To Save Conservatism

[Draggingtree]

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The King Prawn / August 5, 2016 / 113 COMMENTS

If one believes conservatism is the only cure for what ails the nation, then 2016 is a bleak year. We have before us a choice of a dedicated leftist whose entire public life has been dedicated to the destruction of our republic (and replacing it with yet another European-styel socialist welfare state), or a guy who can be charitably described as “not a conservative.” Because Hillary Clinton is such a well known statist and a threat to our way of life, it would seem obvious that the only viable option for conservatives would be to oppose her with everything they have. Under any normal set of circumstances that would be exactly the right course of action. Indeed, many have claimed that it’s so obviously correct that there can be no other argument. Ben Shapiro, however, takes a different view:

[Draggingtree]

To Defend and Advance Conservative Policies

rico / August 8, 2016 / 42 COMMENTS

The NeverTrump vs. ReluctantTrump debate is essentially a debate over what to do about Trump. This post is an appeal to NeverTrump conservatives considering a tactical retreat from the 2016 presidential election as part of an effort to preserve Conservatism (Be sure to read “To Save Conservatism” for a thorough presentation of that view). I consider myself a ReluctantTrump conservative for many of the reasons that are familiar to everyone (e.g. Supreme Court nominations), but also because I favor the approach of engaging a nominally Republican president in order to defend conservative values (e.g. 2nd Amendment) and advance conservative policies (e.g. border security).

 

Many NeverTrumpers fear that a President Trump would pose a challenge to Conservatism itself. They are correct in thinking that. But it is a challenge that cannot be avoided. Yes, candidate Trump’s amateurish behavior is only part of the problem. And yes, a President Trump would likely inject progressive elements into the White House agenda. There is also a concern that on a handful of high-profile issues, Trump’s distasteful (for lack of a better term) populism embraces solutions that roughly coincide with conservative solutions. This could perhaps lead the public to conflate Trumpism with conservatism

https://ricochet.com/to-defend-and-advance-conservative-policies/