Well there’s been a few good articles about the liberal version of CPAC being run by the “Campaign for America’s Future” check out one good column here. Some quick observations:
1. The strength of the centre-right coalition vs. the left (with a tad bit of centre) coalition can be seen in the panels. While the liberals made their event basically a pep rally with dissenting views mostly on tactics, CPAC is home to many contentious panels on issues. Immigration is a great example, the panel was heated and intense, but in the end we all knew we played for the same team.
2. Cohesion of the centre-right coalition. I’ve recently been in attendance at a couple of Grover Norquist’s Wednesday meetings where basically all the centre-right groups in DC get together and tell everyone what their doing and work together. Again there are contentious issues: No Child Left Behind, immigration, etc but basically it acts as a clearinghouse allowing groups to find likely allies. One might describe it as a confederation, but it works and it scares the Democrats.
3. Institutions. Heritage, CATO, ATR, Progress for America, Leadership Institute, etc. The right has spent forty years building institutions that have paid serious dividends. While the left certainly has the ACLU, Campaign for America’s Future, People for the American Way, etc they are not nearly as organized or strong as our organizations are. The left is much more reliant on unions, univerisities and the main stream media for their support. As the MSM has fallen, we’ve seen liberals fail, but no doubt the other two pillars in their triumverate are also showing serious cracks. If they fall also the left simply has nothing comperable to fall back on.
4. Ideas. “Conservatives are the new progressives” has been the recent catch phrase and to a certain extent it is true. When was the last time the Democrats proposed a large sweeping reform to America. (answer: Hillarycare). Meanwhile the Conservatives have medicare, welfare, social security, United Nations reform, etc, etc. We are the party of ideals and they are the party of the status-quo and defending that status-quo. Its a testament to how strong they were for 50 years, but also has been a detriment to them lately as they have no plan (example: Their idiotic “there’s no crisis” response to Social Security).

In the end, the centre-right coalition and the conservative movement are leaps and bounds in front of the left, but we still face huge obstacles and we shouldn’t become too comfortable. Our number one problem now has been electoral success. We win elections but don’t accomplish goals, that can come back to haunt you as the Democrats learned in 1994… let’s hope the GOP gets that message in time.

Bloggin’ for Bryant has a great story contrasting Ed Bryant to Bob Corker in the TN Senate race. Basically Bryant went out of his way to help a candidate in a predominantly D district, who ended up losing but upped the share the Republicans usually get by about 10%.

I have said for a long time that Republicans need to begin building some bases in inner cities, because as the suburbs turn progressively more liberal the country and the exurbs may not always get the job done. For example the loss of the Philly suburbs to the Democrats happened in about a decade and has made Pennsylvania more and more blue. If the Republicans don’t start making inroads in the massively Democratic areas of Philly and probably more hopefully Pittsburgh then PA will be a solid Blue state, at least on the federal level.

Let’s hope the Republicans of PA learn something from Bryant.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation has launched a newsite RockTheHypocrisy.com to highlight how out of touch Rock The Vote is with America’s youth.

There will be a protest at 5:30PM, Wednesday June 8th at the National Building Museum (Corner of 4th & G St NW - Washington, DC). If you want to come you can RSVP here or find out more information here.

DISCLAIMER: I am a paid contractor for Americans for Prosperity

This story would almost be funny if it were not true, but it is. Sen Ted Stevens, the appropriations committee chairman has worked it out so that Anchorage gets 1.5 Mil for a bus stop. This is nothing but pure pork and is down right disgusting. Sen. Stevens is no Republican, he is a RINO at best. The best part is that this bus stop is going to get heated sidewalks. Now if that is not a waste of money, what is?