“When the old order begins to crack, he wades in with all his might and recklessness to blow the whole hated present to high heaven… To hell with reforms! All that already exists is rubbish, and there is no sense in reforming rubbish… He alone knows the innermost craving of the masses in action … and woe to those, inside and outside the movement, who hug and hang on to the present.” Eric Hoffer, The True Believer
In this gathering political storm, many Americans are being urged to sound the alarm, man the barricades, fight the fight, and repel the enemy in a last stand. The stage is set for a year of emotionally pitched politics America hasn’t seen since the Civil War. The electorate of 1860 knew what they were fighting for.
What are we, as conservatives, fighting for? [Insert silence here] We don’t seem to have much of a platform, because the current conservative call to arms has been so focused on The Enemy. The Democrats are The Enemy. Republicans In Name Only (RINO) are The enemy. Anybody who doesn’t agree with our most extreme positions? The Enemy.
Eric Hoffer, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1983, wrote extensively on situations like this in “The True Believer.” Referring to political upheaval in his time, Hoffer cautioned against political beliefs that “insulate the individual from the … world as it is.”
In conservative circles, these beliefs are growing stronger. They are supported by three frequently used fallacies that create an insular, xenophobic, even paranoid perception of our world:
The People’s Champion – Donald Trump has been characterized as a fighter for conservatism, who will stand against the Democrats and the RINOs. This myth persists, in spite of the fact that Trump has changed his political affiliation five times since the 1980’s, and has yet to champion any cause, conservative or liberal. He is credited as a friend of the military, although he avoided military service with four deferments. He is touted for his business acumen, when he would be wealthier today had he simply put his money into S&P 500 stocks and not his businesses, which have ended in bankruptcy four times. We see it on live TV and in his interviews – making statements and later denying he made the statements, using insult to distract from uncomfortable questions, making baseless accusations again and again. Yet many of the angriest conservatives persist in fits of fantasy in which Trump is something other than what he has demonstrated himself to be.
The People Have Spoken– Many of the very people who cry for the salvation of the republic are also crying “The people have spoken!” in a heartfelt but confused argument for direct democracy. Donald Trump received a historic number of votes in the GOP primaries. He also had a historic number of votes against him in the GOP primaries. Yes, we have state laws, party regulations, and more. But as other authors have shown (http://thebullelephant.com/answer-beau-corrells-question-yes-violating-virginia-law/) our approach to convention is littered with contradictory rules. Meanwhile, many conservatives ignore the fact that framers of the Constitution specifically intended for delegates to see past voters’ most emotional moments, to make the right choice. In this electoral year, when we’ve seen more candidates than at any time in the last century, we need to realize we are in truly unique circumstances that call for delegates to earn their pay.
The Evil Opponents – conservative rhetoric has decayed to a truly sorry state. Year by year, we have transitioned from a focus on broad principles to arguments over positions, and now to litmus tests of unquestioning loyalty. As our criteria for “conservatism” has tightened, our disdain for everybody outside of our ever-shrinking circle has become more severe. Recently, conservatives have obliged Mr. Trump by vilifying federal judge Golanzo Curiel, simply because he was assigned to preside over a lawsuit alleging Trump has committed fraud. As a federal prosecutor, Curiel was a target of Mexican drug cartels, following his prosecution of the Felix brothers and the Arellano cartel. He was appointed to the bench by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Until the Trump fraud case, Curiel was not subject to conservative scrutiny, but now he is the Evil Opponent, because Trump has asserted he is a Mexican (Curiel is the 3rd generation of his family to hold US citizenship), and Trump sees this as a conflict of interest because Trump has made inflammatory statements about Mexican immigrants.
What?
This should be a wakeup call to conservatives that we have arrived at a dangerously insular point of view. Our willingness to permit insult and slander by and in support of our candidate is something not seen since Republicans were responsible for the Communist witch hunts following WWII. In that episode, Republican flag bearer Senator Joe McCarthy was finally stopped by Army lawyer Joseph Welch, whose outburst “At long last, have you left no sense of decency?” had the effect of breaking a spell under which Republicans destroyed lives and the integrity of the conservative movement. There exists no excuse for this behavior. We are responsible for letting it continue. If we do not stop it, we will pay a deservedly high price.
The immediate, enthusiastic (angry) response from the far right is a claim that we must do whatever is necessary to prevent the Horde from overwhelming the Republic. On a pragmatic scale, turning a blind eye to Donald Trump’s excesses heightens the likelihood a failed White House bid and a loss of the majorities held by the GOP in the Senate and House. On a broader scale, “the end justifies the means” is a cliché that every one of us has seen proven false in our schools, in our churches, and at the knees of our own parents. It is the hallmark of morally bankrupt organizations, most of which have failed.
