We Need a New Tent

written by Steven Brodie Tucker April 12, 2018

Intelligent Republicans are experiencing a deep emotional quandary. While there are a plethora of Republicans we are supporting and praying experience November miracles, we’re also quite certain that we’re watching the last throes of Republican majorities across the country. President Donald Trump and the Centrist Populist Revolution in this country, comprised of the Rust Belt and Forgotten White Men from Seattle to Miami, have undermined the core values and philosophies of the Conservative Movement that has survived 400 hundred years of turmoil in Western Civilization.

However, these burn-it-to-the-grounders and drain-the-swampers have succeeded in their mission. Establishment political moguls are dropping like flies. Powerful Republicans who have been manipulating the puppet-strings of power for decades are abandoning ship, fleeing the liberal reckoning coming in November. Replacing them will be radical liberal Democrats.

Eric Canter was just the first in a long line of powerful Republicans who have been forced to seek wealth and influence in unexpected private-sector places. Former Speaker Boehner is now representing the Cannabis Community. Why? Because either his orange face required a few joints to lower his blood pressure, or because the cannabis movement now has enough money to afford him.

November is going to be a reckoning.

If Republicans want to win, anywhere, they are going to have to find a new mixture of messaging. My people, the liberty movement, lost half of our folks to the allure of power offered by the big government TEA Party populists. If we want to win future elections, we’re going to have to win liberty-loving and disaffected Democrats who agree with us on civil-justice reform and prohibition. We’re going to need to join with Democrats sick of the US fighting endless wars across the world. We’re going to need to join with independents who want efficient government and practical public-policy.

We need to build a new big tent, because right now neither party has a real Big-Tent philosophy.

The Republican Party is comprised of many factions that hate each other. So is the Democrat Party.

There are going to be Republicans on the ballot in November that I’ll be supporting from the time the polls open until the minute the polls close: Nick Freitas and Rob Wittman in particular. In the meantime, I will be trying to figure out a solution to the disease eating away at the Republican Party of Virginia and the nation at large. Because we are going to lose a lot of seats. We’re probably going to lose the House. A little bad luck and we lose the Senate too. We have to make peace with the fact that what we’re doing right now isn’t working.

Thankfully, the Democrats are as divided as we are. Nothing is a foregone conclusion. The Bernie Sanders wing of the Democrat Party view the Clinton folks as “too conservative” and the moderates Democrats as something akin to traitors.

I talk to Republicans every day that no longer believe they really have a place in this party. People are ready to give up. They aren’t excited. They don’t know what they are fighting “for”, only what they are fighting against. That isn’t good enough and we can do better. I think liberty and the constitution are good places to start, but listening to others and looking for commonalities is absolutely necessary.

Steven Brodie Tucker

Steven Brodie Tucker graduated with a degree in the art of Philosophy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, later studying economics and political science at George Mason. in 2017, he earned his M.A. in Public Policy Administration. Steven Brodie Tucker is a member of the Caroline County Republican Party and an activist for Constitutional and Republican principles.

Robert Kenyon

You forgot the slow-motion backstab in progress by Republicans in the General Assembly on Medicaid and the budget. Cox, Kilgore, Jones, Peace, Ingram, and the like in the House, and Hanger, Wagner, and possibly Vogel (according to the Winchester Star) in the Senate. All of them deserve defeat.
- Steven Brodie Tucker
  
  They are looking at the exact same thing I am and placing their hopes on the Democrats. It might be the right play for them personally. Very troubling.
- Rocinante
  
  Not so slow motion. Wasn’t it OUR RPV SCC that voted down a resolution condemning Medicaid Expansion?? (Thanks Sharon)
  
  What did you think would happen?
  - Robert Kenyon
    
    True… and the elected officials appointed by their fellows to SCC voted against it, of course.
    - Rocinante
      
      I would very much like to know statewide which of our Republican State Central Committee REPRESENTATIVEs voted against this resolution (that lost by one vote) so that I may express my displeasure. I believe that only one from the 10th (Thanks Sharon) voted against.
      
