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Post by thompson on Feb 6, 2008 1:26:04 GMT -5
I'll try to keep this short and simple. We all like Fred and his message because it's the way we believe. Nothing we do will make Fred get back into the race, so we should let it go and respect Fred's decision.
The issue is our country and our lives here. The GOP has abandoned the conservatives and so many people around the country are declaring they will not vote for McCain. I chose to vote for Romney today and I also sent back my RNC membership renewal marking that I'm enclosing $0.00 with a nice note explaining why.
I see here that we have only 2 options:
1. Don't support McCain in the November election and support only conservative candidates in other races. Then fight hard and relentlessly over the next few years to take the party back.
2. Join another party.
My thought is that we need to cut our losses now and let the GOP suffer if McCain is the nominee. We need to work hard to support every conservative Senator and Representative that we can this year and in 2 years. We need to find a republican who has a clear conservative message, like Fred, who can represent us.
Anyone else's thougths on this?
James
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Post by uuebmeister on Feb 6, 2008 1:40:23 GMT -5
First, I'm a big believer in working within the organization to effect change. The blogs we all have been navigating is a perfect example of what happens once we start to splinter. Fred talked about steering a big oil tanker - if that's not a good metaphor for the GOP, I don't know what is.
But once you make a stand in an organization, and you want to make change (or prevent it) you need to go about building consensus.
Finding like minds, compromising here and there. But I know that sometimes, you find that the very thing you figured you had to give up on is still being pursued by others, and then you feel a bit reaffirmed with what got you into the battle in the first place.
I hope, James, that we'll all find the encouragement we need to Stand Strong!
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Post by thompson on Feb 6, 2008 2:26:04 GMT -5
That is one thing we do need to keep in mind. The GOP didn't get to where it is overnight and we won't change it in a day. But that's why I said we need to look at this in the long run. What can we do today to make a difference tomorrow?
I don't want to hear how much we still miss Fred, but I do want to hear about what we are doing about what Fred started. The one thing Fred was very successful at is that he motivated us to get involved in the process.
I'm someone who likes to practice what I preach, so I will begin doing that which I think we should all do! ;D
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Post by Maggie in Indiana on Feb 6, 2008 9:30:22 GMT -5
Just say no. Remember the 99-1 vote Fred told of and re-told. Well we have a choice and no matter the outcome I am determined not to vote for anymore rinos. NONE period. Compromising your principles to vote for a rino is how the GOP got into the shape it's in.JUSY SAY NO! Nobody said it would would be easy. You can't think about what other people might do it's what you do to change it. And it starts with the will to Stand Strong. We will be here for support when the clouds roll in. That's why we'er here to make a real difference.Vote Fred.Stand Strong.
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Post by Brad G on Feb 6, 2008 10:18:40 GMT -5
I don't want to ruffle any feathers here, but I want to be clear here:
I will be voting Republican in the general election. I am a conservative before a Republican, so it only makes sense that I vote for the most conservative candidate, even if it is a "RINO."
I expect there will be people here who will disagree with me, and that's okay. This is a discussion forum and we're here to "discuss!"
But I really don't want to see any name-calling over the issue of whom we vote for in the general. I can clearly see both sides of the issue, I just happen to be afraid enough of the dem/socialist party that I'm going to vote against them.
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Post by thompson on Feb 6, 2008 12:07:05 GMT -5
Losing is not a bad thing, as long as you can learn from it. Lance Armstrong says that you can learn more from losing than from winning, and he eventually won the most Tour de France races in history. Check out his book, Every Second Counts, and you'll see what he means.
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Post by fredheadpghpa on Feb 6, 2008 14:15:45 GMT -5
This is what I want to know, how did we get to this point, where has the GOP gone? There are 3 main candidates standing: McCain - a Democrat, Huckabee - A southern Baptist preacher from HOPE, Ark Home of Bill Clinton, and Mitt Romney - a "conservative" Governor from the state of Massachusetts and while we "Stand Strong" it makes you wonder what have the leaders of the GOP been doing for the last 8 years, besides spending! Fred, oh Fred, where have you gone?
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Post by melissamichigan on Feb 6, 2008 14:25:46 GMT -5
Hi There, Fellow FredHeads!
I just wanted to take a moment to say
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT REAGAN!!!!! We all miss you and love you very much!!!! Thank you for inspiring all of us!!!!!
