Video: A reminder of what we were and what we must be again
posted at 4:21 pm on November 9, 2006 by Ian
A good friend sent me the following video earlier today. Even though the content is 12 years old, it is still relevant today:
Notable quotables:
It’s okay to be a skeptic, but don’t be a cynic. It’s okay to raise good questions, but don’t assume the worse. It’s okay to report difficulties, but it’s equally good to report victories.
Yes, we have problems and of course it’s going to be difficult to pass these things, but why should we be afraid of them? That is freedom.
Blowback
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I love Newt. He’s the best.
lorien1973 on November 9, 2006 at 4:25 PM
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN ON THAT SHIP FOR TWELVE LONG YEARS….WE JUST WONDERED WHERE CAPTAIN NEWT DISAPPEARED TO…..maybe he’ll show back up in ’08.
WE CAN HOPE.
seejanemom on November 9, 2006 at 4:26 PM
Maybe Newt & Steele in ’08?
kevcad on November 9, 2006 at 4:31 PM
Newt! Newt! Newt!
NTWR on November 9, 2006 at 4:36 PM
We are at war for heaven’s sake! Crazy Jihadists want to kill us any way they can. Iran is working on nuclear weapons and their President thinks it’s his job to bring about then “end of days.” Nothing else matters but stopping these people! Nothing! The problem is, our media and most of our leaders don’t have the guts to tell the American people the truth and and as a result, the are completely unaware of the danger they are in.
TheBigOldDog on November 9, 2006 at 4:38 PM
Oh. Do. Not. Even, tease me like that…
Theworldisnotenough on November 9, 2006 at 4:39 PM
…Mitt/Newt ’08
jematlock on November 9, 2006 at 4:40 PM
They should have called it a “Contract on America”.
Heh heh ::snort::
frankj on November 9, 2006 at 4:41 PM
Newt has annoyed me from time to time, but more frequently he revives my faith. Go for it Newt. Steele for VP or Sec State, vs Rice VP or Sec State.
The problem is that things are messy. Your average Democrat wants to do everything at once – but accomplishes nothing. Your average Republican hits one problem at a time – but misses opportunities to take on more.
Newt is sharp enough to tackle the big problems (multiple) recognizing their relationships – and not let the Democrats change the subject with minor issues.
Agrippa2k on November 9, 2006 at 4:42 PM
Newt Gingrich is the right man at the right time. He understands war and he understands the enemy. Most importantly, he can and will communicate it to the oblivious masses.
RedWinged Blackbird on November 9, 2006 at 4:48 PM
Give the conservatives a real champion they can trust in ’08 and watch a Reaganesque landslide back to power.
No compromise with evil! Quit allowing the socialists to marginalize our best men with bogus labels. Fight for values. Hooah!
Freelancer on November 9, 2006 at 4:49 PM
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN ON THAT SHIP FOR TWELVE LONG YEARS….WE JUST WONDERED WHERE CAPTAIN NEWT DISAPPEARED TO…..
I think he disappeared into his pleasure chambers with “First Mate” Callista Bisek.
Lehuster on November 9, 2006 at 4:50 PM
Agrippa2k, did you notice that you essentially declared Rice and Steele to be equivalent? Any other cabinet suggestions?
Dude, that was lame when it was original–TWELVE YEARS AGO.
I have always liked Newt. He is one of the few people on the national scene that seems to have some vision.
I think it would be helpful if we, as rightists, started to craft our core message now.
Immigration (which will probably entail repealing whatever Bush+Dems do in the next two years)
Continue (the work of Rumsfeld without calling it that) reenvisioning the military to be light, quick, and flexible to handle many types of situations (i.e., open combat, police action, counter-insurgency, etc.)
Entitlement reform
What else?
Strategically, we should also be identifying soft Dem districts and begin laying groundwork in those places.
urbancenturion on November 9, 2006 at 4:55 PM
Why are you so scared bigdog? Sure, they want to kill us but that doesn’t mean they can or they will. You’re letting the terrorists get to your head; they want you to be afraid and you are. I refuse to let some jihadist bastard in Pakistan decide how I live and how I think. I refuse to be scared or intimidated. I don’t even bother to think about terrorists that much because that’s time taken away from important things like enjoying life. Live your life, enjoy your freedom, that will really piss the terrorists. They love that you’re paranoid about them.
JaHerer22 on November 9, 2006 at 4:59 PM
JaHerer22:
Will? try did. Remember? x3000?
One can be dismissive of the threat once it is truly dealt with. You’re not addressing it with your posture, you’re ignoring it. I agree with you that enjoying life is a very good thing to do, but you don’t get to relax and enjoy until the job is done.
BTW, I’m not afraid or paranoid about the terrorists. I have my CHL and I’m not afraid to use it. Moreover, I know the meaning of the expression gun-control. I heard it described well recently: jagged little hole.
urbancenturion on November 9, 2006 at 5:06 PM
Describes the Left’s attitude perfectly. It’s that sort of denial of reality and inability to accept reality that’s going to lead to a disaster of historic proportions.