      While we’re at it, I am also very curious about the votes to facilitate the secret Fredy Burgos SCC dismemberment.
      
      I think it is safe to say that Mr. Burgos would have voted in favor of the resolution. Two birds with one session??
      
      Transparency and Accountability seem to have taken a holiday. It’s a wonder the very walls of the Richard D. Obenshain Center didn’t shake and moan while these actions were being taken.
- Andrew Olson
  
  So if I understand you correctly your view is that “all of them deserve defeat” because you disagree with them on a single issue? Or do I misinterpret your point?
  
  I ask because you seem to argue for a very big tent with a very narrow entrance door and an extremely large exit. If so, it is this very polarization that is shrinking the party. Ideological narrow-mindedness is a losing proposition.
  - Tsunami Joe
    
    Any tent is just a temporary structure that literally lives at the wim of the wind. Virginia has lost out on about $11 BILLION so far by not expanding Medicaid. The November tsunami is once again fast approaching for Republicans, and I wouldn’t want to be in any tent, naked to wind, shielded only by ignorance and stupidity on that Tuesday. Problem is that the tent is surrounded by wagons filled with Californians and New Yorkers such as Trump, Pelosi, and Schumer. The future is not looking to bright no matter if you prefer to live in a tent or a wagon.
    - Rocinante
      
      We get $11 billion of free money? For how long? How much do we have to match?
      - tsunami Joe
        
        How long? As long as any other paycheck. Only two things are guaranteed these days, Scripture, and that you would be singing a different tune if you needed healthcare.
        
        The presidency, the congress, the entire government, the military, are sinking faster than ever before. And the media tells you that we need to interview Zuckerberg and worry about how long the government will send the checks to Virginia.
      - Rocinante
        
        Joe, $11 billion of free money this year means that Virginia has to pay it next year, and the year after that, and somebody has to pay for setup and administration.
      - Tsunami Joe
        
        Really? Without Medicaid expansion, Republicans will not have to worry about next year. You see, there will not be any Republicans left in office without Medicaid expansion, and more importantly, the heathcare lobby will cut off the cash.
        
        That next year boloney is a bunch of BS.
      - Rocinante
        
        Yes, really. When all the Republicans are replaced, then whatever elected officials left will have to pull the money from somewhere – What does ‘The healthcare lobby will cut off the cash.’ mean? Is the healthcare lobby the ones giving the money to Virginia?
        
        I thought the magic money was only for the first year and did not cover administration or implementation (heard that would be an unfunded mandate for the counties)
        
        How is continued funding Boone’s and BS?
        
        I’m starting to think you may not be fully conversant on the issue. Please tell me what I am missing?
      - Tsunami Joe
        
        Your replies seem to indicate that you do not have a clue as to the deal that was made by Obama with states that expanded Medicaid. Nor, when and how much money Virginia has lost out on that went to states with more intelligent leadership, elected by people who are more intelligent. Also, states with more intelligent blog writers.
        
        Using your logic, why hasn’t Virginia stopped the checks coming from the feds for roads, or the pre-Obamacare Medicaid checks coming from the Feds? Why is Virginia taking any money from the Feds for anything using your logic? You also have no knowledge of the healthcare lobby operations in the new Republican Medicare expansion drive.
        
        One cannot have a debate with you because you have no knowledge of the issues. No doubt either that you do not have a clue as to what Republicans, with the help of both right and left wing media, and the Democrats, are up to, and have been for a year regarding the containment of the mentally deranged person living in the White House. It is impossible to rationally argue that there is a “deep state” restaining Trump, when one simply looks at the facts.
        
