Comments on: Who Lost Conservatism

By: Time for an Explanation | The Progressive Republican

Time for an Explanation | The Progressive Republican — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:37:42 +0000

[...] the GOP’s woes points out the fact that perhaps I glossed over in my own post on the subject at The Big Stick. Of course there is blame for all parts of the GOP. So let’s agree that everyone needs to do work [...]

By: The Epic Failure of Conservatism | The Progressive Republican

The Epic Failure of Conservatism | The Progressive Republican — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:43:48 +0000

[...] Mike over at the Big Stick and I have had a little argument about the role of social conservatism (or social liberalism) in the current state of the Republican Party. [...]

By: Philip H.

Philip H. — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:53:21 +0000

MIke,
I am interested in Larison’s analysis, particularly since I think he misses a key linkage. The “national security conservatives” were aided and abetted by the fiscal non-conservatives in that the war was funded off budget by running up that huge debt. Had the war not been an off-book exercise, or had the Administration done something else to fund it – cutting other programs or raising taxes temporarily, then when the housing bubble burst the Nation would not have had to add to that debt to begin its recovery.

As to social conservatives – they had 6 years with a compliant Congress and President to get theit agenda passed. No such legislation was forthcoming. They need to sit down and be quiet.