Blogcritics Comments on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Comment by spinnikerca on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Sat, 10 May 2008 20:45:37 EDT

Reading all of these other comments, and your responses, I just want to point out something different in our world views here: you see McCain as a Republican, maybe a poor one, but better than Obama or Hillary. I don't see him as a Republican at all, and don't see him as better than the other two statists. Certainly not better than Hillary. The GOP won't even be running the least worst Democrat as nominee, if Hillary gets the Dem nod, in my opinion. So it isn't a matter of 'win with unity' since a McCain win is no win at all, or 'lose with chaos' since McCain's candidacy simply has nothing to do with representing anything I consider to be Republican. What value unity behind something you don't want, to begin with?

Comment by Pablo on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Sun, 4 May 2008 00:06:02 EDT

Pablo yawns at Dave's lame response.

Comment by Dave Nalle on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Sat, 3 May 2008 16:52:41 EDT

Your showing your true colors once again Dave. The manufacture of money out of thin air and then charging interest on it, is the scam of the centuries. The fact that you denigrate it with your bircher comment shows me once again that you are nothing but a shill. A scam run on behalf of the American people and to their benefit. BTW, notorious CFR member Milton Friedman supported the existence of the Fed, but I'm sure he's not your idea of a libertarian. Your so called libertarian ideals I find repugnant, That would be because you wouldn't know a real libertarian idea if it bit you on the ass. as they make you appear as you really are for the sovereignty of the individual from where all else flows, when nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes appearances ARE reality. My long history of libertarianism isn't part of a secret conspiracy. You are the first to defend the FED, and the monolithic multi-national money interests that rule the planet. The Dr. Paul people are aware of this. Thus the rift, I don't know that I've spent any significant amount of time defending the Fed. I think they aren't doing their job terribly well. And I don't subscribe to your ridiculous theory about who 'rules' the planet. and I have no doubt that you prefer a McCain to a Paul. Well sure, as a presidential candidate. I like the idea of someone who can actually get elected. It doesn't matter how good your principles are if you can't get into office. I call you a shill for a reason Dave. It is not rhetorical, but in (my opinion) fact. Fortunately your opinion is not actually fact. Oh and one more thing Dave, regarding the article on your blog by John Gaver. I read the piece, the thrust of his argument, and the reason given for why these billionaires gather was for entertainment purposes. You can dice it up all you want, but thats the thrust of his argument. Sure Dave, the CFR, the Bilderberg, is a cute social club for lonely billionaires. That is why you are a shill. And only a fool would believe Mr. Gaver. Call me a fool then. Better a my kind of fool than your kind of paranoid loon. Dave

Comment by Pablo on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Sat, 3 May 2008 04:50:56 EDT

Dave said comment 23 "He's pro-inflation and fiat currency. Not libertarian issues by any means. These are Bircher issues." Your showing your true colors once again Dave. The manufacture of money out of thin air and then charging interest on it, is the scam of the centuries. The fact that you denigrate it with your bircher comment shows me once again that you are nothing but a shill. Your so called libertarian ideals I find repugnant, as they make you appear as you really are for the sovereignty of the individual from where all else flows, when nothing could be further from the truth. You are the first to defend the FED, and the monolithic multi-national money interests that rule the planet. The Dr. Paul people are aware of this. Thus the rift, and I have no doubt that you prefer a McCain to a Paul. I call you a shill for a reason Dave. It is not rhetorical, but in (my opinion) fact. Newt Gingrich, Nancy Pelosi, James Woolsey, Robert Pastor, and John McCain are all on the same team. Your left/right paradigm has been discredited. So you point people in the wrong direction. It is interesting to watch you though, I get some sort of entertainment out of it. Oh and one more thing Dave, regarding the article on your blog by John Gaver. I read the piece, the thrust of his argument, and the reason given for why these billionaires gather was for entertainment purposes. You can dice it up all you want, but thats the thrust of his argument. Sure Dave, the CFR, the Bilderberg, is a cute social club for lonely billionaires. That is why you are a shill. And only a fool would believe Mr. Gaver. Cheers Pablo

Comment by Baronius on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 15:48:40 EDT

"As of 2008, the Republican Party of the last 40 years is no more. It HAS changed; the Ron Paul candidacy has accomplished that." Ron Paul is a blip. He's the only candidate other than McCain, so he's getting the "anyone but McCain" vote in the primaries. He's fourth in delegates, with 8% the delegates of Romney, 8% as many as Huckabee, and 1.6% of McCain. That's not even Pat Buchanan 1996 territory; it's more like Alan Keyes 2000.

