RNC members to Steele: When are you going to call Obama a socialist?
posted at 9:45 pm on April 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Even though Mr. Steele has called his Democratic adversaries “collectivists,” at least 16 state leaders say the term lacks the pejorative punch needed to sway public opinion and want all 168 members of the Republican National Committee to debate and vote on it.
It is the first time in memory that a sitting national leader of the Republican Party has faced a public challenge over his ideological leadership by conservative members of his own national committee…
“The threat to our country from the Obama administration cannot be underestimated,” Indiana RNC member James Bopp Jr. wrote Wednesday in an e-mail to the full RNC membership. “They are proceeding pell-mell to nationalize major industries, to exponentially increase the size, power and intrusiveness of the federal government, to undermine free enterprise and free markets, to raise taxes to a confiscatory level.”
Reminds me of the dopey George Lakoff vogue about “branding” that the left had a few years ago before Obama came along and taught them how to win. Doug Powers, blogging at the boss’s site, supports dropping the S-bomb — with reservations, lest The One’s popularity actually metamorphose into popularity for socialism. My chief concern is that it’ll blow up in our faces if Obama and Geithner follow through on their promises to make the government interventions into the financial sector temporary. The GOP’s credibility is already low, and alarmism about socialism/fascism/communism/Nazism that doesn’t pan out will only drive a stake through it. If you’re going to drop the S-bomb, I think, you should be very, very sure that that’s the way we’re headed. How lucky (or unlucky) do you feel?
Blowback
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Yeah right. You really believe that? How naive. Socialism is here to stay.
fossten on April 23, 2009 at 9:46 PM
“before Obama came along and taught them how to win”
You really believe that, doncha Allahpundit?
There’s a lot to admire there, I guess, from your perspective.
notagool on April 23, 2009 at 9:49 PM
The GOP’s credibility is already low, and alarmism about socialism/fascism/communism/Nazism that doesn’t pan out will only drive a stake through it.
If the “public” is having trouble recognizing the writing on the wall at this point, there is nothing the GOP can say or not say that will make a difference.
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Gyaa haa haa haa haa! Hum.
You’re good with the jokes, AP. In all seriousness, we could come up with the most clever or snide epithet for the left and it still wouldn’t top “Democrat Party.” It’s succinct and it REALLY rankles the left.
KingGold on April 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM
We are cool with being the Democratic Socialist Party as long you change your name to the National Socialist Party.
;)
strangelet on April 23, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I think Statist is the proper word……….
(Via American Thinker;)
Sounds like Mr. Pantywaist to me………..
Seven Percent Solution on April 23, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Good point. But what if Geithner trades TARP loans for an equity share in banks? Back door socialism… And the banks are still going to fail and it would draw out even more CEO’s to rat out the governments underhanded pratices. I’d still wait too many little socialist shoes to drop, healthcare, cap-and-trade etc…
Theworldisnotenough on April 23, 2009 at 9:52 PM
If socialism works why is Europe and russia falling apart ?
William Amos on April 23, 2009 at 9:53 PM
We have to start calling it like it is, or we’re dead.
The Sweet Illusion of Socialism.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=301616451833130
Star20 on April 23, 2009 at 9:54 PM
“before Obama came along and taught them how to win”
notagool on April 23, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I saw that too. Taught them how to win? You mean by flat-out, stone cold lying about everything while a completely supportive whore media told the world that anyone who didn’t vote for the black guy is a racist?
Yeah, wow, Obowa is a frackin’ political genius. Show of hands: How many here believe Obowa would have been elected had he been Bob Anderson, white guy from Kansas?
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I see no point to this, at all. I can’t believe that is even something they’re concerned about. And anyway, too many Americans have no problem with socialism…they just want “stuff” however they can get it. But yeah RNC, keep worrying about what to, um, call Obama…
changer1701 on April 23, 2009 at 9:55 PM
You’re the ones with the Obama-Jugend. I believe you just shattered your glass house.
