Commence Operation Counterweight
Some of us here at Ricochet are enthusiastic Mitt Romney supporters. Some of us are reluctantly backing Romney. And some of us just aren't on board the Romney Express at all and may never get there. But The Washington Examiner's David Freddoso gives us something that can unify us no matter what our position:
So what to do if and when Romney finally sews this up? The temptation is always there to drop out of the political process. But if conservatives are interested in advancing their cause from beneath Romney's banner -- as they will likely have to -- they must think beyond the presidential race and to the elections that will provide context to its result for the next four years.
The institution in greatest need of conservative influence right now is the U.S. Senate, the place where House conservatives' ideas for limiting government and expanding the economy have been going to die for the last 13 months. This year's Senate contests offer many opportunities to push the party and the nation to the right, and conservatives should pay attention.
Freddoso points out that the 2010 elections gave Republicans some solid wins -- Mike Lee of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. They joined Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Jeff Sessions of Alabama.
But this year there are some additional gains that could be made. Jeff Flake of Arizona. Ted Cruz in Texas. Mark Neumann in Wisconsin. There may be additional conservative candidates in Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Indiana and Utah, depending on the primaries:
So yes, conservatives have something to look forward to in 2012, even if the presidential field disappoints. If Obama is re-elected, a more conservative Senate will provide a better check on his ambitions. But it will be even more important if a Republican president is inaugurated in 2013.
A larger conservative core in the Senate may represent the best chance to avoid a repeat of the Bush years, in which Congress became the handmaiden for a Republican executive's big-government "conservatism."
If conservatives pick the right battles now, they can build a Senate that won't be bossed around by anyone.
He's right. Getting solid, small-government, liberty-minded individuals into the Senate is at least as important as any other electoral contest.
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Oct '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Valiuth: As we can see...the anti-Romneys are as impractical as always. I don't really imagine how they would expect Gingrich to herd the congressional cats any more conservatively than Romney. The way you get a majority to come with you is by ...dear I say it...compromising. Which as we know is the one thing they don't want their leaders to do. If the Republicans just do what the Democrats did and ram things through congress in a partisan manner we will only hurt ourselves and the nation. We actually need a leader that can build a significant national consensus, not just get their legislation through with one vote. That is what Obama was. We don't need a Republican version of that.
If we get more conservatives in congress it will mean we need to compromise less. I doubt though we will get 60 senators...even then I think it would be wise to get democrats on board with us. We must not repeat the Obama's governing style. · 18 minutes ago
I voted for the last Republican standing for 12 presidential elections , that's 48 years worth. What's improved?
Third Party Now !!
Jan '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
I'll take one more shot at this dead horse.
Romney cannot win a national election. Oh, I'll vote for him, and so will the majority of the Republican base, but many independents, libertarians, and conservatives won't.
Romney can't outspend Obama, he can't out-promise Obama, and he can't hide Romneycare no matter how he squirms and twists and spins because it is what it is: Obamacare before Obamacare was Obamacare.
What some see as Romney's strength - his willingness to compromise - is actually his weakness. He's great when it comes to slinging mud, but to call that aggressive in a political sense is nonsense.
If by some miracle he's elected president, he'll tell those that supported him that he's sorry that he can't do anything about Obamacare because the congress won't let him. He'll nominate liberals to the SCOTUS because that's what compromisers must do to avoid a principled fight.
George Soros is right, there are no big differences between Obama and Romney, and those that see differences are kidding themselves.
Current circumstances demand a strong, principled president. That's Gingrich, not Romney.
Dec '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Anon:
Current circumstances demand a strong, principled president. That's Gingrich, not Romney. · 3 minutes ago
I wouldnt call gingrich principled leadership, just more likely to be principled. I will take inconsistant over never-was.
Gingrich is also more likely to go big.
Also failing all of that, the TV will be good.
Jan '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Is that the best we can do, have a candidate that no one really cares for, but is somewhat better than the incumbent?
That's the conventional take with Romney supporters; He's not what we want, but he'll be better than Obama. Isn't that what the establishment thought about Bob Dole and John McCain?
Why go with a wuss when it's possible to go with a principled conservative?
A wuss won't do what has to be done to save this country.
Dec '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Anon
Is that the best we can do, have a candidate that no one really cares for, but is somewhat better than the incumbent?
That's the conventional take with Romney supporters; He's not what we want, but he'll be better than Obama. Isn't that what the establishment thought about Bob Dole and John McCain?
Why go with a wuss when it's possible to go with a principled conservative?
A wuss won't do what has to be done to save this country. · 0 minutes ago
I reject even the premise that he will do better than Obama. There is no basis by which to believe that.
