The Paulites' enthusiasm for liberty, their unapologetic defense of core conservative principles, their awareness that in the new millennium, these principles of small government, self-reliance, cultural pluralism, and a humble foreign policy are more necessary than ever - no lover of liberty can stand by and not join them.
Andrew Sullivan formally endorses right-wing crank: Ron Paul, December, 2007.
This diary isn't about Ron Paul, but it is about the threat posed by Paul and by other Republicans, a threat too few on the Dem side are taking seriously.
Conservatives are feeling feisty and why shouldn't they? Termite and occam's hatchet confirm the worst: Dem leaders are lost; clueless, blindly stumbling into the walls of public arena, stalked and attacked by a disciplined pack of slavering hyenas, all the while mumbling 'compromise' to the racist ghouls of the right, who roar with savage glee in response.
Consider NOLA, consider immigration consider the front runners on the Republican side who, when they are not calling for more American torture, are conflating gay sex with necrophilia, while their acolytes stage fake beatings.
"I regret the way it has been interpreted". Trent Lott tells Dems to 'shove it' when called to account for claiming America needs segregation in 2002. Trent is leaving again to ensure full access to the cash fueling the 21st century Republican machine.
The Party of Hate. There can be no confusion about what's at stake. Whether we have Lott telling to "clear out your fucking ears!", Powell lying his face off about Iraq, Rumsfeld shrugging off connections to Saddam and Iran, or Bush and Cheney claiming they had 'no knowledge' of the Plame smear, the common thread running through today's GOP is contempt.
The Republican machine is rebuilding and re-packaging the party for 2008. The signal most important lesson to be pulled from the Pelosi debacle is that the Republican party in 2008, unlike the Dems, is not going to 'roll over and play dead'. Republicans are going to fight 2008 and fight to win.
Dems have lost virtually every advantage won in November, 2006. Lieberman's endorsement of a Republican candidate for President paints that truth in letters 100 stories tall. Obama endorsed Joe over Lamont in 2006 and for some reason the Obama supporters here don't figure that decision should factor into deciding who should be the Dem nominee.
Too many here have been willing to play too nice for too long. Pelosi and Reid do not want to share power and they most definitely do not want to share power with 'the little people'. Thirty percent of Americans want George Bush and Dick Cheney impeached. Yet, Edwards and HRC and Obama have each placed their own ambitions ahead of the wishes of this group of Americans, many most likely Dems.
My point today, however, is not to plow over familiar ground. Plenty of good people invested tremendous amounts of energy into de-funding and other efforts that have lamentably produced little. I do not criticize them for them for their efforts but ask now that we recognize that we must push harder for much fuller accountability.
Republicans display an appetite for combat that is surpassed on the Dem side most demonstrably only by folks here; and on other 'fringe' sites and local organizations. The candidate fortunate enough to win the Dem nomination will be infinitely more qualified and capable of governing than the best Republican, that much is clear. But will that candidate also be the best able to fight the Republican machine?
We need to speak far more forcefully for confrontation, not compromise.
Dems are going to have hold George Bush, Republicans and Dems who support this corrupt regime to account sooner or later. This constitutional responsibility is not going to go away. Nor is the task likely to get any easier by waiting.
Dems need to brand the 2008 Republicans inextricably with Bush/Cheney/Lott and the racism, incompetence and corruption of the last seven years. The best way to do that is to open impeachment proceedings against the President now for war crimes and crimes against the constitution, including lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and criminal mis-management of US security, including 9/11 and Iraq.
If that means Pelosi and Reid go on the block in the process, so be it. Should Dems back away from this challenge, Dems will be burdened with leaders so cowed and compromised by past failures and collusions to render a Dem victory in 2008 almost meaningless. The Dem will be a place-holder, keeping the White House occupied simply until yet another Republican seizes power.