ElectricPhase on April 23, 2009 at 9:55 PM
When young people hear socialism nowadays, they think of Canada and Sweden, not China and Russia. To them, its not so bad.
Speedwagon82 on April 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM
When are you going to do ANYTHING, Steele? Low hanging fruit, what the dems are doing. Take a swipe and watch the money roll in.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I think there are better ways to critize Obama than call him a socialist. I hope he doesn’t do it.
deidre on April 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I know right?
If the economy didn’t Epic Fail on everyone in September or October, I highly doubt Prince Obama of the Obama Badministration would have won.
blatantblue on April 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM
FEAR teh Socialism!!!!!
strangelet on April 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Seems like we may have some short memories here. Back in the mid to late 90′s, we pointed out democrats love of socialism all the time and it drove them nuts trying to deny it. Last i checked we were doing pretty well at the polls during that time having both houses of congress and eventually the White House.
Now dems are openly embracing socialism and we’re scared to point it out. How are we doing at the polls these days?
clearbluesky on April 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Why is Steele still there?
What good are these Republicans. I mean,, I know I don’t want to speak to broadly here,,, but just why are they receiving a salary??? What on earth are they being paid for???
The people are out there protesting, blogging, calling, speaking and organizing,,, with little money, know-how or means. These Republicans are earning massive salaries, have offices and staff people, they have authority, prestige and title,, what are they doing????!! Average Moms and Dads with home made signs standing on street corners are making more waves and doing more to defend our freedoms then these high paid good for nothing suits!!
JellyToast on April 23, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Amen.
clearbluesky on April 23, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Republicans have no candidates at this time period. Chances of coming up with one without total press and media support is zero. Call Obama anything you want true or not it will make no difference. No opponent anywhere and no imminent failure by Obama on the horizon. Lots of false hope of one but there is none there that will stick everything will be spun and spiked before it can even grow part of a leg. Republicans can use guerrilla tactics but it will take years before any major offensive can be mounted. Socialism will be well entrenched by then and salvaging individual freedom near impossible until the crumbling fabric is evident even to the least smartest bear of which there are many.
rsl775 on April 23, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Steele? Steele who? Ohhhhh…. that guy we haven’t seen since the DL Hughley debacle? Best he just lay low and not do his job. He’s better at that and it’s better for the cause.
seesalrun on April 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM
FEAR FEAR FEAR teh Socialism part deux!!
strangelet on April 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM
“clearbluesky on April 23, 2009 at 9:57 PM”
can i get an AMEN?!
:-)
Buckaroo on April 23, 2009 at 10:03 PM
So you can refuse to call the ‘rats socialists but you have no problem nodding in agreement that your own party resembles the Nazis?
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 10:04 PM
He’s a keeper.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Forget about calling Obama socialist… when do we call him impeached?
IntheNet on April 23, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Imminent failure on the horizon? You are kidding right?
This Administration is reaching so far left they are positioned to fall off the planet and Jesse Ventura could be the nominee and beat them. Spun and Spiked – is that Alinsky jargon? Americans are not as stupid as you hope and ya’ll are just too full of yourselves.
Hopefully there will still be an America left for my kids.
Best you keep leaning and reaching though….easier for conservatives in 2010.
seesalrun on April 23, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Nope. He is a Loser like You. The republicans do not need an Obama Clone. Steele does not have the sand to rebuild a post-Obama America. Neither do You.
old trooper2 on April 23, 2009 at 10:09 PM
dont.feed.the.frakking.TROLL!
Buckaroo on April 23, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Not soon enough for me.
old trooper2 on April 23, 2009 at 10:10 PM
No opponent anywhere and no imminent failure by Obama on the horizon.
Wait…what?
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM
This from the blogosphere’s leading Beta Male.
It’s got nothing to do with luck. Why did Obama win? He was the Democratic parties presidential candidate after 8 years of a Republican President and he wasn’t as terrible a candidate as Dukakis.
