Conservatives Gathered for Weekend Conference in DC -- Part Rally, Part Reality Check
by Bill Fancher and Jenni Parker
January 27, 2004
(AgapePress) - Last weekend conservatives from across the United States gathered to hear from prominent analysts and political leaders about the outlook for the nation's future, the upcoming elections, and the implications of the current political scene. From the many speakers, the right-wingers heard words of optimism as well as caution.Among those addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who spoke of the need for continued vigilance regarding homeland security and the war on terror.
Cheney said the fact that there have been no new terrorist attacks on American soil since 9-11 did not mean Americans should relax. According to Cheney, the very nature of the terrorist mind made indulging in that luxury out of the question.
"Terrorists continue to plot against America and the civilized world," Cheney said. "We see them for what they are: men who will not be stopped by negotiation, by appeals to reason, or by the least hint of conscience. In the war on terror, we have only one option. We must take the fight to the enemy."
Cheney assured CPAC delegates that in the war on terror, the Administration would continue to be guided by the Bush doctrine of regarding those who harbor and aid terrorists as just as guilty as the terrorist themselves.
Good News for the GOP
But another speaker, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, turned to the political scene to sound an optimistic note for conservatives by informing a cheering CPAC crowd that the Democratic Party is increasingly losing its relevance with mainstream America.
According to Gillespie, more and more Americans are identifying themselves as Republicans -- with good reason.
"The Republican Party is the party of freedom, opportunity, lower taxes, and strong national security, and our policies are working. The reason Democrats are shaking their heads and finding themselves so tepid is because Americans today have no taste for their steady diet of bitter rhetoric and stale ideas," the chairman said.
Gillespie cited surveys indicating that only 32% of the U.S. population identifies itself as Democrat -- the lowest percentage since public opinion polls were established.
Conservative Caveat
However, Bill Mehlman, the man who is managing the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign, told Bush supporters not to underestimate the amount of fight still left in the Democratic candidates.
"We've heard their angry rhetoric, and this election will be tough and hard-fought," Mehlman said. "It could be as close as 2000. After all, today we live in a country where elections are decided by four- or five-point margins, not 20-point margins."
Mehlman said he expects a nasty and raucous fight from the Democrats, since he says they have already mounted some vicious attacks. He cited several examples, including John Kerry's comparison of Bush to Saddam Hussein, John Edwards' calling the president a "phony," and Howard Dean referring to him as "our enemy."
Mehlman told the CPAC crowd that it would require a concerted effort from all elements of the Bush base in order to win in November. He urged Bush supporters to help turn out the vote, lest divisive tactics allow the Democrats to win back the White House.
