“Conservative intellectuals” are very sad that Paul Ryan isn’t running for president:
The 41-year-old House Budget Committee chairman wasn’t just the right’s beau ideal because he authored the “Roadmap,” the controversial entitlement and spending reform plan — it’s also because his political roots are in the think tank world. Ryan worked for Jack Kemp and William Bennett at Empower America as a 20-something and even now he’s closer to conservative thinkers than he is to the typical GOP lobbyists and strategists that surround ambitious pols.
“They made Paul Ryan into a heartthrob,” said National Review senior editor Ramesh Ponnuru of his fellow right-leaning thinkers.
And he seemed a man for a wonky moment.
“It’s in some ways [the current field is] less satisfying because this is a particularly policy-heavy moment and the most wonky of the wonky issues are front and center,” said Yuval Levin, the Hertog Fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center. “We feel the absence of policy intellectuals more.”
I feel very relieved that there aren’t any “conservative intellectuals” running for president. “Conservative intellectuals” dreamed up supply-side economics and neoconservatism and vouchercare. They held a dim-witted frat boy on a tight leash from 2001-2005, but praise-be-to-Bieber, they weren’t able to talk him into invading Iran during his second term. As bad as things were under Bush, they would have been that much worse under a president Bolton or Wolfowitz.
Michele Bachmann didn’t scare me that much until she started talking about von Mises.
Dennis SGMM
“Conservative intellectuals” is an oxymoron.
c u n d gulag
The greatest oxymoron of them all:
“Conservative Intellectual.”
How intellectual do you have to be when all you ever say is, “Whoa, hold on there! Slow down! Take a moment. Let’s step back…” when what you really you mean is ‘Don’t let the n*ggers and sp*cs get hold of your money and power!”?
Conservative intellectual – feh!
Paris
In summary, Paul Ryan has never had a real job.
Villago Delenda Est
I’m sad that Paul Ryan isn’t running for President.
If he did, his political career would be over, and it would be another nail in the coffin of the vile neo-feudalist party.
Calming Influence
I submit that scratching “Keep turning right.” on a piece of paper qualifies as authoring a road map.
Villago Delenda Est
ZOMG, my google ad is for Rick Santorum, who is begging for money.
What a vile creature HE is.
Culture of Truth
They’re determined to put satirists out of business
Hill Dweller
Ryan is a complete fraud, but because the media has to prop up Republicans to preserve their “objectivity”, and mouth breathers are easily seduced by stringing a couple of sentences together, the rest of the country has to suffer through his nonsense.
cleek
@Villago Delenda Est:
any wingnut bucks that end up in Santorum’s hole are wingnut bucks that don’t help the GOP nominee. so… go Santorum!
MattF
@Culture of Truth:
It’s all about starbursts. And war, also.
Xboxershorts
Hey leave Ludwig alone!!!
Even Ludwig couldn’t stand the corporatist Koch brothers and helped kick them out of the libertarian party!
Raenelle
It’s the closed mind–whether religious fanatic, just mentally challenged, or an ideologue–that’s scary. They have their world, and anyone who challenges it is an enemy to be converted if possible, crushed if not.
DanF
Tell me this is tongue-in-cheek. She scares me in the way that only a true believer can scare me and always has. She wouldn’t think twice about taking us all down if she believed the voice in her head was god’s will.
Judas Escargot
@Paris:
This. Nor has Bachmann, nor Grover Norquist, nor Karl Rove. And most of the GOP heavies with backgrounds as businessmen inherited that status.
“Productive class”, my arse.
bob h
The best description of the role the Republican Party now plays in our national life, that of an autoimmune disease, was provided by Kurt Anderson in the NYT last week.
As the nation went into the 2000 elections, it was at the pinnacle of power, wealth, respect, and influence. And where did eight years of Republicanism leave it? And now, like an autoimmune disease, it wants another crack.
jibeaux
My guess is that even Paul Ryan can figure out that his campaign would involve going on the defensive for months at a time about a plan whose popularity runs in inverse proportion to how much people know about the plan.
