Blistering WSJ Article on the Death of Intellectualism in the Republican Party

[BASEHEAD]

How, 30 years later, could younger conservative intellectuals promote a candidate like Sarah Palin, whose ignorance, provinciality and populist demagoguery represent everything older conservative thinkers once stood against?

If we are to believe liberals,after 8 years of fiscal irresponsibility and the the small guy suffering at the hands of the elite corporate titans, why would an actual conservative who seems to cater to the peoples wishes,instead of big business have any luster? Go figure.

Is elitism a positive quality? Even if it was a hallmark of the GOP historically, is Palin being critiqued for being populist?Im mean it seems to be clear shes genuinely a small town person with small town beliefs...yet somehow since shes not cut from the 1950s cloth we're to mock her.

Perhaps punish her for being her true Alaskan self.

 

[fletchisrhsm]

How, 30 years later, could younger conservative intellectuals promote a candidate like Sarah Palin, whose ignorance, provinciality and populist demagoguery represent everything older conservative thinkers once stood against?

If we are to believe liberals,after 8 years of fiscal irresponsibility and the the small guy suffering at the hands of the elite corporate titans, why would an actual conservative who seems to cater to the peoples wishes,instead of big business have any luster? Go figure.

Is elitism a positive quality? Even if it was a hallmark of the GOP historically, is Palin being critiqued for being populist?Im mean it seems to be clear shes genuinely a small town person with small town beliefs...yet somehow since shes not cut from the 1950s cloth we're to mock her.

Perhaps punish her for being her true Alaskan self.

Well said Basey, i just think she isnt that bright to be honest. I mean other then her social stances, i could get on board with someone who wants to cut taxes for everyone and slash government spending. That person however must be intelligent. I know her SATs bla bla bla....but i know alot of cats that had good test scores, but still was dumb as hell when you got them in a conversation. That is the draw to Obama, he is a very smart man. I dont dig him whatsoever, but i can understand why the people are lapping him up....i just dont condone it.

 

[RobFunk]

A quick synopsis:

When Palin got chosen as McCain's running mate:

Democrats - "Wow!, this is going to be easier than we thought."
Republicans - "I love this woman! She's great!"

After the slaughter:

Democrats - "Well, it looks like Palin's political career on a national stage is all done."
Republicans - "I want to see this woman on the 2012 ticket!"

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You can just see it how the two partys think differently. The article couldnt be more on the money.

 

[BASEHEAD]

Well said Basey, i just think she isnt that bright to be honest. I mean other then her social stances, i could get on board with someone who wants to cut taxes for everyone and slash government spending. That person however must be intelligent. I know her SATs bla bla bla....but i know alot of cats that had good test scores, but still was dumb as hell when you got them in a conversation. That is the draw to Obama, he is a very smart man. I dont dig him whatsoever, but i can understand why the people are lapping him up....i just dont condone it.

IMHO her image was under siege and savagely undermined since day one by the imaginary liberal media.After hearing her speaking on many occasions its clear shes not quite the idiot the left enjoys portraying her as.If gaffes and embarrassing deer in the headlight moments equal stupidity,then most of her critics fall into thier own parameters for non intellectualism Im sure.

Obama is a smart man,no question but intelligence hardly equals sound policy.At this point,I want sound policy.Ill forgo her lack of a Harvard education (and her rather strict adherance to religion)for some actual fiscal conservatism.Shes seems to have a knack of getting folks together and working for the good of the populus.Her executive leadership in Alaska was ridiculously minimized by public opinion.

Palin may not be Einstein but to me Obamas intelligence translates to nothing more than the ability to speak smoothly in public.This obviously has served him well.It doesnt seem like hes managed to figure the kind of results will come from his grand schemes tho.

The fact the siege still continues is telling.

 

[kingbill]

The republicans problems are they are focused too much on Social issues. Stay the f out of people business and help businesses succeed on a global scale.

 

[DeathEatsaCracker]

The republicans problems are they are focused too much on Social issues. Stay the f out of people business and help businesses succeed on a global scale.

This is why I feel there is a civil war between the moderate Republicans and the far right conservatives brewing, if it hasn't already started.

I've listened to Rush almost every day since the election and last week he spent as much time railing against McCain and the moderates as he did Obama.

Though it's going to be fun to watch, our country will suffer because an impotent Republican party shifts the balance of power way too much toward the Dems.

 

[piccolo]

Hey.. i do hope those the republicans choose the far right base!

Like some one posted before, Most liberals are praying that republicans front Palin and the next great republican.

 

[3peet]

Great read. This isn't a republican slam. Its somewhat of a wakeup article. A wake up to the republican party saying, "What are you people doing?!!!"

Like I always said in this campaign, I could never understand why anyone with a conscience would want the equivalent of their next door neighbor as President? I mean "Joe The Plumber" people??? I mean seriously.

And yes, i whole heartedly agree, Hannity and Limbaugh are trash. And not because of what they spin as anti - liberal. Its the content and style. It's tabloid. And whether or not it gets ratings then fine. But in my opinion WWF Smackdown gets ratings too. Don't mean any of it's real.

Give me NPR, or conservatives like David Gergen & George Will anyday over Hannity & Limbaugh.

 

[RobFunk]

Cut the christian right loose. Wow they are awful.

Bring back the Paleoconservatism movement.

 

[BASEHEAD]

The republicans problems are they are focused too much on Social issues. Stay the f out of people business and help businesses succeed on a global scale.

yup.