Well rest easy then, these are Democrats. NOTHING they do with regards to the government is temporary, by design.
Rocks on April 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Which one, dammit. LOL
ElectricPhase on April 23, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Perhaps you would be more comfortable lying down, closing your eyes and going towards the light. Buck up and have faith! There are many strong-willed Americans who want this to end quickly and WILL do their level best to make it happen. You are letting the left get to you, or perhaps you are actually one of them. Huh?
sherry on April 23, 2009 at 10:13 PM
The entire paid membership of the Republican party (myself included) can stand up all across this country and at the same time, in one voice, all call Obama a Socialist…and it wouldn’t make a hill of beans of a difference. None.
Why is that?
Because for too long, the GOP has had fun, won elections, made a few bucks, being Democrats, or trying to be, it seems.
Fiscal responsibility?
We certainly showed the country we are all over that one.
Pork and earmarks? Honestly? Guilty as charged.
Amnesty? We stopped all talk of ever considering that, too, didn’t we?
And, we can go down the list.
Principles before personalities.
I’ve said that a number of times over the last couple years. To no avail.
Steele is falling into the spider web of DC politics…already…and badly. In order to raise money for the GOP, his primary responsibility as GOP Chairman, he has to schmooze his way among those that got the gold. And when it comes to gold, everything can be bought and sold…even one’s soul.
Without principles…that soul goes cheap.
Those of us who are still standing who have not fallen under the media-crazed spellcasters that have elevated Obama to Messiah, know full well what Obama is, though at times we differ as to Fabian, or reformist Marxist, et al., but we know he is to the bone a Socialist.
It is that other portion, those who elected Obama that will either freely admit that Obama is, hell yeah, He’s a socialist, what of it? Or will try to convince themselves that Obama is not a Socialist, we just have to change our entire economy and our entire way of life to be more “fair” to everyone, not realizing that’s socialism.
No, Steele need not try to tell the world Obama is a socialist. They already know. Moot point.
What Steele needs to get busy with, or get out of the way to allow, is the establishment of the basic principles of Conservatism first…and making sure that any candidate or elected official presently holding office is fully behind those principles…has demonstrated a full understanding of those principles, and is willing to go to the mat for those principles….before they ever see a dime of any GOP funding for so much as a doughnut and a cup of coffee.
Do that, Michael Steele, and you will see a grateful GOP membership, and a lot of other Americans who are growing more frustrated and more worried where this nation is bound for…and will be willing to support any and all who wish to get out there, principles well in hand, and take back this Nation, even at this point, not even 100 days into this Administration.
Fail to do so…and the GOP is going the way of the Whigs…remember them?
coldwarrior on April 23, 2009 at 10:15 PM
If you’re going to drop the S-bomb, I think, you should be very, very sure that that’s the way we’re headed. How lucky (or unlucky) do you feel?
whay part of the last 70 years have you not been catching. From FDIC, social Security, Medicare, food stamps, EPA regulations, and on and on all socialists programs. We have been on the road to socialism for a oong time now. And the special interests have paved the way. It is high time we have3 htis discussion. when you have a capitalist/socialist country with the majority of it being capitalist you can get by. however when the balance tips to socialism being the majority liberty quickly goes away and so does economic progress. a little socialism not a big deal per say however alot of socialism and the country dies.
unseen on April 23, 2009 at 10:15 PM
spine from Yahoo! news?
say it ain’t so but perhaps a tad little too late and not quite the argument we’re looking for, though valid?
seesalrun on April 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Yeah all the name calling the libs did the last eight years sure hurt them. Looks like it was very effective in defining the GOP the way they wanted. I say you call it like you see it. If they act like Socialist then I see no problem labeling them with it. Of course it’s not PC, and I know how much you “moderate” Republican’s want to be liked. Well I refuse to grab my ankle’s and take it. You can. I am going to call it like I see it. If the Democrats act like Socialist then that is how they should be described. PC or not!!
chief on April 23, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I actually think it’s better if the rhetoric is left to the pundits (and us).