Comment by belle on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 15:38:39 EDT

So, Ron Paul is right yet he is wrong. So, he should go along to get along. So, the GOP controls the process. So, Paulites should vote for a candidate they don't like just to prevent the election of another candidate they like even less. Even though, of course they have a candidate they do like. Do you have any clue about what the r3VOLution is about? I don't think so, based on the tortured logic in this piece. Face facts: whether Ron Paul becomes president or not, he has been an unstoppable force that has greatly influenced this election process. We're loud, we're proud, and we're here to stay.

Comment by shane scheid on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 15:31:01 EDT

The "unity" crowd can keep their crumbs. They have done this to themselves (I fortunately am simply too young to have played a part in their demise) and now they need a scapegoat. How hypocritical to denounce people "flooding" political conventions in a society based on representative gov't? For decades this coutries domestic AND foreign policy has been run by the loudest and most vociferous minority groups. Now that the citizenry has learned how this works and attempts to make the system function for them, they are accused of attempting some coup or takeover. This is simply ludicrous.

Comment by shane scheid on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 15:20:37 EDT

If the rest of the party has no problem linig up behind McCain, despite his unabashed loyalty to the new religion of Statism, Why can't they do the same for Paul? If the majority of the party is so brain dead that they are going to vote for the guy with the big "R" by his name regardless, why not have them vote for Paul AND get the support he commands as well? None of Paul's support is drawn from other candidates, it is all new voters. What better way to enlarge the tent? The problem I have with this "unity" crowd is that unity for it's own sake (power) is the reason we are in this mess to begin with. We "united" eight years ago under a "compassionate conservative" that turned out to be not compassionate and even less conservative. Thus I ask, nay DEMAND, from those who would ask me to throw my vote away, WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS THE POLICY DIFFERENCE ONE CAN REALISTICALLY EXPECT BETWEEN McCAIN, CLINTON, OR OBAMA? As yet I have recieved responses to this ranging from uninformed drivel to outright huberous, but nothing substancial. Given the choice between uniting behind a naive socialist and death, I choose the latter. Literally. At least then my vote in some way dictates my future.

Comment by Gmartine on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 15:01:09 EDT

"Your mistake here is assuming that there will BE a future for America as a free nation if the GOP loses the presidency this fall." Don't worry, us Ron Paul supporters will continue our fight for freedom.

Comment by Dixon Cannon on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 14:36:13 EDT

Too late! We've watched the Republican party dissolve into a Neo-Con (National Socialist) movement over the decades. Don't forget - it's why the Libertarian Party even came into existance in the first place! They ain't gonna change now! This is a REVOLUTION in the truest sense of the word and we aim to continue revolting. It is the current Republican regime that will hand the Democrats the White House unless they get with the program and dump the Neo-Con agenda. The change is for the current Republican leadership - Live Free or DIE! As of 2008, the Republican Party of the last 40 years is no more. It HAS changed; the Ron Paul candidacy has accomplished that. It is the old Neo-Con factions and leadership that haven't gotten the message into their heads yet. Over the next four to eight years, we aim to implement those changes, solidify those changes and, in the long run, change this nation back to a Constitutional Republic. Get with it - or get out of the way! (Get it?)

Comment by Dr Dreadful on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 12:14:01 EDT

On the Amazon book link at the top of the article, Barry Goldwater looks as if he's playing one of those dance pad games you see at amusement arcades. I didn't realize he enjoyed shaking his booty!