What are we, as conservatives, fighting for? We are supposed to be fighting for liberty. We are supposed to be fighting for a vision of America that is true to the principles espoused by the founding fathers and the moral absolutes by which we aspire to live. But are we? Or have we lost track of what we are fighting for?
The GOP national convention will be held on July 18. Every day between now and July 18 is time conservatives must use to ensure we are making the right choice, not just to win an election, not just to avoid angering the pro-Trump group or the anti-Trump group. The integrity of conservatism rests upon what we show America we really value. We have only one chance to get this right. So let’s clear the air of fallacies, and promote some honest talk. We need to know what we’re fighting for.
60 comments
How nice… we should adhere to conservative principals! What a wonderful idea. Would you be writing this article if say Paul Ryan were the nominee or another crap Bush? Trump is evil and not a conservative. Ok… Paul Ryan gave Obama everything he wanted in the last budget deal… everything. And yet he is a wonderful conservative that you support…
And you have blathered on about how immigration isn’t a big deal. Yes not enforcing immigration laws and passing amnesties and de facto amnesties has been sooo good for conservatism… why look at the Great Conservative state of California. Umm… you do know that prior to 1986, California voted Republican often? Remind me what happened that year… oh yes your amnesty! You like PEW… in fact you quoted that liberal thinkcrap organization to me a while back about how Obama deported more illegal immigrants than ever.. here you go:
http://www.pewresearch.org/daily-number/hispanics-favor-bigger-role-for-government/
Oh and by the way… why don’t you try this organization for reality about immigration instead of PEW?
http://cis.org/New-Data-Immigration-Surged-in-2014-and-2015
Yup… you keep on bad mouthing Trump… Conservativism is just around the corner!
For other readers, “Stonewall Jackson’s” comments are an example of what I discuss in the fallacy “The Evil Enemy,” in the article. Note “Stonewall’s”circle has tightened to the point that he considers conservatives to be the enemy.
His sentiment also echoes Eric Hoffer’s cautionary description of the True Believers who make destructive mass movements possible.
His aren’t the sentiments of a conservative — they are those of a reactionary.
For other readers, this dumb ass thinks that Obama is doing a great job with controlling illegal immigration and it isn’t an issue anyway.
Idiots like this one are going to hand the country over to socialists.
Enjoy your future moron.
Everyone should listen to DJT’s speech today…it was brilliant, reasoned and there is not ONE conservative who was running for President, including my choice, who would say this. He is taking Hillary straight on, he’s wrapping Obama around her neck, I have always thought he could win, now honestly, after today, I’m thinking it may be something huge. Is he a conservative? Not exactly, but he is a long way from a faint pastel of Hillary. I have much more to say on this (surprise) but he is our standard bearer, and he will not be challenged at the convention. The question for conservatives is do we try to influence him or do we fight him? No-brainer to me. On his worst day DJT has already proven to be more worthy of our support than McCain or Romney. He’s fighting in all 50 states, and he gets jobs, immigration and these crappy trade deals. Plus, he has given us a list for the Supreme Court that is excellent. I think he’ll give us some cabinet members as well. This Republic needs us like never before. Time to mount up, boys and girls.
I commend your patience in continually trying to layout and explain the obvious but I don’t believe it is going to work. These few individuals aren’t even conducting an argument within the boundraies of political thought and are generally ahistorical when it comes to placing their positions within the context of the long history and traditions of American political belief. What would they have thought of Andrew Jackson or William Jennings Bryant?
It’s increasingly not even primarily focused just on the media and minority Republican never Trump mania. This is the theistic far right of the collapsed social conservative movement whose political judgments and pronouncements are outraged over the plain fact that the US and it’s Constitution has rejected from it’s signing by the founding fathers the idea of political theocracy. Not only do they not understand Trump they don’t even grasp the underlying political beliefs and premises on which the Republic is based.
If you follow their rambling complaints of moral ineptitude regarding Trump and his followers many of them begin to sound like Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei haranguing the backsliding unfaithful from the steps of the grand mosque in Tehran. Why this tiny clique have been given almost unlimited access to this blog to repeat again, again and again the same message (along with the vitriol) is a question I’d like someone to answer for me. We get your position regarding Trump and the majority has rejected it. Can we move on now or is this going to become an unending recurring blog theme?
Lawrence — thanks so much for the considerable thought in your reply.
