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samzhere
Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
Vote! Vote in your state primaries for conservatives!
samzhere
Posts: 10,923 Senior Member
Tomorrow I'm headed to the poll to vote early in the Tx primary. I've got my list of candidates who are backed by the local Tea Party, plus my checklist of NRA ratings. Only those candidates who pass muster will get my vote.
I cannot emphasize just how essential it is that you vote in your primaries. This is where the down-dog politics comes to light, where you, yes you have a chance to direct your political slant.
A perfect example: Last election cycle, we had Atty General David Dewhurst, a reasonably okay Republican, running for US Senate. His opponent in the primaries was a "nobody", a genuine TeaParty candidate, Ted Cruz.
We Republicans were told repeatedly by the "leaders" in our party that Dewhurst was the only sensible choice, that to nominate Cruz would ensure a Democrat victory in November, because Cruz was too far right, too much tainted by TeaParty ideology, that the general electorate would reject him.
Well, we conservative Republicans took a strong look at both candidates, and although Dewhurst would have been a generally acceptable senator, we really liked Ted Cruz. And despite warnings of disaster, we nominated him.
The campaign was interesting because most of the "regular" Republicans only gave faint support to Cruz and stayed somewhat neutral. And what happened? Texas elected a strong TeaParty US Senator with a huge landslide, totally vamping the Demo candidate! And now, as you can see, Cruz is a genuine conservative voice and is nationally recognized as a strong new senator.
I've argued a lot with other conservatives here about whether to support Republicans or to go Libertarian or just stay home. Well, I'm happy for some of these people to show me the end results, where there are now a lot of good solid Libertarians elected to national office... (crickets chirping)...
My position is this: It is WITHIN the Republican party that changes need to be effected, and this is done via the primaries, not the general election. By the time the candidates have been chosen for the general, it's too late. But if you pay attention to the candidates in the primary, and get out and vote, and support conservatives during the primary, this is how we can regain control of our party.
Of course, if you want to support a 3rd party, go ahead. Just then remember to show me the results of the general election, where the 3rd party won a bunch of US Congress or Senate seats. I'd be happy to see that but it's yet to occur.
Anyway, argue with me if you wish, but tomorrow I'm gonna head to the polls and vote for my primary Republican candidates who are conservatives, NRA checked, and TeaParty backed.
I cannot emphasize just how essential it is that you vote in your primaries. This is where the down-dog politics comes to light, where you, yes you have a chance to direct your political slant.
A perfect example: Last election cycle, we had Atty General David Dewhurst, a reasonably okay Republican, running for US Senate. His opponent in the primaries was a "nobody", a genuine TeaParty candidate, Ted Cruz.
We Republicans were told repeatedly by the "leaders" in our party that Dewhurst was the only sensible choice, that to nominate Cruz would ensure a Democrat victory in November, because Cruz was too far right, too much tainted by TeaParty ideology, that the general electorate would reject him.
Well, we conservative Republicans took a strong look at both candidates, and although Dewhurst would have been a generally acceptable senator, we really liked Ted Cruz. And despite warnings of disaster, we nominated him.
The campaign was interesting because most of the "regular" Republicans only gave faint support to Cruz and stayed somewhat neutral. And what happened? Texas elected a strong TeaParty US Senator with a huge landslide, totally vamping the Demo candidate! And now, as you can see, Cruz is a genuine conservative voice and is nationally recognized as a strong new senator.
I've argued a lot with other conservatives here about whether to support Republicans or to go Libertarian or just stay home. Well, I'm happy for some of these people to show me the end results, where there are now a lot of good solid Libertarians elected to national office... (crickets chirping)...
My position is this: It is WITHIN the Republican party that changes need to be effected, and this is done via the primaries, not the general election. By the time the candidates have been chosen for the general, it's too late. But if you pay attention to the candidates in the primary, and get out and vote, and support conservatives during the primary, this is how we can regain control of our party.
Of course, if you want to support a 3rd party, go ahead. Just then remember to show me the results of the general election, where the 3rd party won a bunch of US Congress or Senate seats. I'd be happy to see that but it's yet to occur.
Anyway, argue with me if you wish, but tomorrow I'm gonna head to the polls and vote for my primary Republican candidates who are conservatives, NRA checked, and TeaParty backed.
Replies
Even when the resistance to vote is overcome, many voters are then diverted to dead-end third parties, where their vote is cast into the twilight zone of utter irrelevance. They think they've sent a message, but in reality they're a voice crying out in the wilderness - unheard and unanswered. Then there are voters who are clueless about the essential nature of the various elections. They were never taught that primary elections are TACTICAL - those are where you choose the best CANDIDATE for the job, and general elections are STRATEGIC - where you vote for the best PARTY to spend your money, control the government and bureaucracy, the Congress and legislative agenda, confirm judges, and ratify or reject treaties.
