Since When is Promoting Conservatism 'Ugly?'

The grassroots base around the country has been ignited by a brief, but powerful comment. The comment, made by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele was directed at conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. It turns out that Steele felt it was necessary to denounce Limbaugh and establish his own manhood in front of a CNN audience.

The comment made on the D. L. Hughley show reveals much about what is hurting the Republican Party. Rather than trying to distinguish itself from the Democrats, it seems as if the strategy is to keep quiet, wish the Dems well, act like they do, and still hope that the country will see the "difference" and vote Republican. I get it! It's Obama's "hope and change" strategy... except in this case, we are "hoping for change" without actually doing anything about it.

So... first the recap... at last week's Conservative Political Action Conference, Rush Limbaugh gave a rare public speech that brought down the house. I watched the speech, and it was outstanding. Along with his sidenotes and trademark pats on his own back, Limbaugh talked about the essence of conservatism. His comments have been echoed many times in my own writings, and he summed up our philosophy perfectly.

Conservatives believe in the power of each and every American... not the government. We believe that given an opportunity, people can achieve great things if they so desire. Equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome, is one of the cornerstones of our beliefs. In order to have equal opportunity, this means that barriers must be removed. Whether it is sky high taxes, endless rules and regulations, or an ever-expanding, intrusive federal government, we realize that Americans can only succeed if freedom and liberty are held in high regard.

We do not believe in constituencies. We do not promise that we can do something for women, something else for blacks, another thing for union workers, still another thing for low income families, and so on. We believe in one America, with everyone having a chance at success. Make no mistake, we do NOT believe that prosperity "trickles down." What we do believe is that if you treat everyone fairly and then everyone will benefit.

Ok, I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Of course you get it... the problem is that our Republican leaders do not!

See the video at the link below

So first off, I agree with Michael Steele on one thing. Rush Limbaugh is not the de-facto leader of the Republican Party. Limbaugh is a real leader of a real movement -- the conservative movement. Limbaugh points out a philosophy and tries to get the Republican Party to follow that philosophy.

Side note:

GOPUSA is NOT affiliated with the Republican National Committee. GOPUSA is a private company with no official ties to any group or organization. Those readers who have followed GOPUSA since 2000 know that we are focused on the same thing that Rush Limbaugh is... promoting conservative principles.

At GOPUSA, our slogan is "Bringing the conservative message to America." So, when you see Republicans spending like crazy or acting like Democrats, please send your e-mails to the RNC. I get so many e-mails saying, "Not another dime to GOPUSA until Republicans get a clue." Hello! We are the ones trying to give Republicans that clue. Or another popular e-mail comment... "Where were you during the last 8 years when Republicans were spending like crazy?" We were the ones calling them out on it!

Ok, back from the side note.

And back to Chairman Steele. I wonder if he realizes how much damage his comments have done, or if he is consciously promoting a strategy of removing conservatism from the Republican Party. There is already one political party of Democrats. America does not need two.

First off, his comments regarding Limbaugh being "incendiary" and "ugly" are out of line. Since when is articulating the conservative message ugly? However, I find his "entertainer" comment more disturbing. Yes, Rush does a lot of "entertaining" things on his show... but it's talk radio... people listen to talk radio to be informed. Limbaugh's job is to provide information and to get people to think. By labeling Limbaugh as simply an "entertainer," Steele diminishes everything Limbaugh has to say. Isn't that what the media and the Democrats are trying to do?

What is going on at the RNC? Steele would not even have won if not for votes from territories like Guam and American Samoa. Those territories don't even vote for president, but they decide the party leader? In addition, it seems at every turn, the "new" Republican strategy is to pay lipservice to conservative ideals but then do everything possible to not be conservative.

When Obama signed the massive stimulus bill, Steele expressed his "disappointment." When the House passed the spending bill for the rest of 2009, what did Steele do? That's right, he expressed his "disappointment." How about doing more than expressing disappointment? How about showing how Republicans and Democrats have different ideas, different views for the country, different philosophies on government. And... how about actually believing in those ideas and standing up for them?

