Ignore the Fools and the Foes
Now Is Not The Time For A Leadership Fight
By The Directors Posted in 2006 | Featured Stories — Comments (37) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
“[N]ow is not the time for a leadership contest. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a fool or a foe.”
There are many people dissatisfied with Speaker Hastert's handling of matters in the House of Representatives in the past year. From the William Jefferson investigation to the Mark Foley investigation, Speaker Hastert has sometimes seemed to have a tin ear. We have, on occasion, shared in these frustrations. But now is not the time for a leadership contest. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a fool or a foe.
We should keep in mind that there are many Republicans who are convinced that the GOP would be well served by some time in the wilderness. The argument goes that conservatives are being ignored. If the GOP keeps the House in November, the GOP will be emboldened to ignore conservatives. If they lose, the GOP will do some soul searching and reconnect to its inner-conservative.
Count us unconvinced. What we are convinced of is that some of the very same people calling for Speaker Hastert's head right now think the Republican majority should spend time in the wilderness. We should all ignore them and stand behind the House Republicans.
Nothing will be gained by the GOP losing in November, except damage to America. Funding for the Iraq War will be cut. Instead of being able to prosecute the global war on terror, the administration will be bogged down in House investigations. Instead of greater tax reform, we will have stagnant growth and reckless policies.
Once the House is securely in the hands of a GOP majority on November 8th, we can reassess our leadership team. Until then, the feckless fools who would rather wander in the wilderness than govern should be shut out and we should remember who they are on November 8th and continue ignoring their siren calls.
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Ignore the Fools and the Foes 37 Comments (0 topical, 37 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
a double meaning?
Or even multiple meanings.
Since the dhimmis got us to fight each other, it should be clear that we need to hang together.
Pick that meaning that hangs true for you.
I'm sorry for misunderstanding. I know you are talking about the politics of the situation, but I can't help but think that maybe Hastert should resign if he knew about this and didn't take action to protect the boy.
He used to be a high school teacher. He should know better.
I was going to write a rebuttal to this cretin, but our happily active management has already taken care of the problem. Thanks!
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Internet member since 1987
Member of the Surreality-Based Community
We don't mind liberals - at least, not the ones that can talk to us, as opposed to talk at us (or talk at what they think is us) - but fake conservatives get shown the door a soon as we're sure of 'em. And God knows we've gotten enough practice, over the last year or two.
Admittedly, it's often a subjective call. But we have our little tools to help, we do - and, no, I won't be talking about what they are. :)
Moe
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC.
so I understand the moby charge. "Viva Hastert" -- pretty subtle.
But my initial reaction to his first post was that it was pretty reasonable and non-partisan.
And not because of the Foley affair. When Trent Lott went down, it helped energize the party. Why? Because Lott had been so ineffective. Remember the whole 'powersharing' arrangement?
I think Trent Lott is a decent man, who couldn't stop getting rolled by the Dems. Hastert is one of the singularly most ineffective Republican leaders I have ever seen. Followed closely, unfortunately, by Bill Frist who turned out bad enough to make us remember Trent Lott fondly.
You can hang tough for Dennis Hastert, but if he were dumped then I think the base would actually welcome it. That is, if his replacement were a dyed-in-the-wool conservative that promised effective Republican governance.
Hastert is damaged on all counts, and was so long before this Foley thing broke. He has to go, and we need better leadership. No, that isn't Nancy Pelosi but it isn't him either. I think that by hanging on to him and promising more of the same squishy-style you will only depress Republican turnout.
The Republican base wants tax cuts, and Social Security reform, and immigration reform, and a whole lot more besides that no one in Washington seems to be willing to deliver. Dumping Hastert could allow the party to reposition itself more credibly on red meat conservative issues. No one believes that Hastert can deliver on Republican agenda items when he has singularly failed to do so for the preceding six years.
That's my opinion. We may win anyway, but it won't be because of Hastert, it will be in spite of him.
Let's not try to change horses in mid-stream. Once we're past the election we can make all the changes we want.
Wandering in the wilderness is vastly overrated. Just ask the Jews. (40 years, 1878 years)
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Internet member since 1987
Member of the Surreality-Based Community
We shouldn't change horses in midstream. We should dance with the girl who brug us. Yes. Yes.
Viva Hastert!
That is the other party.
We should stand steadfast in our core beliefs’, realizing the way foward is through unity and internal debate not surrender.
I have read far too many stories about party abandonment as a remedy for being ignored. Frankly, that is a bumper sticker not a sagacious, well founded or principled stand.
We can not prepare a bright future, if the very basis upon which we stand is so divergent as to make that hope a fleeting dream. I say stand up, be counted vote your conscience and work for change in a way that benefits our country, preserves our safety and cherishes our way of life.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
We're not going to see the leadership change right now. For the moment, we need to work at sending straight-shooting Republicans to Congress and let them change the party leadership in December leading up to the new session of Congress.
However, that change needs to be made. The current leadership is from the DeLay just-win-baby amoral school of politics and needs an overhaul. However, that overhaul needs to be internal.
My fear is that the good guys will get thrown out (John Hostettler in IN comes to mind) in order to punish Hastert and company. The answer is electing Shadegg in December, not Pelosi in November.