Steele should call the policies socialist, but don’t go directly at the one with his numbers so high.
WisCon on April 23, 2009 at 10:20 PM
If this isn’t socialism, I don’t know what is. They/he has nationalized the auto industry and the some large sectors of the financle industry and is looking to nationalize the health care industry and our energy. And you think we should be careful about calling a spade a spade?
cjs1943 on April 23, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Yeah, cause we know that didn’t work when the Dems went after Bush when his numbers were high after 9/11.
AZfederalist on April 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM
W……E……A…….K……….
shocker.
but not really.
JeffinOrlando on April 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Resorting to namecalling usually means you’re doing so well with the public that you don’t *need* to come up with reasonable, rational arguments.
Proud Rino on April 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Look we have pundit after pundit on the right calling it the way it is on a daily basis and they just preach to the choir.
Steele needs to daily – if not twice daily have a FIRM CONSERVATIVE rebuttal on the drama on the day and reaffirm and reveal the unprecedented power the current administration is seeking and expose they way they are manipulating the Constitution to get it.
He needs to catch up tomorrow. The ruling Party is wasting no time and neither should Steele. These guys pull a drama or two a day then invent a diversion to occupy the minds of the minions.
PEOPLE. WE WATERBOARDED 3 TERRORISTS
THREE
They killed 3000 AMERICANS.
(just a suggestion, it will not be too much work for Steele to just speak the truth in ONE OR TWO SENTENCES MOST TIMES!)
Forget about the Gold Mr. Steele and stand up for your Country before you find yourself like millions of Americans out of a job. Oh and agreeing that your party is impotent? Try that again and I will personally write every Congressman and Senator (R) and ask that you be removed.
seesalrun on April 23, 2009 at 10:29 PM
How else does one define “spread the wealth around”?
jgapinoy on April 23, 2009 at 10:29 PM
You ever try to email these clowns at the RNC?
I send the envelopes asking for money back with old newspaper in it or bama clippings.
Tea Party time,needed new thinking.
Col.John Wm. Reed on April 23, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Wasn’t Steele betting a lot on that New York special election? Not looking good….
Speedwagon82 on April 23, 2009 at 10:33 PM
‘My chief concern about griping about high taxes is they might lower them, someday.’
Right. Let us know when you find your nuts.
james23 on April 23, 2009 at 10:33 PM
And if he does start calling him “socialist” for crying out loud don’t get bogged down in the semantic debate over what kind of socialism it is. There are a hundred different varieties. Stick to the negative definition of “not free-market oriented” or something similarly simple.
Also, emphasize that regardless of what label is applied to Obama’s methods, he and the Dems keep changing the rules in the middle of the game, which is causing uncertainty and will continue to delay recovery indefinitely.
venividivici on April 23, 2009 at 10:35 PM
A “reasonable, rational” electorate wouldn’t elect someone who can even be accused of being a socialist.
venividivici on April 23, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Lets see,
Youth pledging their allegiance to the dear leader…Check
Adults pledging their allegiance to the Dear Leader…check
Party symbol…check
Media who reprints and repeats Dear Leaders talking points without question…check
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck….
RobertInLexington on April 23, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Now we are trying to brand them with the socialist label. Well even the blind can see the obvious. The way the constituencies are right now I would say that label might get the Dems more votes. Lets label ourselves with our positive solutions and stop letting the left control the message.
Until these people feel the Dems upcoming pain on their wallets,or the devastation that could/will occur because of Obama’s foreign and domestic policy agendas they will continue to be clueless.
canditaylor68 on April 23, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I don’t care if he uses this specific word, but he needs to find a way to step up to the media plate, or find effective spokesmen/women who can.