May '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Frankly, I'm not buying it for a Romney presidency ether. Hasn't the GOP pulled this stunt on us enough times? Maybe the new blood will shake things up. Probably more likely the old blood that still controls the leadership apparatus in Congress will proceed with business as usual.
Dec '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
The King Prawn
... The left should be more afraid of our guy than we are. · 2 hours ago
One year in the 1980's during qualification for the Indianapolis 500, Bobby Rahal had an especially good qualifying run. After qualifying, Rahal was asked what factors helped with his achievement. A paraphrase of his response, "Well, I quit smoking and it's a lot easier to hold my breath for 4 minutes".
If Romney should win, it's going to be hard for us to hold our breath for 4 years.
Aug '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
I haven't decided which of the two to support (Thompson or Neumann) but I remember that when Tommy was Governor, he got us welfare reforms and school choice, and Wisconsin had a great climate for business -- which Diamond Jim Doyle (a wholly-owned subsidiary of WEAC) promptly ruined.
Aug '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Anon:
George Soros is right, there are no big differences between Obama and Romney, and those that see differences are kidding themselves.
Last night I couldn't shake the feeling that this November, our choices at the ballot box will essentially be between two Democrats.
Jun '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Soon-to-be Senator Flake (wouldn't it be great if Kyl was staying and McCain was leaving) is also a Mormon. You've heard of matter and anti-matter. If he's in the Senate, we'll have a Reid and the anti-Reid.
If we do see a change of control in the Senate, people like Senator Flake, DeMint and others will be major drivers in making sure Mitt governs like a conservative.
May '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Calling Romney a weak candidate is laughable and pathetic. At worst, he is not the greatest campaigner ever. But we had the greatest campaigner ever last time, and that "talent" has been significantly discredited.
Sep '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
DrewInWisconsin
I haven't decided which of the two to support (Thompson or Neumann) but I remember that when Tommy was Governor, he got us welfare reforms and school choice, and Wisconsin had a great climate for business -- which Diamond Jim Doyle (a wholly-owned subsidiary of WEAC) promptly ruined. · 1 hour ago
Thompson was somewhat of a mixed bag. Yes, Newt and Clinton stole his welfare reform ideas and implemented them nationwide. That was a great achievement.
The business climate was great across the country in the 1990's. This resulted in a flood of tax receipts, which Thompson promptly doled out to government employees as patronage. The unions (minus teachers) backed him, and remember that there were rumblings about him trying to broker a back room compromise last winter when Act 10 first got introduced.
Oh yeah, and BadgerCare. That was his baby.
Thompson was a Big Government Republican as governor. We'll see what he promises in this campaign.
My preference is Jeff Fitzgerald, but who knows if his campaign will go anywhere.
Jan '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
raycon
<FAT CHANCE>
Do you actually believe that the gutless eunuch party will oppose HRH-Os rule by executive fiat?
Yeah, actually I do ... if they get the Senate.
Feb '11
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Raycon -- I voted for the last Republican standing for 12 presidential elections , that's 48 years worth. What's improved?
For starters. And Lord knows how much worse things would have been if Democrats controlled the White House for the past 48 years.
Conservatives, of all people, should know that the only choice is between better and worse. Perfect is never on the menu.
A third party will assure Obama's reelection, as it helped Bill Clinton win his first election. Even if we have only a small chance of defeating Obama with the current slate, it's better than no chance.
Jun '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
I read a story about Brown's opponent (Mandel?), a young war vet who's already won a state-wide race. I think that race will tighten big-time. He represents the new generation (even younger than Ryan and Rubio).
Edited on Feb 1 at 11:19amDec '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Israel P.
Freeven: I had hoped to outlive the inevitable demise of this noble experiment. That's feeling less and less likely. What a colossally squandered opportunity.
I need a doughnut. · 5 hours ago
At the risk of being told "Look who's talking!" I'll ask if those two thoughts are connected. · 8 hours ago
Yeah, I need some comfort food in a bad way. Dratted diabetes.
Dec '10
Re: Commence Operation Counterweight
Everyone seems to be an expert on who is electable and who is not. Each time someone says X can't win or Y is the only one who can beat Obama all it means is I really don't like X! or Y is my guy! How many time has the perceived wisdom been wrong? Remember when Hillary was "inevitable" and Obama didn't have a chance? Remember when Reagan was "unelectable?" It's all just noise.
Any of these guys can win. The real question is how much does it matter? We need to stop supporting people because someone says they are "electable" and just get behind the best guy for the job.