I believe the blog’s management intended for TBE to avoid the consol and censorship they have seen on other blogs. BUT abuse seems to accompany access.
I am not personally attempting to convince the true believers to change their minds. I am, however, hoping to start a discussion about what conservatives are seeking besides the avoidance of another Clinton presidency. From my viewpoint, the rhetoric from the Trump camp distracts us from the issues and even causes collateral damage for Republican candidates in Congress.
You are the guy who thinks Obama deported more people than ever right? And you have a column here?
I always wondered “What if Stonewall Jackson could be here with us now?”
[cue music from “Gettysburg”]
Now I know.
He’d stink the place up, because he’s dead.
Would still smell better than your intellect.
And I’m the guy who can point you to publicly available data on deportations that my acquaintces at ICE and Border Patrol say is accurate. But of course it doesn’t match with Trump’s narrative ,so it won’t change the most hard-bitten opinions.
Obama changed the way he counted like deportations– he counted what were formerly repatriations as deportations. Those are turnarounds at the border. If someone made it into the interior, they are virtually assured of never going home. Here you go:
http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2015/jul/20/bob-goodlatte/goodlatte-says-deportations-us-interior-have-falle/
So you would say that to a Border Patrol agent? An ICE agent? Best I can do is offer the truth.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/14/illegal-immigrants-who-overstay-visas-almost-never/
Oh yes the truth.. Homeland Security?
Interesting article and decent data but a couple of.key pieces are missing. “Immediate area” of the border is in excess is 100 miles in. Add to that the fact that over 700 miles of the border is spanned by 12 or 18 foot fence where the terrain is walkable, and electrooptical, seismic, and radar sensors. Aircraft too. So the net effect is that crossings are funneled into fewer areas with more captures at the border. ICE is getting better queuing than ever, so they aren’t as deoendent on operations farther in the interior.
I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s your tax dollars actually working.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/4/obama-reinstates-catch-and-release-policy-illegals/
Oh yes Homeland Security is really working!!!
Illegal alien visa overstays — fine piece of journalism there. If they have visas, how are they illegal?
Overstays are a gaping hole problem with no easy fix in sight. Bush couldn’t fix it, Obama couldnt, and the next president will be lucky if he puts a dent in it. Whay does that have to do with total deportations?
It is about your tax dollars at work..they are not legal on an overstayed visas…
The entire stupid Homeland Security System is a F’ed up joke from the border to the interior. You guys can’t find your ass with both hands.
Then you get this President with Executive Amnesty “Memo’s” along with the complete breakdown in enforcement and you have surging immigration. And let’s not forget the Syrian refugees coming.
That surging immigration is already swamping conservatives. Third worlders are not voting for conservatives. They are voting for the party of welfare… see above–I cite PEW which you like, being an Obama supporter on immigration:
http://www.pewresearch.org/dai…
Why would third worlders vote for anybody who makes blanket statements about kicking them out? Being rapists?
The only thing swamping conservatives are the voices of the reactionary. This kind of talk is exactly what I refer to in “The Evil Enemy.” Bonkers.
How do you feel about gun control? Fearless Leader Trump will fight the left to protect your gun rights, and he’ll … wha? Trump wants gun control???
http://thebullelephant.com/trump-pushes-gun-control/
Stonewall — read my article, first fallacy, “The People’s Champion,” one more time. Trump the Champion is a figment of the angry extreme right’s imagination.
You were the one touting Obama’s deportation statistics… those have proven to be bullshit. Now you shift to something about electronic surveillance.. That doesn’t matter because even if caught Obama has decreed another catch and release policy. Hell aliens don’t even mind getting caught…
http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2014/06/30/thousands-of-illegal-immigrants-bused-across-us/
Lawrence we’d be happy to publish a different perspective. Care to write it?
Actually no I believe Michael Giere has covered the issues quite effectively and I don’t frankly find a rational perspective in this endless nonsense that is worth the effort. Politics, unlike theology, never leads to insanity. I think I’ll stick with political discussions.
Advocating for simple decency is now theocracy???
Trump has truly caused many to abandon their principles. Interesting that you invoke William Jennings Bryan, who was a Democrat progressive populist with some racist associations.
Michael how do you propose to influence him?
I’m sorry but this is just delusional. Of course, it is 5 days since this comment. Now we hear Trump is down to 29%. He will be an epic disaster.