Obama is giving the GOP plenty of opportunities to offer an alternative path. Steele & Co. need to find a handful of issues to build a narrative (e.g., higher debt/taxes, getting the govt. out of private businesses, investing in defense) and hammer away.
cs89 on April 23, 2009 at 10:40 PM
With every turn the actions taken have to been divide our People through Race, Economic Status – well you name it and destroy Capitalism. If Steele can’t come up with 25 examples or talking points on this it’s time for a replacement. Veni is right. Calling it what it is will just open up a winless war of words. Stick with what matters to the People.
I came –
I saw -
I conquered -
I love it. And, by the way, I live in a part of America where strangers wave to eachother in cars. Good night folks and God Bless.
seesalrun on April 23, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Obama IS a Socialist. Nobody should doubt for one second that if just a few things were different (less power for the opposition party, a few executive checks and balances removed, etc.) Obama would have America looking much more like Venezuela than it currently does. I think as long as conservatives combine the labeling with a message as to why Socialism/Communism has been very bad, both historically and more recently, it could be very effective.
davenp35 on April 23, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I have to admit, this is troubling. I’ve seen people walking around my university’s campus with T-shirts promoting socialism.
joe_doufu on April 23, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Exactly! We need a leader, and that, by it’s very definition, requires LEADERSHIP. Detail specific alternatives/options and offer sound reasoning. People are starting to get it.
califdreamnred on April 23, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Allah, did you not watch the election? What is wrong with you?
The left learned to win by being the despicable, lying scum that they are, and having the neo-Pravda media and other liberal arms of society putting all-in for them. It was Clinton with his moronic “What is ‘is’?” that taught them that no lie is too big or too stupid.
Allah, you did vote for the idiot messiah, didn’t you. You can admit it, finally.
P.S. The Precedent is far worse than a socialist. He doesn’t care about socialism. The prick wants only to exact revenge on whites and the Western world.
progressoverpeace on April 23, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I think we should call socialism by it’s proper name and explain that the only reason it has survived in Europe as long as it has is because of the American powerhouse economy. Not only did we pull their butts out of the fire of WWII but we carried them through the cold war with their sovereignty intact, all the while remaining the dominant economic force in the world.
If we go down, Europe, (and the USA), had better hope that China will play nice and carry us all into the future in the same fashion.
FloatingRock on April 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM
That doesn’t pan out? Have you been watching things for the past, say, 3 months? It’s been coming and it’s coming faster every day. People like you are scared to call a spade a spade. Gutrlessness gets you nowhere.
BTW, thanks for crapping all over any eligibility issues. That was great work on your part.
Okay. It’s fine for Newsweak to plaster it on their cover, saying that we’re all socialists, now, but you’re still scared of “the S-bomb”. Pathetic.
If you can’t tell where we’re headed, then I don’t what could be rattling around in that mind of yours. Really.
Look around you. Get a clue, Allah.
progressoverpeace on April 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Allah needs to go back to boinking fat chicks and leave the blogging to Michelle. Where has she been lately?
Percy_Peabody on April 23, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Don’t worry though, our Communists learned it in college.
Beagle on April 23, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Statism is most accurate
V15J on April 23, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Just sent that post and a few other comments of mine to Michael Steele at the RNC.
I suggest we all do likewise, keeping it polite, yet forceful and sincere.
chairman@gop.com
coldwarrior on April 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Socialism is not close. Try this…..the 10 Planks of Marx’s Communist Manifesto.
How many can you check off?
TheAdmiral on April 23, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Just call him a Socialist and borderline Communist and be done with it. He has already broken his presidential pledge to support and defend the Constitution and Amendments. There is enough evidence to impeach him for failing to do just that.
I want to see his real birth certificate. Let’s get the CIA/FBI on this. That is part of their jobs. They took the same Oath.
marcboyd on April 23, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I think of it as legalistic fascism or “regulatorism”. They’re essentially making it illegal to act in ways that go contrary to the outcomes they desire.
venividivici on April 23, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Proud Rino on April 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM
OH NO! SOMEONE IS GETTING CALLED NAMES!!!! OH, HOW WILL I EVER SLEEP TONIGHT??? HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING?????
