Comments on: Young, unpredictable and right-wing

By: skepticlawyer » Women as means to an end

skepticlawyer » Women as means to an end — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:23:54 +0000

[...] few days ago, Don Arthur drew my attention to the latest ‘rebuilt the busted GOP from the Ground Up’ tome, Ross [...]

By: Don Arthur

Don Arthur — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:22:33 +0000

… nobody is going to win elections on a platform taken from the Cato policy handbook.”

And nobody’s going to argue with that.

But since I’m not one of the handful of people whose job it is to craft messages for election campaigns, for me these books are only of academic interest.

I know that some people make a hobby out of backseat-driving during election campaigns, but if I’m going to read something that’s of academic interest, I’d rather it was about ideas with longer shelf than how party x can win the next election.

By: Andrew Norton

Andrew Norton — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:07:10 +0000

I’m a fan of Will Wilkinson too, but even in America nobody is going to win elections on a platform taken from the Cato policy handbook. JC’s right that thinking about how to win elections is important too.

By: Down and Out of Sài Gòn

Down and Out of Sài Gòn — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:17:45 +0000

Let me be clearer this fine morn: “Their ideas may or may not be very good.” I blame the Tour de France for my ambiguity.

By: delperro

delperro — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:43:13 +0000

Is Lloyd gay?

By: Niall

Niall — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:24:21 +0000

everyone has opinions, but why is there a need to categorise, pidgeon-hole or otherwise put those opinions into boxes for simple dismissal?

By: Down and Out of Sài Gòn

Down and Out of Sài Gòn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25:26 +0000

Helen: the writers Brooks mentions are the wonky types who are into ideas and social policy. Their ideas may not be very good. Some are dishonest. Brooks himself is the type of person who writes amateur social analysis for the New York Times, and (by utter coincidence) always comes to conclusions that coincide with the Republican agenda. In other words, he’s a hack. But none of them are Our Lady Of Perpetual Outrage - the woman who wants to tell you why Dunkin’ Donuts supports terrorism, and why Absolut Vodka advocates Reconquista. One of these things doesn’t belong with the others.

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:03:08 +0000

I don’t see poor old (I mean young) Michelle Malkin in there, what is she, chopped liver?! Her wingnut credentials are impeccable. And what about Caitlin Flanagan? Just to name two off the top of my head.

By: Don Arthur

Don Arthur — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:01:58 +0000

I have been a reader of the blogosphere since 2002. During all that time I have found just one new idea on social and economic organisation that seems like it might have some value and I don’t think I even got that from a blog.

swio - Now you’ve made me curious. What was this new idea and are sure it wasn’t just an old idea you hadn’t come across before?

By: swio

swio — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:38:48 +0000

I have been a reader of the blogosphere since 2002. During all that time I have found just one new idea on social and economic organisation that seems like it might have some value and I don’t think I even got that from a blog.

Blogs are often fun to read but eventually you realise that the underlying ideas and arguments never really change.

By: Jason Soon

Jason Soon — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:50:48 +0000

Grand New Party is paleo-conservatism with a polite face

http://www.vdare.com/sailer/080713_ideas.htm

For a libertarian critique see here

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/16/ross_is_right/#more

By: JC

JC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:30:32 +0000

Instead of presenting a coherent philosophical and policy position, they try to craft a message that will appeal to the target group without alienating the party’s base.

But that’s how you win elections, Don. The political philosophy remains the same but the message is communicated with different words.

the forgotten middle class.

the bridge to the 21 st century

Contract with America.

Working families.

These have political philosophies redrafted in new language… well

“bridge to the 21st century”

not so much.