the GOP is as corrupt an institution as the Dems
True_King on November 5, 2009 at 12:45 PM

And there it is.
They must all be purged.

Unfortunately, it seems that Hot Air has become like the triumvirate – The GOP is the way, the truth, the political life. Maybe not insulting those that have no loyalty to any one party and understand that the GOP is as corrupt an institution as the Dems. At some point we need to make a stand, I’m not sure the GOP is the only way to do it.

It is a dysfunctional party at the State level. What the Hoffman candidacy does is put the spotlight on that problem and gives a platform to a minor third party to see if it can get any traction. If you live in NY State why bother with such a party? If you want ‘party action’ then it is not the R party in Democratic Machine run NY. There is a harsh divide in NY between downstate (NYC and LI plus burbs) to Albany Axis and ‘everywhere else’. There could be two entirely different States: New York and Upper York. The Republican and Democratic parties exist in NY… NY-23 is in Upper York. The way the parties act in Upper York is with Machine mentality, and it gets lackluster candidates who have proven unable and unwilling to stop the rampant tax and spend New York spending spree which has gone on since the Erie Canal.

NY State could use a party that would actually represent Upper York. Rural, small town and small city Upper York is a far different world than NY.

In the local VA races what has taken the day are campaigns that spotlight fiscal rectitude, efficient government, dedication to family life, and in no small way spotlighting military service. These are NOT themes I have heard from the Republican party for… what… 29 years? And actually carrying through with that at the National level has proven to be difficult. How many times do we live with the promises of the Republican platform, only to see it become kindling in a month or two after an election?

If a party cannot carry through on a fiscally conservative platform, I won’t vote for it. Nice words and ‘party unity’ have gotten us into this mess.

If you say those words mean them.

And when legislation is drafted make it sharp and to the point so everyone knows you are carrying through with your promises and not burying it in mush.

I’m still waiting for that party to show up.

As it is I vote for individuals with integrity and with whom I can at least understand 40% of what they say and do. I wish the Republican party could do that, but it is sorely lacking and only a few individuals in that party can get up to that magic number. And it sure, as hell, isn’t anyone in the RNC, Newt Gingrich or the rest of that lot, thats for sure.

3. Since “mettle” and “metal” sound alike and are closely related etymologically, I fear they may re-converge despite all our best efforts to preserve the distinction.

CK MacLeod on November 4, 2009 at 8:58 PM

I felt my usage was obvious and found it frustrating to explain it…
However, I find myself in agreement with you…
But don’t think I won’t take license…it’s not in my nature. ;)

Moderates are out there but they are less likely to vote than party-affiliated voters, and they are drawn to conservatives more than liberals ( or so they tell pollsters )

Republican candidates who appeal to both components of their coalition and run a good campaign will likely win; those who ‘reach out’ to people who likely won’t vote likely won’t win

As for the other comments:

1. “CK” does not stand for “Calvin Klein.”

2. I can imagine scenarios under which the Republican Party ceased to be the best vehicle for a conservative resurgence – I just don’t see most of those scenarios as desirable or practical, especially since the mere threat of conservative fight and flight has already turned the machine of co-optation into higher gear.

3. Since “mettle” and “metal” sound alike and are closely related etymologically, I fear they may re-converge despite all our best efforts to preserve the distinction.

Conservative-based is a key thought. The Republicans have that reputation, more or less, and still lean that way more often than towards liberalism. As they’ve moved more centrist in order to appeal to more voters they’ve also become even more of an elitist crowd, something most conservatively living people are far from. And the power attached to all the bucks to spend to purchase seats, ingratiate themselves to candidates, and all in all become the antithesis of the persona of a mainstream conservative is what has diluted their effectiveness both in the voting booth and as an identity to eschew.

To start a new conservative party is quite a challenge. Although the definition of such may be relatively simple, there will be a temptation to assimilate a coherent platform with “rules, regulations, and dress code”. And so the party may enjoy some success, but to be more than a flash in the pan will take a succession of leaders that inspire a large base to a founding purpose. Argue that there are the seeds to a couple of parties already planted and you’ll be correct. What will it take to nurture and reap from this beginning. Again, leadership.