DO YOU HAVE A PAIR OF TESTICLES ON YOU? DID THEY FAIL TO DROP? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM EXACTLY?
Ghoul aid on April 23, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Statism describes any number of political/economic orthodoxies. It’s also a term not familiar to most people. I’m all for its use but if a more specific word is applicable that people are more familiar with we shouldn’t be afraid to use it.
It’s practically our civic duty.
On other hand, there is some controversy about whether Obama is a socialist, fascist or whatever, so until there is some degree of consensus perhaps “statist” is best…
FloatingRock on April 23, 2009 at 11:13 PM
I filled out the silly Steele questionnaire and sent it with a letter that stated pretty much what most of us have said. I refuse to support RINOs anymore. I am now an Independent voter and will not vote for any more woosies and spendthrifts. Shape up, or we will ship you out!
marcboyd on April 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Allahpundit is a closet admirer of BHO; anyone notice how he fondly calls Obama “The One”? You honestly believe this fraud will be sitting in the oval office but for the color of his skin? Oh by the way I’m a black man and proud conservative
julian on April 23, 2009 at 11:20 PM
When you present a strong, clear, concise, conherent alternative.
BTW, this works with elections, too.
Bruno Strozek on April 23, 2009 at 11:28 PM
It’s worse than pointless to call him a socialist. The people who are doing it simply don’t have the credibility. Sure he’s talked about the temporary nationalization of troubled industries, that’s because they’re meddlers who don’t understand how badly the government sucks at trying to fix those problems. It’s not for the sake of giving the proletariat control over the means of production. It’s not socialism, if anything it’s an offshoot of corporatism.
He supports bad policies, and in the end the results will be bad. Making the opposition seem like a bunch of petty demagogues who don’t know what “socialism” means only makes it harder to stop these policies.
And for the people whining about the party and Michael Steele, all I can say is don’t let the door bump your ass on the way out. If you don’t recognize that we don’t represent the majority, and that the party has to genuinely change direction from the spineless Limbaugh-worshiping garbage, then we can’t win with you. The Republican Party does not exist so you can shout “I told you so!” as Rome burns.
galenrox on April 23, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Bull. Nobody was going after Bush immediately after 9/11, and the only reason they started was because incompetant morons at the Pentagon got us into Iraq.
WisCon on April 23, 2009 at 11:31 PM
How about one of my dollars for every one of your donuts donuts?
petefrt on April 23, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Economic “Justice” – it is not just about spreading wealth around, it is also about punishing those that earned it.
Laura in Maryland on April 23, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Don’t worry, it didn’t.
By the way, how’d that attitude work out for you in ’08?
FloatingRock on April 23, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Hmmm, let’s see: 1) Ronald Reagan, won by a major landslide — strong conservative that Limbaugh quotes often. 2) George Bush I: Won handily when running as a conservative, failed miserably after breaking his “no new taxes” pledge, caving to the Dems and trying to “get along”, 3) Newt and 1994 — major win as strong conservative push, strongly endorsed by Limbaugh and other conservatives, 4) George W Bush — won running as a conservative, 5) 2006: After years of trying to be Democrat-lite (i.e., truly being spineless wimps) the Republicans lost to Pelosi and Ried. They didn’t lose because they were running as strong conservatives backed by Limbaugh, and finally 6) John McCain — a candidate that met all of your requirements about “not listening to a spineless Limbaugh”, was chosen by the media and the dems as the “Republican candidate of choice” — crushed by the socialist/fascist/communist/statist Obama.
Do you detect a pattern here? An astute observer would notice that the Republican party seems to win when it runs conservative candidates and follows through on conservative values. When it acts as you are advocating — the Republican party gets its clock cleaned.
/something about history and being doomed
AZfederalist on April 23, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Obama can’t stand up to our enemies, and Steele can’t stand up to Obama. Who’d have thought two “historic” politicians could be so gutless?
