -- I hope -- is that they would have to win a lot of seats in districts that are heavily Republican to do that.
Random Anon Aide: But, we have a lot of vulnerable incumbents as well...money wins elections. Even on the web we don't raise money for candidates. It is just plain sad.
John Hawkins: Well, the base is sooooooooooo depressed right now, it's just hard to do anything. Conservatives are completely de-motivated.
Random Anon Aide: Look, believe me, I know the House GOP aren't God's gift. They are human and make ALOT of mistakes, but they are trying hard to make things work.
John Hawkins: I like our people in the House. You don't have to convince me =D
Random Anon Aide: And they are as frustrated as the American public.
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John Hawkins | 11:01 AM |
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What the heck is this guy yapping about? what Reagan-esque ideas put out by Republicans have been bashed by us as "RECYCLED IDEAS"?
Posted by krutsky
2008-05-22 11:11:18
Let me be among the first to say: KISS MY CONSERVATIVE ASS. You people who put party above principles are the reason you've lost and will continue to lose big. We already have a Leftist party and you can't beat the Dems on Liberalism. When you reach the dustbin of discarded political parties, say hello to the goddamn Whigs and the Know-Nothings for me.
Posted by CavalierX
2008-05-22 11:22:23
If I were this out of touch I would be randomly anonymous as well. What a twit, jeesh where did this idiot come from. READ this idiots responses and you can see EXACTLY why the repubs are losing.
WHAT recycled ideas? What principals have the repubes stood up for? When they controlled things what did they do? All I can say is.. bah
Posted by wyo_os_con
2008-05-22 11:35:01
"Random Anon Aide: And they (GOP House) are as frustrated as the American public."
Guess again.
Posted by chicago_neocon
2008-05-22 11:36:20
Random Anon Aide: They have done all that -- kinda of.
Kinda? If we didn't shutdown the switch board mexican would be the official language of the U.S.
mcstupid has committed to amnesty for all of those criminals, and the cock**ers in congress have all endorsed him. Bah
Posted by wyo_os_con
2008-05-22 11:39:30
"Random Anon Aide: Well honestly, people have to stop just skimming through things and act like educated voters. I might not agree with parts of the immigration debate, but at least the GOP has made an effort to do something about the out of control chaos that is immigration. The dems have done NOTHING in a year and half."
This has been a problem for 20 years. You can't pass the buck on the past 18 months of liberal majority. You want "educated voters?" How about not treating conservatives like we're stupid?
Posted by chicago_neocon
2008-05-22 11:41:00
Them: "We are trying to get rid of earmarks!"
Us: "Well then, do it."
Them: "You are making too big a deal out of earmarks!"
Us: "OK, then get rid of some other area of spending."
Them: "God, you people are impossible!!!!"
Posted by President_Friedman
2008-05-22 11:41:38
May 22, 2008 11:41 AM |
Yes, well put. Last year I had an opportunity to sit down with a relatively small group and talk to my Congressman, Tom Cole. I left the meeting with the distinct feeling that, on the issues that matter to me, I was vastly more informed than he was.
Posted by President_Friedman
2008-05-22 11:44:40
Posted by Dick_Nixon
2008-05-22 11:44:50
Posted by krutsky
May 22, 2008 11:11 AM |
We don’t call them recycled ideas, the liberals do. Moderates and liberals are who the Republicans listen to now. Like the wonderful speaker of the house when she said drilling our own oil was a failed policy of the past. They defy logic. Reagan’s “principles” are just as applicable today as they were back then.
Posted by batgeek
2008-05-22 11:46:07
I'll be polite and simply say: I find that highly unlikely.
*sigh* Random Anon Aide and his bosses in Washington don't seem to grasp the circular nature of the problems within the Republican Party. Sheesh, its not rocket-science, folks, its cause and effect: you're not getting donations and therefore losing elections because you're not representing the interests of your base.
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
2008-05-22 11:47:46
Problem is, that "something" you're so proud of trying to do was the WRONG thing. But I hardly expect an elitist Capitol Hill snob to know that.
Posted by CavalierX
2008-05-22 11:47:48
May 22, 2008 11:47 AM
AMEN!! Last night I had a fund raiser call, and ask why the contributions were dropping. I told him. Then he told me how juan mcpain and the moderates going to be the savior of the party. Guess whose money they are not getting.