Bulworth
Maybe T-Paw should reinvent himself again and get back in the race
Zifnab
He listened to Bolton and Wolfowitz until his poll numbers started tanking. A Bolton or a Wolfowitz wouldn’t have the charisma or the cunning to make it in elected office. But they’ll always find a seat at the table as consultants and advisers.
If you think Doug Feith couldn’t get a job in a Perry or a Romney or a Bachmann White House, I’d love to know why.
Argive
We don’t have conservative intellectuals anymore because an intellectual is capable of thinking independently, which is just Not Done in today’s conservative movement.
Argive
Yeah, I’m pretty sure Rick Perry could find a cabinet post for the dumbest fucking guy on the planet.
Gex
I imagine Sully considers himself a “conservative intellectual” and just look at the erratic nonsense that comes from that.
No, propping up the entrenched powers requires no intellectual capability. Just obedient omega dog traits.
cleek
anyone who considers himself/herself to be an “intellectual” is probably a bit of a dink.
Seanly
Does she love von Mises to pieces?
Culture of Truth
George Pataki is giving Presidential run “serious consideration.”
rikyrah
the clown car is full enough, but let Vouchercare Ryan run
Derf
This link goes out to all you Huntsman sympathizers. I hope you are proud of yourselves.
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/08/23/desperation/
Bulworth
I wonder when Mitt Romney plans on entering the race…
jibeaux
@Bulworth:
Man, I had a beer bet with somebody here about T-Paw (I took “not T-Paw”.) I wish I had a memory.
Davis X. Machina
They have a philosophy of government, to be sure, but it’s not one you need intellectuals for — you need a medieval monarch.
There really isn’t ‘a state’ to govern.
1. There’s a treasury, and the fiscal apparatus used to fill it, that can be used to extract wealth from your subjects to enrich your family, and friends.
2. There’s a small, professional army, intended for war , i.e. extracting wealth from foreigners — and for use on your domestic opponents if they get shirty about #1. From time to time it will succumb to religious delusions and go on Crusade.
3. There are jobs, places and favors to be distributed from the throne. They are to be deployed to keep your retainers happy — a bunch of disaffected barons isn’t good for business. A number of these will be in the state cult.
And if you do a good job, your children get to run the machine after you.
The clock stopped for these people at about 1150 A.D.
BGinCHI
Politico is closeted political gay pr0n.
Do they write like that with no self-consciousness? It sounds like Tiger Beat.
Thank Jeebus there are no serious issues involved.
Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar)
Ok I’m struggling with the song reference here. Somebody help me out (I normally get these, it’s frustrating)!
Hunter Gathers
Ryan isn’t an intellectual. He’s nothing more than an Ayn Rand fanboi with a calculator and access to teh Google. Putting him in charge of any kind public policy would be like an aerospace company making me head of development because I understand how warp drive on Star Trek works and have read the entire Chronicles of Dune.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@Derf: I think you’re on the wrong website again.
cmorenc
@Zinfab:
My strong hunch is that Bush privately regrets allowing himself to be surrounded with and captivated by many of the people who served in key roles in the first four years of his administration, particularly Dick Cheney. Though Bush isn’t an introspective type of person, he likely sees his Presidency as a huge missed opportunity, both on the domestic and foreign fronts, and that he could have done far better insistently following his own inclinations, had he chosen those around him better. Unfortunately, these inclinations did include an obsession with invading Iraq to topple Hussein, and policies favoring big corporate and fossil-fuel energy company interests, and he was willing to pander to the religious right even though his personal instincts were more tolerant (not that they were progressive by any stretch). Nevertheless, it’s interesting how in the latter days of his administration, Bush increasingly resisted Cheney’s influence to the point of near-estrangement, but the damage was already done.
cleek
@Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar):
the very liberal NYT on Paul Ryan.
