The "Conservative" Problem

I toyed with the idea of entitling this "The 'Conservative' Question" but that was too much even for me. I credit Charles Krauthammer for provoking the thoughts that follow and I dedicate this post to him. Perhaps he will see it and respond? Perhaps not. But I mean no disrespect. Well, maybe I do? I don't know, I will think on that further.

Right before retiring to a blissful sleep last night I tuned into FoxPAC to see their side of the story. I had read about Karl Rove trying to convince FoxPAC that Ohio was still open. Okay, a little desperate, don't ever watch FoxPAC but this might be entertaining. Shortly after tuning in to 62-61 I see a rather smug looking Krauthammer saying in a calm tone that this doesn't mean that "conservatives" need to do any kind of introspection, the election was close and their message of "small government" is still incredibly popular.

In what respect, Charlie?

And yes that's a dig on sister Sarah.

"Small government" is a fine bumper sticker slogan, Charlie. No one is going to be against "small government" any more than they will be against "motherhood" or "apple pie." But what part of "small government" is popular? The part that "conservatives" like Saint Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush have actually successfully enacted?

We will never have actual small government. The population has grown. Government grows.

Or would that be the incredibly popular efforts to snuff out Medicare and Social Security? Or to redistribute that wealth to K-Street? Or is it the effort to criminalize abortion? That "small government?"

I'm getting a little confused here Charlie. What are you talking about? Can you be specific?

Could Charlie have this wrong? He was so confident on FoxPAC last night. This was not a come to Jesus moment for Republicans. No. No. No.

Hmm. What's the first stage of grief? The word escapes me but it's related to "no" is it not?

So let's see. We have fear mongering. Check, but that didn't win this election. We have massive lies and shape shifting, check, but that didn't win this election. We tried to buy the election with tons of cash and smearing, but that didn't win this election. We tried to suppress the vote because God knows we can't actually try to appeal to WE, THE PEOPLE. No, no, no. Can't have that.

And the fact that the election was close means we don't have to try to actually appeal to WE, THE PEOPLE. Right Charlie? No introspection for you.

Hey, I know! You weren't "conservative" enough!

But Mitt told us he was a "severe conservative?" He wouldn't have lied to us, would he? Gee, he didn't seem to be troubled at all by that lie, and neither did you seem to be all that troubled by the lies. Lie after lie.

Denial. That's it!

Next up Charlie, is anger.