George Will Throws in the Towel
In a move that is sure to go over like a lead balloon with the conservative electorate, George Will has preemptively conceded the White House to a second Obama term. Politico, which obtained an advance copy of Will's Sunday column, provides the following excerpt:
Romney and Rick Santorum … are conservatives, although of strikingly different stripes. Neither, however, seems likely to be elected … If either is nominated, conservatives should vote for him...
“[T]here would come a point when … conservatives turn their energies to a goal much more attainable than … electing Romney or Santorum president. It is the goal of retaining control of the House and winning control of the Senate… [C]onservatives this year should have as their primary goal making sure Republicans wield all the gavels in Congress in 2013.
Is George Will simply being pragmatic here? Or do his words represent a gratuitous—and injurious—blow to Republican morale? Mark Bill Kristol down as concluding the latter.
Rarely has an intelligent man been so wrong.
By every objective measure, the GOP has a reasonable chance to defeat President Obama—probably between 1-in-3 and 1-in-2. Given this opportunity, it would be crazy not to do everything one can to effectuate an outcome so devoutly to be desired. This doesn't mean falling in line early behind an inevitable nominee or suppressing criticism of the likely nominee....
If you think the country's in decent shape, go for control of Congress. If you think it's the mid-1990s again, go for control of Congress. If you're fatalistic about American decline abroad and the end of limited, constitutional government at home, go for control of Congress. If current trends don't deeply alarm you, or if you think alarm is futile because the rot is too deep, the decline too long-standing, the problems too un-fixable—then, go for control of Congress. Try to limit the damage and slow the collapse.
But if you reject such fatalism as a failure of nerve, and such declinism as a failure of understanding—and conservatives should—then do everything you can to win the White House. Perhaps always, but certainly in 2012—there is no substitute for victory.
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Comments:
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
I'm with Will. The term for this is: "reculer pour mieux sauter."
Sep '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
It seems that George Will is admitting publicly what many of us already believe--that with the current slate of candidates for President, the GOP is almost certain to lose.
I don't like that conclusion, and it doesn't mean that these men aren't good people and all that, but I think it's true.
Mar '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Is George Will simply being pragmatic here? Or do his words represent a gratuitous—and injurious—blow to Republican morale?
We can debate how high the chances are for any Republican nominee to win the general election until the cows come home. Given the great weaknesses of both Obama and all the primary candidates, and the fluctuations in polls we have seen all year, I would not bet money either way.
But George Will's job is not to be a cheerleader for the right. The last time I checked, his position at the Post was an opinion writer - meaning he gets paid to write what he thinks, not what other people want to hear. If his gut tells him the presidential race is a lost cause, his paycheck obliges him to convey that.
I would be much less interested in his columns if he wrote not his own beliefs, but what he thought would advance his (side's) agenda.
Nov '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Didn't Will say several months ago that we'd be swearing in Obama, Daniels, or Pawlenty in January? Smart man, but...
It's March 2! Eight months to go. Eight months ago, everyone on our side (and some Democrats, too) said Obama was toast if the Republican nominee was Mickey Mouse. Obviously, that was premature.
The whole dynamic of the election is still unknown. Europe, Wisconsin, Iran, Israel, the Supreme Court, gay marriage, Fast and Furious, or who knows what could shift the story again. Mitt Romney might turn out to be a better nominee than we dream. All it takes is something that will alter the views of one fairly small percentage of the electorate, after all.
You don't begin a retreat before you even know on what field the battle will be fought.
Dec '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Well, the problem with Republicans focusing on having all the gavels in Congress is that a re-elected President Obama will happily ignore Congress completely and rule by edict. Since the Senate did nothing when Obama unilaterally arrogated unto himself the power to decide if and when the Senate was in session, it's a cinch that he'll do whatever he likes unilaterally in his second term and count on the courts to protect him from any blowback from Congress.
May '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
George Will must not have bought any gasoline lately.
Dec '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Leigh: Didn't Will say several months ago that we'd be swearing in Obama, Daniels, or Pawlenty in January? Smart man, but...
It's March 2! Eight months to go. Eight months ago, everyone on our side (and some Democrats, too) said Obama was toast if the Republican nominee was Mickey Mouse. Obviously, that was premature.
The whole dynamic of the election is still unknown. Europe, Wisconsin, Iran, Israel, the Supreme Court, gay marriage, Fast and Furious, or who knows what could shift the story again. Mitt Romney might turn out to be a better nominee than we dream. All it takes is something that will alter the views of one fairly small percentage of the electorate, after all.
