Reorganize, Rethink, Get Fired Up

With Romney effectively out, most true conservatives feel lost and disappointed. Now is not the time to give up, but we must look at our priorities and how conservatives approach appreciation of their ideas.

Today, prior to Romney’s speech at CPAC, Michelle Malkin wrote a good piece.

On Wednesday, wielding his olive branch like a schoolmarm’s ruler, Sen. McCain told conservatives to “calm down.” My advice is exactly the opposite: Get fired up.

She’s right on target. But I do not think the best position would be to slam McCain, that’s not what getting fired up means. Rethink, reorganize and take a different approach, but do not give in on your core conservative issues.

Let’s oncentrate on the local conservative politicians that need our help. We can reach them. The Executive Branch and U.S. Congress – especially senators – seem to act above us – more elite. What’s the water like there anyway?

U.S. House members, governors, state legislatures and local government leaders are where we need concentrate our efforts. They are easier for us to get in touch with and really do listen to their constituents. You’ll find it easier speak directly with your local congressman. Senators do not represent the people, they represent the state’s interest by design.

In-roads can be made at this level. We’ve seen that national politicians will cater their message to the audience exclusively. I’m not saying it’s a lost cause, we just need to concentrate on a different approach – and engage the politicians we have access to.

So what should we do?

• Vote Republican at the national level, even if the nominee is not as conservative as we’d like. It looks like McCain is our nominee. Support him.
• Vote Republican at the local and state level. Send them your ideas, go to town meetings. If you like them, support them with donations of time or cash.

Why?
There are many reasons. Call it a grass-roots effort. Support a reduction of the size of the federal government. Move dollars away from Congress and into the hands of state and local governments. Finally remember that the president can make decisions that effect the judicial branch for the next 30 years.

The average age of a Supreme Court justice is about 68, and more importantly, five of the eldest six justices are on the liberal side of the court. Stevens (87), Kennedy (72), Souter (69), Ginsburg (75) and Breyer (71), average 75 years of age. Scalia (conservative) is 72, and the three most recent additions – Thomas (60), Alito (58) and Chief Justice Roberts (53) – lean conservative.

If the next president is a liberal, status-quo may continue at SCOTUS, but if we elect a Republican, a more strict judicial interpretation of law may be brought to the court – exactly what we need.

Can you imagine the Senate confirmation hearings?