#19

1) So long as it's in the opposition, where should the Republican Party focus its energy?

Well, they certainly shouldn't be focusing on renaming the Democrats through a go-no-where resolution! Talk about a waste of time and effort! How about the leadership focus on getting a continuing message out about principle instead of power. I am thinking that the power issue is what has brought us to the point of weakness we see today. The GOP seems to have traded its principles for power, now it has neither. The GOP should focus on returning to the constitution and calling to repentance those in the leadership that deviate from it. This would require education on the part of the party leadership.


2) What is the most worrisome part of Barack Obama's presidency?

The concern is Mr. Obama doesn't seem to have one check or balance put up against him. I realize that the congress and the senate are controlled by the Dem.s, but come on! Where is the outrage at the unconstitutionality of the programs he presents?! Is there anyone in leadership that stands for the Constitution? This is a very real wake-up call. (I see this week that we have some Republicans that are stepping up to the plate, Thank heavens!)

This guy is pushing an unconstitutional, socialist agenda and I never see it mentioned.


3) There's been a lot of debate about the role that talk radio and cable news hosts should play on the right. Particularly controversial are Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Mark Levin. What do you think about these folks? Do they help the right or hurt it (or is it more complicated than that?) How should Republicans interact with them?

My personal opinion is that these major news people are shills for whatever personal causes they happen to have. It is great when they pick up on a REAL conservative issue and run with it. But that isn't as frequent as it needs to be. The news people mentioned don't actually do that much to help, at times they actually hinder conservative issues. I refer to the last election; there was definitely bias in the coverage of the conservative candidates.

They could actually help the Republicans get their message out, but that would be a problem as it seems the Republicans don't actually have a concrete message. And I am not trying to slam the GOP. Many state officers are working on messages, that is great. But overall, there seems to be a national problem. And if they try to get a message out, good luck with any news media. (I will give a positive here; the networking through the web is a great move for dispersing information. In my state we are doing this.)

It seems many Americans see these news people as entertainers who sometimes actually have a message.

The news people seem to enjoy stirring the pot, but nothing ever comes of what they talk about, no solutions are ever reached. Glenn Beck would maybe one exception here, but he doesn't necessarily cover all that many conservative issues, but he has made some efforts in getting a voice for issues.

People seem to searching for a leader through these news people. Somebody is in for a let down.

More than anything these news people seem to be pacifiers for a restless public.


4) One particularly fraught controversy pertains to race in America -- with the first black president in the White House, some conservatives have been criticized as racists for opposing him, and some on the right have accused the Obama Administration or its allies of racism or anti-white sentiments (for example, Sonja Sottomayor's "wise Latina" comment drew fire, as did the Skip Gates incident). As the right thinks about political strategy and policy, how should it approach matters of race?

It seems every time Mr. Obama's policy is threatened or there is a confrontation about an issue, out comes the race card. I see more division in this country over this proposed race issue than I have seen in many, many years. It seems almost purposeful. I see this race thing having been created so as to divide the American people. It could possibly be working. This race issue seems to be most critical for a few in leadership than anyone else. I fear that those in those in the leadership positions "doth protest too much."

Outside of the belt way, you probably get more eye rolling when you start mentioning it, the 'race' issue is way overblown. Sure, there are some issues somewhere. There probably always will be, but for the most part I believe the majority of Americans have moved out of the plantation era. The majority of people are good people, and usually care a little more about your character than your color.

Have you seen pictures of military people? I saw one last week. ALL ethnic groups were represented. They were/are united. Freedom unites.

5) Is there anything you observe locally, or that Republicans in your area of the country care about, that doesn't get sufficient attention in the national media conversation? If so tell me a bit about the issue, and the approach you think the right ought to take.

I have spoken with more than one person who is ready to bolt from the GOP. And these are people in local leadership positions. The party platform says one thing, the party does another. The frustration and disgruntlement is truly palatable. The leadership that strays from the platform, votes for leftist agendas is rewarded by a nomination for the presidency. Again, the GOP needs the where-with-all to stick to the conservative values it espouses and to expect no less of the leadership.

6) Traditionally the Republican Party has been a coalition of religious conservatives, libertarians, fiscal conservatives, and national security conservatives. Is that alliance viable going forward? If so, what must be done to hold it together? If not, what alliance should the GOP try to build?

Traditionally, really? That's interesting. Perhaps it would be better for all involved if they reflected those traditions. I think the most disgusting and discouraging event is when you have these leaders that profess to be one thing and then side with a socialistic, leftist agenda. You voice your opinion and it is heard. Then it is ignored. This dribble about not being heard is just that....DRIBBLE! The problem is the voice of the people is IGNORED. And then to add a little more insult to injury, the media does an eye roll over the voice of the great unwashed who actally protest what is going on. I think I have wandered bit.

Let me reflect a little bit about the last election. I am a Ron Paul supporter. I support SOUND government, sound finances. Ron Paul actually brought me back to the Republican party. So for my welcome back to the party, the GOP tried to pull the rug out from under the Ron Paul Freedom Rally in St. Paul. They literally went to the city to see if the city would cancel the Target Center arrangement that had been made for the rally. Sweet. Can you say alienating?

Then I get to watch Dr. Paul get dissed by the GOP at the Convention, the votes for Dr. Paul weren't even allowed to be given let alone counted. Uh huh. So the big convention turned out to be nothing more than a coronation ceremony.

The GOP went for the power. Did we learn anything here? The GOP got the spanking they well deserved. I don't know what the heck is going on with them..... almost seems like they are co-mingled with the Democrats.

IF the GOP wants to survive, they better figure our real fast that their group is leaning toward conservatism. They had better throw their arms around Sarah Palin and Ron Paul and the others that are actually conservative and hold them tight. If Sarah Palin leaves the party, she will take a very large share of the base with her. The GOP had better be willing to stand up and back these people and give credit where credit is due when it comes to supporting conservative issues AND conservative candidates.

7) Is there anything I didn't ask about that you'd like the media or the country as a whole to know?

Yes, I am sick to death of the media not reporting real news. Come on! I am sick of hearing about the weird duck keeping the girl/woman in a tent in his back yard or the eternal saga of Anna Nichole Smith. BIG FAT DEAL! The stupid super market tabloid stuff you try to shove at me is an insult to my intelligence. You just lost me as a listener. Your credibility stinks!

If I want to hear real news, I have to check out fringe news sources or world news or even do my own research.

There seems to be as much arrogance in the news industry, as in the political world. The condescending attitude is just beyond my ability to tolerate.

Listen news people," WE ARE THE NEWS!" Good ol' Joe and Jane American are here to stay. We aren't going anywhere. However, you might be going somewhere. The sooner you figure it out, the better for all concerned.

I hope I didn't sound too negative in all this. I am just very anxious for our return to conservative principles.