Republicans are not happy with John McCain. Captain Ed has the news. The remorseful are mostly in the comments. Like this one: McCain will never fail to disappoint Republicans and kiss the asses of his true political opponents.Anti-McCain Republicans j…

“You can’t beat the market”

Too bad more Republicans don’t take it to heart.

I’m kind of ambivalent about the border thing. On the one hand it is costing us a fortune. On the other it makes housing and vegetables cheaper.

In any case I look at it as a way to civilize Mexico and ultimately bring it into the Union. Something contemplated off and on since the Halls of Montezuma.

We have one big problem and it is the same as the illegal drug import problem. It is economically attractive. By setting up a black market in illegal immigration services we now have a trained cadre of criminals skilled at crossing the border and providing false documents etc.

We are in effect subsidizing the subversion of the system (note the parallel with illegal drugs?). I do not think amnesty is the answer (the fast track to citizenship). But making criminals out of people who want to work is not doing us much good either.

My answer? Stop making the border a one way gate. Make it easier to come so it is easier to go.

It is a logical solution. I seem to be the only one who likes it. It seems to trigger an emotional response (like illegal drugs do) rather than a logical response.

I find it quite interesting that Republicans are as wedded to emotional thinking about their issues as Democrats are about theirs.

Ah well. Human nature. Fascinating.

I care about two things without which the rest is all background noise: national security and sovereignty. That means: Defense, Borders, Constitution. I am a border hawk. That puts me on the wrong side of McCain and is what has drawn the ire of the McCainiacs down on my pretty red head. So be it.

Because Republicans no longer understand Goldwater.

Pity.

Social conservatism at the point of a gun is just as much socialism as is economic liberalism at the point of a gun.

The deal is: let us save government guns for thieves and robbers and external enemies and let society take care of itself.

The government should not be making black markets. It only empowers criminals.

You got vitriol from me because I hate cultural socialism as much as I hate economic socialism. I try to be consistent. I’m a Goldwater/Reagan conservative. Not too popular (except for lip service) in some circles. Every one liked the results. Hardly any one wants to stick to the philosophy.

This unity will include an ever-growing Left-Center political coalition that includes the Democratic Party, left and progressive independents who recognize the danger the ultra-right poses, and all social movements on the major issues of our day. This all-people’s front should strive to, and be able to, attract many who voted Republican in the past.

The struggle to defeat the ultra-right is a democratic struggle that advances the class struggle and that has the potential to shift the balance of forces in a direction more favorable for winning working class victories and for mounting offensive struggles.”

Red Pill on March 31, 2008 at 4:38 PM

Well, this sounds far too familiar. It’s happening right now.

As the GOP moves steadily toward the left, those of us who used to be core constituents are now considered “fringe”, our principles mocked as stupid and irrational. I’ve seen Republicans scornfully label conservatives who don’t support McCain as “far-right” and “ultra-right”, as if it’s a dirty epithet. I didn’t expect the vitriol from our own “side”, but this makes it look like we’re not on the same side anymore at all.

You’ve really given me something to think about…

The only strategy capable of defeating the communists is the widest possible unity of all the class and social forces whose interests run counter to those of the most socialist section of the transnationals. You know we might like to……

You know we might like to start with economics.

If the party was focused on

1. Economics
2. Defense
3. Individual liberty

and left the social issues to ministers, priests, and rabbis, we might broaden the base.

As I understand it Reagan gave minor lip service to social Conservatives and focused on the above issues. That is the Republican core. Huckabee was a huge distraction and more socialist than McCain.

Given that I can see why social conservatives have no problem sitting this one out. They like Socialism. Just a different brand than the Democrats. It is funny that Social Conservatives do not see themselves as Socialists.

The Federal Governments job is to protect our liberty, defend our country, and protect our property. Any thing else exceeds its mandate.

The less we want government to do the broader our coalition will be.

Did you ever try to get a 1-on-1 interview with Huckabee?

I’d still like to see a “Hot Air Vent” 1-on-1 interview between John McCain and Michelle Malkin. Why hasn’t this happened yet?

Red Pill on March 31, 2008 at 11:14 AM

It’s not for lack of trying.

Michelle on March 31, 2008 at 1:26 PM

Michelle, I would PAY to see that, but I am sure he’s dodging you BIG TIME!