Comment by Dave Nalle on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 11:33:29 EDT

Maybe if the Republicans get absolutely crushed in 2008 they won't be such an utter disappointment in the future? Your mistake here is assuming that there will BE a future for America as a free nation if the GOP loses the presidency this fall. Dave

Comment by Daniel on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Fri, 2 May 2008 07:25:02 EDT

Maybe if the Republicans get absolutely crushed in 2008 they won't be such an utter disappointment in the future? I'm not going to 'have my vote count' by voting for McCain, who doesn't deserve my vote. By some fluke, if the Democrats don't have a landslide victory and McCain wins, we get 4 more years of Bush. That's a waste of time. It's true: the net effect of having McCain is very similar to having a Democrat. As long as the direction of this country stays steady, the speed is irrelevant. And McCain is status quo. More spending. It's all about economics and our falling dollar. And McCain doesn't have a clue.

Comment by Dave Nalle on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 23:52:28 EDT

Hey, if you guys are finished venting your outrage, I've put a trivia test on my home site to test your knowledge of the history of the Constitution. The first three to get the answers right will win a stylish "Unite or Die" T-shirt. You can find the contest at The Republic of Dave. Dave

Comment by Ken Fawcett on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 23:06:52 EDT

There is nothing "Democratic" about these conventions. Nor was that ever the intent. Like our Republic, safeguards have been built into the system to prevent "mob rule." It seems that history has shown us, the "mob" is often misguided, and prone to irreperable errors. If the Paul factions somehow prevail, history will record that at minimum they saved the GOP from certain death. As the convention nears, it will become even more apparent than it is today that a candidate who has "bet the farm" on four more years of the most unpopular presidency in modern history, has as much chance in the general election as an ice cube in the Sahara. If McCain is foisted as the choice du jour for Republicans, they will suffer defeat like no other party in history. And that will resonate down to the lowest levels of all contested races across the nation. In fact, the only election I'd feel safe in calling for the GOP is the 14th Congressional District, in Texas- the one Dr Paul has already secured. St Paul 9-1-1PM

Comment by Lisa on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 22:29:43 EDT

I've been a Republican my entire life. And I will NOT vote for McCain... EVER. And to me he's just as bad as Clinton and Obama. Which do I want: commie socialists or neocon fascists? hmmm How about none of the above. The Republicans under the current administration have virtually destroyed this one great nation by doing all the things liberals usually do, and I will not be responsible for electing someone who's going to continue a war that we can NEVER win. We CAN'T win it!!! Doesn't anybody ever read their history books? And I tell you what.. I don't understand this religious right crap. I live in a very religious Christian community, and they're mostly democrats here because they're for social security and welfare. So this religious extremism argument annoys the hell out of me. It's not a nationwide phenomenon. Come September I'm writing in Ron Paul because it'll be the first time I will actually be voting for someone I believe in.

Comment by tony on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 21:19:17 EDT

Dave, If asked, prior to reading this article, I would've supported the idea of a confrontational, chaotic, crisis of a national convention. The issues seem that important and the room for compromising on those issues seems non-existant. Being a RP supporter in the past year, not being able to comprehend how the media and public can *not* see what we see, leads pretty easily to a paranoid view of the media and a distrust of the public mindset. A politically catastrophic national convention would force the msm to acknowledge that something is going on. Anyway, I think your article is very reasonable and it may have cooled my head a little bit. Good job.

Comment by Dave Nalle on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 19:48:13 EDT