Melissa
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Post by melissamichigan on Feb 6, 2008 14:35:33 GMT -5
Hey Guys, I was just thinking about something Mark Levin said last week. He was talking about working for Reagan's campaign in 1976. Imagine the body-blow when he lost. But, Mark Levin said THE NEXT DAY, they GOT TO WORK on Reagan's 1980 run!!!!
Stand Strong, All! Melissa M.
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Post by melissamichigan on Feb 6, 2008 14:38:30 GMT -5
Losing is not a bad thing, as long as you can learn from it. Lance Armstrong says that you can learn more from losing than from winning, and he eventually won the most Tour de France races in history. Check out his book, Every Second Counts, and you'll see what he means. Thompson, Thank you for those inspiring words!!!! Melissa M
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Post by uuebmeister on Feb 6, 2008 17:28:59 GMT -5
Melissa,
Thanks for reminding us, I think I'll drive by Reagan's Ranch in Agoura after work.
Cheers
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Post by krell on Feb 6, 2008 19:25:06 GMT -5
These are just my opinions so take it with a grain of salt.
I do tend to agree with Maggie. It has been the past 20 years (and the years prior to Reagan) of voting for the best of "what's left" - Congressional and Senatorial as well - that steered us to where we are today.
I ask myself "if I vote for the Republican nominee, am I really voting conservative"? Or, "am I putting my stamp of approval on the Republican Party further leaning to the left"?
Match McCain against Hillary or Obama and what difference do you see? You can insert Huckabee and Romney in place of McCain but to different degrees. There is a lot of "liberal" left in the Republican choices.
Ann Coulter spoke on Hannity and Colmes about jumping over to vote for Hillary. What kind of statement is that? The MSM will say, "American's were ready for a change from the business as usual Republican Party - and they defected in droves". Or something to that effect.
If I settle, once again, on voting for what is left, I send no message at all. The Republican Party assumes it can continue to become more and more like the left-wing liberals.
If I vote for Fred Thompson, I send a message that I vote for conservatism and that I do not accept the leftward movement of the Republican Party. That message cannot be denied. This cannot be spun any other way by the MSM than what it is.
In my "personal o p i n i o n", none of the remaining Republican candidates has the clout to coalesce the Republican Party. Aside from Ann Coulter, I have received emails from Republicans I have know back to the days of Jerry Ford saying, "...enough is enough. I'm voting Democrat until the Republican Party gets its act together". I received an email this afternoon from a very strong Fred Thompson supporter, who had a pro-Thompson web site, telling me that he, his parents, siblings all discussed it, and are voting Democrat. I am grieved to hear that because I would rather see folks use their votes to send a message rather than just bailing on the party.
I think of all the folks that have voted for Fred so far. Fred didn't win - but the message is there and I will Stand Strong with them. Like everything good that the United States has stood for, it came at the cost of those who stood against all odds for their principles and their values.
But those that choose to vote for the party nominee are just as principled and honorable. Those that choose to vote for Mitt Romney are just as principled and honorable. There is no clear cut all encompassing answer. The reason that thompson and brad deserve to be honored and respected is the same reason maggie deserves to be honored and respected - we vote with our convictions.
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Post by krell on Feb 6, 2008 19:46:39 GMT -5
p.s. If you go to my web site, at the bottom of the page you will see and hear Zell Miller, Democrat, speaking at the 2004 Republican Convention. It is inspiring to say the least. And when you hear a FredHead sign off, "Stand Strong", you realize it is more than just a phrase. Stand Strong
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Post by rinoHUNTER on Feb 6, 2008 20:04:43 GMT -5
Vote with your gut. Stand Strong, and Spread the Word. Something all of us can do is be and stay informed, combined with being aware of opportunity and activism. We, as American Conservatives should DEMAND a Brokered Convention. How many demands come from the libs? How many have NO merit whatsoever, yet the accomplish much of what they want!? Stand Strong is more than a phrase, much more. It is a Call to Arms for Conservative Patriotic Americans!!! I'll never vote for a rino, never. Let the Dumbocrat Socialists do the damage. As Melissa has reminded us so well, everything happens for a reason. It took a Jimmy Carter to get a Reagan. Wise words. Even still, and despite the fact that someone is lurking about to jump on me, I still believe firmly! that I don't need to worry too much about any of this. Ain't no sycophant, nor Polly Anna, but my gut says Fred ain't done yet! :-) STAND STRONG! Always.
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Post by Brad G on Feb 6, 2008 20:09:32 GMT -5
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