Republicans should be winning and in fact in a week, Republican candidates will most likely become Governor of Virginia and possibly even New Jersey. Obviously that is a great sign. Both candidates are generally conservative and are running as such.
A recent Gallup poll showed that 40% of Americans say their political views are conservative. Only 20% said their views are liberal and 36% said their views are moderate.
But things really aren’t that good. A recent Washington Post Poll showed only 19% of the people identified themselves as Republican.
Why is the Republican Party doing so poorly when people say they are conservative?
The answer is leadership. In particular Republican Leadership. In the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s the Republican party was perceived as the party for conservatives. Thanks to Ronald Reagan and others we saw areas realign and that culminated in the 1994 take over of Congress.
After that the Republican Party Leadership decided big government…good. Corruption. Sure. Why not? There are many other failings of our leadership. Basically, they de-linked the Republican Party from conservatism.
And they wonder why we are losing voters?
That brings us to the special election in New York-23. The Republican bosses selected as the Republican candidate, Dede Scozzafava who is pro-abortion, against the right to work, for gay marriage and for government run health care.
Jon Fleischman penned a good view of the race today.
Fortunately, the Conservative Party has a ballot line in New York and nominated Doug Hoffman as their candidate. Now Democrats are focused on beating him as the Republican that votes like a Democrat is fading.
In New York, Conservatives can’t vote Republican. Palin, Pawlenty, Thompson and others get it. This is the chance to send the leadership of the party a message. Stop ruining our party and return to the principles that brought us a majority. The best part will be if voters send him to Congress as a walking symbol of the bankrupt GOP leadership and the future path to victory.
Sometimes you can’t just vote Republican. This is one of those times.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Sounds like the Republican choice for NY23 is the same as the Republican choice for California governor. I wonder if a conservative independent will challenge any of these RINO’s and what the party establishment will do with that dilemma.