Dave - I was there. We've had civil discourse during the campaign, you and I. But this time I think it's become obvious that you simply wish to do away with libertarianism and stick with the status quo standard Republican nonsense. You clearly didn't read very closely. What I want is to keep the libertarianism and do away with as much of the conflict and chaos as possible, because right now the confrontational approach the RPers are taking is going to get the libertarian reforms thrown out. McCain close to a libertarian? By what insane definition could that possibly be. His very high ratings on the Liberty Index are certainly a clue. Higher than Ron Paul in a couple of years, in fact. He's anti-free speech. Well, that's certainly a conservative republican, non-libertarian position. He's pro-patriot act. Not on the record or on his public statements. He's one of the few major Senators to speak out against the act and many of its provisions. He's anti-gun. Utter bullshit spread by the JBS and GOA for ulterior purposes. He's pro-drug war. Certainly no more so than 90% of our other political figures and he does at least support alternative sentencing. He's pro-inflation and fiat currency. Not libertarian issues by any means. These are Bircher issues. He's now FOR torture, Not exactly. You should check his record on the issue. which he used to be against. And he's unapologetically pro-unconstitutional, unnecessary, and misdirected war. Yes, he's for the war and for fighting it competently so it can be brought to a conclusion. The rest of your statement is a matter of opinion and one not shared by a lot of people. Just fess up. You hate Ron Paul and all of us who bothered to show up and take part in the Nevada process. What I hate is the move to the right which you're going to force on the GOP and the opportunity you're throwing away to reform the party. Dave

Comment by aksmith on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 18:31:29 EDT

Dave - I was there. We've had civil discourse during the campaign, you and I. But this time I think it's become obvious that you simply wish to do away with libertarianism and stick with the status quo standard Republican nonsense. McCain close to a libertarian? By what insane definition could that possibly be. He's anti-free speech. He's pro-patriot act. He's anti-gun. He's pro-drug war. He's pro-inflation and fiat currency. He's now FOR torture, which he used to be against. And he's unapologetically pro-unconstitutional, unnecessary, and misdirected war. Just fess up. You hate Ron Paul and all of us who bothered to show up and take part in the Nevada process. Are we to be blamed because near-libertarian McCain hired incompetents to run every phase of his campaign and never showed up once to campaign in Nevada? Are we to be blamed because of room with majority non-Ron Paul supporters found the party's rules to be absurd and unfair? I sure hope nobody pays you to blog. If so, they should demand their money back, and apply it to your next payment for the medication you so obviously haven't been taking. And to the person who believes that the Romney supporters wouldn't pick Ron as their second choice. You are misinformed. In fact, I got elected as delegate in a room overwhelmingly filled with Romney supporters. And many of them came up to me afterwards and told me that Ron was their second choice. Had Mitt not been LDS, I think you'd have seen a very different result in NV. Mormons accept the Constitution as part of their religion and divinely inspired. Does that sound like a McCain supporter to you?

Comment by Bennett on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:54:11 EDT

This is WAY more fun than watching the battle between Senators Clinton and Obama. GO REPUBS! Love the unity in Nevada, classy act that. P.S. Dave, still pushing you favorite conspiracy theory? shhhhhhh.... Them Dems're ALL socialists!

Comment by Baronius on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:03:42 EDT

Lumpy, I'm going to miss the dark night of reactionary policies and religious extremism...

Comment by Lumpy on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 16:30:53 EDT

Jesse. There have only been two GOP state conventions to date, Nevada and North Dakota. As the article said there are 3 this weekend.

Comment by Jesse M on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 16:01:16 EDT

You mention on page one that Nevada is the first convention where Paul has cleaned up on the national delegate count. Where have you been? Nevada definitely isn't the first one, and it won't be the last one either.

Comment by Lumpy on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 15:28:20 EDT

IMO McCain is a force for reform. The GOP has wandered into the dark night of reactionary policies and religious extremism and McCain might be able to bring it back to its more moderate roots. The Paul people are revisionists. 3he republican party was never libertarian or anarchist. It was a pro-business liberal party.

Comment by Baronius on The GOP in Crisis: Conflict or Common Ground

Thu, 1 May 2008 14:48:52 EDT

Wow, Dave, I was going to criticize this article, but seeing how badly you're getting beaten up, I feel obligated to defend you. You touch on a very important point. Party reform has to be targeted on the next election, not the current one. You don't take over a party and change its course immediately. Believe me, I wish we could take back the primaries and have someone other than McCain as our nominee, but we can't. What you can do is prepare the party for the next go-around.