Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Worth reading in full, but here is the part that I especially like:
. . . Freedom’s friends must be ready, not just with cerebral prescriptions for better policy, but with a moral argument that affirms the God-given dignity of each of us, that says “Yes, you can” to everyone. . . .
In 1980, a Wyoming single mother mystified a New York Times reporter by stating that yes, absolutely she supported candidate Reagan’s proposed income tax cuts. “But, why?” the reporter spluttered. “You don’t make enough money to pay income taxes!” The woman’s reply was “One day I will.” Freedom’s friends must shape their words and actions, when the opportunity for action arrives, in ways that say emphatically “Yes, you can” and “One day you will.”
That is a message Republicans can be proud of. And it’s a message that can win elections too. (Via Scott Johnson.)
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Jan '11
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
I wish good luck with that message. Even here on Ricochet, the one candidate who espoused views most closely aligned with that message was poo-pooed as too kooky and unelectable. And as for the establishment GOP, one candidate had to switch to a third party because he wasn't asked to the debates...the same party with the group of voters who gave us McCain and Romney to work with coming out of primaries...primaries where Huckabee and Santorum, nanny statish at their cores, also did well.
Apr '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
It is astounding to me that someone does not pay income tax, no matter how low their salary.
My son had a summer job and got a bonus, but one third of the bonus and salary was deducted and sent to the Canadian government as taxes.
So when American politicians and Michael Moore talk about free health care in Canada, it is not free.
also, these taxes are removed by the employer prior to giving the employee one cent in pay. So it is invisible to many.
I had to point out the tax to my son frequently. Now he is a conservative.
Mar '11
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Dovetails nicely with Marco Rubio's phrase that we've always been a nation of "haves and soon-to-haves".
Nevertheless, if there is one thing that I think we can take away from the 2012 election it is this: when Americans look around and aren't seeing the tangible results of the opportunity society in their bank accounts, in their child's education, in the job market, in their health care, and so on, they have become extremely vulnerable to politics of the Left if they are couched in the language of fairness and a helping hand.
Jun '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
And since he switched to another party, we can do an apples-to-apples comparison of his success against the other two candidates.
How many states did he win? How much of the popular vote did he get?
May '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
If the GOP would support an agenda where everyone paid taxes on the first dollar - no more EITC or other credits then all of us would have skin in the game and there would be support for better policy. Unfortunately the GOP is run by Boehner and other cowards that are more concerned about getting invited to DC cocktail parties than they are in leading a nation.
Jun '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Excuse me, Mr. Daniels, if you know exactly what message the GOP should use, why didn't you run on that message yourself?
Oh, right, your wife wouldn't let you.
Jan '11
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
ConservativeWanderer
And since he switched to another party, we can do an apples-to-apples comparison of his success against the other two candidates.
How many states did he win? How much of the popular vote did he get? · 40 minutes ago
I honestly cannot tell if you're trying to argue with what I've written or validating my point.
Mar '11
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
It's a nice message but I'm totally over Mitch Daniels and Republicans like him. He was good governor for Indiana but unless he gets divorced, he ain't ever gonna run for President. Could we please start focusing on those conservative politicians who have potential, and not the ones who've shown they don't?
Oct '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Excuse me, Mr. Daniels, if you know exactly what message the GOP should use, why didn't you run on that message yourself?
Oh, right, your wife wouldn't let you.
That pretty well illustrates the reason he didn't run. People won't talk about the issues, they talk about the personal stuff. For proof, look at the mess dems were able cause for the Romneys. There really was no cleaner candidate, yet you'd have though he just got out of jail for child molestation. Imagine the fun they'd have had with the Daniel's marital trials and tribulations. You need not be a candidate to influence the debate. It would help, but it's not a requirement.
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
A good and smart message is a good and smart message, regardless of whether the messenger in question will run for higher office someday. He/she may not, but those who do might be made to take heed of a good message if it is publicized.
Jun '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Pejman Yousefzadeh: A good and smart message is a good and smart message, regardless of whether the messenger in question will run for higher office someday. He/she may not, but those who do might be made to take heed of a good message if it is publicized. · 7 hours ago
Come on, this is like the manager of the Houston Astros telling the manager of the Detroit Tigers what he should have done to win the World Series.
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Which could be very useful information. I refuse to believe that Mitch Daniels only has important things to say if he also says that he is running for something. I'm not running for anything. Neither is just about any other Ricochet contributor. Neither are most--if any--commenters. I guess this means no one should pay attention to any of us.
ConservativeWanderer
Come on, this is like the manager of the Houston Astros telling the manager of the Detroit Tigers what he should have done to win the World Series. · 1 hour ago
Jun '12
Re: Mitch Daniels on What the GOP’s Message Should Be
Pejman Yousefzadeh: Which could be very useful information. I refuse to believe that Mitch Daniels only has important things to say if he also says that he is running for something. I'm not running for anything. Neither is just about any other Ricochet contributor. Neither are most--if any--commenters. I guess this means no one should pay attention to any of us.
ConservativeWanderer
Come on, this is like the manager of the Houston Astros telling the manager of the Detroit Tigers what he should have done to win the World Series. · 1 hour ago
2 minutes ago
The difference is, we're not professional politicians. Mitch Daniels is. Therein lies the rub.
He had the opportunity, the skills, the experience, and the organization to run for POTUS himself. You and I do not.
However, when given the opportunity, he turned his back on it. Therefore, I turn my back on him.
Say what you will about Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, and even Mitt Romney, at least they stepped up to the plate. I note none of the first four are armchair quarterbacking about Romney's run right now, either.
Edited on December 6, 2012 at 3:13pm