TheBigOldDog on November 9, 2006 at 5:08 PM
Oh yeah, one thing Iforgot above:
Reduce the ridiculous, profligate spending
urbancenturion on November 9, 2006 at 5:14 PM
Brilliant.
They are counting on you to do exactly that.
Gregor on November 9, 2006 at 5:15 PM
Newt’s right on in his politics. Unfortunately, his electability is damaged by personal issues.
Tom Tancredo/Fred Thompson. I’m going to bang that drum for two years, so get used to it. It’s the border, stupid!
Newt for State
Rudy for Justice
Romney for Commerce or Treasury
Schwarzkopf for Defense
Ashcroft for Homeland Security
Fantasy, yes, but I’d call it a good start…
Freelancer on November 9, 2006 at 5:23 PM
Strong AND articulate. Newt ’08
jman on November 9, 2006 at 5:25 PM
Gregor: Paranoia is not always a bad thing, especially when there’s a lot out there that’s worth being afraid of.
As the saying goes: “Is it paranoia when they really are out to get you?”
mikeomatic on November 9, 2006 at 5:25 PM
Giuliani/Romney ’08. Newt to head up State with undersecretary Tancredo; Schwarzkopf for DoD.
mikeomatic on November 9, 2006 at 5:28 PM
After watching Bush the last 6 years, it’s become apparent that this is truly the most important issue. The great message doesn’t matter if you can’t convey it. It’s why Tony Snow is such a great Press Secretary.
The personal issues problem applies to most politicians, unfortunately. Guiliani is another example of a nice pick with personal issues… They don’t seem to be holding Hitlary back from a run at office, though.
NTWR on November 9, 2006 at 5:33 PM
I miss the Republican Party that actually stood for fundamental things and fought tooth and nail to defend them……have not seen much of that since Newt went away.
Even old Bob Barr has gone “centrist”
quax1 on November 9, 2006 at 5:41 PM
mikeomatic –
I agree totally.
Gregor on November 9, 2006 at 5:50 PM
Newt/Steele would win the debates by a landslide, the question would be the actual vote.
the idea of “moderate” looking candidates like Guilani as President and placing ideologues like Newt in high level positions is also good, in a Slick Willie sort of way.
either way, our chances of retaining whitehouse in 08 improved this week.
jp on November 9, 2006 at 5:50 PM
Ian, I don’t know if copyright laws keep you from posting the entire text of this video, but it might be worth it.
Another good clip:
What we represent is something that’s as old as this country. It’s something that Lincoln or Jefferson or Washington would have understood. It is something, that Grant, who led people who died to preserve. It is the romantic, idealistic belief that a free people, just every day folks, of all backgrounds can come together and despite all the difficulties we built into the constitution to protect freedom, we can use that freedom to improve our lives and to improve the lives of our children.
If I had one message for this country, on this day when we celebrate the act of keeping our word, it would be a simple message. Idealism is American.
A great message. And one that will connect with more than just the base. It is a message for all Americans. Left, right, and center.
If we would have been running with this both as the motivation in the hearts of our republican politicians, and their spoken message, we would have carried this election.
As it was, our message was “well, at least the democrats are worse.”
No wonder we lost. We deserved to lose that election.
So. Now that we have absorbed the lesson that the American people have sent us, I think it would behove us to learn from that lesson. Which means we need to do better.
When you talk to people on the far left, when ever they lose an election, they never blame themselves, or their messaage. It is always because “the people were misled and ignorant” or “the people were scared”. Bull. They lost in the past because 300 million people heard their message and rejected it. They listened to our message and believed it.
Until 2006. Then that same 300 million decided they didn’t like or beleive our message.
I for one have no intention of trying to blame the American people, those everyday folks that Newt refered to, for our defeat.
EFG on November 9, 2006 at 5:50 PM
Amen Ian. Unfortunately, the contract had a shelf life of less than 4 years. Even fat Denny was eying another run as Speaker where under the contract, his term would have expired. The deserved to lose.
Valiant on November 9, 2006 at 5:50 PM
Ian, I don’t know if copyright laws keep you from posting the entire text of this video, but it might be worth it.
Another good clip:
What we represent is something that’s as old as this country. It’s something that Lincoln or Jefferson or Washington would have understood. It is something, that Grant, who led people who died to preserve. It is the romantic, idealistic belief that a free people, just every day folks, of all backgrounds can come together and despite all the difficulties we built into the constitution to protect freedom, we can use that freedom to improve our lives and to improve the lives of our children.
If I had one message for this country, on this day when we celebrate the act of keeping our word, it would be a simple message. Idealism is American.
A great message. And one that will connect with more than just the base. It is a message for all Americans. Left, right, and center.
If we would have been running with this both as the motivation in the hearts of our republican politicians, and their spoken message, we would have carried this election.
As it was, our message was “well, at least the democrats are worse.”
No wonder we lost. We deserved to lose that election.
So. Now that we have absorbed the lesson that the American people have sent us, I think it would behove us to learn from that lesson. Which means we need to do better.
When you talk to people on the far left, when ever they lose an election, they never blame themselves, or their messaage. It is always because “the people were misled and ignorant” or “the people were scared”. Bull. They lost in the past because 300 million people heard their message and rejected it. They listened to our message and believed it.