Geeno
@cleek: Are those the bucks buying all that steak with government money?
ppcli
@Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar):
Lou Reed:
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/lou+reed/pale+blue+eyes_20085322.html
PaulW
Paul Ryan and I are the same age.
I’d suggest y’all vote for ME instead, but I don’t want to split the votes with Obama and force the whole nation to suffer a Michelle Bachmann presidency. So for now, I’m waiting for 2016…
gocart mozart
Speaking of “conservative intellectuals”, Frum allowed this to be published on his site.
http://www.frumforum.com/the-freedom-agenda-gets-vindicated
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@gocart mozart: While he’s at it, maybe Frum could give some credit to the Crusaides for changing Muslim hearts and minds.
gocart mozart
@Bulworth:
His 2012 campaign peaked in late 2007.
Culture of Truth
The story of GOP
“Deserve Substantial Credit For Perhaps Even Helping”
Culture of Truth
I envision the Jets winning the Superbowl, and close my eyes at crucial junctures.
Ring please!!!
Argive
@gocart mozart:
It sure would be super great if the dumbfucks spouting this kind of idiocy could point to some actual evidence to support their thesis.
gocart mozart
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
It was some twerp named Clifton Yin. Perhaps Frum’s pool boy?
flukebucket
@Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar):
The Clash or Softcell?
gocart mozart
Think much earlier punk band then the Clash.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@gocart mozart: Sorry, I missed that part; I didn’t click on the link. it’s too late for me to take Frum’s name out, but the point still stands: Bush deserves credit for the Arab Spring in the same way that McVeigh deserves credit for revitalizing downtown Oklahoma City.
Derf
@Belafon (formerly anonevent): Let’s see, Dem concern trolling, Libertarian sympathizing, Cole wrong about everything while fapping over everything Greenwald says. Nope, this is the correct place.
gocart mozart
@Argive:
I blame Clinton’s Penis.
catclub
@Bulworth: I suggested that about Haley Barbour. He is probably much smarter than T-paw.
And much better wired to the powers that be in DC.
cleek
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
standing ovation.
but, yeah: who the hell would look at Iraq or Afghanistan and say “unending sectarian strife? we gotta get us some of that!“
Linda Featheringill
@Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar):
song reference:
Your Pale Blue Eyes by Velvet Underground.
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@Argive: Did someone call “Reality Check”?
catclub
@cmorenc: I agree with most of this. I will praise Bush as much as I can stand for not letting Dick Cheney Invade Iran. say what you like, from 2005 to 2008 he was the sane one in the white house.
But it is still hard for me to imagine this: “he likely sees his Presidency as a huge missed opportunity”.
Implies facts not in evidence.
Southern Beale
Here;s a headline you don’t see often enough:
Tea Party Congressman Collects Disability From Union Job
Of course he does. I’m so over these morally bankrupt assholes and their “movement.” Let’s just concede the notion that they have any principles whatsoever and acknowledge that they’re all about fighting the liberal black man in the White House.
Zifnab
@cmorenc:
He’s been interviewed numerous times on the issue. Bush doesn’t regret shit. If he had it to do all over again, he might try to spin things differently, but I doubt he’d try to do things differently.
catclub
@Belafon (formerly anonevent): lol “changing Muslim hearts and minds”
From opposed to Crusades to implacably opposed?
gex
@gocart mozart: Graham Parsons maybe? I’ve only ever heard Emmylou Harris sing that line. It was in a tribute concert for him.
redshirt
@gocart mozart: I love this technique! Anything good that happens during a Democratic Administration is due to previous Republican Presidents and policies; anything bad that happens of course is the Demoncrat’s fault.
During a Republican Presidential Admin, anything bad that happens (911!) was the previous Democrat’s fault, and anything good that happens is because of the current Admin.
Rinse and repeat.
