Last Wednesday (May 26, 2010) I attended the First Annual Robb Kelley Victory Club Dinner, who is Robb Kelly? (
Bio) I was interested in going because Newt Gingrich was the keynote speaker. As a bonus all three of the major Republican candidates for governor and four of the candidates for Iowa’s 3rd district gave a 5 minute speech.
All of the speeches played to the fundamentals of Conservatism with some Republicanism in there too. I distinguish the two because there are subtle differences that the casual viewer might not see.
Unlike the view of conservatism by the left, it is not a belief in preserving everything of the past. Which they would point out racism, slavery and woman’s suffrage. They must be thinking about Democrats when they talk about those issues as it was the party of slavery and discrimination of minorities in the south until the 60’s when they had a conversion or a “born again” moment and much like an alcoholic or a smoker who has now quit or a person who has suddenly found god, unless you see the world through their eyes you are just wrong and evil.
Conservatives see that the founders of this country had it mostly right the first time. It is a travesty that they had to compromise on slavery in order form a “more perfect union” but their sin was paid in blood 80 years later during the civil war. What conservatives do see a truly right about the constitution and the founders is that rights do not descend from government but from God. Even if you don’t believe in God you must believe that there are rights you have that are yours and not given to you by others. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are outlined in the declaration of independence. The pursuit of happiness as Gingrich pointed out is the pursuit of wisdom and wealth. Furthermore that the states have rights that the federal government cannot change, the tenth amendment state’s this very clear,
” The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
This is why states can have different laws on similar issues such as the death penalty, and why it is okay for states to decide if they will allow gay marriage. Of course I say this with the understanding that the people or the legislature of those states make the law as outlined in each states constitution and not the court system of those states or the US supreme court system or its appellate courts. Abortion, gay marriage, death penalty and other laws should be state issues and not federal issues. But that is for another blog.
Republicanism is for those who only love the game of politics, chalking up wins and losses are more important for this group of people rather than staying true to a core belief system. Not that there isn’t wiggle room on many issues but on some issues you must be willing to shut down government because there is no compromise. This group of people sometimes referred to as “RINO” (Republican’s in name only) will not only give away the farm but will switch parties to maintain their power, not what is best for the citizens they represent.
Back to the fund raiser:
Of the 3rd district candidates only Mark Rees underperformed. He might have had a good message but with no energy to push it I got bored. Much like an Econ professor I had, I needed to ingest caffeine for the 5 min speech to not have my mind wonder off.
I am voting for Brad Zaun, A) he was the only one working the crowd before the speeches, but B) I have known him for over a decade as he was councilman and mayor of Urbandale and has only had a proven track record on good government.
Side note: Gibbons, the most fit I’m sure ran from the back of the room to the front to give his speech. I mention this because Gov. Branstad hustled up to the podium from about 30 feet away which I believe was an attempt to show youthful energy, only to notice a slight out of breath moment during a few of his first words.
The three governor candidates gave good speeches, I may have switched from Vander Plaats to Rod Roberts as he was impressive but I had not heard him speak before. I’ve seen Vander Plaats over the last 15 years give a number of speeches, all very good but I don’t know if he can win in November. I know Branstad can win but he is a retread, had similar solutions as our current governor has and I don’t believe he is a conservative but just a Republican who represents a winning team from the 80’s & 90’s.
Second Side note: Dinner was a typical hotel rubber chicken meal, nothing interesting and with a German chocolate cake for dessert (which I did not have) I thought a shot of insulin was needed to go with it. Much like the speeches given that night which were rich with “Conservatism” I don’t know if it was the real stuff or just something to make you think you had something sweet.
Newt “effing” Gingrich, was all I remember him to be. This makes the Newt of 2006 to 2008 all the more confusing. Why he was doing things with Hillary Clinton and acting like a Republican instead of the red meat conservative I remember from the 90’s and last Wednesday’s speech makes me wonder what is going on. His information has always been top notch but the delivery has changed, again. I don’t know if he is gearing up for a 2012 run and this is a way to connect with the “tea party” and conservative base or if this a real Gingrich.
It is okay to change your style depending on who you are talking too. I would expect a different tone when talking to the plus 65 crowd vs. the under 35 crowd but only as long as you are consistent in the message. Don’t tell seniors you are okay with Social Security only to denounce it to the younger crowd, not that Newt has done this.
“Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate.” – Mark Cohen
Chris Mendelsohn 2010