        The strike on Syria is nothing but another lie to the American people. Another middle-east, Israeli generated, con job, on the now brain dead American society just as the Bush 43’ Iraq overthrow was. The con worked on the American people in 2003, why not play it again? Maybe Trump needs to throw a “victory” party on an aircraft carrier just as Bush 43’ did???
        
        Proof, why did Trump not wait for the results of from the international investigators who are scheduled to land in Syria today? Trump works for Trump first, and Benjamin Netanyahu second. No doubt if Trump’s own people, (Trump appointed Republicans Sessions/Rosenstein) do not stop Trump first, as we move closer to 2020 Trump will throw more of the same lies and BS that got him elected in 2016 at the mentally deranged base to re-elect him in 2020.
      - Rocinante
        
        Well I think it’s safe to assume you will not be supporting our nominee in the next election.
        
        Our military objectives were achieved, doesn’t matter what the international investigators were trying to do.
      - Franklin Fogle
        
        I’ll debate you with full knowledge of the issues having followed this fiasco since it’s ill-conceived inception. However, should choose to debate me, I have one simple request; First, you must provide proof of any given year that the CBO’s projected costs of Obamacare were even remotely accurate, and then we’ll discuss your pretense that federal funds for Obamacare’s Medicaid implementation and expansion in Virginia will never dry up. Voilà, I win.
      - Tsunami Joe
        
        So in other words, you want me to debate the CBO, Obamacare, and then predict the future of government, and then you will debate Medicaid expansion?
        
        Nothing I can say will open up your mind to the facts, figures, or the truth. Only Limbaugh or Hannity has the keys to your mind. Facts, figures, the truth are meaningless to you,
        
        Limbaugh and Hannity cannot stop this coming November. Think about that.
  - Franklin Fogle
    
    Agreed; Logic escapes the populists, for they prefer scorched-earth rather than the old axe that “a half loaf of bread is better than no bread.”
Troublemaker

When you meet a disillusioned Republican, hand them a copy of the creed. That gives us a raison d’etre.
- Warmac9999
  
  It is amazing, but not surprising, that many in the GOPe pay lip service to the creed. It is great for running for office but easily forgotten in an environment where American interests are defined in global terms rather than American terms. SBT consistently equates globalism with American conservatism, and it is not. “Lock her up”, “Build the Wall”, and “Repeal Obamacare” are American conservative ideas – the protection of the rule of law, the protection of American sovereignty, and the limitation on government intrusion into the free individual’s social space don’t seem to be particularly important to the GOPe. In that disinterest is the problem in the Republican Party.
  - ameri…canwork
    
    Great to see you back!
  - Rocinante
    
    I don’t think you’re one of the intelligent Republicans he seems to favor.
    - Lawrence Wood
      
      Every time he drags in the intelligence meme into one of his incoherent opinion pieces I’m always reminded of one of my favorite fictional exchanges in Fyodor Dostoyevsky Russian masterpiece “Crime and Punishment” that has stuck with me over the years. It is where the heroine Dunya’s brother Raskolinkov tells her dastardly suitor Luzhin, a petty government official, that “it takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.”
- Steven Brodie Tucker
  
  No one seems to care about the creed. I tend to view it like the lords prayer. People say it, but don’t even try to think about what the words mean.
  - Troublemaker
    
    Educate them!
    - Andrew Olson
      
      Yes, educate them, and use a pitchfork.
  - ameri…canwork
    
    Take your creed, post your pic beside it. You now have a Union Card, nothing more.
    God gave us our Freedom and with that Freedom we have chosen as a *Civilized Society* to write and uphold our laws.
    When a Political Party is in office and does not enforce those are the Christian or just a mere political member placing a club (Union) creed over our *Civilized Society*?
    
    Intelligent Republican is nothing more than a self promotion and a extremely weak one at that.
    Before our previous Gubernatorial election I as a geninue Independent brought forth a question to these self proclaimed
    “Intelligent Republicans ”
    here on this site;
    Gillespie words; I want to cut DPOR Regulations, spur job growth and broaden the base.
    1)Which Regulatory cuts?
    2)Expected job numbers growth?
    3) Expected Tax Revenue?
    I had more but no one could answer the minimum.
    