You don't begin a retreat before you even know on what field the battle will be fought.
He seems to be angling for the job of Eeyore-in-Chief. He may have to wrestle Brooks for the title.
Nov '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Stuart Creque
Well, the problem with Republicans focusing on having all the gavels in Congress is that a re-elected President Obama will happily ignore Congress completely and rule by edict. Since the Senate did nothing when Obama unilaterally arrogated unto himself the power to decide if and when the Senate was in session, it's a cinch that he'll do whatever he likes unilaterally in his second term and count on the courts to protect him from any blowback from Congress. · 5 minutes ago
Exactly. I think even most conservatives underestimate just how bad a second term could be.
Besides, how different should the strategic emphasis be? Coattails have an impact on congressional races -- the difference between even 53% and 49.9% can make a difference down-ballot as much as individual campaigns.
Aug '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
The elephant peeking out from the manhole cover is pathetically cute, I must say.
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
My view is that either of these men could win -- if, however, and only if he indicts the Obama administration as a threat to liberty and insists on the repeal of Obamacare. Of the two, Romney strikes me as the more disciplined, but he is also the one less like to make the proper pitch. Santorum is a very good campaigner. To beat him in Michigan, Romney had to outspend him five-to-one. But he is also inclined to stumble into areas of discussion where he will do himself no good, and he can become petulant.
On balance, I still think Romney the better candidate. The real question is whether he has the political intelligence (and I mean political intelligence) to pitch himself as something more than a better manager. George Will is too pessimistic. This will not be over until the fat lady sings. In the meantime, however, someone needs to teach Romney how to sing. We are looking for a national leader, not a CEO.
Aug '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
We absolutely need to focus on winning Congress. It will be vital. Either to keep Romney/Santorum on task, or to fight tooth and nail to defend our liberties.
It would be much better if we were able to have a strong Congressional Majority and win the White House.
The loss of David Dreier this past week very much highlights the importance of winning with smart members.
Feb '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Dead on! When I hear 20% across the board tax cuts, I know it's business as usual for the Party. Romney's never going to convince the electorate that he's serious about fiscal responsibility.
Apr '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
If Republicans lose the White House but win control of both chambers of Congress, they'll have achieved nothing.
-Obama care will be implemented
-taxes will go up
-Dodd-Frank will stay in place
-the EPA will still be free to run amok
and so on.
If you're going to concede the Oval office, you might as well concede Congress as well and concentrate on the gubernatorial races.
Mar '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
I hope we win. But I think it is absolutely insane to think we will.
Obama is unbeatable. Romney can't beat him. Santorum can't beat him. Daniels can't beat him. Ryan can't beat him...
It's over. What's next?
Aug '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Golly, he looks awfully skinny for a fat lady.
Nov '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
I don't think Breitbart would have thrown in the towel.
Mar '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
billy: If Republicans lose the White House but win control of both chambers of Congress, they'll have achieved nothing.
-Obama care will be implemented
-taxes will go up
-Dodd-Frank will stay in place
-the EPA will still be free to run amok
and so on.
Unless the Republicans get 60 seats in the Senate (a highly unlikely scenario), the first three items will also happen even if the Republicans win the House, Senate and Presidency.
I have been puzzled as to how any of the candidates think they would get a repeal of Obamacare past a Democratic filibuster if they won.
Apr '11
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
Mendel
Unless the Republicans get 60 seats in the Senate (a highly unlikely scenario), the first three items will also happen even if the Republicans win the House, Senate and Presidency.
I have been puzzled as to how any of the candidates think they would get a repeal of Obamacare past a Democratic filibuster if they won. · 0 minutes ago
End the filibuster rule.
Nov '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
James, what if there is a reculer but no sauter?
Indeed, what if Obama's re-election is just one big enculer?
May '10
Re: George Will Throws in the Towel
I believe that many, if not most "conservatives" (people right of center politically) do not understand what it takes to win. They overestimate the role of ideology and, in our case conservatism; they do this due to the conceit that they are smart and their beliefs are the ones everyone would have "if only those beliefs were explained well."
What it actually takes is (1) the perceived need for a new direction; (2) a change that seems common sense-good; and (3) a candiate enough swing voters like and trust. I think Romney can pull this off. I don't think Santorum, or a candidate "parachuted in" via the convention could. All Romney needs is a somewhat exciting, forceful VP to win, and he can win.