Posted by
Sheila on Sunday, March 29, 2009 3:57:34 PM
The problem that the GOP has right now, is getting back control over the message. When Gingrich planned and implemented the "contract with America", it was initiated by Congress, not the talking heads. That is why it worked. People jumped on board because the policy was directed from the policy makers, not the pundits.
As much as I agree with a lot of what Rush and the radio talk shows say, they cannot become the GOP. The media has successfully morfed Rush into the Republican poster boy and made him the object of hate. When you take bits and pieces of what Rush says, much of it over the top to make fun of the left, it is taken as rude and ugly by those who don't know his shtick.
The truth is, using the left's modus operendi does not work for conservatives.Calling names and ridiculing the left simply hasn't done the job. Has anyone noticed we have had Rush for 20 years now, along with others like Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham who are the "loud mouthed" conservatives, (who have also been around quite a while), and with all that bloviating one would think the conservative movement would be winning! Well, based on the last election it isn't, it's losing big, and we are losing bigtime.
Reagan was successful because he was likeable. He had strong views, but he wasn't a blowhard. As long as the left can pin Rush and his loud mouth version of conservatism on the GOP, we will lose. Rush inserted himself onto center stage in the last election, with his "operation chaos", attempting to take the left's tactics, and it backfired. Cheating never has enhanced anyone's cause, and doing it because the left did it, is not smart, it is stupid...stupid is as stupid does. So, now we have chaos. How does it feel?
I pray that the GOP can make a comeback, but it won't happen with the current "leader" ie Rush. The conservative message will have a hard time making a comeback, as long as Rush is the "messenger" the left uses to portray conservatism.