Video: Glenn Beck on the rise of independents
posted at 5:19 pm on May 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
A prelude to the next round of GOP-bashing tomorrow morning from America’s favorite squish. Portrait of two men interpreting the polling equivalent of a Rorschach inkblot: Beck, the Beltway-hating libertarian, is eager to see the GOP decline as evidence of a backlash to Bush’s spending while John Avlon, the Giuliani centrist, reads it as a reaction to social conservatism. Either way, the two-party system’s losing ground to the no-party movement, a phenomenon that naturally thrills GB. The clip’s interesting but more interesting still is the incredibly wide-ranging Pew survey from which the data’s drawn; if you can spare a few minutes, page through and eyeball some of the graphs (the “next page” link is almost hidden at the very bottom of the screen). Here’s the latest on where indies stack up versus Repubs and Dems:
They’ve actually trended right since 2007, although that “national security” question seems to be a bit stubborn. As for the GOP’s abysmal overall numbers, here’s the data that shocked me the most:
As a percentage, they’ve declined more precipitously among moderates (dropping from 24% to 16%, a loss of one-third), but in absolute numbers they’ve shed more conservatives, a surprise suggesting that Beck’s right about longstanding erosion among the base over spending. How longstanding and how much of an erosion? Dude:
Some of that’s simply disgruntlement over electoral defeats, but compare the surge among liberal Democrats as their fortunes turned to the collapse among conservative Republicans. It’s a 51-point swing. Mind-boggling.
Like I say, lots of fascinating data at the link — e.g., a perfectly predictable public flip-flop on national security vs. civil liberties since 9/11, a five-point gain in support for a path to citizenship for illegals since 2007 (support now stands at 63 percent) — but I want to post three graphics worthy of special attention. Beck and Avlon don’t touch on generational differences but maybe they should have. The kids aren’t alright:
Maybe Carville was right about the Democrats having a majority for the next 40 years. What could go wrong?
Blowback
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So,tongue in cheeck,umm,does that mean that the independents
will control the vote and decide which party holds office,
assuming that they don’t have a candidate of their own!!
canopfor on May 23, 2009 at 5:25 PM
As if both ways aren’t part of the simultaneous matter.
Independents have been on the rise since the public started feeling guilty for having hated Vietnam Veterans.
maverick muse on May 23, 2009 at 5:26 PM
a five-point gain in support for a path to citizenship for illegals since 2007 (support now stands at 63 percent
……
Mkkkkay.
artist on May 23, 2009 at 5:28 PM
You meanzzz u have 2 in teh independentzzz to win electionzzzzz?
therightwinger on May 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM
a five-point gain in support for a path to citizenship for illegals since 2007 (support now stands at 63 percent
…..
Not even Obama believes that.
Or they’d be ALL over this.
artist on May 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I’m an independent, but not “moderate”
rbj on May 23, 2009 at 5:33 PM
The Colin Powell vote, voted for Obama.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Beck was calling himself a conservative last year. I wonder if he has even changed his views on anything or if he’s just going with the cooler label?
V15J on May 23, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Weeeelllllllllll………….
…………. Given that only 130+ days of the Obama Administration and the United States of America is out of money,
I would say that the next 39+ years of Democratic control will feel like a one legged man in an a$s kicking contest……
Seven Percent Solution on May 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM
rbj on May 23, 2009 at 5:33 PM
exactly, too many people mistake that social issues are hurting the Republicans. No, Republicans being as progressive and irresponsible and corrupt as democrats is what killed the Republicans…not their family values.
The formula is so simple, the Republicans miss it…go with fiscal responsibility, smaller government, and protect the smallest minority class ( the individual ) and they would overtake it. Problem is, no one trusts them…they promised the contract of America, but failed to act on it once given the opportunity.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
He’s a Fiscal Con / Libertarian… like a lot of us out here…
But when the only two choices you have on the scale are Conserveative or Liberal… you choose to get half the answer right…
Romeo13 on May 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
I really dislike this Avlon character. He’s kind of a twerp and his spin on the numbers is pretty contrived. If Beck is going to be bringing idiots like Avlon onto his show he’s going to lose me (and those like me) as viewers. I like to hear the other side, and these self-anointed “moderates” are the other side, but not from mental midgets. I can talk to a 12 year old to get the Avlon view of the world.
progressoverpeace on May 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
It has been generations since Repubs or Dems elected anyone. Independents have and will continue to be the deciding swing vote in all elections.
Dems and Repubs do the nominating and provide the core votes while independents decide the winner.
