So, I’ve been silent for a while. I’ve even waited a bit since the State Central Committee meeting this past Saturday, and the betrayal by the Trump populists, exemplified by a certain member of State Central from the 7th CD.
Their behavior hasn’t changed. Their ultrasensitivity, entitlement, perpetual outrage, and insistence on unswerving support of their orange-faced god-king is only intensifying, and they’re willing to ally with the establishment wing of the party to enforce these dictates by punishing perceived enemies, even if it means jettisoning principles held by some among them for decades. All for the sake of a populist, authoritarian, yankee would-be strongman jackass who’ll likely get hammered in November.
The leaders of the Trump movement, here in Virginia at least, have clearly charted a certain course to marginalize and cripple the traditional alliance of various flavors of libertarians and conservatives, particularly because of their opposition to their Maximum Leader, and support of Ted Cruz, to include former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Their willingness to team up with the worst of the establishment was on full display at our national convention, as readers of this blog are aware. In truth, this has been steadily brewing for months.
Their program appears to be to set themselves up as the foil for the VCN-type establishment Republicans they are now temporarily allying themselves with. Watch media appearances by people like Pam Bondi and other high-level Trump surrogates. They talk about their ‘new’ Republican party. They are playing a longer, stronger game than many realize. They are making use of anger at the long-term persistent betrayal of the grassroots by the Bush wing of the party to try and change the party into something fundamentally different than what it is now.
If they succeed, we will no longer be the party that purports to stand for free markets, limited government, and individual liberty. If they succeed, where can conservatives go? America just isn’t set up, either structurally or culturally, for more than two major parties, and as for the Democrats, they have been lost to liberty since the fall of Grover Cleveland and the Bourbon Democrats, over a century ago. No, the Republican party is the last, best hope for our founding principles. The course of action for conservatives is clear.
Donald J. Trump must fall, but that alone is not enough. We must destroy the nascent movement building behind him, and rout its candidates and supporters at every level. We must make an end of them, and their populism, so that they never rise again. Donald Trump must fall.
I certainly would not advocate for any other candidate, as a loyal Republican, but given the behavior, rhetoric, and cooperation to cheat at the 2016 RNC (Remember 2012, Ron Paul fans? I do) to keep the rules favoring the establishment, it’s clear conservatives have no duty to support this clown. Once he is defeated, we must ensure Corey Stewart’s defeat in 2017 for the gubernatorial nomination, and on down the ballot to House of Delegates and various local offices. The Trump movement must be comprehensively crushed. It must BURN.
The folks who are blinded by anger at the establishment, and hopped onto the Trump train, will eventually come around. The fever will break. The rest will either crawl back in the shadows, or return to the Democratic party from whence they came.
What’s more, we need to be SEEN accomplishing this. Why? Perception is reality, especially in politics, and the establishment is already cueing up their narrative of tarring good conservatives as typical Trump supporters. If you know where to look and how to read the tea leaves, certain VCN SCC members and blogs are already working this.
No. Not on my watch. Don’t talk to me about the Supreme Court, or ‘broken pottery.’ I have no interest in compromise.
Our principles and republic deserve nothing less. Trump. Must. Burn. Full stop.
242 comments
[…] of frustration with business as usual in Washington, and rode it, against all expectations, including mine, to the White House. But let us not kid ourselves, Trump has little idea, even from moment to […]
[…] the lapse in time. But the piece that Robert Kenyon wrote on The Bull Elephant entitled “Trump Must Burn” begs for a […]
Many Trump supporters argue that a vote for Johnson is a vote wasted. How much is your vote based on loyalty alone?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MN87K7K
Let me say to start… that maybe you are right… maybe Trump will betray the revolt against the Establishment that was started with the Tea Party.
But can you tell me WHAT HAVE YOU DELIVERED for Conservatism? For the last #$%ing time… we gave you the House and Senate and you gave us good old lil Paul Ryan who promptly gave Obama the budget of his dreams… including funding his immigration initiatives…
And tell me what was conservative about the #$%ing Bushes?? What?? Illegal amnesties, huge budgets, did spending go down in either Bush’s presidencies???
Let’s talk Supreme Court justice… David Souter??? Mr… Obamacare is a tax Roberts? Kennedy who routinely votes with the Liberals?
Man, you guys started the war already? I gotta quit working so I can keep current. CNN just isn’t cutting it any more.
Pardon my language but this sounds like faux conservative bullshit and/or some cry baby who didn’t get his preferred candidate and wants to take his ball and go home. What a baby!
You don’t get it. The corrupt old GOP establishment has been rejected by the base. The Tea Party was a rejection of Bush Republicanism. The Tea Party was mocked and marginalized by the GOP, Democrats, and media. Same with Trump. But Trump is no push over. And if Trump were to die tonight, the direction of the party isn’t going to change. So you had better leave the party because it belongs to us now.
We’re tired of faux conservative GOP all-talk, no-action “Republicans” like Bush, Ryan, Romney, Cruz, McConnell, etc. The new party is an anti-globalist, nationalist economic conservative and social moderate party. We embrace all Americans – including former Democrats, Independents, blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and new voters.
You had better get your head out of your ass. Because if Hillary wins, the country is gone. There is no 2020. Open borders plus amnesty means Texas, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, and other states are permanently blue. That’s it…no more Republicans in the White House. The Supreme Court will also be extremely liberal for 30-40 years. Gone will be your civil liberties, your guns, and many conservative groups will be banned – including on the internet.
So grow the hell up.
It appears to me that Robert Kenyon is a high powered attorney who represents international companies securing patent rights. His law firm operates out of Was&ington D.C.
Kenyon is very threatened by Trump. This has zero to do with principles, this has to do with greed. He is a part of the globalist/chamber of commerce et al who could care less about America’s borders, language or culture. Only their bank accounts.
Here are a couple of links
http://www.kenyon.com/NewsEvents/News/2016/03-08_kenyon_tapped_for_drumpf_trademark.aspx
Not really helping anyone with this drivel.
Why is that drivel to point out this author’s background? Like your pals at Bearing Drift, it is relevant to why they support open border candidates who pretend to be conservative because they are connected to Beltway lobbyists who pay their checks. So is this guy.
Sunlight is a good disinfectant. We need a lot more sunlight. Trump seems to have made it a lot sunnier, don’t you think?
It’s drivel because that’s not his background.
The tenor and content if the comments remind me if “Minty Python and the Holy Grail”:
Woman: I’m not a witch! I’m not a witch!
V: ehh… but you are dressed like one.
W: They dressed me up like this!
All: naah no we didn’t… no.
W: And this isn’t my nose, it’s a false one.
(V lifts up carrot)
V: Well?
P1: Well we did do the nose
Good stuff. It’s important to understand the corrupt intentions of others pretending to be “principled conservatives.”
I think that might be a different Kenyon. Or Rob is not taking up with the family business.
Apparently no connection, but I think the author should get in touch with the Kenyon group, as he is doing a great job in attacking and smearing the Republican candidate. The high powered attorney hates “Drumpf”. There is money to be made in such endeavors.