    Not one Intelligent Republican stepped up to answer.
    It is fast becoming my belief that some do look to the Goverment for their survival and these Corporatist that are doing this can only be competitive by the exploitating the non enforcement of labor laws and professional occupational laws that protect the consumer.
    To admit they get elected to seek riches should be Corey Stewart’s mail out flyer to Republicans and Independents.
    
    I guess to find someone in the Republican Party “Intelligent enough” to answer my valid question as a employer, professional and Independent I would at least be asking someone “Intelligent enough” to spell Canter properly;
    
    Cantor.
    but what do I know?
    With all Sincerest regards,
    One Note Wonder, a geninue working man.
    
    Corey Stewart for Senate,
    “the intelligent choice”
- Rocinante
  
  When we use that creed to rout less-than-slick brown NAACP Christian Republicans, we don’t deserve a creed. (Sorry Fredy)
ameri…canwork

This story starts;
Intelligent Republicans are experiencing…….
Are you implying others are not intelligent?
Moving on author makes jest of Boehner yet just two paragraphs later he is seeking Democrats to assist him in prohibition???? Contradiction?
The Author is implying the problem with the Republican party is the “populist, the burn it to the grounder the drain the swampers” yet he tells us;
” long line of Republicans are forced to seek wealth and influence in unexpected private sector places”
You have to be joking this author admits Republicans are in office to get rich.
Glad to be a Independent.
An Independent works on both sides to achieve good policy for his Community.
Corey Stewart for Senate.
- just a wild & crazy RINO
  
  “Intelligent Republicans are experiencing…….”
  I noticed that too…..
  - Sbn
    
    Yep,
    A. immediately knew it was another “SBT is better than thou” piece.
    
    B. Read no further
    - ameri…canwork
      
      Oh but you have to read further.
      The intelligent Republican can give us more funnies than Larry the Cable Guy.
      I wonder how real comedians would rip this story up in jokes.
      Tuck has given the comedian industry more to work with since Bruce Jenner.
Rocinante

Can’t really complain about clickbait when it works so well.

Go for it! Don’t let the flap hit ya on your way out. Your screeds would be most welcome in Blue Virginia and I *know* the folks at BD surely would pitch a tent for you.
- Lawrence Wood
  
  I believe I was the one lectured recently on how this is a Republican blog and should shut the hell up about them reporting Republican (?) news.
  
  What I actually see contributor wise here more often than not are self proclaimed “independents”, libertarians (whatever they adhere to politically at the moment), far right social conservatives (e.g. modern day John Birchers), a load of NeverTrumpers ( so called Republicans that unfortunately just despise the existing Republican Party as its been shaped by a duly elected Republican administration) and last but most generally least a smattering of national party based Republicans that accept that not every elected official is going to be their perfect cup of tea but that this is the nature of electoral politics.
  
  Don’t get me wrong there appears from time to time here some great guest Republican contributors with tremendous political insight and opinions. But I agree with you Rocinante too much seems to be clickbait or what I often feel is transcribed mental health analyst’s sessions of perpetually unhappy political operatives being passed off as some kind of insights.
FrankUnderwoodSr

In the past 21 mid-term elections, the incumbent president has lost an average of 30 house seats. In November, it will take fewer than that to flip the House, so yes, it is very worrying that Republicans could lose the House in November. It happens all the time, regardless of who is president. However, in SBT’s world, this is just further evidence that Trump has destroyed the Republican party. Now SBT has fantasies of aligning with reasonable liberty loving Democrats, who are rarer than unicorns.