MNDavenotPC on March 31, 2008 at 1:32 PM

For all the times he’s told Republicans to F off – he’s never said it to a Democrat. Hell will freeze over before he’ll give a 1 on 1 to Michelle.

Ripper on March 31, 2008 at 1:37 PM

This should be a cause of serious concern for Conservatives.

The only strategy capable of defeating the ultra-right is the widest possible unity of all the class and social forces whose interests run counter to those of the most reactionary section of the transnationals. Such an all-inclusive coalition would need to be led by labor and the working class in close alliance with the nationally and racially oppressed, women, and youth. It should include seniors, family farmers, the LGBT community, professionals and the self-employed, small business owners, and the disabled—everyone except the most reactionary section of transnational capital. This unity will include an ever-growing Left-Center political coalition that includes the Democratic Party, left and progressive independents who recognize the danger the ultra-right poses, and all social movements on the major issues of our day. This all-people’s front should strive to, and be able to, attract many who voted Republican in the past.

The struggle to defeat the ultra-right is a democratic struggle that advances the class struggle and that has the potential to shift the balance of forces in a direction more favorable for winning working class victories and for mounting offensive struggles.

The quote above is from the “Defeating the Ultra-Right” section of “The Road to Socialism USA”, published by the Communist Party USA.

Bill C on March 31, 2008 at 3:01 PM

Closed primaries may have some value, especially after the way Democrats tried to boost Mitt in Michigan. But, seriously, proportional representation? If there’s one lesson from the Democratic campaign, it’s that proportional representation only screws with things. I won’t be surprised if they go back to winner-take-all.

McCain still has money trouble.

Vanbasten on March 31, 2008 at 9:14 AM

I got a phone call 2 weeks ago. She wanted to know if I’d vote for McCain and could she send me an envelope. I took the time to tell her that my husband and I had given $ to Fred Thompson and that it was the first time we’d ever given to any political campaign. I made it clear that we were not happy with McCain, but that yes, we will vote for him, and that she could go ahead and send the envelope and we would make a decision then whether or not to donate. So far, we have not rec’d the envelope.

He decided to push hard in the fall despite the advent of Huckabee and Fred Thompson, both of whom were expected to knock him out of the race — and he prevailed there, too.

No he didn’t. Both the Huckster and Fred! refused to attack McVain on his weakness- immigration. Fred was the worst in that he took out the Huckster in the SC debate leaving it wide open for McVain. As a recovering Fredhead I am deeply disappointed in the Republican primary process and hope that it is reformed so that a conservative has a chance of winning the nomination. How:

1) Closed primaries,

2) Proportional representation,

3) Primaries grouped by region and a rotation of who goes first based on a lottery,

4) States which vote Republican given a greater weight (more delegates).

If you beat the hell out of a captive and he tells you he’s mickey mouse, it doesn’t make if f’n true.

War is hell. But you either win it or lose it. The Japanese attacked us first. So did the 911 terrorists.

To blame McCain for our failings is idiotic.

MSimon on March 31, 2008 at 2:12 PM

That’s true. McCain is only the symptom of a much greater problem within the Republican Party and our nation as a whole.

“The strength of government does not consist in anything within itself, but in the attachment of a nation, and the interest which the people feel in supporting it. When this is lost, government is but a child in power..and facilitates its own fall.” – Thomas Paine

We executed Japs after WWII for waterboarding, dude. Maybe since he was tortured he has a little thing called a frame of reference. I don’t want our soldiers tortured somewhere because we decided it was kosher.

And what is wrong with a “world order of democracies?” Have you looked at the European Union lately?

NoDonkey on March 31, 2008 at 1:03 PM

bamapachyderm on March 31, 2008 at 1:19 PM

Thank you NoDonkey and Bamapachyderm – you both said what I think better than I can or have. Maybe I need more sleep and less caffeine.

MSimon on March 31, 2008 at 2:12 PM

MSimon, you too are dead on – the Biblical reference especially. Or to quote Reagan, my eighty percent friend isn’t my twenty percent enemy.

highhopes on March 31, 2008 at 1:47 PM

McCain will, I’m sure, nominate judicial nominees worth supporting. Do you think Obama and Clinton will? This whining about the past while turning a blind eye to the potential for a dark future is absurd…

Down with the grievance culture.