Those who watched the coronation of John McCain witnessed the end of an era. The era of Neoconservatism is almost over. It largely began with radical, ideological, position-paper, cheerleaders such as Irving and William Kristol and the likes of David Frum. It has been embraced and implemented for the last seven years by our current adminstration. Yet, this is the end "My Friends", here's why ... by Rod Smith
(libertarian)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Those who watched the coronation of John McCain witnessed the end of an era. The era of Neoconservatism is almost over. It largely began with radical, ideological, position-paper, cheerleaders such as Irving and William Kristol and the likes of David Frum. It will come to a thankful end with McCain's race over the edge of the electoral cliff in November.
Personally, I was always baffled by the term ... "Neo-Conservative" ... as though creating a world empire was a "new" gig and growing government was ever "conservative". At any rate, back to our regularly scheduled programming ...
Over the last couple of days, conservatives have been giddy about the pick of Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin. Personally, I think she has many outstanding qualities. Yet, I feel somewhat disappointed for her. In her first national political adventure she has hiched her wagon to a shrinking party, a Rebublican nominee that has had more liberal Democrat legislative co-sponsors than any other Republican in recent memory, and a national mood soured against a very unpopular incumbent Republican administration. How did they come so far so fast?
The other night, Barry Goldwater Jr. said it best:
"In less than a decade after taking control of Congress, the Republican Party came to epitomize all that it once campaigned against."
The GOP convention underscored just how far they have strayed. Rudy Guliani, Fred Thompson, and even Joe Liberman ... all who won no delegates ... were given speaking slots. Conversely, Ron Paul had to go on national television lamenting he could not even get an unescorted pass to the convention floor.
Furthermore, during the convention, the McCain camp turned loose their "Black Hat" brigade to try and supress any external or internal disent. Black hats, brown shirts, what's the difference? If the GOP really wanted to run their convention as a private, country club, affair they should be inclined to give up the $16 million dollars they take from the taxpayers to fund it.
Even the convention speakers eluded to it. Take Mike Huckabee:
"The fact is, most Americans don't want more government, they want a lot less."
We have a winner! But, about this 9 trillion dollar defict, and the other trillion off budget and overseas, and these new, open-ended, entitlement programs ... and by the way ... what did you ever propose during your campaign that would reduce the size of government ... even by one dollar?
This week, Politico ran a story that lamented the GOP's "Circular Firing Squad" mentality over the foregone conclusion of the failure of the McCain campaign. Within that article neoconservative icon David Frum unwittingly said it all:
"That's not a failure of campaign tactics. It's not even a failure of strategy. It's the failure of the Republican Party and the conservative movement to adapt to the times."
... And there you have it. Why would David Frum get it? Note to Frum:
YOU HELP CREATE THE "TIMES"! What have you been doing for the last eight years? It was the Neoconservative policy wonks and advisors around this administration that have helped to lead us into this mess. $850 billion dollar Wall Street bailouts, massive open-eneded, LBJ, style entiltlements, invading and oppupying countries that have done no harm to us ... voter's lined up around the corner I'm sure.
In short, it is the failure of the Republican Party leadership "adapting" to the radical adgenda of the Neocons like Frum who have blindly lead themselves and their party off the cliff.
Furthermore, if Republicans like anything it's to "win". That simple-minded idea is what has brought us to this point and, ironically, may lead us back someday.
There will be a major reaccessment after this debacle in order to put together a "winning" message. Hopefully, it will speak to lower taxes, LESS government, civil liberties, and a sensible foriegn policy. There simply is no market for a Big Government/Rule The World Republican Party. People used to call those people Democrats.
It will (thankfully) likely not be written by the likes of Frum or Bill Kristol. That is why McCain will be the last Neoconservative ...
and for that adgenda- good riddance.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 11
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of Rod Smith only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Rod Smith is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Posted By: Christopher Espinal
Date: 2008-09-07 20:40:31
To be honest, I don't understand the logic that shows the end of neoconservatism. It is common tactic in the Republican party to advocate small government and then turn around with pork barrel spending.
Posted By: Steve Florman
Date: 2008-09-12 09:19:36
I hate to be a nitpicker, but Rod's argument would carry more weight if it weren't full of egregious spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. A little editing goes a long way.
Want to comment on
this article? Leave your comment
here. Your email address is required to track your
comment. However, we will neither publish your email
address nor distribute it to other organizations or
persons. The only reason we might use it would be if
we needed to contact you regarding your comment. All
comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