Chyron HR
Clearly they’re using “wonk” in the sense of “I didn’t hear from her afterwards, but a few weeks later, I had a weird rash on my wonk.”
jibeaux
I am envisioning flying cars and $10 iPads. I am now accepting substantial credit. Thankyouverymuch.
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
Linger on Velvet Underground
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@redshirt: And that differs from “our” side how? It’s all bullshit.
Villago Delenda Est
@cmorenc:
That entire analysis assumes that George W. Bush has any capacity for introspection.
This is a pretty bad assumption given what we can observe about his behavior both during and after his presidency.
cleek
@redshirt:
The Rules.
Suffern ACE
@Zifnab:
They never go away. They never go away. It doesn’t matter who is in charge. They are either in the administration or on your TV, fucking up the world wherever they go. They are poison. If I were China, I would pour money into whatever “foundation” they currently work for and hope that they get positions in the next republican administration. You can’t pay for double-agents who could do as much damage.
But they have been part of every Republican administration since Nixon and and they just don’t seem to want to die.
Roger Moore
@Argive:
Let me guess: President.
jwest
Every time I see an article with the same theme as this, I try to imagine what it must be like to have such little actual confidence in your intellectual ability that you need to attempt convincing others with the same affliction that (despite all evidence to the contrary) you’re smart.
“I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect!”
Keep it up, Fredo. And remember, “It’s got electrolytes!”.
dmsilev
@gocart mozart: (quoting Frum)
Aaaannnnnddd we have a winner in the coveted “Understatement of the Century” award.
Southern Beale
@redshirt:
Of course. It’s Republican Rules!
1) It’s always good news for Republicans
2) It’s always the Democrats’ fault
3) IOKIYAR
rinse … repeat … etc.
Villago Delenda Est
Understatement of the the last three centuries. His place is pretty much as secure as James Buchanan’s.
William Henry Harrison rates ahead of him, if only because he had much less time to inflict damage.
Southern Beale
@jwest:
HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Loved that movie.
Southern Beale
@c u n d gulag:
Don’t forget, the new conservative talking points are:
The bill is too long!
We need MORE time to read the bill!
Everything is too complicated!
There are too many czars!
I mean, crazy shit …
Martin
Maybe Kucinich should primary Obama now that he’s calling for NATO commanders to be sent to The Hague.
jacy
@Villago Delenda Est:
My hope is that Bush regrets quitting drinking long enough to destroy the country, but I doubt he’s that self-aware.
The only thing worse than a dim, intellectually incurious, narcissistic dry drunk is a dim, intellectually incurious, narcissistic dry drunk with a psychopathic meglomaniac pulling his puppet-strings.
Or at least that’s the current benchmark – there’s the still the possibility of Perry/Bachmann ticket and then all bets are off.
Professor
@Southern Beale: So why don’t you send this congressman’s hypocrisy to other sympathetic blogs and spread it. He is a real piece of shit!
Ian
@gocart mozart:
That makes me want to stick a fork in my eye.
IIRC, Bush welcomed Qaddifi back into the international community. Talked about it being a big accomplishment.
LIES! WHY DO THEY LIE!
Monkey Business
There are conservative intellectuals.
There are no Republican conservative intellectuals.
Villago Delenda Est
@Ian:
They know no other way. The tale of the scorpion crossing the river comes to mind.
Roger Moore
@Ian:
Assuming this isn’t a rhetorical question, they lie because
the truth hurts themreality has a well-known liberal bias.superluminar
Ok, thanks y’all, been too long since I listened to those guys I’ll have to correct that. Alsotoo, clash/softcell ref. FTW!
gocart mozart
Conservative intellectuals are called Democrats.
Davis X. Machina
@gocart mozart:
I am the ghost of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and I approve this message.
c u n d gulag
@Southern Beale:
Jeez, thanks for reminding me. How could I forget?