Posted by wyo_os_con
2008-05-22 11:56:44
Posted by chicago_neocon
May 22, 2008 11:41 AM |
Chicago_neocon,
You put this much nicer than I was going to, and they wonder why the base is so angry and they are loosing seats. Did they not learn anything when we shut down the switch board last summer?
We want the damn border sealed and start cracking down on the employers that hire them as well as rounding up the gangs and criminals that have come from other countries ILLEGALLY.
Personally I think we should round all of them up and deport them all, however the more liberal folks on this board will call me a racist.
Not to mention all of the pork spending and regulations that these idiots in Congress keeps imposing.
Question is when are the Republicans in Congress going to grow a pair?
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 12:00:17
"The thing to keep in mind is though, in my experience, is that conservatives are so irritated and crabby now that pretty much anything other than "Get back to conservative principles" aggravates them."
And what happened? The aide talked about how unreasonable and narrow minded that was... and now we are all aggravated.
Go figure.
Another part of the problem is that, by refusing to focus on getting back to conservative principals, GOP politicans seem to be signalling that they are looking for a constituency that is more open to progressive solutions to our problems. That's fine, go look for those voters... but quit complaining about the consequences. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Posted by President_Friedman
2008-05-22 12:01:12
Oh, there's no need for that. Require proof of citizenship for any job or any government service whatsoever, and require police to check the immigration status of anyone arrested for any offense (or even stopped for a traffic ticket) and you'll see the illegals rushing for the border as fast as they can.
Posted by CavalierX
2008-05-22 12:04:26
Here's a hint for the anonymous aide: We're focusing on earmarks because it's supposed to be low hanging fruit. There is widespread disgust across the political spectrum with them. If we can't trust you on what should be the easy stuff, why on earth should we trust you on anything harder? I mean reread the conversation, don't you think it's a little telling that you couldn't offer up one conservative issue that you're taking the initiative on? When the person you're talking to is bringing up concerns about the leadership's lack of conservatism? I mean Hawkins was practically begging you to make a case - and nothing, zip, nada, zilch. Oh, and maybe, while you're at it, you might care to explain to us "uneducated voters" how we're expected to take the party seriously on tort reform when the party's Congressional leadership included the brother-in-law of one of the country's class action kingpins? And how he seemed to retire only after said king was sent to jail?
Posted by Bill_Dalasio
2008-05-22 12:06:16
EXCUSE ME!!! Comming from a "narrow minded person" -- Since when are principles narrow minded? since when is reponsibility narrow minded? since when is SOVERIGNTY narrow minded? BITE ME AIDE BOY!
Posted by wyo_os_con
2008-05-22 12:06:42
Posted by james23
2008-05-22 12:15:21
Posted by CavalierX
May 22, 2008 12:04 PM |
Good point Cav, living here in Raleigh it is so disgusting to see all of the Illegals hanging out and getting the construction day jobs, however NC just loves "un-documented immigrants". I have friends that can't get construction contracts to save their necks, because unscrupulous contractors that hire "un-documented immigrants" under cut them every time.
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 12:17:24
--------------
Conservatives are narrow minded
The electorate is uninformed of what the GOP is trying
Reagan values are "recycled ideas"
--------------
I could have found those in any newspaper published by the MSM, and reported by the Beltway pundits. There is absolutely nothing this "aide" said which reflects any philosophy not matured in the poison apple alcohol which is DC.
the GOP needs to admit that it has absolutely no connection to its own constituents anymore. They have become married to the pork and tax games which comes out of the capital. The lack of turnover has killed them. Their idea people either held to term limits, or have gotten mired in scandals and removed. There are very few GOP reps with both backbones and brains, and this aide definitely needs to move to Africa and try out working a real job. He's in over his head and sinking fast.
Posted by mvargus
2008-05-22 12:19:42
I disagree.
Calling conservatives like me narrow-minded and schtoopid is the sign of arrogance, elitist and out of touch. I used to deal with people like this all the time. 20 somethings who thought they knew EVERYTHING because they worked in DC.
He/she is an ass and Hawkins would be better off using another contact.