Donald Trump is eminently presidential. The #NeverTrump sore losers need to face reality: our country NEEDS Trump! Case in point – https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/donald-j-trump-statement-regarding-tragic-terrorist-attacks
This author does not understand the motives and objectives of Trump supporters. He has it totally wrong on his first point. Trump supporters have no illusions that Donald Trump is particularly conservative. They are not mistaken nor confused. The author is upset that Trump is not sufficiently conservative, but Trump supporters are not looking for conservative purity. They have heard the siren call of conservative rhetoric before, and have been betrayed repeatedly by so called conservatives; they aren’t buying conservative rhetoric this time; they simply want to stop the progressive tsunami of the opposition and win this election.
The author is also completely wrong on the second point. Trump supporters are not arguing for “pure democracy”. The objection to overthrowing Trump at the convention has nothing to do with the framers’ thoughts or good government. It also has nothing to do with convention rules. The objection is based on the simple fact that it won’t work. It is a completely suicidal fantasy that will not do a damn bit of good for getting any new candidate elected. Trump is not going to be replaced because that is simply a horrible, ineffective, counterproductive idea.
Again, the author is wrong on his third point too. The rhetoric has not decayed to a particularly sorry state. Political rhetoric has always been sharp and nasty, particularly from the Democrats. It is only in recent years (decades?) the Republican party has slowly taken this patrician attitude of being above nasty political rhetoric, coupled with insane political correctness, which has increasingly crippled Republicans. Donald Trump simply fights back in a more conventional, confrontational manner that clearly highlights the difference between him and his opponent. Trump supporters are not unprincipled, but they understand the difference between politics and fundamental principles. Elections are rarely about fundamental principles anymore. The Democrats know how to use culture, ridicule, personal attack, and all manner of other political appeals to win elections. Principled conservatives don’t bother with that stuff. Republicans have become losers. Trump knows how to win.
Thanks for commentong, Frank. In the broadest possible way, Frank confirm the article’s points:
— lots of talk about what you’re against, but nothing of what Frank is are
— an assertion of pragmatism while referring to the cinvention as an “overthow” when Trump has yet to be nominated by the delegates, who some say are not bound at all: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/436428/republican-convention-delegates-not-bound-donald-trump
— again, the illusory reference asserting Trump has fought for anything but himself when he has a record of creating losses for others while he profits https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-its-stock-collapsed-trumps-firm-gave-him-huge-bonuses-and-paid-for-his-jet/2016/06/12/58458918-2766-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html
We could discuss the history of slander in political campaigns, but if I referred to historical facts regarding rhetoric used by the conservatives’ favorite maverick presidents, we would find nothing but decency. After which Frank will write something to invalidate those facts with more distraction and more hyperbole. Trump isn’t just rough around the edges.
Trump isn’t a fighter with minor shortcomings. He is a self-aggrandizing, bomb-throwing, golden parachute-wearing real estate broker and reality tv actor who is demonstrably unfit to hold office.
While I think the OP’s point that Trump is an entirely unsuitable human being to serve as president, without regard to his politics (if any), I think “Frank” has a fair point that Trump’s supporters don’t really care about politics or public policy. Many of them are giving the middle finger to politics and public policy, and Trump is a nearly perfect vehicle for that.
Louis — great observation, I totally agree they feel they are giving the middle finger to politics. As I see it, skyrocketing campaign costs and a 24 news cycle have driven politicians into constant campaigning, where they behave in the extremes and make very little legislation. So now Trump’s supporters want to usher in somebody who is not driven to media grabs and money grubbing. They want to usher in someody whose life is all about media grabs and money grubbing. Trump’s not a rebel, he’s the next step in the evolution of B.S. they hate now.
Not “politics or public policy”….. It is ineffective Republicans who have betrayed them that they do not like.
Judge Curiel is a member of La Raza. And in my way of thinking, that affects his objectivity. How come Hispanics – to include white Hispanics – can bind together in an ethnic advocacy group, but non-Hispanic whites are forbidden to do so? There is no doubt whatsoever at all in my semi-Semitic cerebrum, that if there was some group for non-Hispanic Whites doing the exact same things that La Raza does for its members, any members of such group would be barred from the federal judiciary, or even from the federal workforce. Trump, unfortunately, is not the most eloquent of spokesmen, but his instincts are usually right, and he is right on this one. And he speaks for people like me. The judge is a member of La Raza – and therefore I find it odd that no one is saying, “Well, doesn’t that mean that the judge is biased?” And of course La Raza is biased. It claims no other posture.
La Raza San Diego, part of La Raza California, or is it is also known, the Hispanic/Latino Bar Association of California. It is entirely unrelated to the National Council of La Raza.
Virtually every state has chapters of something similar this, Hispanic lawyers associations, black law associations etc. That this one shares part of its name with an illegal immigration group isn’t justification for the racist commentary from Trump or the attacks on Judge Curiel.