In the press statement on the spending bill, Steele said, "Vetoing this legislation will send an important message to Congressional Democrats that the time for pork barrel spending is over." Congressional Democrats? What about the Congressional Republicans? It's been written that 40% of the pork items are from Republicans? How about stepping forward and cleaning house... providing some leadership so we can get back on track. If we are no different than the Democrats, why in the world would Americans vote for us?

Limbaugh was also criticized for saying he wants Obama to fail. This was mentioned on the CNN clip which sparked the whole conversation. Conservatives believe in less government, lower taxes, and more freedom. We do NOT believe in spending trillions in funds we don't have in order to move America toward socialism. If that plan "succeeds," then America fails. We don't want that. So, we can't be afraid to tell the American people that our ideas are better, that our philosophy is better. We must believe it, live it, and show it.

Many readers are starting to believe that the Republican Party is lost. I don't believe that. I believe it's going down the wrong path, but I also believe that the Republican Party is the vehicle needed to enact conservative legislation. My belief flows into GOPUSA's second slogan: Conservative Philosophy, Republican Solutions." I will not bail out of this party. I will fight to fix it, and if that means speaking out against the (lack of) leadership, then so be it.

Steele has now "apologized" for his remarks on CNN.

"To the extent that my remarks helped the Democrats in Washington to take the focus, even for one minute, off of their irresponsible expansion of government, I truly apologize," Steele said late Monday.

To the extent? How about to the extent that you continue to wish President Obama and his agenda well, while beating down the very base of hardworking Americans needed to win elections? I want liberalism and socialism to fail. It has destroyed other countries. I don't want that to happen here.

Limbaugh fired back on his Monday program:

"Why are you running the Republican Party?" Limbaugh asked on his radio show. "Why do you claim you lead the Republican Party when you seem obsessed with seeing to it that President Obama succeeds? ... I would be embarrassed to say that I'm in charge of the Republican Party in the sad-sack state that it's in. If I were chairman of the Republican Party, given the state that it's in, I would quit."

The e-mail has already started to pour in from folks saying they will never give to the party unless things change. Yes, some said they won't give another dime to GOPUSA, but I think I covered that at the beginning of this column.

Here are some of the comments:

* I would like to let you know, take me off your list. I will cancel my e-mail from you. NO STEELE

* Just when I started to believe that I could again support the RNC, Michael Steele convinced me that their definition of conservatism does not resemble the truth. I cannot support your agenda and I trust that few conservatives will. For Mr. Steele to support political correctness is a slap in the face of true conservatives. To attack Rush Limbaugh shows cowardice when under fire and we cannot afford to cave in to the socialists.

* Michael Steele, you are a huge disappointment. To call Rush an "entertainer" is a shameful display of ignorance and jealousy. You should be studying his words and heeding them. Don't expect any monetary support from me.

* Are you affiliated with the RNC, i.e., Republican National Committee? If so take me off your e-mail list. Until Michael Steele apologizes for rolling over, in front of an avowed leftist and slamming Rush Limbaugh, and getting his facts wrong, I have no interest in being connected to the RNC.

* As a volunteer at my local Republican Party HQ, I am insulted and demoralized by Michael Steele's attack on Rush Limbaugh. Mr. Limbaugh is the most ardent promoter and defender of conservatism. Shame on Michael Steele.

* I immediately wrote to congratulate you, Michael Steel on your heading the GOP. Now I am writing to blast you over your negative comments about Rush Limbaugh. I will NOT donate until you retract your comments and apologize to Rush! You are hurting our party by your comments.

In order for the Republican Party to succeed, we must have positive, fresh ideas, and we must have leadership. We can't talk about "no earmarks" and turn a blind eye when Republicans continue to do it. We can't hope for "bipartisan" solutions to issues. It's just that simple. If a solution was really acceptable to the Democrats, do you think it would involve smaller government, lower taxes, and more freedom. No! They are only interested in havnig a bigger, more powerful government. We need to show the American people that we believe in them, not government. We need leadership!

-----

Please contact RNC Chairman Michael Steele and let him know what you think. We need to turn the party around, and we can't do it by acting like Democrats and blasting conservative stalwarts.

++ Contact Michael Steele and tell him to Support Conservatives
http://capwiz.com/gopusa/issues/alert/? ... ake+Action

http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=1022