Wait, he’s an attorney? You can’t tell me this essay was written by a lawyer!!
Don’t attorneys use $20 fancy-pants words like “drivel?”
This is what we get when we open our party so much that the libertarians and the special snowflakes weasel their way in.
If the Republicans had been honest and stuck to the Constitution instead of knifing their base in the back (OSHA, Department of Homeland Security, EPA, etc) and used their constitutional authority (Article 2, Section 2, Clause 5) to force the removal of the criminals in the White House maybe they would have a right to whine. As it is now all of the “Republicans” whining about “Conservatism” make me ill for they are the cooks that made their soup.
Bon Appetit fools.
The Trump was here before Trump and will be here after him unless we succeed in electing him. We still have illegals flooding in, no controls over hiring, too many foreign work visas issued, a president who cares more about the welfare of the rest of the world than of the United States, and a great sense that we are declining as a nation. Many of us cannot get full-time jobs, and very little is made in the U.S.A. anymore, and don’t even get me started on the glorification of leftist anti-Americans like Kapernick.
So, you write, “as a loyal Republican”, and yet you don’t support the Republican nominee? You say populists can go back where they came from, the Democratic Party? And yet, you are the one who supports the Democrats nominee for president?
Who signs your paycheck? Or, do we even need to ask?
It’s no coincidence that Trump doubles down on cheap establishment labor on Wednesday, and you step out of the closet 2 days later. Who is in that closet with you?
Who turned you loose and told you to scratch this garbage? Or did someone else write this, and you put your seal on it?
What evidence is there that you would even make a pimple on a Conservative butt? Your own writing seems to say otherwise.
More undocumented Republicans taking advantage of the party’s sanctuary ‘grassroots’
Nascent populist movement….and Bush wing Republicans? Tagging all 70M + of us with your hateful vitriol is pathetic whining and an entitlement mentality to the status quo. What globalist delusions are you smokling? We are American patriot nationalists and Trump is our representative. America and American citizens first is Trump’s platform which is anything but hateful. If you aren’t on board with that then go the hell to another country more representative of your globalist borderless fantasies. Since you’re leaving, take the POS Colin Kaepernick with you.
Dang…110 comments already; and the days not over. Hasn’t Mr. Trump brought the worst out in people?
Trump isn’t responsible for the behavior of his opponents.
I semi-agree. Everyone is responsible for their own actions and behavior. However, in my humble opinion, Mr. Trump is a Jerry Springer candidate. He’s the guy who says all the ronchy and obnoxious things and the little demon in people latch on to what he says and they say, “right on brother”. And then those same people attack others is some bizarre way because in some sick way they feel justified in what their doing because Trump made them feel so. It’s hard to put in words other than saying, Trump brings the worst out in everyone. You can disagree all day long, but look what he has done to our party and our country. Everyone is at odds over what he says and how he acts. If people don’t recognize that, well then my dialogue with them is a waste of time.
We must travel in different circles. He is singlehandedly saving the Republican Party and will probably be the one responsible returning Barbara Comstock to Washington. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)
He won with more votes cast than any other GOP nominee in history, he beat each and every one of our nominees, eligible and ineligible alike. He has caused our party roaches to scurry about posting and endorsing, and tossing around credentials. This race helps us at the local level identify less-than-Republicans who would be more comfortable in lesser positions.
All in all, he’s making the GOP a better place to politic.
Yes, we probably run in different circles. We should probably agree to disagree. I think he is singlehandedly wrecking the Republican Party. To be honest with you, I was happy he got in the race because of how he was beating everyone up for their crookedness…but thought he would be rejected by the voters after a few months and he would go away. What I didn’t foresee was how Democrats and people who never voted (and probably shouldn’t) would run to the voting booths a pull the lever for the reality TV star/Jerry Springer candidate. Yes, he got more votes than any other Republican in history…unfortunately they were not Republican votes. I firmly believe if there were only 2 to 5 candidates running (instead of 17), he would have been sqashed early. He’s unpresidential, nasty, disrespectful, and wierd…but don’t worry, I’m voting for him.
Just like Churchill. I think he would have smoked any number of our surrender monkey nominees. I think he’ll surprise both of us! Hopefully in a good way.
But he does manage to take advantage of them.
Bill, you miss the point, Trump brings out the political passion in people. When have you seen this zeal before? Even the folks who hate Trump are more intense than they were about Romney or McCain.
Hypothetically, if Stalin were to run as a Republican, there would be people who insist that all Republicans must back him, even though it would be the end of the party and country as we know it.
When your throat gets slit by a refugee the Beast has brought in, get back to us. Something tells me you still wouldn’t get it.
When fear grips me so tightly that I can’t stop a knife attack by a nerdy college sophomore and my daughters aren’t willing to kick his ass on behalf of dear old dad, I no longer deserve to be an American and I do deserve to die.
I can’t get my arms around proud American rugged individualism when it collides with the desire for bubble-wrapped safety and security.
Hypothetically, if Stalin wasn’t part of the team, we’d be speaking German.
If you don’t back the nominee, you’re not a good Republican.
But the Trump supporters are haters and name callers?
Go back to your hole dude.
I have read this over several times and frankly is puzzles and saddens me. I will make no attempt to dissuade anyone from their opinions or beliefs regarding Donald Trump and the shifting ground he has wrought on American politics, the Republican Party or conservatism in general. But some claims of fact and statements of intent must be addressed as they just don’t reflect an accurate reality. Below are a few selected statements from the author and where I believe he has either missed the point or misrepresented the actual events.
Let us start with his conjecture on the “betrayal by the Trump populists, exemplified by a certain member of State Central from the 7th CD” at the recent SCC meeting. This whole accusation lacks any credibility as the Trump people hold no significant mass of votes on the SCC today. The SCC has for some time now been in the throes of mass opposition between the Conservative Fellowship and Virginia Conservative Network party wings being fairly equally represented on the committee itself and battling endlessly over the convention vs. primary state process issue.
The SCC 2015 primary vote (pre Trump) on this issue was 42-40-1. The 2016 vote for a primary was 41-40-1. This clearly lays out the reality that there is no Trump vote conspiracy here just two evenly matched party wings slugging it out based on their own agendas. Regarding Ron Hedlund and his vote switch to convention in 2016 here alluded too, he has clearly stated his issues regarding his SCC vote switch was solely due to his lack of confidence that he and the voters he represents could trust the CF to run a fair and open convention after the slating example set forth during the state Republican Presidential Primary delegate selection process. To morph that to Trump SCC members shifting the historically close votes is a leap of rationalization to say the least.
The author proclaims that regarding Trump supporters “their behavior hasn’t changed.” I ask myself when I hear this lament exactly why in a democratic republic with freedom of political expression represented by the individual’s vote does one’s behavior have to change? Because the author claims it is necessary? What is the exact commitment he is representing here to freedom of the vote and speech? It leaves me puzzled.