Daggett on April 23, 2009 at 11:57 PM
I didn’t say immediately after 9/11 — they started hounding him shortly afterwards (about October) when we invaded Afghanistan. Take a look at news articles around that time — Afghanistan was cited as going to “become a quagmire”, “even the Soviet Union had to pull out”, the “supply lines were unsustainable”, and on and on. When Iraq happened, the Dems just shifted their focus to the new theater.
Even before 9/11, the dems were already in full attack mode: “selected, not elected”, etc.
AZfederalist on April 24, 2009 at 12:01 AM
My chief concern is that it’ll blow up in our faces if Obama and Geithner follow through on their promises to make the government interventions into the financial sector temporary. The GOP’s credibility is already low, and alarmism about socialism/fascism/communism/Nazism that doesn’t pan out will only drive a stake through it.
I don’t know. Any concerns I had along these lines disappeared pretty quickly the week that Obama both had a car company head fired and set up a task force to determine what cars Americans wanted to buy, while at the same time Barney Frank introduced legislation seeking to set the wages of employees at the car companies.
I don’t think we’re being too alarmist to call Obama socialistic or even fascistic at this point.
Patterico on April 24, 2009 at 12:04 AM
I’m afraid Michael may be a racist, just like Obama and Rev. Wright, and therefore can’t see clearly past the skin color of people. What a shame. He’s probably got to go.
apco on April 24, 2009 at 12:06 AM
My chief concern is that it’ll blow up in our faces if Obama and Geithner follow through on their promises to make the government interventions into the financial sector temporary.
+++++++++++++++
You’re effing kidding, right? Right?
fabrexe on April 24, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Three events have caused a change in the lay of the land in the base of the GOP:
1)Rush Limbaugh’s CPAC speech which got conservatives all fired up
2)Mark Levin’s #1 bestseller Liberty and Tyranny
3)the tea parties
NB:But we cannot forget Sarah Palin who unafraid during the campaign was the first Republican politician to call the Messiah a socialist.
technopeasant on April 24, 2009 at 12:31 AM
When are ANY of the GOP members going to call out O’bunghole for his violations of the Constitution? As for Steele? Steele is a joke but then again, I told you so back when his name was first bandied around for RNC Chairman.
nelsonknows on April 24, 2009 at 12:36 AM
I think a true measure of the man is how he essentially dismissed Limbaugh after becoming chairman despite the amount of support he received from Limbaugh when he was running for Senate.
Dismissing those friendly to you is not a good way to go through life
AZfederalist on April 24, 2009 at 12:42 AM
No matter how we characterize Obama, we should point out that his policies have been tried through much of Europe. Thr results? ~double the unemployment and ~half the economic growth.
Say it over and over again.
toliver on April 24, 2009 at 1:29 AM
It is a very dangerous card to play for the reasons AP cites. In this climate Americans may well decide they like the idea of socialism and that will prove extremely hard for the GOP to address.
Once people get used to big government as an idea it’s all but impossible to stop. Look at Europe.
Ares on April 24, 2009 at 5:28 AM
There are only two possible scenarios that would make these interventions temporary:
1) Nationalizing the finance industry fails and wrecks the US economy, and then Obama admits that he’s made a horrific mistake; or
2) Nationalizing worthless loans magically turns them into gold, and then (for some utterly inexplicable reason) Obama STOPS doing it.
In the first scenario, it’s hard to imagine how any criticism of Obama could possibly “blow up in our faces.”
So that only leaves the second scenario. And the only reason anyone would want to avoid using the “S word” now would be if he wanted to leave himself free to take over Socializing America if Obama changes his mind.
logis on April 24, 2009 at 6:23 AM
Steele is a rino clown. We need leadership.
dogsoldier on April 24, 2009 at 6:31 AM
Do you really believe that, through his actions and words, Obama has demonstrated another reasonably, arguably credible goal?
I trust you are not so naive, so what is your suggestion otherwise?