If the Repubs want to be taken seriously again, after their historic collapse, they need do only two things–return to fiscal restraint and have a small government bias in all their decisions. The current Dems are giving them the opportunity but the current Repub leadership has not a clue on what to do.
Yes, yes lets vote for Collins, Snow, and Specter’s replacement, Crist as we continue on the bridge to nowhere.
patrick neid on May 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM
V15J on May 23, 2009 at 5:36 PM
He avoids the term conservative, because its over used. People like Huck were saying they were conservative…because they think that conservatives are defined solely on social issues.
He lives a “conservative” life style…that is he tries to keep his nose clean…but he is a “classical liberal” that is he himself may not chose a certain lifestyle, but it shouldn’t be government’s business to protect or encourage certain lifestyles.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Considering “peace through strength” is now synonymous with never-ending preemptive nation-building wars on a tactic, I’m not surprised.
Worsening economic conditions like inflation, much higher interest rates, Depression-era unemployment and massive tax hikes, to name a few.
The Dems are hanging themselves with their own rope, as usual.
Go sell your neo-Keyn madness someplace else. We’re all stocked up here.
Rae on May 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Truthfully, the word independent is misleading, it just mean they don’t want to anchor themselves to be a Democrat or Republican.
The moderates are really democrats, but want to be thought of as open minded…but when the lever is pulled its for socialism.
Conservatives on the other hand, left because the Republican Party is no longer the party for smaller government / fiscal responsibility.
The graph I would like to see is remove republican and democrat and independent labels…and use smaller government, more liberty and personal responsibility…
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
OK, riddle me this:
1. How exactly did the Booshies control spending?
2. Or the GOP congress?
3. Exactly when did we last have a balanced federal budget?
Answers –
1. Not…
2. Not…
3. Under the Clinton orgy.
So exactly how does that great record add up to us wanting to put the gop back into power?
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I have always been an independent. In Virginia an registered Independent could vote in one primary election. In Florida the primaries are closed, so on Friday I am going to change my designation so I can try to keep Charlie Crist out of the U.S. Senate. I have always been conservative so I am not sure I would read to much into the Independent label.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 5:49 PM
I don’t know why conservatives like Glenn Beck, he doesn’t strike me as conservative. He seems like a class warrior to me, don’t like that.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Beck, Rush, Coulter, above all are entertainers. Which is exactly why we should never equate them with ‘leadership.’
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Allahpundit,
I understand that pessimism is your shtick. But sometimes your pessimism make you say absolute nonsense.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 5:51 PM
How is Glenn a class warrior?
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Beck, Rush, Coulter wouldn’t have much of a following if they were Keith Olberman now would they? Entertain all you want, but if there isn’t a level of trust with the audience…and that there is something worth listening too beyond sheer entertainment, Beck, Coulter, Rush wouldn’t last.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Dude he’s anchoring a news/opinion program in a pair of blue jeans. If don’t get a whiff of class warrior in that, I don’t know what else 2 tell you.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Because he wears jeans? Oh for the love of Pete, Jeans? You are really stretching here. Al Gore wears suits, does that mean he isn’t engaged in class warfare?
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:01 PMI say this with all do respect but you glom onto the oddest things and are so very critical of so many conservatives. I can’t quite make out what you are expecting of people other than monolithic views and excruciatingly polite delivery.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Oh, I am not saying they aren’t ok to listen to periodically. Just remember that they are pandering to a base audience, like you say; but they should never be looked up to as ‘leaders.’ The bottom line motivation is advertising dollars, not solving problems.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Dude, it’s THREE LINES.
If that’s too complicated for you (and I’m going out on a limb and assuming that’s the case) let me make it even simpler through the process of elimination.
How many people left the Democrat Party because Barak Obama is too conservative? Maybe a handful of guys who were kicked out of the Weathermen for their extremist views?
And how many people were lifelong Republicans, but got then fled in terror because John McCain represented too strong a “rightward shift”? There are around a dozen people who CLAIM that (albeit none even remotely credible.) And they get all the free TV and print space they could possibly want. So it’s safe to say that if there were any more out there, we’d know about them.
So, quit fixating on those disturbing dreams about your mother for a second and focus on this question. What do the other 99.99999999% of the independant voters HAVE to be?
logis on May 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
What you call pandering, I call honesty. If they were just going through the emotions and pretending to be conservative, they would not last.
Yes, they are first a business, who looks for ways to capture a profit. But that doesn’t mean they are just saying stuff that they think the audience wants to hear.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Even if the candidate is a God fearing man?