The article goes on to reflect on Trump supporters “ultrasensitivity, entitlement, perpetual outrage, and insistence on unswerving support of their orange-faced god-king” that “is only intensifying,” and that “they’re willing to ally with the establishment wing of the party to enforce these dictates by punishing perceived enemies, even if it means jettisoning principles held by some among them for decades.” Lots of pejorative labeling strung together here regarding Trump’s followers (which one TBE editor has claimed on numerous occasions in comments on this blog only originate from crude, disrespectful Trump supporters) but what is interestingly lacking is a single example or substantiation of where this is actually occurring in state politics. Again the SCC vote example is a red herring as no organized Trump party wing was elected into the SCC during it’s last election cycle when Trump held no national or state presence.
The author late in his text finally get’s to his point and claims “the Trump movement must be comprehensively crushed.” In effect an unequivocal and open, clear, concise statement to destroy the duly nominated Republican Nominee and disenfranchise millions of Republican base voters in the name of conservatism meanwhile stating it would be doing the party the utmost good by destroying an election process he doesn’t support well after the fact. A unique take on participatory party politics, the constitutional franchise of the right to vote and democratic governing principles coming from a proclaimed conservative practitioner.
He asks each of us why are we doing this? “All for the sake of a populist, authoritarian, yankee would-be strongman jackass who’ll likely get hammered in November. I have to reflect back to the pre civil war regional baiting being tossed back and forth across the old mason dixon line to come up with a similar us vs them piece of nonsense and its variation was just as inappropriate and distasteful in the 19th century as it is today.
He continues with the theme that “the leaders of the Trump movement, here in Virginia at least, have clearly charted a certain course to marginalize and cripple the traditional alliance of various flavors of libertarians and conservatives….. by willingness to team up with the worst of the establishment.” He further claims “this was on full display at our national convention…” Again we see here yet another red herring of conspiracy theory between the Trump delegates at the national convention and the RNC. He presents no tangible examples of said conspiracy beyond the Trump delegates acting in their candidate’s political self interest to confirm and nominate their delegate representation. I am somewhat amused as I fail to grasp what he though the elected delegates were all doing there in the first place? In point of fact the CF and VCN share more in common with their outright rejection and endless vocal opposition to the Trump 2017 state gubernatorial candidate then any fictitious pairing of the Trump supporters with the parties establishment wing. The author provides no relevant facts to support his assertions on this conjectured establishment connection.
He states the Trump supporters “program appears to be to set themselves up as the foil for the VCN-type establishment Republicans they are now temporarily allying themselves with.” Once again a conjecture that he fails to demonstrate by example as anything other then his personal opinion. He continues claiming the Trump people “are making use of anger at the long-term persistent betrayal of the grassroots by the Bush wing of the party to try and change the party into something fundamentally different than what it is now.” At LAST something I find I can agree with him upon!
But after all if the party at any time during the Bush years or even the recent post Bush years, while holding a House and Senate majority, had addressed the economic, debt and/or social policy concerns of the party base as the majority they were handed was intended to do this “anger” would never have lingered and festered. Rather the party and conservatives chose to quietly align themselves with the Democrats providing the Obama administration the political tools and budget to enact the policies their base sent them to Congress to oppose and somehow he now finds this to be a base betrayal when they turn to someone who claims (correct or not) to understand their issues and expresses a willingness to attempt to address them as well. A clearer example of blaming the victim I don’t believe I have ever seen.
He fears that if the Trump base succeeds “we will no longer be the party that purports to stand for free markets, limited government, and individual liberty…” and in a moment of self reflection asks “where can conservatives go?” I find it amazing that the party and philosophy he expresses lament for has for decades not stood for free markets, limited government or individual liberties in the halls of congress or via supported legislative policy. These themes are rarely visited and even less frequently acted upon being more just party platform bullet points largely ignored and rarely referred to except during Republican re-election events.
Regarding where does this variety of conservative philosophy go I would assume where all political practitioners aligned with political failure go – oblivion. It’s happened in history, it will happen in the future. The arrogance presented here is that this political outcome equates with the total loss of American conservatism per se. This is a completely and totally false premise as the conservative philosophy has centuries of fruitful history behind it and while specific types of practitioners come and go with the flow of historical events humanities’ abilities to employ the tenets to continue to create useful policies and political structures remains constant.
The author states that “it’s clear conservatives have no duty to support this clown.” In this he is correct no voter (conservative or otherwise) has any such obligation to support any given nominee. It’s called participatory democracy for a reason but equally critical is the fact we have no right to advocate the disenfranchisement of another’s voter selection as well. The author apparently has some issue with the second part of that proposition.
It is the author’s belief that the “folks who are blinded by anger at the establishment, and hopped onto the Trump train, will eventually come around. The fever will break. The rest will either crawl back in the shadows, or return to the Democratic party from whence they came.” O’ to see the future with such clarity though I would recommend the author save this piece and re-read it to himself in a few years time and I would not be surprised if the anger, passion and sense of betrayal he so desperately feels today may not, on the reflection of time, be replaced with the realization that millions of working and middle class voters found some hope in the policies and actions of Republican nominee Donald Trump.
His summary statement asserting “I have no interest in compromise. Our principles and republic deserve nothing less. Trump. Must. Burn.” is a generally hopeless form of communicating any reasonable set of options, objectives or opinions to effectively turn the tide of political events of the past twenty five years along with conservatism’s general lack of effectiveness to bring true policy and lifestyle improvement values to the American voter. Historically the sounds of screams emanating from a frustrated man will not shift political history no matter how righteous and correct he may believe himself to be. Conservatism will continue to flow forward, thrashing in the stream screaming the injustice of it all because of a single individual will not shift it’s course appreciably.
Very nice analysis. Well said. I couldn’t agree more.
I get that bitter Ron Paul vibe, I believe he’s front for one of the libertarian groups trying to influence the GOP rather than backing Gary ‘Mr. Liberty’ Johnson.
Seems like that there are a lot of undocumented Republican columnists sharing the warmth on TBE.
Thank you. Well spoken. Thanks for taking your time to make a clear analysis. I, and others, appreciate your effort to communicate the real problems with this article.
The GOP has spent more money the the DNC.
Get real, if Boehner and crowd stopped Ohama, there would be no Trump
The GOP are coward and affair of there own shadow
You said you have been silent for awhile. That is where you should have remained. You peaked too soon. As I have stated several times the Republican Party and especially the Republican Party of Virginia is as dysfunctional as any group could ever be. They could not conduct successfully a one car parade. Trump needs to remake the Party as we have no party now..
It is happening, this is what is causing the consternation and all of the Republican and Conservative Wannabes writing screeds, making predictions and surrendering. The death throes of the simple folk who actually thought Ted Cruz was, eligible, electable, or not creepy.
Bring it!
Mr. Kenyon,
You’re joking right??? What Republican party do you belong to? You talk about “If they succeed, we will no longer be the party that purports to stand for free markets, limited government, and individual liberty.” Sir, that train left the station long ago. Republicans talk a good game to get elected, but what you say they stand for is not evident in how they act once elected.
