Mainstream vs. conservative Republicans

by Bill Moore, Beaufort Observer, September 30, 2013.

I was in a political discussion when a conservative close to me said “What does it matter what we do? I thought about it for a minute and realized there was a great deal of truth in that simple yet profound statement.

When you look at the Republican Party today and their treatment of Conservatives, a real problem exists. Historically the Party was in shambles after the 2008 election. They lost both houses and the Presidency giving the Democrats a super majority in Congress. People were saying it would take the Party decades to recover.

Less than two years later, a movement started that rejuvenated the Party and actually delivered the House of Representatives to Republican control in 2010. Yes the Tea Party was born and saved the Republican Party from extinction.

Almost from the beginning establishment Republicans feared and tried to muzzle the Tea Party. They found newly elected members were not falling into line and stood on principle. They have treated Conservatives like unwanted step children. Tea Party leaders in Congress were stripped of leadership positions. Tea Party Congressmen and women had needed funds withheld by the establishment or some funds sent too late to do any good.

Comes 2012 and the establishment does everything in its power to insure a moderate wins the nomination. Democrats only needed to replay other Republican attacks on Conservative candidates. We nominated an establishment Republican who could not attack the Affordable Care Act since it was modeled after one he did as Governor. He is a good man but lost not because of the Obama machine, but because millions of the Republican /Conservative/ Religious base stayed home or did not vote the Presidential line.

The Establishment Republicans continue to alienate their Conservative base. Most establishment Republicans are more concerned about their re-election than their principles. They continue to worry they will alienate a Press that is solidly in the Democratic pocket. The Democrats continue to make suggestions to improve the Republican Party. It is self- serving and designed to further split the party and alienate the base the Republicans need to win. Yet the Establishment listens and tries to do what is suggested.  That is like Patton calling Rommel and suggesting ways on improving his defense as Patton attacks. Do you believe Rommel really would believe and execute the suggestions?

Look at what recently happened to Senator Ted Cruz. Ina heroic try he stood for over 21 hours in an attempt to force the media to put Obama Care under the spotlight. Afterwards, and in fact during his oration, he was attacked by both the Democrats and some of his fellow Republican Senators. Why was he attacked? He was accused of showboating, stopping the Democrats from voting on the Continuing Resolution or trying to get elected President. I guess they never heard of Reagan’s 11th Commandment, Speak ill of no Republican. Heard a “Tea Party” Candidate we elected to Congress on the Bill Bennett Show. Congresswoman Renee Ellmers attacked both Senators Cruz and Lee. Said they only did this for higher aspirations. Basically said that is not how we do things here. We must listen to those who were hear longer and implied they were new to the scene, had not paid their dues and had to wait their turn. In my opinion, another Tea party candidate that has been co-opted by the establishment and has forgotten why she was sent there.  She was sent there to change Washington and in my opinion is becoming part of the problem.

In fact Cruz was doing what the Conservative base of the Republican Party wanted. They want someone who will demonstrate principles and stand up for them even in a situation where you were most likely not going to win. Senator Rand Paul has recently done a similar action based on his principles. In fact they both demonstrated leadership. If the Establishment Republicans continue to treat the Tea Party and Conservative minded elected officials as piranha, they will continue to lose elections at the Presidential level and maybe control of both Houses of Congress. They may even force Conservative minded people to join with Blue Dog Democrats and form a new party. The blue dogs are being treated the same way in the Democratic Party. Add in some independents that became independents after losing trust and faith in either or both parties, and you have a viable new party.

Republicans in power need to respect the principles of the Party and those that fight for those principles.  They need to be willing to work with and respect for Conservative/Republican ideals. I suggest they mimic the same willing ness they demonstrate in dealing with the Democrats. They need to forget about re-election and work for what is right for America. Together we can make a difference. Split we will doom the Nation to a Democratic lead slide off a cliff to Socialism.

Principles! What does it matter? To Tea Partiers and Conservatives- EVERYTHING