StevefromMKE on May 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I am not sure how the differs greatly with politicians, the bottom line is getting reelected (i.e. advertising dollars) and apparently not solving problems. They seem to create more than solve.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:14 PM
1. President Bush didn’t. He ran as a Conservative, but signed way too many spending bills, no argument there, but he did pass the tax cut, which increased revenues to the government.
2. The GOP Congress was not a true Conservative Congress, they were run by RINO’s and their spending over the years proved it. That is why they were defeated, but to compare the spending of the GOP Congress to what the Democrats have done in just the past couple of months means you have to grasp of reality at all.
3. The last balanced Federal Budget was passed by a GOP lead Congress, over the objections of the Democrats, and signed by Bill Clinton. Why do you ask?
Seven Percent Solution on May 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
The wars turned off all the young folks from the Republican party. You can’t imagine how many 18-29s think a re-institution of the military draft is coming because of all the Republican warmongering that has weakened, not strengthened, our armed forces.
The Dean on May 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Interesting that the % of *blacks* who call themselves “very patriotic” has gone *down* since Obama appeared on the scene.
KS Rex on May 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
No I didn’t say Glenn Beck is class warrior because he wears jeans to host his show. He’s a class warrior because always talk about the “elites” and the folks “taking back the country.” It is the same rhetoric John Edwards uses. Him wearing blue jeans is symbol of something else. It is like when a politician goes to the Heartland and puts on a pair jeans and talks folksy. They are just wanting to show they are Average Joes.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
That’s funny, because after 9/11 quite a few signed up…so maybe you meant the coddled little kiddies of hover parents were turned off because they’d whine and complain about basic training, much less having to fire a gun unless it was some super bad-ass video game.
StevefromMKE on May 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Glenn Beck is killing the Republican party every time that idiot opens his mouth. Does he really believe there is a third choice? Does he believe that a third choice is viable. Ross Perot could not make it happen and Glenn Beck dammed well will never make it happen
Glenn Beck and the rest of those Fox “now to be fair the Republicans do it also” anchors are not doing us any favors. They seem to think that bashing both is being fair. When the Republicans held both houses did you hear these fools ever say to be fair the dims did it also? Anyone?
Beck has been bashing the Republican party forever. I guess he believes that his beloved dimocrats will bring the libertarian justice he so desires.
Jdripper on May 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM
If there are two things you can count on the Dems to bring up at election time it is the reinstitution of the draft and the disassembling of Social Security. Republican’s national defense stands are nothing to the fear mongering they ratchet up every four years.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM
And I’m the only who noticed that Glenn Beck’s stance on gay marriage is incoherent (shocking I know)?
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
If Ross Perot couldn’t do it, who else could. Right?
lorien1973 on May 23, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Dean, I guess Charlie Rangel is a secret Republican, because he’s about the only Congressman who talks about the draft.
StevefromMKE on May 23, 2009 at 6:25 PM
There is a huge difference in the rhetoric of John Edwards’ call for the rich to take care of the poor and Beck’s call for the productive people of the nation to take back control of their lives.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Really? Please explain.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Are you insinuating that Mr. Perot was not awe inspiring? /
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Its simple, he defends traditional marriage, but could care less what you actually do in your own life…and is for states rights.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Rush talks against the elites too, is he a class warrior? Its is hilarious you are comparing Glenn Beck to John Edwards, the two couldn’t be farther apart on the spectrum.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
I looked at all the graphs. Few things surprised me. The conflation of R’s with social conservatism is generally a device used by the Left.
Have R’s been for banning books from schools. No. Is there a plank that says that women should go back to the old ways? No.
There are two things that R’s oppose…gay marriage (which is a majority position) and abortion.
The abortion issue is a subtle issue. On-demand? Parental notification? It is the Left that is absolutist (and in the minority)
r keller on May 23, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Fixed it for you.
Lehosh on May 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
John Edwards = Socialism Good, Capitalism Bad…Business Owners Bad…Entitlement Good
Glenn Beck = Government run Business is Bad…Socialism Bad, Capitalism Good.
If you can’t see it, I don’t know how else to explain it more plainly.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:32 PM
The average productive person is busy making a living and taking care of their families. They expect to trust the representatives that they have elected to go to Washington and serve the constituency’s best interests. That’s not happening. Maybe it never has. The Founders never expected there to be a permanent political class as we have now. It is in the country’s best interest for it’s citizens to pay a lot more attention then they have in the past. Sen. Edwards is just the same old same old tax the rich to give to someone he deems needy as long as they vote for him. Although is log cabin story was very week.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:33 PM
She doesn’t like Rush either so question isn’t going to work.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
BTW…the good people at Powerlineblog have had some brutal posts on Obama.