You seemingly refer to Trump as a “populist, authoritarian, yankee would-be strongman jackass”. Maybe so. At least Trump shows passion and a spine unlike the milquetoast pantywaist candidates the Republicans have been putting forward in previous election cycles. Whether it’s real or not remains to be seen. People are looking for a leader which is something the Republican party is sorely lacking.
If you don’t want to vote for Trump, then don’t. That’s your right. Trashing the nominee at this stage just makes you look petty.
Thank you for that article, Robert, but let me challenge you. If Trump is, as you rightly conclude, a populist authoritarian, and if his election would in fact be (as you again, rightly conclude) disastrous for the causes of “free markets, limited government, and individual liberty” then why would you refuse to “advocate for any other candidate”? I would submit that for one who loves Truth, and one’s country, in that order, more than the Republican Party, consideration of a third party candidacy (e.g., Johnson, Castle, McMullin) in 2016 is eminently sensible and patriotic.
Throughout all of this, I keep wondering when the party will hold their candidates to the Republican statement of principles and positions. It’s one thing to not be a purist about it, but it’s a whole other thing to have candidates that fundamentally do not match up with their statement. When will the party actually stand for something? Maybe once that is addressed, we can all work together and not feel dirty when we vote.
Something to think about:
http://www.stepstopoliticalepiphany.com/
WOW. For decades, we constitutionalist Republicans have been told that we must hold our nose and vote for what we consider to be the “lesser of the evils”, the establishment Republican presidential nominee, even though they were way too far out in left field for them to be
our preference. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, now that the conservatives are in the driver’s seat, this is the reaction of the Republican establishment.
Whatever happened to the ‘party loyalty” that you preached to us?
That’s the thing, we’re NOT in the driver’s seat. Trump is a charlatan.
As a Republican calling for the defeat of the Republican nominee, you are in no position to call anyone else a charlatan.
Without principle, our party is just a brand, like Coke, or Pepsi. But keep trying.
With Republicans calling for the defeat of their nominee, we don’t even need a party.
Don’t really think he’s a Republican — so fixed on losing and futile gestures, I’m thinking libertarian, Ron Paul, Tea party, or a trifecta.
Our party is a brand either way. You are destroying our brand, and for that reason, you are out!
Trump is for America and the Establishment Republicans are not.
I guess you would rather that we get Hillary.
The establishment Republican party has signed on with Trump. It appears this is in part an alliance intended to diminish the influence of the grassroots. I suspect the grassroots will soon come to regard Trump and the alt-right as the weasels they invited into their henhouse.
The establishment Republican party has
signed on with Trump. Really? Where are the Bushes
and those who are promoting Evan McMullin et al ?
Who?
Just Crazy, the Republican party backing the nominee and the guy who got the most votes
Yeah, grassroots, except for the grassroots Trump supporters who delivered the nomination.
Cruz people realize a Trump win means that the nation will choose a Pence over the ineligible in the coming years. Same why Romney had to tank Palin.
Charlatan? Seriously, who talks like this?
Mr. K, are you a member of your local GOP unit?
Not sure how anyone can call Donald Trump a “CONSERVATIVE”! Imminent Domain? Single-payer healthcare? Planned Parenthood? LGBT? increasing minimum wage? subsidizing childcare… what ‘s the ‘conservative’ part in there?
You may have Hillary or you may have the man who is more Conservative than she.
To answer your question, he opposes TPP and what is called immigration but is actually an invasion. I don’t agree with everything about him, but I don’t agree with anything about Hillary and those are our choices.
By the shoe being on the other foot, are you characterizing Trump as a Constitutionalist Republican?
I don’t see conservatives in the driver’s seat, and I certainly don’t see how Trump’s past (and several of his platfirms) could lead one to conclude he is conservative.
The point I meant to make is in reference to conservatives as opposed to the establishment.
There is much I don’t like about Trump – and what he proposes. But I like that he is not a part of the Establishment Republicans. And, I would much rather have him as president than Hillary which are the only realistic choices.
It was with a bit of sarcasm that I pointed out that the Establishment Republicans demanded Party Loyalty when their man was the
candidate. Now that we have Trump who is not an Establishment Republican they are having apoplexy and are doing everything they can to keep him from getting elected.
I hear you. By establishment people having apoplexy, I take it you mean rank and file Republican voters. But everybody was asked to compromise for prior candidates, so in that sense, you are just as establishment as they, right? You may like Donald Trump because you see him as anti establishment. I happen to look at him and see the latest iteration in a trend away from substance and towards emotion. I also see his alliance with Priebus and see him as Establishment 2.0.
Trump supporters accuse his opponents as being whiny. Guess what? Many of Trump’s opponents feel his supporters are in an election-long tantrum. Could they both be wrong?
I believe we err when we choose to see only the objectionable in our opposites. I believe if we wanted to find merit in what other people offered, we might all win.
I respect anyone who who supports the Constitution. And, there are things I like about Trump. He opposes the TPP ,he opposes what is called immigration, but is invasion, he supports our local law enforcement officers.and deregulation of businesses and the second amendment. I much prefer that to Hillary.
TPP is an enormous document. I’m actually not acquainted with it. (I didn’t know much about NAFTA either, until somebody made a comment about how the Clintons designed it so they could control the internet. So I checked for myself. Guess how few times the word “internet” appears in NAFTA? Yeah. When you think about how little was done on the Internet in the early 90s, it’s no wonder.)
I haven’t read TPP yet, but I do wonder where people get their summaries, or where they are made to believe one thing or another.
What’s your basis for viewing TPP as bad?
The TPP is being pushed by Obama and the RINOs It is presented as being
about free trade. If that were the case, one page would suffice.
Instead there are many hundreds. If passed, the result would be that we
would no longer be a sovereign nation. We would be ruled by a regional
governing body.
Here is some information from The New America, a source I have depended on
for years to be accurate, never having to fact check. You can put TPP in the
search window on The New America page and get more articles.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/item/23939-obama-plotting-to-ram-tpp-through-congress-in-lame-duck
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/item/23939-obama-plotting-to-ram-tpp-through-congress-in-lame-duck
Sorry, but no article that is meant to inform leads with an inflammatory title. Articles meant to manipulate the readers’ emotion lead with inflammatory titles.
And as to length, if every partner nation in TPP was bound to a one-page agreement, how many pages would TPP have? And how many treaties have you ever seen fit on one typewritten page?
If you really believe TPP is a freedom-killer, isn’t it worth your time to read it instead if letting people tell you what to believe about it?
I thought that you were wanting information, but I guess not, so I won’t waste any more of my time on this..
I do want information and I mean no personal disrespect. I’m sure that site is written to inflame, not inform. It’s a sepa rate discussion, so I won’t go on here.
I like this guy! The country needs a strong viable, reasonable Republican party that is founded on integrity not hate.
Ben, who are these people who feel this way?
Someone answered me when I asked concerning our so called “conservative” republican senators, congressmen and other elected officials, “Who are these people who call themselves “conservatives” and say and vote the way they do (not in line with the Republican Party creed/principles)?”. The answer they gave was, “They are not republicans!”