Lockstein13 on April 24, 2009 at 6:56 AM
The good ole days of the gop winning by using slogans has come and gone. Americans want ideas about how to get out of our crisis. I hope the dopey RNC does use socialist, it will just further alienate them from mainstream America. Obama is wildly popular, and thats just killing you neo-cons. Go ahead label the Dems anyway you morons want to, because now your just flailing and I love it.
athensboy on April 24, 2009 at 7:15 AM
if i were at the RNC, i would read comments here & at even more snarky blogs (ace comes to mind) & find a few one-liners to get us started.
why don’t we just start sending the good one-liners to the RNC ourselves. its obvious we have to do everything for them.
kelley in virginia on April 24, 2009 at 7:25 AM
The first one that comes to mind is Shakespeare’s “First kill all the lawyers”.
venividivici on April 24, 2009 at 7:39 AM
I have to say, I agree with Allah in part.
During the campaign, one conversation I had with my husband was the fear that socialism would lose it’s bite and become something attractive. I think we run that risk.
We would be MUCH BETTER SERVED if we could articulate WHY IT IS WRONG, rather than just proclaim it what it is and say it is wrong. We need a wholesale revival of constitutional literacy and distinction between our nation and others.
Unfortunately, this enters into the realm of philosophical underpinnings…and we all know how loathe our dumbed-down populace is to thinking critically about ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING. I place this blame on both sides of the aisle. We BOTH elect idiots based on talking points and have no idea WHY we do it.
We ARE perceived as idiots…that is a given. We have to own this and rather than revamp the image superficially, we should really be educating ourselves and speaking winsomely and forcefully against these practices *WHICH ARE UNDOUBTEDLY SOCIALIST*…but we have to have SMART arguments, not simply LOUD arguments.
Mommypundit on April 24, 2009 at 7:55 AM
It’s this formulation that frustrates me, because it’s coming from the same place that Meghan McCain comes from…that winning the election is the goal.
Ronald Reagan once said that there’s no limit as to what you can accomplish if you don’t care about who gets the credit. Frankly, the goal of the GOP and conservatives in general ought to be stopping the slide into socialism and reversing it. If our agitation provides an incentive for the Dems to make their nationalizations temporary…well, how is that not a good thing?
If, through the tea parties and the use of the S word and extreme public shame and pressure can cause the Dems to abandon philosophical planks like government intervention, that’s a win for us. Big picture, fellas…big picture.
JohnTant on April 24, 2009 at 7:58 AM
I think the terms socialism and fascism have taken on somewhat of a new meaning in society at large (maybe I’m wrong but this is how it seems to me). Socialism and fascism isn’t meant to conjure up images of Kristalnacht, jack-booted soldiers, secret police, nazism, blah blah blah but rather the stifling and corrupt hand of government getting involved in everything – where government is seen as the solution to societal ills and as the mechanism for lifting people out of their circumstances and providing for the people (ala healthcare, ‘ensuring’ a strong yet socially just society etc).
I think Republicans should be decrying Obama’s actions and even use the word socialist, albeit carefully, because, and this is the important part, what Obama is doing to government (what Bush started) and the ways he’s expanding it won’t be easily undone. To minimize what he is doing by being super-accurate and not calling it socialism will fail to grab peoples attention. Unfortunately we live in a day and age where you’ve got to use a little hyperbole to get your point across. I agree though political juijitsu could be used to turn this back on Republicans. Republicans need to make a strong and vivid point but be ‘careful’ in doing so.
gwelf on April 24, 2009 at 7:58 AM
I want to add, we SHOULD be sensitive to the culture…we can’t use the same techniques as before and should utilize the tools/style available to us. We should seek to educate and win WITH IDEAS youth and minorities. But, this should be based on timeless truth (which we do have on our side) rather than grievences and pandering. That isn’t who we are. The left MUST do this…they base their arguments on the weakest parts of human nature. We, on the other hand, appeal to the true, right and good. we can win but have to be aggressive and EDUCATED.
Mommypundit on April 24, 2009 at 7:59 AM
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