Montana

[Uburalus]

In the last election the Republicans got creamed. In all state-wide races except the presidential race Democrats handed our heads to us. I could be wrong but I believe only in my county,Ravalli,did Republicans do well,where we swept it because of a county ballot issue to defeat county wide zoning. In the governor's race we got creamed for the same reason I believe we did last time,we didn't run a conservative candidate with the charisma to defeat Schweitzer's slick line of b.s.

[Suzanne]

what in the world do you think moderate means?

[Suzanne]

I would rather have a minority party that stands on principle...than a moderate watered down bunch of mess.

[gabe]

Then that means we become a socialist country run by Pelosi, Reid and Obama. Doesn't that sound better. I will say it again that we are a political party and that means to grow we have to expand our reach. I am not saying we water down the message, all I am saying is that what you want will make us the minority party forever. If this site is any indication, we may all be Republicans but that varies in every individual. The same with politicans. I want a strong and vibrant conservative Republican party. But the more moderates we have in the party the larger and stronger we will be. As long as the core principles the party stands on and espouses don't change we will be fine as a party. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

[Jason]

But Gabe, how do you expect the core principles of the party not to change if you're allowing more and more moderates (hell, let's just say the dirty word, NEO-CONS) into a conservative party? The core principles have already been changed, thanks to those damn Neo-Cons. The conservative core principles used to center around things like limited government, limited spending, low taxes, a humble foreign policy, and abiding by the Constitution. The Neo-Cons have changed it to government just as big (if not bigger) than the Democrats, spending just as much (if not more) than the Democrats, providing the world with a global military presence, and throwing the Constitution in the toilet by creating FISA, the Patriot Act, etc.

Now do you understand why we CAN NOT allow moderates a/k/a Neo-Cons in our party? They not only destroyed our party, they destroyed the whole damn country! We can't ally ourselves with people like that. Those Neo-Cons (moderates) are the reason the country HATES the Republican Party.

[gabe]

I'll give you the point that they are why the country hates Republicans, but in defense of neo-cons (and I am no fan) they protected us for 7 years and brought freedom to millions of people or not, regardless of if that was the reason we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan or not.

In terms of moderates since apparently I still haven't been nuetral enough to avoid criticism all I am saying is that for a party to grow you cannot kick people out just because they are not 100% in lockstep with you. This may be a shock but there is a reason why the Democratic Party is in power, it is because they found pro life and pro gun candidates to run. In the Dem party they are considered moderates. Kicking our moderates out of the party is foolish, dangerous and downright stupid.

Look again for the god knows time I am not advocating that we let the party be overrun with moderates. All I am saying is that we shouldn't kick them out and we sure as hell shouldnt get rid of the ones we have now. For good or bad they agree with us on most issues and with us being in the minority party it is pretty dumb to pick and choose and imagine that we will stop the Dems socialist agenda if we become a extremist right party. That is all I am saying. Hate it or not, disagree with it or not, that is all I am saying.

I look at things not just from a ideological but practical and stretaegic perspective. For the party to grow we need more independents and moderates. Love it or hate it that is how Reagan won, how HW won, hell how even that neo-con George Bush won.

In terms of our core principles I have said they should not change except for one (open for debate). I agree on that our principles like small govt, low taxes, (though neccesity may mean we have to raise them) limited government, pro-business, etc. However the neocons though they screwed up are right about one thing. The days at least for now of a humble foreign policy are over.

At some point and though I hope it never ever happens we may have to invade or attack another country preemptively (NK, Iran come to mind). The idea of a strong defense and humble FP are dead and moot in this day and age, except for Democrats.

[Uburalus]

Gabe,we just passed a bill in Montana that says that any gun or gun part made in Montana is not subject to regulation by the federal government. THAT was not done by moderates,both the state rep. that ran it and the man who wrote it are both Ron Paul conservative Republicans.
I go back to the Barry Goldwater quote that says ,"extremism in the defense liberty is no vise and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue".

[gabe]

Okay I grant you that. But name any Republican in favor of gun control. I don't see Montana RP conservatives passing this as a sign the GOP needs to become the libertarian party for there is one already. We do need to stop being the party of just moderates (running them if they can win is fine) but the GOP needs to get back to its core conservative values.

[Jim Rock]

the rep Party if it is played right can be the Party for Americans, Left right center-sorry but thats what we need. We need anti Socialist/facist to break this hold off or its good bye USA for the rest of our time on earth

there are lefts that beleive in America and freedom just as much as us conservs,

[Uburalus]

And we can work with them when we agree,that does not mean we have to run them as Republicans.

[Jim Rock]

have no choice to be Rep, look what happened when you guys voted away from the electorate--YOU helped elect obama by voting against Mccain

[Jim Rock]

exactly why RPers are not very well liked in the party, they voted obama so how can those ever be trusted again

[gabe]

Or didn't vote at all. The problem with RP is not his domestic views but his FP and his stance on our allies like Israe; More then that it is how the message is presented. RPaulers seem to have the mindset of join us or die that is why the subsist off of the GOP. As long as they vote GOP is fine but you are right Rock they most certainly did help Obama get elected.