Conservatives to GOP field: Defy us at your own peril

Published September 27, 2015

by Steve Peoples and Jill Colvin, Associated Press, published on WRAL.com, September 26, 2015.

The Republican Party's conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner's stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril.

Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace our uncompromising stance against abortion rights and gay marriage, among other priorities, even if doing so risks a federal government shutdown.

An emboldened conservative movement signals fresh trouble for White House candidates viewed by the party's frustrated base as insufficiently committed to their cause. Chief among them is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

"Conservatives are on fire at the moment," said Gary Bauer, a former president of the Family Research Council. He was among the featured speakers at the Values Voter annual conference that brought an estimated 2,000 evangelical activists to Washington this weekend.

Boehner's announcement that he would resign from Congress by the end of October came without warning Friday, nearly four months before voting begins in the presidential primary. His decision revealed a deep divide within the GOP that raises questions about the party's ability to unite behind one candidate next spring.

Hard-line conservatives were deeply disappointed with the last two Republican presidential nominees — former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain. Boehner was unpopular among conservative activists, and his resignation will give them new hope that the party may choose a candidate who energizes the most passionate voters, even if that nominee is seen as less attractive to a general election crowd.

A co-founder of the tea party movement said Boehner was just another of the establishment figures taken down by frustrated conservatives. "Today, the insurgency is more emboldened than ever and looks to even further dominate the presidential elections in 2016," said Mark Meckler. "Our influence is growing."

In the crowded hallways of the Values Voter conference, 60-year-old Alvin Kaddatz said the turmoil on Capitol Hill sends a clear message to the presidential field. "They need to be listening to what the people are saying," said Kaddatz, who sells farm equipment in Hillsboro, Texas. "They need to follow through on their promises. And if they don't, elections have consequences."

It's unclear whether grass-roots conservatives can back up their tough talk.

But in an undeniably anti-establishment climate, the leading presidential contenders appear to be complying, for now.

Most support a tea party-backed measure to strip federal dollars from the women's health care provider Planned Parenthood as part of budget negotiations, even if such a move causes a partial government shutdown as early as this coming week.

Polls show a majority of voters oppose such brinkmanship over this issue. Republicans were largely blamed the last time government shutdown over funding for the Affordable Care Act, which lasted 16 days in 2013.

Who's indicated a willingness to take it that far? Businessman Donald Trump; Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas; former technology executive Carly Fiorina; retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Chris Christie of New Jersey; and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

All those in the race want to strip the money from Planned Parenthood, but only a few want to do that without risking a shutdown. Put Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in this category. That does little to help's Bush's standing with conservatives, already skeptical of his commitment to their principles.

Bush was a noticeable omission from the Values Voter speaking program. He cited a scheduling conflict.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, which hosted the weekend conference, was surprised by Bush's absence.

"He needs to do well with this voting bloc," Perkins said of social conservatives. "Especially where he's at now in the polls. He needs all the help he can get."

Bush's team cited 14 public and private meetings with religious conservative leaders since April, suggesting that his absence from the Values Voter summit did not signal a lack of commitment to their priorities.

For Arlie Olsen, 64, who raises pigs in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Boehner's departure was "a good omen for where the country may be headed."

Olsen offered a message to his party's 2016 class: "It is going to be really hard for a candidate to win if they don't have the backing of this group."

Read More NC SPIN >>

September 27, 2015 at 11:10 am
Norm Kelly says:

So, once again we have a group talking about shutting down the federal government. First, it's so obvious that this has no affect or effect on the nation that it's not worth the time & effort it normally takes to talk or write about it. Shutting down the central planners is something we should look forward to and something that should happen on a regular basis. The US Constitution calls for the central planning organization to be small, limited, out of people's daily lives. Shutting them down goes a long way in making sure this happens!

Second, who exactly is talking about shutting down the government? Just like last time, the only ones saying central planners will be given an extra paid vacation are LIBS! Who was responsible for the last shut down? That's right! LIBS! The Socialist Party REFUSED to negotiate with Republicans on budget items. LIBS insisted that if Republicans didn't capitulate, socialist party members would guarantee a federal government shut down. Libs started talking about shutting down central planners MONTHS before it happened. And their allies in the media simply carried the story that Republicans insisted federal government would shutdown unless Republican demands were met. Another total lie by media ally types in support of their socialist party member allies. What's happening this time around?

Libs in government refuse to negotiate with Republicans in Washington. Libs in the media generally, almost overwhelmingly, carry the story that Republicans are determined to shut down the feds. Once again, what are the facts? Don't look to your local lib pol for an honest answer. Don't look to your local 'news' paper editorial page for truth. Chances are you can't count on your local or national 'news' outlet for truth either. Most of these outlets, that used to be news outlets, simply carry the lib/socialist line without question. Most of these outlets seem to get the Demoncrat Party talking points memo and run with it. There appears to be no investigation, no honesty, and no editing before running with the lib memo.

Once again Demons refuse to negotiate on a small number of budget line items. It's either their way or they will force a government shut down. And media allies are more than willing, seem to be chomping at the bit, to repeatedly report that Republicans want to shut down the government over partisan issues. So, typically, Republicans want to appear to be open-minded, kind, loving, considerate and go along with the lib/media lie so they appear to get along. Except what Republicans usually do is abandon their principles in order to avoid being tarred & feathered by demons and media allies. With the result being those of us who voted for change, putting Republicans in control, are dismayed, disillusioned, and tend to stay home during the next election cycle, while demons and media allies continue to roast Republicans for not giving in completely to the lib mantra. Either way Republican pols seem to be losers. They can either do the right thing, stand on principle, do what they were elected to do, and get roasted by socialists & media allies. Or they can do the wrong thing, capitulate to the socialist agenda, and get roasted by socialists, roasted by media allies, and shunned by Republican voters. One way the country wins, Republicans win, citizens win. The other way, the country loses, Republicans lose, citizens lose, socialist policies win. Every time socialism wins, it's bad for the country, it's bad for citizens, but it's good for socialist pols.

Every time you read a 'news' story that supports the socialist agenda, ask yourself if you can trust the source. Ask yourself if freedom has done more to improve the lives of people across the globe or if socialism has. Ask yourself why socialists are so bent on implementing their ideas even when it means violating the US Constitution? Ask yourself where people are happier, socialist countries around the world where everyone lives at the same low-level or free countries where people are allowed to achieve what we want to achieve. Ask yourself who has done more to promote freedom and success in the world, the free citizens of the US or socialist/fascist nations like African countries, Korea, China, Cuba, etc.