Remember, CANDIDATES win primaries, PARTIES win general elections. If the right man or woman for the job wins the primary and gets the nomination, even if he/she wins election, if the OTHER party wins the White House and/or a majority of seats in Congress, your candidate will be powerless and ineffective. On most issues (not all, but certainly most) a Representative or Senator will vote WITH his party's leadership.
VOTE!
Establishment Republican: Vote for me! I'll give you less stuff that we can't afford so we won't run out of money so quickly.
So I'm going conservative (my values). Not the person the repubs say "can win" because democrat lite usually doesn't.
Matt
:cool2: :that:
Those folks who vote the party line religiously get what they deserve. The problem with that is, the rest of us get what they deserve too. :bang: Go ahead and call me irrelevant, it's a banner I'll gladly carry.
George Carlin
― Douglas Adams
:that: It's been said that a statesman is a dead politician. I want a huge influx of statesmen, STAT!
― Douglas Adams
:deadhorse: beginning in 5....4....3....2....
Adam J. McCleod
You're absolutely correct! The key is to support the RIGHT sort of candidates in the primaries and get them on the ballot. As per what we Texans did for Ted Cruz vs. the establishment Republican Dewhurst.
I can tell you this, also... today I'm voting FOR the Teaparty guy who's opposing Dewhurst in this primary, too. Dewhurst spent all his time and money (campaign in the primary last year spent 6x what Cruz did) attacking his fellow Republican Ted Cruz and not fighting the Democrates. Cruz didn't hit back but kept on message, attacking Washington insiders and the Demos. And he won big.
Yes, for sure. The primary is where we can make a genuine difference as conservatives, by nominating true conservatives into the Republican ballot instead of the "advisor approved" semi-Republican lookalikes.
But it's a bit of a pleasure, to have two conservatives vying for a seat (occasionally three!), when in some states there's not a whisper of anyone except the Karl Rove-approved establishment RINOs. But with Ted Cruz' big win last November, things are on the move for genuine conservative Republicans. And the competition in the primary is actually between several conservatives, each claiming to be more conservative than the others. Fun.
Here in Harris County (Houston), we've got a bit of a catfight for Republican party chairman. The guy now in charge is under fire for not being conservative enough, for siding with Democrats and such. So a new guy is pushing for the chair, and they've split the support about 50-50 in early polls.
This is I think healthy. There's not a lot of name calling but there are accusations of lax leadership and on the other side, checkliists showing that the current chairman did indeed do a good job.
horse, an excellent post! thanks
Incidentally, this is the first election for Texas requiring photo IDs to vote! That was a measure passed last year by support from conservatives, and they stuck to their guns and got the law approved and of course Gov Rick Perry signed it. Thus far it's been upheld in the courts despite Obama's pressure via Eric Holder to get the law discarded. Yet another victory for genuine conservatives.
Y'all, come on down! Plenty of jobs, not much snow, and lots of conservative neighbors.
I agree 100% and also, voting for a third party as people did for Ross Perot in 92, drew precious votes away from Bush and what did we get? Slick Willy. That should be a life lesson right there. OK if you didnt' like Romney or McCain, either one would be light years better than Obamy. That's what we got. OK! It doesn't work to try and send a message. Like Sam said here, pay attention, vote in the primary, try to shape things early. But I will say, most of the time a Republican will follow his party platform. He may make some stupid policy but when it comes to appointing SCOTUS Justices he usually gets it right. There's been some exceptions but most of the time he's going to follow the party's platform on issues because he knows if he doesn't he'll probably be a one termer. SO please, whoever is running on the Republican platform vote for him/her. But first do a Sam said, pay attention and vote in the Primary.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Then after Slick Willy we got Bush ...then the Patriot Act ...TSA ...DHS ...pick your poison. Third Party for me.
Well, if you vote for a constitutionalist, you will vote conservative.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Pel, don't forget to remind us when your 3rd party candidates win election, okay? (crickets chirping...)
Correct. A genuine conservative will also support close adherence to the Constitution. There are, I suppose, CINOs (conservatives in name only).
FIFY :tooth:
Ah, Libertarians... Zorba, tell me the last time a Libertarian won any office statewide or nationwide? tick tick tick...
(Understand, I've got no objections to Libertarians or Flat-earthers or whomever per se, it's just that we don't see any evidence of their having an effect nationwide (or statewide for that matter), and remain a fringe party that elects the occasional local rep. As the old adage goes, "Show me the beef." (show me the results)
Ah, Conservatives... Sam, tell the last time a Conservative didn't establish a Big Brother government agency during his term as president? tick tick tick...
I dunno... Reagan?
Depends on what you call "Big Brother" and its implications. But the last genuine conservative prez was Ronnie. The Bushes were pretty okay, but moderates by comparison.
However, the point being is that they WERE president. Tell me ANY Libertarian success: Jesse Ventura?