Posted by jimg
2008-05-22 12:27:32
May 22, 2008 12:27 PM
Well, bear in mind he's also calling me narrow-minded and schtoopid. I acatually don't disagree with your general characterization of the aide. The thing is, as you suggest, he's just a kid. Probably fresh out of college and into the echo chamber that is the DC political class. If anything, the fact that he's even making an effor to communicate outside that echo chamber probaly speaks well of him. Under the circumstances, only an exceptional person would recognize how dumb what he's saying is. Long story short: I think it's more a case of him having a LOT of growing up to do rather than being a jerk.
Posted by Bill_Dalasio
2008-05-22 12:34:48
Like hell we do! What I'm sure you meant to say, gfchicago, was that (soon-to-be-former) Gov. Mike Easley and his Administration love illegals. Dang, I'm glad he'll be gone soon.
I can certainly sympathize. Two of my uncles own HVAC businesses that employ a dozen or so of my cousins. Both companies are edging towards going under because they don't hire illegals.
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
2008-05-22 13:04:36
John, you are wasting your time with this guy and all the rest like him.
Posted by TomJW
2008-05-22 13:08:18
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
May 22, 2008 1:04 PM |
Afternoon GOB hope you and Mrs. GOB and the little one are doing well.
Sorry I forgot to use /Sarc in that particular post, I was just being a smart a$$. I think you know better than to think all of us hear in Raleigh lovem.
Speaking of the Republican Candidate, what do you think of Pat McCrory?
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 13:12:04
Posted by jewells45
2008-05-22 13:17:53
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
May 22, 2008 1:04 PM |
Actually GOB, I think you meant Gov. Mike SlEasley.
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 13:32:33
We lost seats because Republicans promptly forgot the Contract With America.
We don't trust the Republicans now because they're essentially telling us to just shut up and do what they say.
It is true that a lot of good Republicans are getting tarred with the bad ones, but they aren't doing a good enough job telling us of the good they're doing.
Posted by tre
2008-05-22 13:41:57
That's a pretty stunning statement. I think what Republicans really need to do is convince themselves that they shouldn't behave like Democrats Lite. Why vote for that, when you can have the Real Thing?
I guess there is something about being in Washington, DC, that makes one believe that Big Government is a good thing.
Posted by CoolCzech
2008-05-22 14:20:33
Well, I didn't vote for him in the primary, but I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic about him. I mean, he's talking the talk (fiscal responsibility, anti-illegal immigration, etc.) very well, yet it reamins to be seen whether he'll walk the walk once he's elected.
I hope all is well in your life.
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
2008-05-22 14:20:52
Any hope I had just disappeared.
Posted by Kevin
2008-05-22 14:40:19
Yeah, I remember that election. That was when the tenured GOP old gaurd decided that these new young guys were too idealistic, that they were too much trouble because they actually believed the rhetoric, and they just had to go. I remember that election. It was when the old corrupt GOP leadership - the kind that says that they'll be dragged out of the Senate in a body bag before they'll give up thier ear marks - decided to not support the 2nd term candidacies of several of its junior Congressman because they'd rocked the boat too hard.
I haven't considered myself GOP ever since.
"I have little hope for our party then, if our people are that narrow minded. I love Reagan, but the Reagan agenda is not going to save us."
Good God! Do you actually think I care if the GOP ship sinks? I don't support the GOP because I think they are great. I support the GOP because I think that they are more willing to implement the policies I support than the Dems. I support the GOP because I think that they are better for America than the Dems. But if the GOP doesn't want to do what is good for America because it isn't good for the GOP, then the GOP can go to hell for all I care.
"And they are as frustrated as the American public."
Not even close. I've had to set through a GOP Presidency, a GOP House, and a GOP Senate were Ted Kennedy did a better job of getting his legislation passed than the conservatives. I'm sick and tired of voting for the GOP because they are the lesser of two evils. Now the GOP has managed to nominate a Democrat for the POTUS, and I'm not even sure that it can claim to be the lesser of two evils running a candidate like John McCain.
Posted by celebrim
2008-05-22 15:00:20
Posted by Good_Ol_Boy
May 22, 2008 2:20 PM |
All is well, I just want to get back to work, but my husband has asserted that it is his turn to take care of me which is a good thing, however I'm board.
I hope that Pat will walk the walk. I was going to vote for Fred Smith until I heard Bob Orin interviewed on WPTF and he blew Fred Smith away with the answers he gave so I voted for Bob.