Dennis SGMM
@Southern Beale:
The teahadists don’t object at all to government payouts, handouts, and bailouts as long as the money goes to the right kind of people. You know; the ones who don’t need it.
JGabriel
Politico:
Maybe you could write a column on that, Charlie.
This is the party you helped create.
.
Xboxershorts
@Culture of Truth:
Only if Officer Crumpkey stays out of their way.
Why, yes, I am that old, please get off my lawn.
TenguPhule
Odd, I always had them pegged as the bubonic plague.
TenguPhule
Assumes facts not in evidence.
Born a dumbfuck, and will die a dumbfuck. Ideally sooner then later. I’d like to piss on his grave without needing a walker.
Xboxershorts
Well, DC Just had an Earthquake:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/at00lqe6x3.php
We felt it up here in Coudersport, PA too!
Maude
@Xboxershorts:
I am in NJ and I thought the building where I live moved a bit. I don’t drink, take drugs or anything else and I thought I was a bit on the nutty side. There was no noise of walls cracking. It was indeed odd. It was twice and a slow move side to side. Western NJ
Chris
@Raenelle:
and @DanF:
this. Huckabee was the first person I saw in an election (still fairly young here) who had that effect on me. Jacy once mentioned that under the right circumstances, he was the kind of person she could easily see loading people onto cattle cars – I concur. And Bachmann has the same effect.
Chris
@cmorenc:
Interesting.
Someone I know once met Bush (when he was President) for a few minutes and came away saying that he probably could’ve amounted to a lot more if he’d surrounded himself with better people.
Bush strikes me as the kid who falls in with the wrong gang, senses it at a certain level, but sticks with them for the rest of his life out of laziness, inertia and the knowledge that as long as he sticks to the official line, they’ll mostly shield him from the consequences of his actions.
Chris
@gocart mozart:
Like I said back when the Arab Spring was starting – the GOP has no fixed party line on it and won’t for some time. They’re waiting to see if Egypt, Tunisia and those other countries turn into nice respectable democracies with liberty and tax cuts for all or evil terrorist Ragheadistans… then they’ll know whether to squeal “Bush did it!” or “Obama did it!”
In the meantime, expect a lot of contradictory “ZOMG Obama helps scary Mooslins!” and “YEAH Bush was RIGHT baby!” messages from their “intellectuals.”
Matt
There aren’t any “conservative intellectuals” running for the same reason there aren’t any unicorns that shit rainbows running – NEITHER ONE FUCKING EXISTS.
And actually, the unicorn is more likely, given that the “shitting rainbows” part isn’t utterly ruled out by the “unicorn” part in the way that “conservative” is fundamentally opposed to “intellectual”.
Robert Waldmann
I don’t understand Ryan’s reasoning. Now Who beat me to that point ?
No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
No one knows what it’s like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling only lies
DanielX
One may only hope Newt the Gingrich hears of this “no conservative intellectuals” meme, turns even more puce colored than normal, spins around three times and falls to the ground, frothing at the mouth. I mean, he IS an intellectual, just ask him – which is just one of the reasons the Teabaggers (still can’t use that term without snorting) can’t stand him. Note that I didn’t say his ideas make sense, just that he has some.
Jeffro
I think the R logo with “We Feel the Absence of Policy Intellectuals” written beneath it would sell a gazillion t-shirts.
Also, REM’s version of Pale Blue Eyes is still the best. Apologies if this was already argued and settled upthread.
Big Baby DougJ
@Jeffro:
I like the REM version but you can’t beat Lou’s original.
Donut
Thanks to the post title I’m trying to imagine Bill Kristol saying to Ryan, “I thought of you as my mountaintop, I thought of you as my peak, I thought of you as everything, I’ve had but couldn’t keep.”
Funny shit, DougJ.
Jebediah
@Donut:
And thanks to you, I can’t get that image out of my head – Bill Kristol sweetly singing to Paul Ryan as they gaze into each other’s eyes. Gah!