Sarah? Pat? Bobby? Who keeps all the players talking, coordinates all the independent efforts? These are interesting times to be living in.

another poetic metal is brass, as in brass knuckles, etc.

we’ll see which types of brass wins out among dems in sane districts

My point Mary was really quitE simple…
Reigns = IS what it says in the context of the post…
In truth, I was going for the phonetics and by mistake used the word with the meaning I was trying to rebuke them for…
I believe METAL…speaks for itself…Think steelE…
I write poetry Mary…and I was told taking license was acceptable …
Weather it is in a couplet …simple two liner …or as one as complex as a sonnet…

Senator Cornyn is now talking about the national leadership butting out of endorsing GOP candidates or favorites in primaries.

Sarah wins because she stuck to her principles and promise to Americans to support those who share her values/vision regardless of party and regardless if they win. Credibility, courage and integrity are in short supply in politics and she has it while nobody else does in the GOP at the national level with the charisma to boot.

Dede Scozzafava needed to be purged as the true leftist she was. Now the GOP up in NY-23 can regroup, rewrite the vision for the needs of that district, and focus on taking Owens down. The GOP there will hopefully learn from all this as those on the grassroots get more experience.

2010 could be pure Hell on Earth for the Dems if they continue the insane pull to the left, giving the GOP the perfect chance to move right of center and provide the healthy alternative to the current statists.

Excellent post. This was a good race to test out the possibility of a third party conservative, and I’m happy to put a little fear into the establishment, but conservatives belong in the Republican party, and I think Hoffman has proven that.

Caiwyn on November 4, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Agreed. But with 40% of the country saying they are conservative, it might be a good idea if the Republican Party came back to the conservatives.

We can handle those moderates who wish to be a part of the Party, but they need not be in control if they wish to win.

We gave it a shot with Hoffman but he was running against time. And he and we lost in a close race. But as you said, it was a good test and Hoffman had too many things going against him that he had to fight right off the bat that would make it difficult for anyone to win in such a short time, being that he was fighting two parties and even with the vocal backing of Fred and Dick and Rush and Glenn and Sarah, it was just not enough time and he didn’t live in the district and her throwing her support behind the Dem…and on and on.

I see it as a test too. We didn’t lose….we just ran out of time and maybe, just maybe we can find conservatives who do not have so much riding against them next time so that we can all start off at the same starting line, at the same time.

Mary in LA on November 4, 2009 at 7:11 PM

I stand corrected on the second alleged error…
however…not the first…think about it…

Just kind of grossed me out. Anyone else see this?

I had a buddy like that. Drank a lot of Mountain Dew and ate Musketeer bars.

Never brushed. Had that plaque build up thing. Eventually he had a heart attack.

Not a slap at the guy. I would have voted for him anyway if I had lived there.

Step down and allow a new breed who have the metal …Let them take the reigns …

jerrytbg on November 4, 2009 at 6:55 PM

I agree with you, Jerry! However, I must correct your word usage a bit:

Step down and allow a new breed who have the mettle … Let them take the reins.

Now that most people don’t depend on horses for transportation any more, those two words have become somewhat disconnected from their everyday meaning and are therefore easy to misuse.

Hope this helps, from your friendly neighborhood grammar geek! :-)

if the guy is more conservative than Debe then he might be a good candidate

honestly, i don’t think that Hoffman will be ready in a year, like most people he’ll have to start at the bottom and work his way up

Palin worked her way up remember…there’s lots of trench work to be done, honorable work.

Also, CPA’s are not the most engaging people, the only people that can “burst” onto a scene are people that are in vocations that already have lots of polish (lawyers, actors, etc.)…but even there you start low

concernedsenior on November 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM

Money, I suppose. It is pretty odd.

AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 6:33 PM

Not odd at all. We don’t trust the national party anymore. People are sending their money where they want, not trusting the RNC, RNCC to spend their money wisely.