At the highest level, the Democrats have found success with identity/grievance politics, and they have successfully gathered half the country into a crowd of unhappy victims demanding personal compensation and accommodation of one form or another. This is the purest form of populism that SBT so despises. The Republicans have the other half of the country who are horrified at the relentless attack on our traditional values and institutions which has compromised our education, the press, the church, our healthcare, the military, our jobs, and many fundamental freedoms.

Trump is the right man for our times because he sees the bigger picture, which has little to do with factional disputes within the Republican party. As much as I love the Freedom caucus, I think is far more likely that Trump will pull some Democrats to our side, than the Freedom Caucus will.
- Mick Staton
  
  How many Democrats did Trump pull over to our side here in Virginia last year?
  
  There is a degree of intensity to the opposition party in these midterm elections, and right now the Democrat intensity is at unprecedented levels, so please spare us all the “this happens all the time..nothing to see here…it’s not Trump’s fault…” line. It is Trump’s fault, just like it was Obama’s fault in 2010. The fact that you and the rest of the Trumpsters are unwilling to admit this is the real problem.
  - FrankUnderwoodSr
    
    There is always a degree of opposition intensity after a loss in the presidential election. That’s why presidents lose 30 seats in mid-term elections on average. Of course it’s Trump’s fault, and Obama’s fault, because they won.
    - Rocinante
      
      Perhaps, but I’m getting a whiff of more at play here; a self-draining of the swamp, a rodent exodus… just like the last days of the Politburo—interesting times.
      - Lawrence Wood
        
        I totally agree. I haven’t done an actual count but the number of Senate and House members vacating their seats because the days of leveraging the federal elected gravy train seem to be slowing down if not coming to an end is significantly greater this mid term than any time in recent memory. The state parties are going to be under the gun to backfill this amount of candidates, some will be up to it, others like here in Virginia are in such disarray that it will be a significant challenge.
      - Rocinante
        
        Perhaps we can go back to our one-supervisor wonders and ask them to show us how it’s done.
    - Lawrence Wood
      
      You can’t argue with facts with these individuals they share their political foundation with the left wing progressives whose concept of chanting a political opposition hate mantra, denigrating those that disagree with them and ignoring events (both historical and current) suffice as actual demostrable realities to base their beliefs upon. The only outcome is when their pile of self fabrications finally topple over (as they eventually will) since nature has a way of self correcting delusion you can than be assured that they will blame YOU for it.
  - Rocinante
    
    More than you??
    
    Seems like it might be harder for motivation when we have such internal vote suppressors like Tokyo Tucker and Axis Staton.
    
    Of course not running at least warm bodies for 27 Delegates helps to facilitate the loss.
    
    Clearly our nominees at the top of the ticket were inadequate to the voters.
    
    Surrendering counts towards tired of winning.
    
    It’s your attitude and public behavior that destroys morale and will cost us Dick Black.
    
    He can thank you, SBT and the rest of your #NEVERS for fragging our tent.
    - Mick Staton
      
      Such anger and frustration from anonymous trolls who complain about every Republican other than Trump, then turn around and accuse people of being traitors for not bending the knee to the orange-hued one.
      
      I should feel flattered that you believe I have the power to sway entire elections with a few blog posts, but it wasn’t me that caused Democrats to vote in unprecedented numbers last year. It wasn’t me that Independents were sending a message to when they voted against every Republican on the ballot.
      
      When Democrats take the House later this year, and possibly even the Senate, it will be because one man made it happen.
      - Rocinante
        
        I have faith in our delegate from the 10th to the RNC convention who gave us the only nominee who became President — you will have my eternal gratitude for making that happen.
        
