RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Literally since day one on Ricochet, Rob Long has held the position of RINO Squish in residence.
Today, we try to put that appellation to rest with this, our first episode of RINO Intervention. Our very special guest interventionist: the one and only Ann Coulter. Ricochet's Peter Robinson has the unenviable duty of refereeing between the two. Will Rob's squishyness sink? You'll have to tune in to find out.
You know the drill: You have to be a member to hear this podcast. Not a member yet? We're here to help: Simply click here to join and in mere moments, you too can listen in on Rob's therapy session. Already a member? Click here to play the show in your browser or subscribe via iTunes. On a mobile device? No problem! Click here and choose direct link for MP3 file.
P.S. Pre-order Ann's new book Demonic today!
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Comments:
Oct '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
DJS, actually the ideal position would be to swap the corporate tax for a sales tax (corporate income tax is essentially a hidden sales tax, in and of itself). We have a trade disadvantage, since our national "sales tax" (corporate tax) applies to exports, unlike the case of other nations.
(Of course, politically this would have to be tied to significant hikes in capital gains and dividends, which might be a bad thing. I think higher capital gains taxes is a good idea, to lean against asset bubbles, but not as high as they'd likely go under such a deal).
May '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
I too, Rob, was of your mind on religion for most of my life. I mean, knew there was a Creator; that's a no-brainer, but hadn't studied it or especially believed or cared to. But, as a cynical, pleasure-loving Machiavellian, am now firmly convinced of the truth of the Gospels (well, John's a little out there, and am skeptical of Revelation, but the Resurrection, I'm convinced).
However, it is quite possible to be an outright atheist (not even a squishy agnostic) and a strong conservative. Unless anyone doubts the credentials of Allahpundit, SE Cupp or Bill Kristol.
Jul '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Kennedy Smith:
However, it is quite possible to be an outright atheist (not even a squishy agnostic) and a strong conservative. Unless anyone doubts the credentials of Allahpundit, SE Cupp or Bill Kristol. · May 16 at 7:47pm
Like me? SE Cupp is a pseudo intellectual who makes little sense and can't actually write complete sentences, much less form cogent arguments, ditto Bill Kristol, who if his father wasn't Irving he'd be selling pastramis on rye at 7th and 55th. I know nothing of this Allahpundit of which you speak.
It is impossible to be a strong conservative and an atheist. Perhaps someone needs to reread his Burke.
Nov '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Purchasing a Lotto ticket, case of beer or pack of cigarettes is a personal choice. Paying income taxes is not.
And, obviously, the "rich" pay the same percentage of sales tax on alcohol as the "poor."
Jul '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Rob is right about social issues. Look at the 2010 election: it was all about fiscal issues and small government, and we won big. If we had been touting the social issues, many of the independents who voted with us would have gone Democrat. Independents don't like pandering about social issues.
May '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Michael Tee
Kennedy Smith:
However, it is quite possible to be an outright atheist (not even a squishy agnostic) and a strong conservative. Unless anyone doubts the credentials of Allahpundit, SE Cupp or Bill Kristol. · May 16 at 7:47pm
Like me? SE Cupp is a pseudo intellectual who makes little sense and can't actually write complete sentences, much less form cogent arguments, ditto Bill Kristol, who if his father wasn't Irving he'd be selling pastramis on rye at 7th and 55th. I know nothing of this Allahpundit of which you speak.
It is impossible to be a strong conservative and an atheist. Perhaps someone needs to reread his Burke. · May 16 at 8:00pm
We disagree about the definition, then. But at least we vote the same way.
PS, Allahpundit is the Night Manager over at Hot Air.
Edited on May 17, 2011 at 5:21amRe: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Tell your dad everybody here at Ricochet wishes him a happy birthday!
Feb '11
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Kenneth
Hey, hey, hey....Lotto is an investment in our children's education.
· May 16 at 4:16pm
In Pennsylvania it used to go (may still) to senior services. My aunt would say "It's like giving the money to Nana."
Edited on May 17, 2011 at 6:28amOct '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
6/10 tops. The premise seems flawed, the flow non-existent, and I wish the referee would pipe down. Redeemed by Rob's humanity.
Oct '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
anon_academic: ... "No government 'investments' up in Silicon Valley"...