The House's business is all but done for the year anyway. January is another day. The only question that matters right now is whether Hastert resigning or being deposed would help us at the polls. I don't see that happening; if I did, I'd be all for it.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
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If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.
This sounds really good, except that if the conference wants him out, he's out. Right now, they seem divided. Some are waiting to see until more is known about his role. Paul Weyrich says Hastert should resign. And the Washington Times. And Richard Viguerie. And Michael Reagan. And David Bossie.
The boots and the funders may not let this one slip by. We'll see.
An odd coalition of open borders fanatics and conservative "we need to go into the wilderness" types want to sack Hastert. The only logical conclusion for a shakeup right now is that both factions want to lose majority control. It is suicidal for the long term as well as for the short.
I fully agree with the directors.
The DCCC is pushing republican opponents to call on Hastert to resign. They do not have our well being in mind. They will use any resignations as proof of corruption at the highest levels. Don't me made to play the fool.
http://devine-gamecock.townhall.com
www.race42008.com
"Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face." - Ronald Reagan
but in the enviroment he operates in, it's understandable to try some sucking up to the MSM every now and then. He's only human after all, and all that heavy lifting on your own can get to you.
BTW, have you noticed how the drive-by media now referrs to the Times as the "conservative Washington Times"? Will they begin referring to the NYT as the "liberal" NYT? I'm holding my breath.
http://devine-gamecock.townhall.com
www.race42008.com
"Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face." - Ronald Reagan
I get that. But believe this, there will be major shake ups in the party after the elections whether we win or lose. Things cannot continue like this.
Fear of the Democrats will only work for so long as a motivation to the troops. It might not be enough this time.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
but I think they should come after the elections.
I haven't been impressed with Hastert since he decided congress members shouldn't have to submit to a signed search warrant.
I am not convinced at this point this current scandal is what should make Hastert resign, and now doesn't seem like the time to do it, I would rather eat our own after all the facts have come in.
because he's a lousy Speaker and a graduate of the Bill Frist School of Leadership. He should not be tossed because of Foley, that simply gives cover to the RINOs. And while we're at it, John Boehner as Speaker is no prize either.
_______________________________
If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"?
One more thing for the "wilderness Conservatives" to remember is that while we have had a Republican majority in Congress, we haven't come close to having a conservative majority. So who says thay've betrayed our trust? When you elect Rino's you're gonna get Rino's! So let's work on getting a conservative majority and see what happens then.
I think in general the problem is that the GOP majority has too many moderates.
I would like to see a push for some fiscal conservatives, and I would love to see some congress members from both parties have the guts to deal with some real issues like immigration and social security.
is that the party is not interested in having a conservative majority since they always support Rino's vrs. conservative challengers in the primaries. That has GOT TO STOP!
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
on November 8th should be Tony Blankley of the Washington Times. Not too far behind him should be Paul Gigot at the Wall Street Journal.
Hastert was damned if he went after Foley based on the contents of the emails, and now he is being damned for not doing so. Talk about a lose-lose situation. From what I have read, Hastert did the right thing, but you wouldn't know that by listening to the Dimwits prattle on, calling for his resignation. Now if it was discovered that Hastert was aware of the IMs, then he should be censured for failing in his duties, not necessarily resign from the House leadership.
Funny how when a Republican gets caught doing something bordering on illegal, he gets cut loose like so much deadweight, but the Dims rally around their guy. Truly amazing.
"A touch of grey kinda suits you anyway."
I don't vote Republican for "party politics," nor do I vote Republican based on some blind loyalty to the GOP.
I know that my vote is only one of over 100 million that are cast during Presidential elections (and over 50 million cast during off-year congressional elections). So, I have low expectations for what happens in Washington DC. I hope for the very best and realize that the very worst can happen.
So, why do I, as a conservative, vote Republican? It's simple. Republicans and Democrats are the only political parties that seriously contests elections. And, on balance, I agree with Republicans on the issues more than I agree with the Democrats.
I'm voting a straight Republican ticket on November 7th, just like I did in 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994 and 1992.
I simply don't see how my views and values will be better advanced by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
I asked how the GOP is going to get out of this trap.
I can't see a way out.
Were you looking for this one?
I doubt it was removed, I think it's just two different blog entries, right?
We all know that the libs and their willing accomplices in the media are pushing this story. Hastert has to go, but after the elections. And not just because of this, but because he has been an ineffective leader and spokesman on many issues. We can do better- but first we have to win these elections!! It is crucial- then we can have Mike Spence as Speaker..
United States Air Force
Cross Into the Blue
Exactly.
Soros is funding this tripe, clinton's goon squad is working hard on it, and the mud is just now begining to fly.
We either hold together for our freedom or we give it up to dhimmis.
And just watch them go after the internet like crazy, once they use the internet to get control.
We either hang together or we hang seperately.
Until the dems toss out Barney Franks, Jefferson, Murhta and clinton, we ahve nothing to be ashamed of.
We toss out our perverts and predators. The dems make them heroes.
Soros can spend his billions hiding that fact, but it is still a fact.