…not THE status quo which is democratic control of congress but A status quo, making sure that waves are not made with particular interests.
The thing about power is it waxes and wanes, sooner or later the Republicans will again control the house and/or senate. Sooner or later they will be Chairmen of committees that have spending and taxing power and that means sooner or later interests will shower them with money and favors to retain their particular interests.
The problem is if you get candidates who actually take conservatism seriously then that type of business as usual becomes harder and said power brokers loose face with the money men who might God forbid withhold their largess or even worse support the other guys!
This is why NY23 is significant. There are likely internal reasons why Dede Scozzafava was selected but like Newt’s endorsement is short term thinking (unless his primary concern is the gravy train). If the party discourages conservatives they will see more of this.
The republican party is happy when it comes to the tea party movement generating negative ratings for the president and challenging him so they don’t have to do it. About actually electing conservatives that will challenge Republicans to actually live up to the fiscal responsibilities that they espouse? Not so much.
I should note that you get the same dynamic from the other side. The far left is strung along for money to preserve majorities by electing democrats in “purple” districts but those same candidates balk at the radical agenda and the people who put up the money rightly cry foul. The hypocrisy is the same but one significant difference exists.
The conservative principles of the tea party protesters:
Fiscal responsibility
Support of Military victory and the Troops
Judeo-Christian values
Lower Taxes
These appeal to the great mass of the American public and are often publicly declared even by progressives.
The liberal principles of progressives:
Government Socialism
American defeat abroad and support of repression
Secular humanism ridicule of Judo-Christian values
Higher Taxes
These can NOT be declared openly without electoral defeat except in the most radical areas such as San Francisco.
You will on occasion see “progressives” espouse some or all of the conservative values while running to get elected, you will never see a conservative espouse the 2nd.
Update: Professor Darren Hutchinson seems to notice our problem in reverse. It appears both of use are being used like Leonard Hofstadter for Leslie Winkle immediate satisfaction.
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