In the above article, it was put forward that a win for John McCain would be a distraction for real conservatives as they would feel inclined to spend time defending him or criticizing him instead of rebuilding culture for the long haul starting at home. So what is a true conservative to do, vote for Obama so we can free up more time and avoid temptation of getting too invlolved? Refuse to vote, in defiance of the entire system? Spend time trying to get an alternative candidate off the ground? Is that a good use of time that could be otherwise spent running an aggressive Catholic homeschooling program with my kids? It seems like 3rd party efforts and anti-system candidates might take the most time commitment of all options. And if we were to do such a thing, we are still participating in the very system that we are spending the rest of our time criticizing as inherently inefficient at best and immoral at worst.

I ask these things with all due respect, not to just to be obnoxious. Like I said, I am just trying to get a handle on the school of thought that seems to be a trend here. I’m sure I’m missing something, but I truly am looking to become informed on the matter and hear some practical suggestions on how one might act consistently with such a viewpoint.

I just finished reading Novak’s memoirs (brief review: bloated, somewhat interesting and quite egotistical), and at least appreciated his blunt take on the Gingrich revolution: Something about how the wheels came off before they’d gotten out of the driveway. Here’s hoping that one day, when a retro-conservative of the Ron Paul type manages to make it into a position of authority, there’s a little more staying power.

Let me, for one, endorse a reversion to this practice.
(although i’m also willing to accept that it be an “and” rather than “either/or” proposition)

Let me, for one, endorse a reversion to this practice.