So, thanks for the lesson. I did not know that. So, what is the purpose of the La Raza Lawyers of California? Since you brought it up, please school me.
To promote Latino/Hispanic law students and lawyers, help them advance, give them support, help them find continuing legal education, bar resources, and things of that nature.
don’t confuse Mark with facts. It will just get in his way of ranting against anything not lily white
According to David French, no delegate at the National Convention is ‘bound’ to Donald Trump,
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/436428/republican-convention-delegates-not-bound-donald-trump?target=author&tid=1048
So, Jeanine. You would have two thousand or three thousand delegates overwriting the preferences of millions of Americans in a nationally televised spectacle? That is a sure recipe for disaster. You need to get over it, as I have. I did not vote for Trump in the VA Primary, but he was chosen because the GOP leadership has been complicit in a great many things wrong with our country and the rank and file was fed up with it.
Tension exists between the choice of supporting the preservation of existing nomination procedures, and the choice of supporting a candidate who has time and time again demonstrated poor ethical standards. It pits loyalty to a process against the preservation of integrity with one’s moral standards.
The loyalist will say we must support Trump. The moralist will say we must abandon Trump. The pragmatist might suggest the law abiding, ethical conservative should remain silent while Trump is nominated, and vote for another candidate during the election.
What choice allows us to best resolve this tension and tell our children — and one day, our Maker — we did the right thing?
The answer is vote for Trump and get over yourself. Letting Hillary win is as morally wrong as anything else you can do in this election.
Well said and true.
Promoting Hillary’s evil cousin is worse.
You have certainly got a lot of things wrong today, but that is about the wrongest you have been yet. If you think letting Hillary become president is okay, there really isn’t any hope for you.
It would not be okay. But two wrongs don’t make a right, and Trump is just another wrong. Not one fact suggests otherwise.
Hillary certainly could be a disaster, especially if not restrained by a republican Congress, but Trump could be an extinction level event. Can’t blame anyone for doing everything possible to avoid Trump.
Not likely. A Trump win or loss would not be an extinction level event in either case. However, the course you advocate (removing Trump) is the final betrayal that is practically guaranteed to be the extinction level event for the party. You keep ignoring the fact that the reason we have Trump is Republican betrayals in the first place.
It may be extinction time for the GOP.
Funny how Trump supporters can’t seem to understand that “get over yourself” isn’t a very persuasive argument.
Funny how people at the highest echelon of religious fraternities can shift so easily out of a code of decency and into one in which they disparage others so casually. A sign of confirmation bias if ever there was one. But “Vivat Jesus,”right?
I’m a little slow. That went right over my head.
I am voting for Trump, being fully cognizant of his shortcomings. But, our system has mechanisms to deal with a bad Trump presidency – should one occur, and that includes a rabidly left wing media and fair minded Republicans . On the other hand, Hillary is a far worse choice. Her excesses will be concealed and denied by a complicit media and a lock-step, power hungry Democratic Party. I echo Frank’s comments. Get over yourself.
Mark, what mechanisms exist that would effectively deal with President Trump, but fail to deal with President Clinton?
Great piece on the media’s coverage of campaign issues — cites many instances that are anything but complicit.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/05/02/here-are-those-presidential-campaign-stories-that-the-media-never-cover/?postshare=5261463105289557&tid=ss_fb
Our system has mechanisms to deal with a bad Trump nomination — it’s called delegates refusing to nominate him.
Over 13 million voters chose Trump. This trumps any and all delegates.
@Sore_losers where did David French get it wrong?
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/436428/republican-convention-delegates-not-bound-donald-trump
More than 15 million selected someone else. What’s your point?
More millions voted against him . He did not achieve a majority of votes.
Mark Jaworowski I don’t know how you reconcile casual, insulting language here with what you aspire to as a 4th degree Knight in KofC. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being a middle finger and 10 being incoming fire, your words rank at about 0.5. But the sheer hypocrisy of espousing a Christian moral code while you screw your chapeau down on your head in front of your friends in church and failing to behave with average civility in a forum without faces is beneath anybody claiming to be decent. We live one life everywhere we go. One code. Everywhere. If you have two, something’s wrong.
The delegates are also elected. Should we allow primary voters, many of them democrats, to “overwrite” the preferences of those who elected delegates to choose the party’s nominee? Checks and balances are complicated things, and I realize that the Trump campaign doesn’t do “complicated,” but we’ll just have to let this process play out. I think Trump will get the nomination in the end, but we’re not going to be able to force delegates to violate their consciences.