David Frum has a very interesting response to today’s legislative defeat. In brief, Frum assumes that Republicans (and Conservatives) failed to consider the differences between the 1994 Clinton healthcare initiative and today’s overwhelmingly Democratic majority. His response? Republicans should have compromised on the current bill, a bill which broadly resembles Mitt Romney’s plan in Massachusetts and one conceived by the Heritage Foundation in the early 90’s. Even more interesting, he blames Republican obstructionism on the unbending rhetoric of Talk-Radio Conservatives (Levin, Beck, Rush) bent on pillorying anything reminiscent of President Obama. Frum sees hysteria as the greatest contributor to Republican/Conservative defeat; his own words, “abject and irreversible defeat.”
It is much to early to offer any long-term historical analysis, but Frum’s proposal raises interesting questions on whether Republicans (and conservatives) can posit any other image than the stereotyped geriatric yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
The problem with the Republican base is that it’s driven by pure anger unmolested by reality. People like Frum are spitting into the wind, unfortunately.
“David Frum and Talk-Radio Conservatives” and related posts: Mere OrthodoxyDavid Frum has a very interesting respo… http://bit.ly/a1Plhl
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
“David Frum and Talk-Radio Conservatives” and related posts: Mere OrthodoxyDavid Frum has a very interesting respo… http://bit.ly/dmyHBl
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Just found you guys off of Frum’s site. Liking what I see! Look forward to reading more. Cheers!
David Frumm makes a compelling point. Today’s Republicans have a horde of Eugene McCarthys, but where are its Margaret Chase Smiths and Dwight Eisenhowers?
My problem with Frum’s proposal is Frum himself. He is brilliant, erudite, and insightful, but seems to increasingly lack or downplay any notion of social conservatism. I’m not sure if there is any room for traditionalist social philosophy in his corner.
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