I think a jeremiad against the sycophantic press is in order.
r keller on May 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Watch the video again. Glenn Beck says, “I’m for traditional marriage but I’m not saying you can’t get married either.” What the heck does that mean? If you are for tradition marriage, you are indeed saying gays can’t get married. Therefore, the man makes NO sense.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Like I said, don’t look to them for leadership.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:38 PM
I am an Independent I trend Conservative. I don’t see myself in the middle where a lot of Independents are placed on scope of Government, I am more Libertarian. I think the environmental movement is a whooey. I have read Ayn Rand “Return of the Primitive, The Anti Industrialist” So unless they are lumping some conservation in with environmentalism…they are not the same thing to me. You can be a good steward of the environment without being an environmentalist.
Dr Evil on May 23, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Does John Edwards give 25% of his income to charity?
Does John run a small business and pay 100% of ALL of his employees premiums?
Regarding Glenn Beck, the answer to both of those questions is yes, so the difference is obvious to thinking individuals.
thomasaur on May 23, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I’m not talking about their beliefs. I’m talking about their rhetoric. Always slamming the elites and talking about taking “power” back is the same type rhetoric John Edwards uses.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:40 PM
She doesn’t like Rush, Coulter, Levin or Beck.
Nuff said
thomasaur on May 23, 2009 at 6:42 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Maybe that one sentence said doesn’t make sense, but I have listened to Glenn for several years, and he has explained his position fairly well.
At the same time, Gay marriage isn’t Glenn’s hot button, neither is abortion…its security, fiscal responsibility, and liberty.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Are you saying you don’t look for politicians for leadership? While I certainly understand the sentiment, in a representative Republic it makes governing a little tricky.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:45 PM
2. The GOP Congress was not a true Conservative Congress,
Do you seriously think the dems are going to continue TARP and stimulus spending levels into the future? I think not. Yes the dems want more government, but all the deficit spending of the last 15 years has been on the GOP watch.
I’d appreciate some real information – how large were the deficits when dems last had control in DC? And praytell, how truly different in composition has either the house or senate gop been since then? I’d guess not all that much.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:45 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Can you really not tell the difference?
John Edward sells that he is the savior, Glenn is the EXACT opposite…that he is a radio clown, who believes the power belongs to the people.
One is for liberty and power to the individual, the other wants to enslave you with empty promises.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Yes. It does. Real leadership espouses workable ideas for solving problems as well as taking a stand on principle when necessary. The current ‘leadership’ in the GOP does neither.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Read this through with all its spin trying pushing the idea that Republicans should never look at moving more to the right and differentiating themselves from the Democrats, and I knew without looking it was posted by Allahpundit.
_
You know all you folks that think the winning position is trying to do the same thing as the Democrats only a little different or less should really just admit that you are Democrat and change parties. Because as long as you have been calling the shots in the party its been losing, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but losing none the same.
woodythesingingcowboy on May 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I’m not talking about their beliefs. I’m talking about their rhetoric. Always slamming the elites and talking about taking “power” back is the same type rhetoric John Edwards uses.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:40 PM
btw, the founding fathers were against the Royal elites…this is why beliefs is important. Context is important.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM
No I but I’m not a big fan of Rush, Coulter, Levin or Beck. But I do listen to conservative talk radio. Am I supposed 2 listen to only them? Although Beck doesn’t call himself conservative, so I don’t know we are lumping him with other conservative talkers.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I do watch Glenn Beck, I mean come on the guys entertaining:) I also watch Lou Dobbs he calls himself an Independent populist. Lou Dobbs is the only one I watch on CNN. I wasn’t overly impressed with the Taxed Enough Aleady – TEA party coverage. I thought their coverage was very low rent, and classless. Anderson Cooper really thought repeating a lame teabagging joke was witty?
Dr Evil on May 23, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Did you just graduate from an Ivy League school? You seem defensive about “elites”. I must have missed where John Edwards told people to take back the power, the message I always got from him was “elect me and I’ll take care of you”. People have got to be more involved, in the past the media dis this thing called investigative journalism. They sought out corruption in politicians and businesses and churches and anywhere the public would be impacted. They don’t do that anymore, they play favorites and can no longer be trusted to do their jobs. The public must inform itself.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:50 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Glenn calls himself a conservative, has for many years. Who do you listen to, and why?