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 15:07:26
I think the GOP will be taking a big hit this time around. Maybe when my son can vote the republicans or if some other party replaces them will have a clue.
Posted by Zheldon
2008-05-22 15:18:47
May 22, 2008 7:29 PM |
You want to talk about the Democratic Congress, how about that POS Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried the list keeps going on and on and on. They are grilling the oil people for no reason, they have already done this 3 or 4 times and these idoits in congress couldn't find anything wrong.
As far as you knocking the rest of the country, You are a piece of shit hogground. The people that resides in fly over country are just as important as you blue liberals living in major cities.
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 19:58:23
May 22, 2008 7:59 PM |
The hell is not you, but I can agree that all of congress critters are elitist that includes your Demonrats in congress. It's not just one party you imbecile. It's all of them.
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-22 21:39:04
Posted by Christopher_Taylor
2008-05-22 22:00:11
For Mr. Random Anon: See the common theme here? Do us conservatives need to put it into nice little crayon colored pictures for you to understand why we are dissatisfied? Fine. Borders, energy, taxes. And yes, dummy, earmarks piss us off. That money your esteemed Senator or Representative is flinging around like a high roller in Vegas isn't free, it was confiscated from us, and we have better use for it than Congress spending it on a museum for syrup or bridge to nowhere. Oh, and I really liked the comment that Democrats do it so we should too.
What a schmuck.
Posted by angryinparadise
2008-05-22 23:44:06
Posted by Buckeye_Tom
2008-05-23 01:11:28
Posted by Buckeye_Tom
2008-05-23 01:13:59
We aren't ASKING them to COMPETE with DIMS, we are asking them to DEFEAT DIMS and go back THE OTHER DIRECTION - and they are champing at the BIT, demanding THEY be in Control.
Sorry - the Constitution gives CONTROL to the VOTERS, to We the People, and NOT to the Government or to politicians.
This guy is complaining because THEY want to be in control, RATHER THAN HAVING TO OBEY THE VOTERS WHO PUT THEM IN THE OFFICE OF A PUBLIC SERVANT.
And yeah, WHERE ARE THE ISSUES WE HAVE REJECTED AS "RECYCLED OLD STUFF"????
Funny, the stuff the Conservatives want the MOST - if they ever make it to a BALLOT INITIATIVE, they get 65-85% of the ELECTION VOTES for our stance, INCLUDING HALF THE DIMS voting with US CONSERVATIVES - like the ballot initiatives and Propositions in California that their COURTS are overturning with 1-4 JUDGES, on Elections results of up to 87.5% - as "UNCONSTITUTIONAL".
Sorry, "Constitutional" is anything the PEOPLE say it is, NOT anything the JUDGES RULE. If an AMENDMENT requires 2.3's and Proposition won 87.5%.... DUH!
They are there to INTERPRET, NOT TO CREATE - they are there to RECOGNIZE the WILL of the PEOPLE, and NOT to DICTATE.
John Hawkins, your friend is Liberal.
Posted by Rose
2008-05-23 07:13:55
Congrssional Republicans are out of control. Their spending like liberals. You know it's hit critical mass when George Bush is vetoing excessive spending bills. It's like Lindsay Lohan telling you,"I think you've had too much to drink."
Posted by Buckeye_Tom
May 23, 2008 1:11 AM |
*********************
THAT is FUNNY! And BOY did you ever hit the nail on the head!!!
Posted by Rose
2008-05-23 07:16:02
THAT is FUNNY! And BOY did you ever hit the nail on the head!!!
Posted by Rose
May 23, 2008 7:16 AM |
Boy did he!!! Those guys in Washington as aharris put on another thread need an enema!
Posted by gfchicago
2008-05-23 08:13:48
When we educate ourselves, and what we find compells us to speak up, we've called "The noisy people";
When we educate ourselves, and what we find horrifies us, we've called "narrow minded";
When we educate ourselves, and what we find compells us to offer solutions, we've called "Nativists, Bigots, Haters";
When we have educated ourselves, and what we've found has compelled us to act, refreshing Liberty's Tree, we'll be called "Patriots."
- martin.musculus
Posted by martinmusculus
2008-05-23 19:49:18