Until 2006. Then that same 300 million decided they didn’t like or beleive our message.
I for one have no intention of trying to blame the American people, those everyday folks that Newt refered to, for our defeat.
EFG on November 9, 2006 at 5:51 PM
…they did, frank…they did….
Puritan1648 on November 9, 2006 at 5:54 PM
JeHerer22,
I’ll stop thinking about the terrorist threat when I know that my government is upholding it’s sworn responsibility and taken them out, rather than appeasing lace-panty european sensibilities.
And if Schwarzkopf isn’t available for DoD, then Duncan Hunter.
quax1, I agree with you.
And if you miss a party with a moral, conservative foundation, you cannot accept the thought of Guiliani or Romney on a national ticket. Both good men, with great leadership ability, but politically more of the same thing that the conservative base just rejected.
Freelancer on November 9, 2006 at 5:56 PM
…in war, it’s *ALWAYS* wise to over-estimate your enemy’s ability to get at you. Keeps you on your toes.
The whole “Saddam wasn’t involved in 9/11″ and the rest feed into this, along with the odd hold-overs of the whole “two oceans” theory of national defense…”they’d have to cross an ocean to get at us”….
Being cautious isn’t being afraid…it’s being smart….
Puritan1648 on November 9, 2006 at 5:58 PM
I agree with Freelancer…I like Newt and thinks he is a great speaker but I know too many people that only see the personal baggage he has. You can argue with me that there is no baggage but it won’t do any good…because other people see it and that’s all that matters in politics.
b4itsover on November 9, 2006 at 6:03 PM
One thing the Republican party has got to learn to do if they want to win in 2008 is to explain complex (sometimes boring issues) in a way that the average person can understand.
I’m not talking about Democrats and their ‘nuance’.
I’m talking about issues such as taxes. I know countless numbers of people that get a $500 check after tax season and say that they didn’t pay any taxes that year. They seem oblivious to the % that is taken out of their paycheck each week and embedded in their purchases (which is why the government prefers to get taxes through withholdings – they get the money sooner and people forget that the money was ever theirs to begin with).
Issues such as immigration. Would it be nice to throw open the borders and allow every hard working person that wants to come and support their family to walk into the US? Sure. Will the US be able to maintain the high standard of living people currently have if we do this? Probably not. Not to mention the danger of not knowing who is in the country at any given moment.
There are plenty of other issues that I could go into. My point is that conservative issues are winners because they are realistic about the situation and human nature (communism sounds nice in theory, but who wants to work hard just to get what everyone else can have by not working at all?). We have to learn to overcome the fact that conservative ideas/principals usually require more explanation and don’t come across as warm and fuzzy as a liberal idea like “Give health care to everyone. We’ll pay for it by taxing the rich. They should have to give back anyway.”
Republicans lost by not sticking to their principals. They’ll lose again, even if they return to those principals, if they can’t figure out a better way of getting their concepts across to the public.
JadeNYU on November 9, 2006 at 6:06 PM
Slightly off-topic, but would someone please email this to every editor, producer, and reporter in the MSM and tell them this should be their guide when reporting on Iraq and the war on terror.
Mallard T. Drake on November 9, 2006 at 6:11 PM
Newt Gingrich and Mary Matalin!!! What a ticket. Something for everyone. My two favorite conservatives.
Griz on November 9, 2006 at 6:15 PM
Dang that is inspirational. Praise the Lord. America can and will be the country I joined the military for, the country I am willing to die for, Amen, and Amen.
Theworldisnotenough on November 9, 2006 at 8:56 PM
Here’s a prediction – we will see his return in ’08. The water’s being prepped for the return of Captain Newt.
Perhaps it’s time.
Perhaps Newt and Michael Steele? What a duo that’d make.
Emmett J. on November 9, 2006 at 8:57 PM
Isn’t it the truth!
Emmett J. on November 9, 2006 at 8:59 PM
Respectfully, they also love that you have so totally underestimated them.
I don’t know how you could study this enemy and know the history and not take them seriously. They’re dumb as posts. I will readily agree to that. But they have something we do not have. Persistance and Time and religious furvor.
If things continue on their current track, we’re going to wind up looking just like eurabia. It’ll happen very slowly, (quicker now that the dems will helpfully enable them).
I’m not afraid, but I’ve got enough sense to look directly at the problem and acknowledge that there actually IS a problem.
techno_barbarian on November 9, 2006 at 9:26 PM
Well said! Exactly right.
techno_barbarian on November 9, 2006 at 9:34 PM
Not to mention actually sticking to them by putting theory into practice and meaning it.
“Walking the walk instead of just talking the talk”
Emmett J. on November 9, 2006 at 9:37 PM
Very much in favor of a Newt/Steele ticket. Along with Oliver North for Director of the CIA. Boom baby!
- The Cat
MirCat on November 10, 2006 at 12:49 AM
Sounds good! Wish I’d thought of that!
Emmett J. on November 10, 2006 at 1:23 AM
Where can I get a downloadable copy of this vid?
RobertCSampson on November 10, 2006 at 10:11 AM