THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume VIII, Issue # 106, June 17, 2006
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
HILLARY CLINTON VERSUS JOHN MCCAIN:
LAST HOPE FOR GOP "MODERATES"
By Christopher G. Adamo
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, "MODERATE" REPUBLICANS, & THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2008: THE AMERICAN
POLITICAL LEFT IS FOLLOWING ITS USUAL STRATEGY OF SEEKING NOMINATION OF A LIBERAL LEFTIST REPUBLICAN TO
RUN AGAINST A LIBERAL LEFTIST DEMOCRAT -- THE VAST CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MUST
UNITE TO DEFEND TRULY CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES & PREVENT THEIR PARTY FROM NOMINATING A PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE WHO WILL SUPPORT WATERED-DOWN PUBLIC POLICY PROPOSALS TOUTED BY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS --
CONSERVATIVES MUST MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE CONSERVATIVE POLICY AGENDA IS NOT SABOTAGED -- THE LEFT MUST
NOT BE ALLOWED TO MARGINALIZE CONSERVATIVE AMERICA
FULL STORY:
The June 12, 2006, cover page of USA Today contained an article entitled
“Dems Slipping in State Races.” The article stated:
"Polling data for President Bush and the War on Terror
have improved greatly in the immediate aftermath of the
death of al Zarqawi. Despite occasional temporary
setbacks, a groundswell of Conservatism continues to
shift the political debate decisively to the polkitical Right."
So why should Republicans be anything but happy? Sadly, among those Republicans who have, over the years, postured
themselves to the socalled "political Center" (euphamism for the Liberal wing of the Republican Party), these recent trends
are only a cause for alarm.
A truly Conservative country wants truly Conservative responses to the
problems of the day. No longer can the political class hope to maintain
itself amid the luxury of high office by merely expressing concern and
occasionally throwing horrendous sums of money at looming problems .
Conservatives demand and expect results.
Conversely, the “Moderate” wing of the GOP has always been content to let
the political debate be defined and ultimately led by Liberals. Far too
often, typical Republican policy is to offer a watered-down version of
whatever agenda item is being touted by Liberal Democrats on Capitol Hill.
A decidedly Conservative presence in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S Senate would require more
than this standard “me too” political strategy from the “Moderates.” Such a
possibility represents the materialization of their worst fears.
Against this political backdrop, the possibility of a McCain-Hillary presidential contest
might prove to be their last, best hope. What more could they ask for than a
contest between a Democrat who finds it amazingly easy to advocate far-Left
causes on one day and then completely abandon them when the audience
changes, and a “Republican” who regularly sabotages any U.S. Senate effort to
advance a Conservative agenda?
The possibility of such an electoral line-up, regardless of who might
ultimately prevail in 2008, would redound to the “Moderates” as a win/win situation,
and the best of all “lesser of two evils” scenarios by which the Moderates
have historically undermined and dissipated Conservative momentum.
Ultimately, to whatever degree McCain represents such a “lesser of two evils,”
similarities between the two presidential hopefuls vastly outweigh any
differences. Both supported the unconstitutional filibuster of judicial
nominees, and both have been ambivalent at best when it comes to the War on
Terror. Frequently, Hillary’s professed stance on national security even
appears to be more in line with mainstream America than that of McCain, but
this, of course, is constantly subject to change.
Nevertheless, it is assured that if McCain were to lose to Hillary, his
tepid “Rightwing” views on social issues would be touted as reason for his
defeat. On the other hand, a McCain victory would be relentlessly trumpeted
as proof of the dominance of the political Middle. Ultimately, this line-up
in 2008 would represent an indefensible rehash of the dismal battles of the
1992 and 1996 presidential races.
In the presidential race of 1992, the determining issue was Conservative
America’s aversion to the fence sitting and capitulation of the senior
George Bush. Having distanced himself from Ronald Reagan’s coattails as far
back as his inauguration speech, George H. W. Bush eventually sealed his
fate as a one-term president by abandoning his famous “Read my lips” promise
not to raise taxes.
Amazingly, it was the political Left that most loudly decried his capitulation,
despite the fact that the very same cabal had previously exerted enormous
pressure on him to abandon his pledge.
To make their philosophical triumph complete in the wake of Bill Clinton’s
victory, Liberals then asserted that Conservative social issues, and Bush’s
opposition to abortion in particular, had doomed his reelection bid. This
was a particularly bitter epitaph since the advocacy of “family values” was
only embraced out of desperation by the Bush camp in the waning days of the
campaign.
Predictably, key Republican players, such as Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson,
were quick to embrace the notion as a means of marginalizing Conservatism.
Throughout the intervening years, however, a tidal wave of Conservatism swept
the nation, nurtured and bolstered by the alternative media. Eventually, it
turned the tables on the “Moderates.”
In countless ways, the political landscape has completely changed during the
past decade. The immigration “reform” bill, recently passed by the Senate,
is being revisited by that body as a direct result of the outcry from an
informed public. America’s support for the War on Terror is rallying, despite
ceaseless efforts by the political Left to destroy morale and convince America of its
imminent defeat.
Contrary to standard “moderate” thinking, no common ground exists between
the two political camps. Conservatives must therefore move confidently
forward and unite behind the candidacy of one who will truly further their
cause. The 2008 presidential election will prove to be either the defining contest between true
representatives of the political Left and the political Right, or a disastrous and
humiliating dying gasp of Republican efforts at “moderation.”
It is therefore critical that Conservative America not allow the “Moderates”
to take center stage. Among such people, the issues of the day and their
reaction to them are never a matter of the nation’s well being, but only
their own political fortunes. America cannot afford for the Presidency to be
determined on that basis.
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Politics & Political Competition
Liberalism Versus Conservatism in American Politics
Conservative Political & Cultural Organizations
American Government & the U.S. Presidency
The American Political System:
Politics & Government in the U.S.A.
Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming and works in the field of industrial instrumentation.
He is actively involved in Wyoming's political process, serving as a delegate to successive Wyoming State Republican Conventions
and as a member of the Wyoming State Republican Central Committee. He has assisted Republican candidates for local and state
legislatures and for the United States Congress. His articles, which appear regularly in The Progressive Conservative, U.S.A.,
and on a number of other websites, reflect a major concern with the damage being done to Conservatism and Conservative causes by
the Liberal Leftist faction in the Republican Party as well as by the much larger and more powerful Liberal Leftist faction in the
Democratic Party. During the early and middle 1990s, Adamo was Editor of the Wyoming Christian Coalition's official news organ,
The Wyoming Christian.
Return to Top of Page
Go to the WEBSITE INDEX
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Public Issues & Political Controversies
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Most Recent Articles
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Volume VIII, 2006
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Subject Matter Highlights
Return to POLITICAL EDUCATION Homepage
CONTACT & ACCESS INFORMATION
This is not a commercial website. The sole purpose of the website is to share with interested persons information regarding civics,
civic and social education, political science, government, politics, law, constitutional law and history, public policy, and political
philosophy and history, as well as current and recent political developments, public issues, and political controversies.
POLITICAL EDUCATION, CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS
POLITICS, SOCIETY, & THE SOVEREIGN STATE
Website of Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.
Government, Politics, Public Policy, Legal Issues, Constitutional Law, Government & the Economy, Cultural Values, Foreign Affairs,
International Relations, Military Defense & National Security, Geopolitics, Terrorism & Homeland Security, American National Interests,
Political Systems & Processes, Political Institutions, Political Ideologies, & Political Philosophy
INDEX FOR THE ENTIRE WEBSITE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Conservative & Free-Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic,
Cultural, Military, International, Strategic, & Geopolitical Issues