. · May 16 at 4:36pm
I lived and worked in Silicon Valley during its creation, and I don't agree that government investment created Silicon Valley. It had three outstanding universities that were very strong in mathematics, science, and engineering--Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Santa Clara. Many of those graduates wanted to live and work in the Bay area. It had a highly skilled workforce. It had many wealthy people who wanted to invest and earn a good return. It had a sprinkling of entrepreneurs (HP, Intel, Oracle, National Semi and others) who were willing to take a risk and perhaps fail. California had a much more pro-business attitude than it has today. The invention of the transistor ignited this mix. As more and more people founded companies and made a great deal of money, it fed on itself. These companies continued to invest a very large percentage of their sales in research and development, and that amount along with the initial investment far exceeded any “government investment”. Private investment created Silicon Valley.
The podcast was outstanding. I think Rob just enjoys pretending he is a "squish".
Jan '11
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
No. 2010 proved nothing. It's true that 2010 wasn't fought over social issues, because the debt (and the Democrat abuse of the Constitution) was so overwhelming. But 2004 had no financial issues on par with this election, and it did turn on "values."
The difference is that a social conservative can happily promote both. It doesn't have to be one or the other. We can promote both financial conservatism and social issues -- 2004 proved it.
If you said that financial issues are more important and more immediate, I'd agree with you. But that doesn't prove that social issues turn them off. There's no evidence that independents loathe social issues, and substantial evidence that they do care about them.
May '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Fun podcast but missed the real RINO issue: do we dare not to raise the debt ceiling.
May '11
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
On the topic of social conservatives that support big government, and I'm surprised Rob didn't throw him out there, we have a winner: Mike Huckabee.
Jun '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
I think KC is right. Both areas are important. Sometimes one will garner more attention than the other.
BUT, it seems that overall the financial side is more important because it is really the center of what government does and has the most effect on us. Also, it is the one area of most overlap with the least amount of controversy on the right. Social issues attract intense feelings and they are also used by the media to drive in wedges between conservative groups.
The thing is: Reagan chose exactly the right balance in dealing with the social issues. He knew that these people were conservative but they weren't voting in high numbers. All he really did was respect them and show them that he revered the ideas and ideals of the social conservatives.
Jun '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Also, Reagan moved things forward for the social conservatives. He especially didn't stand in their way. This is my recommendation: stop angering the social conservatives, respect them and help them wherever it is easy to help them: all the easy issues on abortion (infant born alive, partial birth, 3rd trimester, 2nd trimester, 1st trimester -- choose your point of comfort), support for and defense of religious rights (drop the fake "establishment" clause stuff and enforce the "free exercise" stuff).
Fiscal conservatives get so much for free from the social conservatives if they would just learn to treat them with more respect than they do. Learn who our real enemies are and fight the wedges.
(Fixed the "are" to "our".)
Edited on May 17, 2011 at 8:12pmMay '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
"A lot of listeners from Ann Arbor. . . ." Hey, Ann Arborites? Should we organize a local Ricochet reunion? Maybe wrap ourselves in brown paper bags and meet up in a pub somewhere?
Oct '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
How did Rob earn the epithet "RINO squish?" I've heard and read his thoughts since October, and I've heard and read the thoughts of the likes of Snowe, Collins, Specter, Schwarzenegger, ad nauseam. There's no comparison...is there?? What am I missing?
May '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
Fair point. I'm squishier than Rob on economics. Though we align rather niftily on the Mideast. Go Team Chaos!
Jun '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
After listening to Rob talk today, I think what's going on is this: If Rob were to defend the social conservatives in a serious fashion to his liberal friends he would slowly lose them. I know this from personal experience. Social conservatives, on the other hand, are able to be disrespected and they won't end up with a hissy fit and "un-friend" him. This is important in his business. He says that he hasn't lost jobs, etc. but let him try coming out for banning even 2nd trimester abortions or against gay marriage, let him try that in a serious fashion and I think he would lose big time.
Liberals are a combination of bullies and cry-babies. Rob is clearly more conservative than he pretends. He likes to carry water for the liberals so that he can show us conservatives what's going in in cuckoo land but he does it also for his bona-fides for his public persona.
That's my take.
May '10
Re: RINO Intervention #1: Dr. Coulter Will See You Now
I would like to see Michael Tee and Kenneth square off in a podcast fighting for the soul of the conservative movement. It would have to be Skype of course -- I wouldn't want to be responsible for putting them in the same room together.