        I long for a day when men aren’t judged by the color of their skin, your prejudice is beneath you.
    - just a wild & crazy RINO
      
      — https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/048198fc2c9d7f6d88ead58be59768d8949e8a09f2f1a1ca50ef5ffa7434059e.jpg —-” Tokyo Tucker and Axis Staton.” ————
    - ameri…canwork
      
      Our Tent is Made in USA.
      Let the Globalist
      
      Republican warn us about the Socialist American Democrats then bed down with Communist China.
      When markets are opened up as they have been you get to see the lack of loyalty to America and more of a desire for a One World Order that will foster the One World Citizens.
      I will remain a loyal American.
      - Rocinante
        
        The swamp is deeper than the state.
  - FrankUnderwoodSr
    
    How many Democrats did Trump pull over yesterday with Kanye West and Chance the Rapper? Big news from the Freedom Caucus too, their first ever female, but still 100% white, and zero Democrats. Trump 2, Freedom Caucus 0. I stand by my prediction.
Stonewall Jackson

Stop fighting endless and expensive wars… You said something worthwhile there Tucker. Gonna have to convince your fellow Bull Elephant guy, Staton there. Staton will give you paragraphs on how the US has to be in every country round the world to make sure they don’t invade us! Give those Afghans an inch and soon enough they’ll be over running your border.

Of all the stupid crap that that idiot W did, invading Iraq was number one. Absolutely nothing was gained from that. Nothing. The Mid East is worse than ever. Iraq was a wall against Iran and now Shiites control Iraq. So now we gotta invade Iran…

Trump ran on getting out of wars… but unfortunately the Deep State wants wars. Gotta stop the Russian menace.. incredible.
HaroldCh8

Being from MA all I can advise is get used to living in a blue state.

Though we could get the governorship at least there; I doubt the GOP will ever again see such luck here.

VA is bluer than MA; how crazy is that?
- Lawrence Wood
  
  Actually having spent time in Boston I would have to say that Massachusetts has a rather long history of seeing a Republican here or there in state government especially occasionally the governorship. But you are absolutely correct Virginia is more solidly Democratic that Massachusetts and all in a little over eight years! A decade ago the Republicans held EVERY elected statewide office. That is how rapid the collapse of the state party’s ability to place successful candidates on the ballot was as they simply reacted passively as their voting base walked away.
  - HaroldCh8
    
    I have a hunch Sen. Warren may actually lose (or at the very least be forced to spend way more $ than she planned to win) if the GOP can nominate a solid candidate there (I’m rooting for Mr. Shiva personally).
    
    I also have a hunch Sen. Kaine cannot lose here. Even if the VA GOP was able to secure the most ideal candidate humanly possible Sen. Kaine is still going to win by sheer mass of Democrat numbers.
    
    My theory is that the reason MA likes its governor to be a Republican is to keep the state legislature in check because one party Democrat rule was not kind to us over the years.
    - ameri…canwork
      
      As a lifelong Virginian you may be correct in your analysis.
      I once supported Republicans across the board until the recent Republican Majority in Va.
      with the House, Senate, AG(Cuccinelli ), Governor (bob for jobs McDonnell) and LT. Governor (Bolling, jobs Czar). Then I woke up a saw the light;
      That their targeted Deregulation of Contractor Law and The Va. Unemployment Compensation Act did not create job growth or offer cheaper priced new homes, it only fostered the growth of illegal immigration in Virginia.
      So much for the personal responsibility of elected Republicans.
AMERICANMUSLIM

I found this post interesting. I am a Republican conservative who has abandoned the party because the populists and bigots have destroyed it. I have chosen to work to elect anyone who will oppose Trump remaining in office no matter what other political beliefs they have. Comstock is a goner. I would help a true socialist win after the 2016 election. This was solidified in the months to come as the Republicans refused to stand up to the dumpster fire that is Trump.

Trump supporters can keep their heads in the sand. We will wash away the Republican party in cleaning the stain of Trump. Don’t underestimate our energy, our money, and our desire to protect our families from the worst of the worst.

Time for conservatives to start again. To reject these people who have destroyed everything we worked for 20 years to achieve. They will get a very clear message this November. We have been delivering it in every election since 2016. If you don’t like bad news and support Trump then best to take a vacation in November and don’t turn on the TV.
- Rocinante
  
  Thank you for posting. Your posts are always informing and illustrative, probably not in your desired objective.
  