I agreed with that statement then and now. I am tired of hearing “Unity, unity! You are splintering our party.” This is crazy talk to me. The Republican Party has a creed/principles. Just like any club or church, we have a creed/principle that if you what to be part of the “club” you adhere to or you cannot be part of the “club”. The Republican Party has folks who call themselves “Republicans” who really, for the most part, are not. These are the folks causing disunity.
They are the Republicans who can’t serve as delegates at the RPV state conventions in the future for failure to support the Republican Nominee.
They should be thanking Ron Hedlund for voting for a Primary in 2017 so they can VOTE.
John Whitbeck and Ron Wilcox- are you taking names? Add Kenyon to that list.
Remember Mark Berg?
Note that I do not support any candidate in opposition to the nominee. Nice try.
You publicly called for the defeat of the nominee… That’s worse.
Well he is not able to “burn” as you call it if he wins, so by logic you are calling for him to lose. You may not be endorsing any specific candidate to beat him. However, you are calling for a candidate to beat him. The only candidate who can beat him is Hillary Clinton. So, whether you mean to or not, your argument can be interpreted as calling for Clinton to win.
You’re trending on very thin semantics with respect to Article 1, Section A of the Party Plan.
SECTION A. Qualifications
1. All legal and qualified voters under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion,
national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party, and who, if requested, express in
open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in
the ensuing election may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party
canvasses, conventions, or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.
I hold leaders of Republican organizations and prominent screed authors to a higher standard, you should too!
Says the author of ‘Trump Must Burn.’ You think you’re wearing an immunity cloak? Not today.
You have clearly called for the defeat of the nominee, therefore, you are not going by the RPV rules which makes you a non-conservative. You are not a constitutional conservative Republican. Just because you call yourself a constitutional conservative Republican does not make you one. You can shout it from the roof tops louder and longer than anyone else but that does not change who you really are. Constitutional conservative Republicans go by the rules. You do not go by the rules. You are not fooling anyone except the useful idiots. Your speech betrays you. We KNOW who and what you really are. If you had kept silent, you could have fooled the constitutional conservatives. “A rose is a rose. Called by any other name it is still a rose.”
You know very little, but assume much. The comments here have been… instructive. Good day.
Who?
Are you asking me or Robert?
I was asking you. I wanted to hear your viewpoint because I have considered you a conservative.
Aside from venting personal anger, I don’t see what possible good can come from this kind of thinking. It seems entirely self destructive. Even if Trump is defeated, and the NeverTrumpers can say “I told you so”, do they think this will be rewarded by having the Republican party change course and repudiate Trump and his supporters? Will the RNC take the lesson that we must now have conservative litmus tests for all our candidates in the future? Are we really going to do away with primaries and only have conventions to select presidential candidates? Any of that kind of dreaming is so incredibly naive that it’s hard to take seriously.
I’ll just politely suggest that the most likely outcome of a Trump defeat is NeverTrumpers will get more blame than credit for their actions, regardless of how noble their belief in conservatism. It is never good for the party to lose, and those who advocate for a loss in the middle of a tough election fight are not going to be praised for their actions.
“those who advocate for a loss in the middle of a tough election fight are not going to be praised for their actions.” They are traitors to this country, sorry but at this point, it is that cut and dry. You are either for America or you are not.
Zeig heil!
At this point, pretty much. Two choices, the Beast or Trump. You stay home, or vote for the Beast you are for the destruction of America. It is that simple.
What are you, four? You know what they say about invoking Hitler…
Excellent pun, intended or not! (For those who didn’t get it, Tom Baker was the fourth doctor)
I know The Doctor and you’re no Doctor Who!
Even the Doctor can’t save a country that gives it’s citizens a choice of sociopath vs psychopath
Unless it’s the Master.
Trust in the American people, they’ll always do the right thing.
The people who brought us Obama twice? No thank you.
Lincoln wrote about that.
America said we’ll take an Obama instead of your crappy-ass candidates… Twice!
Romney didn’t want a Palin veep to interfere with his White Horse prophecy.
As hard as we try to pretend otherwise, the Emperor has no clothes. He has earned the monumental negatives that mar his candidacy. His shocking lack of depth or principle will be evident in the debates. While Hillary lays low and prepares for the debates, Trump continues to bluster and strut before his adoring rally sycophants. If you asked Trump to comment on Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, he would respond by telling you about the buildings he has built, how many rich friends he has, and how everybody loves him. Our only hope is that Hillary’s scandal-plagued campaign will eventually expose her, even to her low information voting blocks (not likely).
Surely we can all agree that going forward, we must be a party of principle, not personality. If we could just find that principled, disciplined, and civilized person.
When this dies down, I’m going to print it out and hand it out at the advance, this will be quite the knee-slapper.
WE the People know that Donald is no conservative , but he does love America. So what you are saying ,you would rather see Hillary Clinton in the White House than someone that actually professes to love America and promises to make us safe again. Sad very sad.
Trump is a horrible con artist who is playing on the emotions of Americans, and brings out the worst in people.
Have you looked in the mirror lately? This is the way you help your Republican friends?
I’m not really sure Bob’s a Republican or has Republican friends.
He’s the debbil!
Good thing you can see through the con and speak truth to power!
I think you have been watching the Profit Glenn Beck far too much. Stop whining, you lost and your candidate will never return.
Self love does not equate to love of country. Trump’s heart is too small to love both and he has chosen himself.
How would know this? Only God knows the heart of a man.
Yes, but as Jesus said we can also know people by the fruit of their actions and by who they surround themselves with. As well as by their personal conduct.
Trump’s fruit is rotten, bullying widows and multiple bankrupt deals, his closest supporters are raging, and his personal conduct? The Megyn Kelly incident, insulting Carly Fiorinia’s looks, slandering Ted Cruz’s father and wife, funding the Gang of 8 and then attacking it, stopping to ponder the issue of the KKK before saying no to them, flip-flopping on abortion multiple times in one day, tossing a mother and child out of one of his rallies, his spokeswomen stating that Trump will use “heritage” as an indicator of who to pick for what position, banning multiple different news outlets because he just doesn’t like like them, his shoddy treatment of people who actually do endorse him, and more.
Joseph, I take it you are over 18. It is sad to see that someone who can read and write is not capable of doing quality research. “Your speech betrayeth thee!” Sounds like you have only been listening to the liberal media. If you’re searching for Truth, one must listen to the WHOLE story, not bits and pieces RECONSTRUCTED by an author who is promoting his or her bent.
I’ve been watching Trump since last year, this is what I’ve seen because this is what he’s done.
Jesus said that?
I think you are wound a little too tight on this and might want to take it down a couple of notches. Otherwise, when he becomes President, you might actually burst into flame.
Casting stones and all that aside.
Yes, he did. And Trump won’t become President, if he does, good for him. He won’t. He’s successfully turned all of America besides Trump supporters against him. And Trump supporters are not enough to elect him. Too many minorities and women, who are the majority of voters, think Trump is a menace to society to consider him for President.