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Gah! Outrage! Treason! Infidel! You must also be a liberal to be a good steward! Conservative and Conservation don’t have ANYTHING like the same meaning!
How dare you!
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Yes but our founding fathers were facing tyranny. I would say we are not facing tyranny.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
You and I will agree on that. I am underwhelmed. At the same time I would almost prefer that nothing be done then the wholesale dismantling of our system that is going on now.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Maybe a graph showing IQs should be next to every grouping as well. I think that would be worthy of yet another “DUDE!”
Spiritk9 on May 23, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Sing it woody. You are correct.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Cindy, out of curiosity, what do you mean by that?
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Then you had better forget everything they shoved down your throat in college and start paying attention to what is going on around you. I would also recommend that you listen to and read the books of the conservatives that you dismiss. Read Coulter’s books as if you have never heard her voice. The same with Levin, they give a grown up perspective of what is happening in the country today.
thomasaur on May 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Gah! Outrage! Treason! Infidel! You must also be a liberal to be a good steward! Conservative and Conservation don’t have ANYTHING like the same meaning!
How dare you!
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Bull S1ht, many people I know leave the land the way they found it, and they are not Liberals. They leave it intact for the next generation.
Where did you miss the part I am not a Republican? I am an Independent I don’t follow your brand.
Dr Evil on May 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
No Beck doesn’t say he’s conservative. He says he’s libertarian.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Then you do not understand tyranny. We live in a free country right? Yet, if I choose to not wear a seat belt, I get fined. Government regulates what food I eat…Government just fired private car dealerships…on a whim…. . If the government wants to take my property…they can. If I am stopped at a traffic check point, they could search my property without a warrant.
Then you compound this with over 50% taxation….I am a slave.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
_
Government does NOT solve problems, the people either on their own or in their local communities solve their own specific problems. One size fits all NEVER works and causes far more problems than it solves. But hey if you are in the “Problem Solving” business than it is an endless supply to further your political agenda, which is exactly what the Democrats are and have been doing for years. And yet NOT one problem has been solved.
_
REAL Leadership isn’t afraid of lessening its power and pushing the problems back to the People to solve. REAL Leadership inspires the People to solve their problems instead of trying to do it for them. REAL Leadership provides the laws by which a civilized and just society can be formed and maintained, but even then those laws created by a given level of government are restricted to its specific jurisdiction given it by the Constitution or other governing document agreed to by the People.
_
But hey lets just continue with a Republican Party and its leadership that sees no harm in pushing for more concentration of power at the Federal level and with Party leaders deluding themselves with the idea that it’s okay because it’s “what the people want”. That Sir, is NOT REAL Leadership.
woodythesingingcowboy on May 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
whoa, take ‘er easy there, Doc. I was spoofing.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Who Are the Big Spenders?
Michael in MI on May 23, 2009 at 7:02 PM
But hey lets just continue with a Republican Party and its leadership that sees no harm in pushing for more concentration of power at the Federal level and with Party leaders deluding themselves with the idea that it’s okay because it’s “what the people want”. That Sir, is NOT REAL Leadership.
woodythesingingcowboy on May 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
I voted for John McCain. Sarah Palin joining the ticket helped me make up my mind. I told myself at least John McCain was pro life.
Dr Evil on May 23, 2009 at 7:03 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Again, I have listened to Glenn for several years…he has always said he is a conservative, leaning libertarian…which is what real conservatism is…a classic liberal. Of late he avoids using the term conservative, because its over-used, and became confusing as to what was meant by it. Huckabee, McCain, Fred, Rudy, Romney, all claimed to be conservative…right.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 7:03 PM
I forgot to answer the second question. I listen to Hugh Hewitt and Dennis Prager. I think they are smart and entertaining.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
NO Beck says he’s an independent conservative, get your facts straight, Penn Gillette is the one on Beck’s show that is a Libertarian.
nelsonknows on May 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:04 PM
So your criteria is smart and entertaining? Are you claiming Rush, Glenn, Levin, Coulter aren’t smart or entertaining?
What makes these two sound smart to you?
