The State: October 8, 2008
Oct 8th, 2008 | By thenash | Category: The State
An unhappy interlude is coming
Yesterday’s debate convinced me of one underlying fact: Barack Obama is likely to become our nation’s 44th president, and if one looks at this through the prism of the long-term, that reality isn’t such a bad occurrence for the nation or for the conservative movement for that matter.
The last eight years has destroyed the conservative brand, saying nothing about what it has done to the Republican Party. While George W. Bush has espoused conservative principles, on many issues his actions looked more left-of-center in nature. On immigration, domestic spending and the like, the GOP president has taken a more liberal approach and tried too hard to be friendly with his Democratic enemies. And, he did so under the headline of being a ‘compassionate conservative’. Of course, he wasn’t alone in doing this, as many GOPers in the U.S. Senate and House followed suit, down the dangerous path we find ourselves on today.
Thus, when the financial crisis of 2008 began with Bush at the helm, a clear opportunity presented itself to his and our enemies: blame the entire mess on capitalism, conservatism and on the GOP.
No matter, that the ills affecting this nation today have less to do with conservative principals, but rather the result of our elected officials moving away from those conservatives principals.
On Election Day, John McCain will pay the heaviest price for this, by losing the election and handing the White House to Barack Obama. Still, I remain optimistic.
First and foremost, 2008 gave us a preview of the GOP of the future, and it is certainly bright. Sarah Palin, the wonderful first-term Gov. of Alaska will only blossom, as a leader in our party and as the leader in her state. While the left likes to scold Palin as being inexperienced, time will only diminish that opinion by many American voters that might believe in that premise now, but won’t in the future. And, don’t forget about Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who like Palin is a first-term GOP governor that will only grow in stature in time. And, certainly don’t forget the likes of former Govs. Mitt Romney and Michael Huckabee, who both have proven conservative records that will appeal to many in the future.
While a McCain vs. Obama fight presented a no brainer for us Republicans – go with McCain -, this fact remains: McCain was never one of us, and that was part of the problem. Too often in recent years Republicans have run as Republicans, but have governed as GOP RINOs. And when candidates, such as McCain have opinions that more closely matched those of ones Democratic opponent then those of the every-day conservative, the true liberal will win the augment each and every time.
We has conservatives, however, must keep our heads above water. Whether it be in 2012, 2016 or sometime later, at some point the Republican Party will truly push-for and be lead-by conservative leaders again, and when that day comes, the nation will follow.
While the most-liberal president in history may soon run Washington, D.C., all is not lost. With power comes responsibility, and even the secular messiah himself cannot clean up the ills of the day pushing the same, tired liberal programs that have failed in the past. Like those Democrats elected in years past, Obama and his liberal brethren will overshoot their goals and look at their mandate through very clouded glasses. Eventually, the American people – as they always do – will wise up and take another look at the conservative alternative.
The next four years will not be for the faint-at-heart. Obama’s victory will do great harm to this nation, even if it shows to be just a four-year interlude. But, we conservatives must remain all-smiles and know this: whenever conservatism is tested, it works brilliantly. The American people, when presented with a true conservative will react accordingly. Unfortunately, history teaches us that we often become complacent and need a friendly reminder about just how bad the other side is. That time, begins on November 4.
[...] knows how I felt about last night’s debate, now you can read more about my overall opinion in today’s column. [...]