All of America except his supporters still gives him numerical superiority. It will be ‘Yuge!’
Are you saying Hiliary is not a menace to society? Really?
But then he heard whoville singing…
Do you even read the crap you write? “…Heart too small to love both…”??
The stupid, it burns!
Ever notice how “conservatives” always have the attitude of “my way or the highway”?
Conservatives have blown it, it is their own fault.
Pretty scary this guy doesn’t have a clue about the SCOTUS, but yet claims to be so politically savvy.
They’re not conservatives, they’re not grassroots, they’re not liberty minded, and they’re certainly not Republican.
They badmouth Trump because they couldn’t win in the political contest and need to blame someone.
I’m wondering if these folks will need to be put on suicide watch when Trump wins.
I’m telling ya, they’re all going to have crazy eyes going after the first Tuesdsy in November.
Thank you Ben. Good questions!
I’m happy to see that someone has the guts and writing ability to say what’s been on the minds of many of us!
You do know that this site is trolled by the Democrats and the Hillary-Kaine campaign right?
So when you exhibit weakness and advocate for a divided party you are aiding the enemy. Just like a Benedict Arnold -the INTOLERANT commentors here are always so eager to label those you disagree with. Check that Free Speech at the door of the Conservative Fellowship Meetings in Virginia.
You people slay me. You have destroyed the Republican Party of Virginia with your unelectable convention candidates and your intolerance and your xenophobic rants and now you are destroying Trump in Virginia but expect your sad slate of candidates to win in 2017?
IN A CIRCULAR FIRING SQUAD EVERYONE DIES. GET IT?
Free speech belongs everywhere, PC belongs nowhere. Perhaps some of those trolls will get to understand that we are the party of free speech and they belong to the party of fascism. Taken to the next step, they will be the oppressed if the party that they support wins. Making their own yokes. Some of them must have enough neurons to figure that out. And enough neurons to know that in a free society, we don’t play follow the leader. So don’t tell me to shut up.
Please don’t shut up, I would then be unable to appreciate your dizzying intellect exemplified by your posts above.
Shut up.
Doc, talk all you want. You are making a fool of yourself. Just to be clear, for any organization to be effective in a fight, it has to assure that it has not been infiltrated by the adversary.
At some point, in some venue, we must choose to discuss. Who cares what any troll thinks?
Could be done by Republicans in Republican venues about selecting Republicans to represent the Republican party.
We’ll run it by the voters to see if they primarily approve.
“Our mission at The Bull Elephant is to provide unique coverage of politics and policy in Virginia and elsewhere, giving particular emphasis to those issues and concerns important to conservative and libertarian grassroots Republicans”
Am I missing the paragraph stating this is a party mouthpiece site?
Yes, yes you are.
Since the “Conservative” and Libertarian leaders have no party of their own, they infest the GOP and try to feign relevance.
The last word in the mission is Republicans.
Take the GOP and GOP posters out of this blog and, well, even bereft of
content would still be more interesting than Bearing Drift.
That has absolutely nothing to do with a blog designed for dialogue.
Okayyyyyyy????
The paragraph you are missing is the one that says Trump is the party’s nominee for president.
Did your government checks arrive on time? Been to the Wal-Mart yet this month? I know it’s only the 2nd of the month. But, gee, early bird…..
Special interest groups make more when we lose than when we win. His backers are anti-trump, so it goes.
I understand many authors of the articles on this site strongly wanted Ted Cruz. I understand that many of the authors over at Bearing Drift wanted Marco Rubio or John Kasich. For me personally, I didn’t vote for Trump in the primary either. I also am not a big fan of his insults, and I wish he would let Mike Huckabee or Ben Carson handle his Twitter. However, Trump got the most votes of any candidate in the primary. Unless we want to see a third Obama term through Clinton – we have to support Trump.
Right, and why is this concept so hard for our GOP twits to grasp?
Now see, you’re obviously a Republican. Why? Because you are happy to see what is on the minds of the establishment, rather that the truth written.
Two things, Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. Support whoever you want. But, please don’t claim to be a loyal Republican by supporting Hillary.
However, BE does let you stay at the top of the comments for kissing the establishment Republicans asses.
If that is considered guts and writing ability, your standards are incredibly low.
You can try to claim many, but if true, Trump wouldn’t have become the nominee.
Doc, you are using the word “mind” in the imaginary sense.
This polemic is simply ignorance disguised as principle and integrity. It is neither – and I speak as a constitutional conservative and prior Cruz supporter. How Mr Kenyon gets to post such a thing as this on this website is really quite alarming.
Is this site now simply meant to be a Trump cheer-leading blog? Rob has the right to post whatever he wants, just like you have the right to comment on it anonymously.
If Clinton wins and Scalia’s seat turns liberal, then conservatism will need at least 30 years to regroup, because liberal policies will become constitutionally mandated. Conservatives turning on Trump plays right into Clinton’s hand.
The problem with your thinking is that most people don’t believe for one second that Trump will nominate a Conservative to replace Scalia. Trump supporters proudly claim, even here in these comments, that Trump is not a Conservative, so why would he nominate one to the Supreme Court?
In the minds of a lot of us, Scalia’s seat has already gone liberal.
Who are most people? I think if Trump were as liberal as you think, he’d be getting more support from Democrats and the MSM.
Over $1 Billion in free coverage by the MSM during the primaries wasn’t enough support for you?
Exposure does not equal positive coverage.
I’ve never seen the MSM pitch so many softballs to a Republican nominee in my life, especially one that makes as many outrageous statements as Trump does.
Then why are they also reporting everyday that there is no way he can win if they’re tossing him so many softballs?
They tossed him those softballs during the primary, like I mentioned above when he got that $1 Billion in free media coverage. The media picked our nominee again, just like some of us were warning, and now they have predictably turned on him, just like some of us were warning they would do.
The media assault on Trump hasn’t even started yet. It’s gonna get a whole lot worse before it’s over.
The media onslaught is a given for any GOP nominee, it’s ironic that Democrats are speaking so favorably of Mitt Romney now when four years ago, he was allegedly a racist venture capitalist who lives to kill small businesses.
Because he can’t. Too many Independents are disgusted with him, so are minorities and women, he’s made himself the greater evil in the eyes of nearly all of the swing voters. If every #NeverTrump Republican went in for Trump, he’d still lose, because there just aren’t enough to cover the massive numbers of people he’s convinced to vote against him. He’s become toxic.
Yes, everyone is against him, I’ve seen the rallies, I’m in the party, I know the units and players.
Everyone that matters is with him, the outsiders are not.
The outsiders decide the election.
The outsiders are with Trump.
Come November I will be having the most excellent gloatfest!
Yes, they love him, can’t you tell?
They love ratings, they love what will draw attention. Trump draws attention. Wish all our Nominees could draw that attention.
Have you reviewed the list of people that Trump has said he would nominate? There are some fantastic candidates on that list. Which ones are not conservative enough for you? You assertion that the seat has already gone liberal is ridiculous.