  You will find many friends here that will try to assist you in your goals.
  
  I notice that you identify yourself as an AmericanMuslim rather than MuslimAmerican (Either the other was taken and you are not more imaginative, or this reflects your ideology dominating your identification.)
  
  You claim to be a Republican conservative and then say you have abandoned the party — makes you not Republican.
  
  You say that you will help a true socialist — makes you not a Conservative.
  
  You claim that Populists and Bigots destroyed the party? Yet our party leaders and representatives constantly appease and pander to our accusers. Not too long ago we had a Muslim nominee and elected him to the House of Delegates. Only recently did we turn out a Christian Republican who had foolishly expressed unpopular sentiments. The party is still here, the elites are still in control.
  
  I’m sorry you don’t like the President. He was the best we had to offer, and the electorate thought he was better than the democrat. He’s the President for the rest of this term and his next – he only gets a maximum of 8 years. That’s the way it works here.
  
  “…wash away the Republican party in cleaning the stain of Trump” Any idea how kooky that sounds?
  
  Your families are fine, just like ours, protected from the worst of the worst by our institutions and systems — we like it that way.
  
  Many of us here fully understand your energy, money, and desire to fundamentally transform things to the way you’d like them. If they go against our civilization, Constitution, and way of life, you will not succeed.
  
  Conservatives have started again, we have begun to Make America Great Again, to correct the bad of the last 20 years and keep it that way for posterity.
  
  I’d like to wish you luck with your standing with your efforts with Republican conservative democrats and their objectives, but I’m not that nice.
  - Warmac9999
    
    Anyone who challenges the American Muslim is immediately branded a bigot. Regardless, you have identified the key problem with his posts. He or she is a Muslim first and American second. To see what his dogmatism brings with it, check the situation in much of Western Europe. There is no denying that the supposed migration has created horror after horror to the point that no-go zones expand and major cities like London are experiencing crime waves of unprecedented proportion. Traveling to England, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Spain are dangerous and virtually all of the danger is statistically tied to Muslims.
AMERICANMUSLIM

Oh… and Shak Hill people? Seriously? Did you think of anyone who could lose by an order or magnitude more than Comstock? Tell him to give up. And Tell Comstock to resign. She’s done too.
- Rocinante
  
  You wish you had a Shak Hill — he is our perfect example of how absolutely ANYONE can get elected and run for higher office. He is also serves as living breathing example of why it is important to have good candidates and what happens when you don’t. (see shadyshak.com)
  
  I’m sure you would prefer that our nominees and candidates just resign and surrender — quitting does not lead to electoral success.
Danielle

Trying to decide which of the three of these sentences is the most jaw dropping:

1) “Intelligent Republicans are experiencing a deep emotional quandary.”

Absolutely one of your more passive aggressive sentences. I have no deep emotional quandary about politics. My emotions are spent on my God and my family. Within your definition, anyone who doesn’t see it your way or “feelz” a deep emotional quandary are by definition unintelligent.

2) “Powerful Republicans who have been manipulating the puppet-strings of power for decades…..”

How is that working out for us? Our government has run amok with these puppet masters. Regardless of which party, in your “populists are unenlightened, knuckle dragging dirt eaters” world, it is only the elite and powerful for whom we should feel sorry. When did this become about manipulating power? Silly me, I thought it was about governance and adherence to constitutional principles.

3) “Eric Canter was just the first in a long line of powerful Republicans who have been forced to seek wealth and influence in unexpected private-sector places.”

Yeah well, that’s what the private sector is for. No one in service of their country should manipulate or grow wealthy on government activities.

Couple of tips – try to hid your elitism – it comes off very hubristic and go buy yourself a copy a good dictionary of political terms and definitions. I highly recommend the Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics.

We Need a New Tent

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