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Thread: No Dissent Allowed Amongst Conservatives

  1. #1
    Member Mindcrime's Avatar
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    No Dissent Allowed Amongst Conservatives

    No Dissent Allowed: Leading Conservatives Call For Steele To Resign For Daring To Question War

    steele2 This past Friday, video surfaced of RNC Chairman Michael Steele speaking at a fundraiser in Connecticut about the war in Afghanistan. While some of Steele’s comments at the fundraiser were clearly inaccurate — such as his claim that the war was of “Obama’s choosing,” when it was started by his predecessor — he also made reasonable, debate-worthy arguments that engaging in a prolonged land war in Afghanistan is unwise.

    Rather than refuting the historical inaccuracies in the first half of Steele’s statements and thoughtfully considering his critique of the war, numerous leading conservatives have responded to Steele’s comments by lashing out at the chairman, with some even asking for him to step down from his post. Their message is clear — in the modern Republican Party, you are not allowed to question the wisdom of engaging in a war:

    - Leading conservative pundit and McCain presidential campaign advisor Bill Kristol called Steele’s comments an “affront…to the commitment of our soldiers” in Afghanistan and demanded that the chairman step down. [7/2/10]

    - RedState founder, leading movement conservative, and CNN contributor Erick Erickson said that Steele “has lost all moral authority” and he “must resign.” [7/2/10]

    - Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Steele’s remarks were “totally unacceptable” and said that he should “apologize and resign.” [7/03/10]

    - Former Bush State Department official and Keep America Safe founder Liz Cheney said that Steele’s Afghanistan comments were “deeply disappointing and wrong” and that it is “time for Steele to step down.” [7/4/10]

    - This morning on ABC’s This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said there was “no excuse” for Steele’s comments and told host Jake Tapper that “Mr. Steele is going to have to assess as to whether he can still lead the Republican Party as chairman of the Republican National Committee.” [7/4/10]

    - Speaking on Fox News Sunday today, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) demanded that Steele “apologize to our military” and said that Republicans “need a chairman who’s focused.” [7/4/10]

    - On CBS’s Face The Nation, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called Steele’s remarks “unwise” and said “we must win this war.” The senator was thankful, however, that Steele was “backtracking so fast he’s gonna be here fighting in Kabul soon.” [7/4/10]

    While leading conservatives may be fine with toppling the head of their party for daring to question the wisdom of a long and protracted war in Afghanistan, they risk marginalizing themselves politically among an American public that is increasingly opposed to America’s longest war in history. A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that a whopping 58 percent of Americans agree with President Obama’s stated timeline of July 2011 to begin withdrawal from Afghanistan.

    It is also worth noting that nine elected Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the McGovern-Obey amendment requiring President Obama to submit a timeline for withdrawal from Afghanistan — indicating that Steele’s position may be an increasingly popular one in the Republican Party.

    Source
    We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. -- Edward R. Murrow
    Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No one is entitled to their own facts.

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    Member FMD's Avatar
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    So you feel the call for him to resign is wrong?
    Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.

    "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938

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    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    No Dissent Allowed: Leading Conservatives Call For Steele To Resign For Daring To Question War

    steele2 This past Friday, video surfaced of RNC Chairman Michael Steele speaking at a fundraiser in Connecticut about the war in Afghanistan. While some of Steele’s comments at the fundraiser were clearly inaccurate — such as his claim that the war was of “Obama’s choosing,” when it was started by his predecessor — he also made reasonable, debate-worthy arguments that engaging in a prolonged land war in Afghanistan is unwise.
    Why can't he say "We are leaving Afghanistan" in 60 days and bring everyone home? What is stopping him from doing so instead of choosing to continue it?

    or is congress forcing him to leave it run it's course?

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    Member FMD's Avatar
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    Sadly, the president doesnt 'need' congress for much of anything thanks to Executive Orders.

    Therefore the President can say We are leaving Iraq/Afghanistan and thats it, we leave.

    However it seems to me, all the 'big cheeses' qare calling for his resignation because hes speaks the truth.
    Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.

    "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938

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    Member ILOVEDNY's Avatar
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    They are calling for Steeles resignation because his statement is assinine.
    We went into Afghanie to get bin Laden and deny Al Queda a base to operate.

    You can argue against Obama not giving McCrystal all he wanted for the surge.
    But to argue against the basic premise of this war is stupid.

    I supported Steele.
    But he has plain old sucked at the job.
    Time to go full time to FOX NEWS.
    Hillary will NEVER be President
    Obama is a FORMER President
    Joe Biden is in Scranton eating paste.

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    Member Mindcrime's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FMD View Post
    So you feel the call for him to resign is wrong?
    Of course. What he said is true. President Bush chose to start this war. President Bush chose to start the Iraq war. But choosing to stop it is not that simple. When an occupying force leaves a vacuum, you have to consider what will fill it once you're gone. I want those troops marched out of there as much as the next rational person, but it has to be done intelligently and thoughtfully, you know, not the way they were marched in there.

    As for Steele, conservatives have held a long tradition of marching in lockstep when it comes to voting, talking points, policy, you name it. They also have a long tradition of crucifying anyone who dares to disagree with them, especially of their own ilk. A longtime ally and friend of the party can become a crazy lunatic overnight, if all they do is order the wrong kind of sandwich for lunch.
    Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No one is entitled to their own facts.

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