As you can tell from the comments, Brian Cronin’s blog has generated the kind of political discussion we intended.
While the comments vary, the original blogs are only from the perspective of the political left.
What’s disappointing is that we have been trying for two weeks to find a blogger from the right. I’ve personally asked about 10 different people and even called the Governor’s office to get a recommendation. None of the people I’ve contacted – including the Governor’s office’s recommendation – has been bold enough to step forward. Of course, some of them have legitimate excuses because they are either lobbyists, they are running for office or they are working for other politicians.
Ironically, some of them have responded to Cronin’s blog.
It’s time for someone to stand up for the principles of the political right in Idaho. We’ll give you an opportunity to explain your position in a very partisan way. Of course, you’ll get comments from those who disagree with you, but our goal is to have a discussion about legislative issues that matter to the business community. It’s the Right thing to do.
If you’re out there, send me a private e-mail to let me know of your interest. Be prepared to send me some examples of your writing ability.
13 Comments
We have jobs.
Comment By Joe Blow Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 10:43 AM
This paper endorses Jerry Brady for Governor, former managing editor leaves to run the Idaho Democrat Party and then you start this bi-partisian blog with a D instead of waiting to get a counter-point? Sorry Rick but this paper is more like the Boise Weekly than the WSJ.
Plus we have jobs.
Comment By Jack Stanton Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 12:15 PM
Jack, those are legitimate concerns, but I assure you I don't belong to either party. In fact, I was a writer for former US Senator Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyoming) and worked on US Sen. Bob Dole's (R-Kansas) presidential campaign.
And I don't know where the invitation came from, but I accepted and attended the Governor's ball a few weeks ago. I thought that was a kind gesture from Otter's staff after I endorsed Brady.
You are right, we did start the blog without a voice from the right because no one would step up and we wanted to initiate a political discussion before the session was over. And I think you'd have to agree that the comments in Cronin's blog certainly outweigh his initial message.
I've now received notes from a few potential writers from the Right and hope to get a pool of writers blogging soon. And I would certainly welcome one from you.
Comment By Rick/IBR Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 12:50 PM
Yeah Jack. You're informed and write well enough. A little misguided but definitely partisan. Get in there. Quit yer griping and make it what you want. I'll be waitin' in the wings. About time for you to receive a few arrows you're so fond of slinging.
Comment By Sisyphus Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 1:14 PM
No libertarian point of view? Most of the under 35 crowd that I hang with are fiscally conservative, socially liberal and are fairly independent. While the Idaho Libertarian Party is a little nutty, a true independent voice that doesn't adhere to the Democrat income redistribution plans or the Republican social restrictions might be warranted as well. To heck with left and right... what about real liberty and justice for all?
Comment By JB Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 1:34 PM
Rick, I think the problem is that true Conservativism (whittling your reference to the "political right") naturally abhors the type and vigor of dissonance and captious fustion of the activist Left.
Unfortunately, Brian's articles in this forum haven't been able to exceed that threshold. I'm positive he could change that if he so desired.
There's little opportunity for proselytizing here. Any participation would simply be an apologetic exercise and frankly, one that the contributors from the Left haven't shown any ability to deal with on a productive level.
Thus, there's little incentive for a Player to get involved-i.e. for the sake of the art or pure charity.
...at least, right now. Perhaps as the elections get down to the Red Zone things will change.
Comment By Leo A. Geis Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 1:45 PM
JB, I agree. I'm in the 50+ crowd and a lot of people I "hang with" are of the same mind. Be fiscally responsible and help those who can't (not won't) help themselves. It doesn't always have to be left verses right. Common sense should rule.
Comment By Jim A. Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 2:35 PM
Heya, Jim!
I'm going to be 50 in two weeks...but my IQ is still in the 30's!
Comment By Leo A. Geis Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 3:05 PM
Rick,
Barring a serious head injury, I will be a clear-minded conservative for the rest of my life. (Sorry, I have a job and a half and wouldn't presume to be qualified as a writer or GOP spokesman).
Here's the thing - as clearly as I identify with Republican ideals, I think our political duality is driving us to ever-greater depths of politics for the sake of politics.
You don't need a flag-waver for any party - you need someone to speak statistical truth to Cronin's anecdotal truth. (And maybe an occasional anti-psychotic when he's seeking conspiracies.)
Comment By Joe Nobody Thursday, January 24, 2008 @ 7:33 PM
Thanks IBR for this new format of Left-Right discussion. It is needed in a time when both philosophical leanings are disconnected in many ways from the Parties they used to represent.
As a fiscal conservative (Right) I am dismayed by my Party's (Republican) spending us into near ruin on the national level (not to include war spending).
On the other hand, in Idaho, I am pleased with our current and past governors' sharp eyes on the budget and the legislature's similar position while still providing the services and quality of life that make Idaho a great place to live. It is both the right (and Right) and Republican thing to do.
Nationally, our Republican President - a moderate - has way overspent, even when he had a Republican Congress; little wonder that the Right lost control of Congress. We lost control of our compass.
On the other hand, from years ago the Left and the Democratic Party parted ways, although they are trying to reconcile today.
From the time of the Waco incident led by President Clinton's Attorney General, Janet Reno, the "let it all hang out if it feels good do it" Democratic Party, attacked a sex (and religious) commune killing most of the people they wanted to "rescue." So was that Left or Right?
The Left believes in many forms of "family" yet their Democratic Party made war on one in Waco. The Right believes in religious liberty but not if children are "harmed," meaning raised in non-traditional religious ways.
Similarly, was the Elian Gonzolas incident - the Cuban boy who was rescued off the Florida coast. The pro-family Republicans (Right) fought to keep him from his father and nation of birth. The Democrats (Left) used armed force to "capture" him and send him back to his real family. Now there is a two-headed identity crisis.
Regarding the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and our battle fronts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, (and other locations), the non-interventionist Right (Republicans) are spending far too much money, effort, and military lives in trying to inflict democracy on uncivilized societies rather than restricting our efforts to terror protection of this nation.
Meanwhile the civil rights-mongering Left (Democrats) seem not to care about the lack of basic women's rights in many countries we trade with, and others they simply ignore.
All of this and today's presidential primaries could well be a re-defining of both Democrat and Republican "compasses," or it could be the continuation of a decade and half of dissolution of a tightly defined two-party system.
Regardless, it is fascinating to watch, great fun to participate in and again, kudos to the IBR for providing a forum for the debate and discussion. Let's keep it civil, smart, and let the ideas roll!
Comment By Michael Tomlin Saturday, January 26, 2008 @ 9:34 AM
Rick:
How about the middle right, not far right? Those people are too busy preaching to Bill Sali and company. Besides they are the minority.
Comment By sarah Saturday, January 26, 2008 @ 2:44 PM
Leo A. Geis wrote:
"the problem is that true Conservativism... naturally abhors the type and vigor of dissonance and captious fustion of the activist Left."
Shall we stipulate that True Conservatism and True Liberalism are equally righteous and upstanding? And that your accusation of captious fustian is self-indicting? (Nicely done other than the spelling slip-up, though.)
Comment By Tom von Alten Sunday, January 27, 2008 @ 4:24 PM
What's wrong with the Right? Looking at these posts here, I can only say... arrogance. Pure, unfiltered, unadulterated, rampant arrogance.
Comment By Coyote Monday, January 28, 2008 @ 7:39 AM
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