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May 3, 2010

GOP playing the Prevent defense?


Republicans: Playing Not to Lose Doesn't Cut It

By Arnold Ahlert


I'd like to have a nickel for every football team who lost a game they were winning because they switched to a "prevent defense," at the end. There is a huge difference between playing to win and playing not to lose. Too bad the Republican Party can't make the distinction.

2010 is looking like a wipeout for Democrats — one completely of their own making. Four years of a Democratically-controlled Congress, coupled with two years of the most radically leftist administration in the history of the republic have scared the hell out of Americans who now know what unbridled progressivism looks like. That many predicted the level of arrogance and contempt progressives would inflict on the country were they elected was of little consequence. Too many Americans who voted in 2008 never lived through the Carter years, and unfortunate as it is, some people never believe anything until they experience it first-hand.

Now they have, and one would think that the general level of revulsion — despite every effort by the media and Democrats to underplay it — would galvanize a Republican party which had been left for dead as recently as two years ago. One would think now is precisely the time to present the American public with game-winning, principled positions on issues. One would think this is a grand opportunity for Republicans to play to win — big.

One would be wrong. By every indication, Republicans prefer "prevent defense." They prefer playing not to lose.
Such a strategy is beyond Republicans' traditional spinelessness. It is the unprincipled cynicism of a party whose "core values" can be reduced to "vote for us because we suck less than Democrats." That may get them through 2010, but it's no strategy for long-term health. Once again, here's some thoughts from an American sick and tired of being forced to choose between really bad and stunningly awful...

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14 comments:

Christopher - Conservative Perspective said...

Great article! I agree with every word Mr. Ahlert wrote.

It is high time the GOP seeek its roots and played to win and win big for the sake of the Nation.

Teresa said...

I would say that half of the GOP is only playing defense but the other half is playing both offense and defense. Now, lets either get the half to play both defense and offense or vote them out and put true conservatives in there who will play both offense and defense.

Kid said...

As we've all probably heard, Republicans only win when they display bold colors versus pastels.

It is certainly a big reason J McCain lost. We don't want reaching across the aisle to socialists. We don't want compromise. We want obstructionists to this path we are on. We Need bolder than bold action now.

Too many people voting for free ice cream. We need to show them how to make their own. All they want and don't have to ask for it.

Madison said...

Great Blog. I am looking forward to reading more. My own blog is about to become a little more political and it seems we might be like minded individuals. God help and save our country.

Michael said...

It's just like here in Nevada, Sue Lowden is another John McCain republican...compromise...compromise...etc. She would never & could never stand in the oval office and tell big 0, "Sorry Mr. president I can't support that bill-it's not good for NV." Only D.Tarkanian has the solid principles to do that. Not to mention, she’s becoming the laughing stock of the nation with her “barter w/your doctor and bring a chicken.” Harry Reid is already slamming that comment home.

Woodsterman (Odie) said...

Michael, are you my neighbor?

You have to vote against the RINOs in the primaries and vote for the Republicans in the general elections. That's all we can do, but at the same time we can make it really uncomfortable for the RINOs.

Starsplash said...

You all do know why the Republicans are playing prevent?
We are not coming up with any knwe ideas. We the people have to come up with the knew ideas and ways to approach the problems. Were just as baffeled as they are.

I think a bunch of moola needs to be spent on educating the general public on the constitution and the original intent according to us the people not according to the elite intelectuals who have been busy for decades trying to change the perception of the general population the current twisted version. They have succeded to the point that no one that I know of personally family or other wise really knows. Everyone is either dictatorial or lassefair<I ain't lookin it, up gigle if you will but I ain,t lookin it up.

Fact is I don't think we know what the big C is really all about any more.

Maybe there should be much debate at the grassroots level what it really means. To do that we the people have to get out of this attitude of being afrad to talk to each other because something bad might happen to us or something.(exagerated thought of course)

Either way until we the people get it right the politicians are not going to get it right. We hold their feet to the fire not the other way around.

Starsplash said...

Nuther thing. My parents were taught to stand up for their rights. Are we doing the same for our kids or are we teaching them to be milk toast. We should not be surprised with milk toast like John Mc Cain when we the people have become milk toast.

I was so freaking happy when I saw the clip of that former Marine chewing congressman butt at that town hall meeting. God, at least somebody else had the kahones to stand up and say.

Opus #6 said...

Ha ha! I love original comments. Can't seem to get enough of those Common Cents link exchanges, I always say....

JihadGene said...

What the Kid says...looong time! Good post!!!

Kid said...

Thanks Gene.

BTW - Great Headline. One of the best stock traders I know of has a motto - "Never trade not to lose"

Doom said...

Can you say Utah? Can you say Bennett? Ah, that will work.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I just came back to the blogosphere after serving on a campaign in the Republican Primary in Ohio-18 CD. You hit the nail on the head with this post.

A summary of my feelings? Run as a TEA Party Candidate...win or lose, at least you stand for something. Currently the Democrats stand for Marxism (I can't agree with that stance)and the Republicans stand for nothing in particular at all in their Big Tent; sort of like Bob Dole (remember him?) thinking it was "his turn" to be POTUS. Even if the GOP wins many races, the USA is still screwed with this spineless blob of Political Scum.

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Unfortunately, you are precisely correct with regard to the GOP.

My high school civics teacher said: "Democrats don't win elections; Republicans lose them."

BZ