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 7:05 PM
For the most part I am talking about the free market system. Starting with TARP under W and the involvement of the federal government in private industry. Not to many years ago W put forward the idea that citizens be allowed to put a very small percentage of the Social Security withholding into private investment. The Democrats went nuts, brought out the meme usually saved for election years about dismantling Social Security so that the Blue Hairs got themselves in a tizzy. I know that in retrospect you could say that it was a good thing given what the market has done but we have now invested future citizen’s presumed wealth in a system that should have been allowed to stand or fall on it’s own, without taxpayers assistance.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Did u read the article I read?
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Government does not solve every problem, but it does solve some…
How many US Armies would we have if the gov’t did not solve that problem?
How would laws be passed and enforced if gov’t did not solve that problem?
How would the Civil Rights Act of 1964 been enacted on the local level? Would you prefer that northern states allowed minorities to vote, and southern states not?
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
It depends on which poll you pick also.
Gallup shows party identification tied
CommentGuy on May 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
whoa, take ‘er easy there, Doc. I was spoofing.
trailboss on May 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Yeah but you want somebody to type Bull S1ht once in awhile don’t you :)
I am from the Rocky Mountains “Montana” you know the state that just passed that new state gun law. We do believe in being good stewards to the land but we don’t believe in all that environmental horse sh1t. Remember the Spotted Owl was endangered species and what it did to the timber industry- put a lot of people out of work…..my family and friends were the ones that were wearing the t shirts and caps that read “Spotted Owl Taste Like Chicken”
I am sensitive about getting any environmental label on me GRIN.
Dr Evil on May 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
I registered independent until I was about 30. Then I changed to Republican. I could fully support Reagan as an Independent. I was happy enough with Bush I. I hated Clinton. I am now uncomfortable with the Republican Party.
Last night I saw a commercial O’Reilly played… I was in and out and didn’t really see all that he said around it. But it was Sarah Palin murdering Mitt Romney in cold blood.
On the way to the restaurant I told my husband I was done with the Republican Party. He calmed me down, fed me and talked me down.
I hate what’s happened in this party. I’m a committee something or other for the Party. I do phone banks… attend a few meetings… give input on the state platform. My husband is even more active.
This hate filled Party could drive me out. Last night I was going to change my registration at least to Independent if not to Democrat.
I don’t want to be in a Party whose main purpose today is to hate. I don’t want to be associated with people who think murdering politicians is something to joke about.
1. I want fiscal discipline that favors capitalism because controlling spending is the most compassionate thing to do for all.
2. I want common sense on social issues. I want sensitive, private, social issues handled with respect for others who view it differently.
3. I want a strong, respected military.
The issues above are what I think it used to mean to be a Republican.
The Republican party in 2009 doesn’t stand for any of that–other than supporting the military.
petunia on May 23, 2009 at 7:08 PM
No I’m not saying they are not smart. They just aren’t my cup of tea.
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Very very interesting. Room for improvement but certainly not as horrible as advertised.
Cindy Munford on May 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Fill me in. What are referring to?
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:12 PM
terryannonline on May 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
“more and more libertarian” is consistent with what I was trying to tell you…he is a conservative who leans libertarian.
Btw more and more, doesn’t mean all out equal. A 100 pound person getting more and more fat…say is now 125 pounds…doesn’t make him obese.
Conservative Voice on May 23, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Allahpundit, you missed the ENTIRE point! MANY Conservatives, such as myself, feel that the GOP are spineless cowards who are afraid of leftists and don’t represent us anymore.
Why is it that you hate Beck so much, yet Michelle Malkin appears on Beck’s show more than any other show?
Get with the program and back away from the RINO crack pipe.
The ONLY chance the GOP has is to start supporting the Constitution and hold Obama accountable for his violations of our constitution. The GOP has SIX MONTHS to stop the census….SIX MONTHS or they go the way of the Whigs.
nelsonknows on May 23, 2009 at 7:13 PM
For a supposed republican mouthpiece, Beck is awfully fond of lumping republicans in with dims.
Here’s Beck during every show: “Dems suck. So do Republicans.”
Well, that does us a lot of good. You moron.
I can’t stomach this idiot.
kevinkristy on May 23, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Let’s just say a 3rd Party candidate wins the next election (which won’t happen by the way,) what Senators would he have to support his agenda? Look at former Gov. Jesse Ventura, he ran for governor as an Independent & had no support while in office from either Party. Epic Fail!
All this talk about a 3rd Party candidate will only keep Ovomit in office for 8yrs instead of 4. Look at what happened to Perot. Sorry, but voting Republican will be the only way to stop this madness.
I like Glenn Beck, but this is where we part company.
I much prefer Rush, Hannity & Levin.
redridinghood on May 23, 2009 at 7:15 PM
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