Except Trump has already said he isn’t bound to choose someone from that list. That list is a smokescreen. You are placing your faith in a candidate that has lied about every position he has taken in this entire campaign.
He is intentionally publishing a smokescreen???? Your TDS is taking you off the deep end now.
You have Trump who is on the record praising Justice Scalia, and you have Chelsea Clinton on the other side vowing her mother will fill
Scalia’s seat with someone who does not support the second amendment.
I also have Trump on the record praising Planned Parenthood, and gay marriage, and allowing men to use the girl’s bathroom, and taking away the 2nd amendment rights of anyone who ends up on a govt. watch list for any reason, and for affirmative action, and for universal healthcare. All positions that Antonin Scalia opposed.
Tell me again how Trump is going to nominate another Conservative like Scalia to the court?
He definitely has changed over the years. Reagan used to be a communist, but he still nominated Scalia to the High Court. By the way Mick, even if we don’t convince each other to change each other’s minds, I am glad we can have a civil and frank discussion.
Reagan was never a communist but he was a Democrat. Reagan also had 8 years as Governor of California where he governed as a hard core conservative, thus proving his conversion for everyone to see before he ran for President.
Trump is on record taking all of the liberal positions I mentioned above during this very Presidential campaign. This is why so many conservatives don’t trust him.
I always appreciate civil discussions over name calling. Name calling never wins an argument, it just solidifies disagreements. I am not trying to convince anyone that they should not vote for Trump. My only point is to try and explain why so many people don’t think they can pull the lever for him. It has nothing to do with style and everything to do with substance and calling people traitors is not going to bring them back into the fold.
If you don’t want to vote for Trump, then don’t vote for him. Why do you feel compelled to take the next step and campaign against him? If calling for the defeat of the Republican nominee isn’t traitorous, what is?
Have I written anything here or in any other post that is campaigning against him? Is it now considered traitorous to simply point out the facts about our nominee?
Rob has his view of what he believes we should do, and has stated it quite clearly. My purpose for commenting here was to defend his right to post it from people who think his comments should be censored. Like I said to Chad, calling people a traitor is not the way to get them to vote for Trump.
You aren’t “pointing out facts” . You are calling for the defeat of the nominee. No one questioned his right to make a post. They are questioning his call for action to defeat the nominee. If that isn’t traitorous, then what is?
“No one questioned his right to make a post.”
This was the last sentence of the comment I originally responded to:
“How Mr Kenyon gets to post such a thing as this on this website is really quite alarming.”
That statement wasn’t questioning the author’s right to post. We see the same kind of deranged thinking posted every day in various comments. Rather it is the editorial judgement of TBE that was questioned, in allowing such a self destructive rant to be elevated to a full article supporting a call for action to defeat the Republican nominee. I’m sure that TBE doesn’t post every crazy article submitted for their consideration.
One of the things you #NeverTrumpers miss it the sheer determination of those who are in Trump’s corner. Your whining and arrogance in diminishing the Party’s nominee is only going to make them double down more. And it is truly ticking off many of us that stand by our word that we will support the party’s nominee – also making us double down to prove you wrong.
As far as Trump supporters not being conservative, that is ridiculous. We have had lots of people join our committee in this past election cycle due to Trump – I can tell you, when we vet them for membership, guess what? Their voting record nine times out of ten comes back as a hard “R”. So can we drop that elitism factoid?
Neither is supporting and condoning the author of the article ‘Trump Must Burn.’ Tread lightly.
Right on FrankUnderwood Sr!
If you want to vote for Trump then vote for him.Don’t feel compelled to take the next step and turn every post into a Trump campaign. If active, unquestioning support of a dangerously unqualified candidate isn’t traitorous, nothing is.
Are you trying to convince anyone that they should vote for Trump?
So when he does appoint a conservative, how exactly will you be justifying your current behavior/posturing?
What about Roberts. Was he your man?
As one who endorsed the person who cast the key vote for a primary, I don’t have a lot of confidence in your forecasting and divination.
So you would rather have Hillary appoint the SC Justices than Trump?
Facilitating a Hillary win strips you and your ‘compatriots’ of any/all Conservative Credentials.
Mick, “most people”? Really? How do you know?
Because not everyone is as stupid as you.
We know with certainty that Hillary won’t appoint a conservative yet somehow in your mind Trump who has said he will select a conservative won’t. You make no sense at all.
The sitting justices are aged 80, 68, 83, 78, 61, 66, 62, and 56. I’d be willing to bet a steady stream will be retiring over the next several administrations. Scalia’s seat is only one of nine.
Well then the court would be 5-4 liberal right away with Clinton. If Kennedy retires it would be 6-3 liberal. Ginsberg and Breyer may decide to let Clinton name a more youthful pick. So 6-3 Liberal Court. It would take decades to come back from that.
Could, would. First, a one term presidency (hopefully neither of these losers wold get a second look) probably equates to one pick. Second, the justices appear to take their roles a jurists pretty seriously, even realizing they need to balance liberal and conservative approaches to the cases. Finally, their ONLY consistent trend in rulings over 200 years has been to rule in favor of … elites.
Populists who nominated Trump played into Clinton’s hands.
It wasn’t populists that nominated Trump. It was the Republican base that nominated Trump, who happens to be a populist. There are many Trump supporters who are conservative. You deny these facts repeatedly, insisting that all true conservatives would never support Trump. You are badly mistaken about that.
Not sure what semantic game you’re playing. Trump is a populist because he appeals to a certain sort of voter. That sort of voter nominated him. The republican base split between Cruz and Rubio. Some Trump supporters are conservative, but most are non-ideological. You constantly make things up. Typical Trump supporter.
So the fact that Trump got all those votes and won the nomination exposes him as the Republican nominee. But not really because the Republican base who split between Cruz and Rubio didn’t choose Trump, it was all those other people??
This time, the republican nominating process was won by non-conservatives due to a splintered conservative field and open primaries.
It was won by Donald Trump and not any of the others, same playing field for all. Any of them could have won, but didn’t.
If it’s any assurance, if they couldn’t win the nomination, they couldn’t win the general.
I’m not at all sorry your guy didn’t win, I’m glad Mr. Trump showed how our GOP ‘ain’t got game.’ I’m glad we didn’t get another establishment guy to lose with. I’m glad all of you parasite ‘Conservative Republicans’ are self-deporting out of the party.
Sit back, change the channel, relax, we got this. America is becoming great again despite you.
It will be an interesting battle for the party. I suspect it will turn on November. If Trump wins, it’s his party. If he loses, we might have to fight on. If he loses in a landslide, Trumpists will just fade away.
It’s always interesting, and a Chinese curse.
You really believe that?is your head up your ass.
^typical Trump supporter
“The Republican base split between Cruz and Rubio”.
You are totally wrong. Hilariously wrong. You still haven’t figured out where Trump support is coming from.
I know where Trump’s support comes from. It’s obvious. Trump is supported primarily by anonymous trolls.
Trump’s opposition must come primarily from blind and clueless trolls.
