…when said politician wanted my opinion on some legislation, thinking that Democrats (and their Republican enablers, especially in the NH Senate) were on a path to make something much worse…
The Republican Party’s conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner’s stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril. Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace our stances against abortion rights and gay marriage, among other priorities, even if doing so risks a federal government shutdown.
An emboldened conservative movement signals fresh trouble for White House candidates viewed by the party’s frustrated base as insufficiently committed to their cause. Chief among them is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
…and I was trying to warn that person “Do not try to make it ‘less bad’ – the base will tar and feather you just like we will with those enablers. They will see you in favor of that legislation simply because you will be perceived as “hey, this is a case of wanting to keep it around when we want it killed”? This will go well for you.
TEA Party. While not mentioned much except as a perjorative by Democrats and Establishment Republicans, that movement has not yet peaked. The base has woken up and each incremental step towards their end goal does embolden us. Once again, it has passed from being rah-rah, “you are not alone”, and big events to nose to the ground, working that grindstone – and even for being called passe and old-fashioned, it keeps having a BIG impact on the politics. Go figure!
I told that politician to remember these names that tried other than the message above and insulted their voting base directly: Walt Havenstein and Scott Brown. Even with concrete examples as those, I’m not sure the message got through (hearing is not understanding, I guess). Do what you want with that legislation, and you will be categorized as just like them.
I happen to be more positive than dispositive about this politician – but I have no intention of laying down on the train tracks just because the call comes out “All ABOARD!” and that choo-choostarts down to the destination marked “Political Hell”.
As my high school Principal said EVERY day during morning announcements “forewarned is forearmed”.
Forearmed. It fits.
