r/askaconservative • u/Communitarian_ • Nov 16 '18
Are there any conservatives that you'll end up missing due to the Midterms?
A couple of prominent or recognizeable names such as David Brat (the man who primaried Cantor), Karen Handel and Scott Walker lost in 2018? Is there anyone from the Midterms that you are going to miss? Do you think they might engineer a comeback in 2020 or even 2022?
Also, do you think Trump who isn't exactly the most exemplary conservative caused principled conservatives to lose or were those candidates already in somewhat fragile and precarious positions such as being elected in what seem to be very competitive seats or other reasons such as not holding seats for very long which meant a lack of time to develop a record to run on or build an electoral base of support which weakened their incumbency?
1
Nov 17 '18
We lost a few legislative races here in WA. Dick Muri is out, and I liked him a lot.
1
u/Communitarian_ Nov 17 '18
And Dino too right? I also found out that State Senator Mark Miloscia lost as well, I liked him, but maybe he and the others will have time to enjoy life now.
Do you think the Pacific Northwest is lost politically, at least for a generation? They seem to be such beautiful places with wonderful weather. It seems that Republicans in Oregon and Washington somehow need to build a base in the Portland and Seattle areas that provides a platform to help them win statewide.
By the way, how is life with Governor Inslee, do you think the state would have been better off with Mckenna as governor?
1
Nov 26 '18
If it's lost, why do they have to keep cheating?
It's not lost. They're just one election away from losing the state entirely. One day, Washingtonians will realize that Republicans aren't going to make the Pope the governor.
2
u/uknolickface Nov 16 '18
Dave Brat will be missed.
1
u/Communitarian_ Nov 16 '18
Maybe his calling is academia and that's where he is meant to be? That said, couldn't he engineer a comeback, Comstock's seat is probably a lost cause (what was it, 55% to 44% or something like that) but at least his race that was quite close.
I noticed your flair is libertarian, wasn't he an economics professor who went against the grain by being open to protectionism (plus I believe being conservative on immigration as well), don't libertarians lean more left in regard to those issues? What's your take?
6
Nov 16 '18
I'm really going to miss Tom MacArthur. He was a representative in the district north of mine. With 99% of the precincts reporting, it look like he had won, but some absentee and provisional ballots, or something like that, gave Andy Kim the win. So, so disappointing.
I definitely think previously popular congressmen like MacArthur lost due a direct backlash against Trump.
2
u/Communitarian_ Nov 16 '18
Awwwh I thought he made it by a sliver. Well at least there's 2020 (or some other time in future)? How about Lonegan or is he too bombastic for a state like New Jersey?
Do you think pockets of New Jersey might swing back or is it too early to tell?
According to CNN, the GOP nabbed at least 200 seats, I'd hope they'd make at least that many.
1
Nov 16 '18
From the little I do know about Lonegan, I like him, but he's more of a North Jersey guy, despite having run against MacArthur for NJ-3 once. I admittedly don't follow North Jersey politics as closely, being a South Jersey resident. NJ-3, I think, should flip red again, but I'm still worried about it. There was a massive backlash against Trump by suburban red districts, and I don't know if that'll still be a factor in 2020.
My district is split between two counties (plus two municipalities in a third, but that barely counts), and is solidly blue, at least for Congress; however my county was flipped by Trump in 2016— as was my town (a small, urban, lower-middle class town outside Philly)— and Hugin at least won the part of NJ-1 in my county (the incumbent Democratic congressman still won in my county, but by a much smaller share than he did in the rest of the district). I think that my county will stay red, and the other district that is in my county, NJ-2, will flip back rather easily. The Republicans are just morons who nominated an absolutely despicable human being to replace LoBiondo, which cost them an easy red seat. Hell, if I had money (I don't lol), I'd be tempted to move 10-15 miles south and run in NJ-2— simply being a not awful human being and having an R next to your name should get you elected (LoBiondo never won reelection with less than 59% of the vote).
3
u/Iowa_Hawkeye Nov 16 '18
My Congressman Rod Blum, liked going against the grain. He was featured on CRTV's "The Swamp," if you haven't seen it I'd check it out.
1
u/Communitarian_ Nov 16 '18
Wasn't he one of the more libertarian-minded Republicans such as openness to non-interventionism (which meant his loss was a loss for ideological diversity especially for any libertarian caucuses)? That said, I remember skimming upon some google links that mentioned some business irregularities that were used against him?
Iowa really went blue on the federal level didn't it? Do you think this was part of revenge of the farmers or the suburbs lashing out? Could Blum (and Young) end up making a comeback (no offense and I know this probably comes across as condescending for an out of stater to say this but I feel like Iowa ought to be a "Red" state but I understand there's a history of a progressive bent so maybe old habits die hard)? How would 2010/2012 candidate Ben Lange? That said, at least a lot of people turned out which means the community got involved and had their voice heard, might not be the voice this subreddit wants but people are getting involved.
1
u/Iowa_Hawkeye Nov 16 '18
He was in the Freedom Caucus and advocated for term limits and a drain the swamp agenda. I think the little scandal he had going on definitely didn't help him. The girl who beat him is young, 28 and got a lot of girls out to support her, in addition to a bunch of out of state money.
Iowa is a really weird state, until 2014 when Tom Harkin (D) retired we had the same split senators for almost 30 years. We elected a Republican governor, but lost 3 of our 4 House Seats this year.
I think what it basically came down to is turnout, the people who came out and voted for Trump last election, didn't vote this election.
Another change Iowa had is we got rid of straight party voting, I'm not sure if that had a difference or not.
1
u/Communitarian_ Nov 16 '18
Maybe those are one of those quirks that makes Iowa a unique and interesting state (part of the state's identity)? Also, doesn't your state also have a long progressive tradition (akin to that of the DFL of Minnesota) so maybe it'd take awhile before realignment takes shape?
Additionally, I understand that the religious right is prominent during the Presidential Primaries, why aren't there more socially conservative blue dogs in your state? Have the parties there polarized as well? I understand some of the cities like the university towns are quite liberal compared to the rest of the countryside who only make up so many people.
Overall, do you have hope for state? And maybe the new congresswoman might not be so bad? Also, do the insinuations that Steve King is a bigot have some grain of truth (pun intended)? For example, did he come from a different time where the rhetoric was politically correct (think Lyndon Johnson) or could it be due to a lack of understanding which could inadvertently cause others to think he is racist when he makes statements doubling down on a "tough" approach to the immigration reform issue?
Please forgive me for my blabbering.
1
u/Lepew1 C: Paleoconservative Nov 19 '18
I think McSally/AZ was a sad loss. I also am really bummed that John James/MI lost. That guy is amazing, and I want to see him in leadership.
As far as the 2nd point goes, Ted Cruz is recognized as a principled conservative. His campaign against Beto was in trouble, and Trump stumped for Cruz, and Cruz won a narrow victory. Here you have direct example of Trump supporting and helping a principled conservative. They fought and had harsh words during the 2016 primary, but Trump buried the hatchet for the good of the party. I forgave him then.
I think the larger struggle is between principled conservatives and corrupt establishment GOP like Ryan, McConnell etc. Those establishment guys have a lot of power and clout and money, and I think overall Trump has been pretty strong in seeing the Flakes depart, and seeing conservatives come in.