2006 Elections Are Still About Conservatism
By Christopher Adamo (10/19/06)
Despite all of the hype the media have spawned from the Mark Foley
controversy and the direction in which they want to take it, a critically
important facet of the 2006 elections should not be overlooked. With few
notable exceptions, this campaign cycle once again focuses chiefly on the
issues of importance to conservative America. And this pattern has remained
unchanged for more than the past two decades.
Admittedly, the War on Terror, and in particular, the ongoing situation in
Iraq, provide aspiring liberal politicians with an occasional opportunity to
pander to their far left, “cut and run” base. But even when attempting to
appeal to that fringe constituency, liberal candidates often pull their
punches, seeking to establish themselves as “cut and run” candidates who do
not really endorse the idea of cutting and running.
Outside of the Terror War, in which the GOP still holds a commanding
advantage, the two biggest issues on the minds of the general public are
congressional pork barrel spending and immigration. Here, the Republican
majority has unfortunately left the door open to justifiable criticism,
except that those doing the criticizing are inarguably in favor of an agenda
that is much worse for the nation.
It is altogether amusing to listen to California Democrat and House Minority
Leader Nancy Pelosi, attempting to portray her party as one of “fiscal
responsibility.” Yet that is the very case she must make if she is to have
any hope of victory.
The other major “wedge” issue that the Democrats are attempting to use for
leverage is illegal immigration. However, their flagrant track record of
promoting “diversity,” “multiculturalism,” and special “rights” for every
minority group, essentially abandoning America’s traditional heritage, does
not equate to a believable Democrat stance in favor of border security. So
again they must tap dance.
Returning to the Foley scandal, it is bizarrely amusing to see Democrats
feigning indignation over a congressional page situation that mirrors what
they demanded of the Boy Scouts. It far exceeds any boundaries of hypocrisy
that they would now recoil at the prospect of young, vulnerable pages under
the stewardship of homosexual authority figures. Yet this is the case that
they must make, if they are to convince Americans who hold to traditional
values that they are indeed the party of preference to champion such things.
Apparently, we are supposed to believe that the moral integrity of our young
people would be better protected in the hands of the God-hating liberalism
embodied by the nanny state and the counterculture. But only on such a basis
can they hope to gain any advantage from the Foley scandal.
So the charade continues, escalating into “high gear” during the last few
days before the midterm elections. And any in depth observation of the
Democrat posturing and antics reveals that most are having a very difficult
time of it. But some notable exceptions do exist.
One of the most accomplished politicians, who may well succeed at this ruse,
is the current Governor of Wyoming, Dave Freudenthal. An inarguable Democrat
in a stridently “Red” heartland state, Freudenthal initially assumed his
position as a result of an odd conflagration of circumstances. Consequently,
he has been compelled ever since to maintain a skillful “balancing act,” at
least until he can secure reelection.
In the 2002 race, he was pitted against a former Democrat turned moderate
Republican, who had been hand-chosen by the state’s Republican
establishment. Voters rejected the obvious cronyism that had predetermined
the GOP nominee, and thus Freudenthal won by default. Since then he has
masterfully talked “right” while governing left.
Now he finds himself in a race against a true conservative in the person of
Ray Hunkins. And although all signs currently point to Freudenthal’s
ownership of a commanding lead, his behavior shows him to be far from
confident, unless he can continue to control the nature of the campaign.
From the early days of the campaign season, he consistently shied from
debating Hunkins. Only recently did he engage his challenger at a time and
place that would most certainly not be viewed by any majority of the voters.
The reasons for his hesitance are obvious. While knowing what to say in
front of the cameras on a multitude of topics, his track record, especially
in regards to defining social/cultural issues, is decidedly far to the left
of the traditional mindset of the Cowboy State.
Ample evidence of his liberalism exists, for those willing to seek it out.
Unfortunately, the Wyoming GOP has done little to help, having been
thoroughly shell-shocked by the ferocity of press accusations of scandal
mongering, in the wake of an investigation into possible misuse of public
funds.
So his safest course is to keep the focus off of his liberal track record,
presenting a public persona that ensures such information remains as
thoroughly suppressed as possible. And in this he has a misbegotten
accomplice in the often-clueless Republican state political apparatus.
Despite all of the media hype, when boiled down to its essence, this year’s
elections are no different than any other of recent years. In order for
liberal Democrats to win outside of Vermont and California, they must
successfully create the impression that they are anything but liberal
Democrats. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming’s undeniably slick Governor, can show
them all how it is done.
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