Trump’s opposition apparently comes from ideologues of every stripe who aren’t afraid to be identified as standing for their principles. It’s no accident that Trump’s opponents post here over their real names while his supporter(s) use(s) pseudonyms.
You miss the point of pseudonyms, politics, and public posting.
Illustrates why you can’t be trusted with power or the reins of political party.
Name or no name, you are not Republicans and your opinions are just as valid to me as those of the MSM and democrats.
Shhhh, they’re everywhere!
You are the troll.
What?
It’s one thing to criticize the nominee and suggest ways to help him win. It’s entirely different to advocate he be defeated.
Sometimes you have to amputate a gangrenous limb to save the patient. The surgeon is an ally, not a traitor.
So Hillary winning saves the party?
Bring out the leeches!
A Hillary win guarantees the end of the Republican Party. Further, articles like this from Kenyon confirm that the GOPe is just a wing of the Democrat party.
Obama has been given a pass by the GOPe, and a lot of folks in the GOPb know it. It follows that handing Hillary the election is similar to the pass given to Obama – such knowledge is going to utterly split the party. So not only will the nation be damaged by a Hillary election and likely re-election, but the Republican Party will disappear from presidential contention for decades if ever again.
Kenyon is an establishment twit. His comments are laughable.
And yours are absolutely erudite. *eyeroll*
Clearly you’re a genius.
It’s not clear yet whether the party can be saved, only that turning it over to the populists destroys it forever.
Just pure gold.
The masses are asses and only you know the one true good.
We have to kill the party to save the party??
Yes and I hope Trump is the one who does it.
The GOP as we know it is the one that needs burning and it is happening. The only stablishm not candidates are gone and won’t be back.
I can’t disagree that the GOP as we know it is burning.
Yes, free speech. Just like party leaders have the opportunity to support the nominees… or not.
Believe it or not, ‘Trump Must Burn’ can be construed as somewhat the other side of cheer leading and some might even say… incendiary.
Messrs Kenyon et al are perfectly able to join the rest of the less-than-Republicans in supporting non-Republicans. They may dance up to and on the line, but as they are not party leaders such as yourself, they are not held to the higher standard that you are.
Mr. Kenyon may vote at our GOP primary, and may claim to be a conservative, but that makes him neither a Republican nor a Conservative.
Thank you!
Umm no, miss the irony here? This site does a great deal of whining about how nasty Trump people are, and yet post a so called “piece” that is full of hate, rage, and suggesting Trump must burn. They also whine about we must be unified while bashing Trump in the next breath. Don’t see the hypocrisy?
I despise many politicians, but I don’t call for them to be burned as this photo and speech of this article implies. Ever seen the videos of ISIS burning people alive? They are hideous, go watch them. That is what comes to my mind and it seems this toad would be happy w/watching Trump be burned alive. Bantor is one thing, calling for someone to be burned is another.
People like this so called author is what gives so called “conservatives” a bad name. Conservatism is a JOKE, and when will they wake up and realize they have been used as tools every bit as much as Black America has been used by the Democrats?
True, and that goes double for ‘Conservative grassroots’
Why does Rob have the right to write whatever in BE, but Mr. Schoeneman and his friends do not?
They’re Bearing Drift scum, it’s a Macy’s / Gimbel’s thing.
Rob is a Bull Elephant contributor.
Well, you have to do what you do for those that pay the bills.
Bad choice.
This belongs on a Democrat blog and, last time I checked, this is supposed to be a Republican blog.
Yes- Ask Steve Albertson the Co- Founder of the BS Elephant that question.
How indeed does this piece of trash get published here? And to what end?
In a Republiclan Circular Firing everyone dies.
1) This isn’t a one size/one view fits all site. It is a site that authors express ideas regardless of whether the readers agree. Most of the posters on this site do an incredible job of defending differing opinions. No trigger warnings, no safe space. Raw and personal observations along with discourse and communication.
2) Switch to decaf.
Yes, the Village Voice of the NoVa GOP.
lol you kill me sometimes. I always thought I was commenting at that beacon of light in the darkness of Virginia Republican politics the conservative fellowship’s “Home Schooling Daily”!
I think if you have a really tricky or outrageous title, they’ll allow you to say just about anything you want.
Most are pretty good, but the ones from non-Republicans or the folks kicked out of the party are usually hilarious and suitable for framing
Sensational journalism and partisan muckraking. And it is fun kicking folks like RK.
Extremist much? Wow
And Clinton must…?
Clinton is venal, evil, and corrupt. I would certainly not advocate voting for her.
Then cast your vote for another party?
As I mentioned in the article, I wouldn’t advocate that, either.
I’m truly trying to understand what you are promoting for the November election. Sitting on our hands until November 8th and then doing what?
Like I said Ben, he is one twisted a##. This whole article is contradictory .
For my part, I will work for the rest of the ticket this year, and then work to see that we have the strongest Constitutional conservative ticket possible in 2017.
Thanks for your reply.
As I’ve stated, Mr. Trump was not my first, etc. choice, however I will continue to work to get him elected along with our great collection of Representatives to Congress – our candidates in Special Elections. I will crawl across broken, heated glass to cast my vote for Mr. Trump.
I am also working to have the strongest Constitutional, conservative, Restore the Republic Republican ticket for next year.
Cleaning house does not start with planting weeds in the garden. It is much easier to clean house without Trump sucking the oxygen out of any effort. Without Trump the republican party can focus on Hillary as the foil for rebirth. Just not voting is an option.
Yeah, I bet you’d like that.
Fret not, the GOP has already begun weeding and there will be more housecleaning in Virginia before, during, and after the Trump Presidency.
I agree. I think the anti-Trump conservatives are making a big mistake by harping on their “conservatism” as if that separates us from them. There are many people who are deeply conservative, but who also understand that we must elect Donald Trump in 2016. The alternative is horribly destructive to the public policy objectives of conservatives.
I confess to not understanding the logic of conservatives who oppose Trump. I know they are not more conservative than I am. I will also confess that I am suspicious of anti-Trumper’s alleged conservatism, because I find it inconceivable that a true conservative would allow Clinton to win. And I’m sure they are suspicious of my conservatism because I support Trump. However, they are badly mistaken if they believe Trump supporters cannot be conservative.
I’m sure that your help and support could be valued by some. Corey won’t need your help, please tell us which other candidates you plan on supporting.
I just hope that some of our fellow Republicans understand before Nov. 8th that a Clinton presidency is far worse for conservatism than voting for Trump.
Our fellow Republicans are all in, Mr. Kenyon and his crew are helping to identify former Republicans.
‘Trump Must Burn’ is kinda clear to me. Or it’s blog-pimping and attention-whoring.
Rob Kenyon and his “Conservative” friends are going to get Jane Dittmar elected in the 5th District and Tom Garrett is going to lose a Republican Congressional seat held by Hurt when these #NEVER TRUMPERs and “Vote my Conscience Anarchists” stay home.
Can you please explain the Down Ticket Congressmen on the ballot with Trump to these idiots?
This blog is not the place to blow up the Republican Party of Virginia.
Yes, yes you are! If not, you are one twisted a##.