Rod Dreher on CPAC and modern conservatism: “But good grief, is this what constitutes popular conservatism in 2009? This ideologically-driven right-wing Rousseauism, with Leninist overtones about the Enemies of the People?”

My biggest problem with the current dominant form of American Conservatism (at least amongst the political leaders) is that it is so internally inconsistent and detached from any core values. Starting with Gingrich and perfected by Rove, it has no anchor other than a manufactured sense of oppression and an infantile reactionary worldview…well and tax cuts. When I read a conservative like Rod Dreher or Daniel Larison or Andrew Bacevich I am just completely flabbergasted that they are made pariahs from the movement. Even though I don’t agree with the roots of their intellectual and cultural understanding, I think they are a prefect foil to Liberal thought and the interplay between the sides would benefit America greatly. Limbaugh, Palin, Joe the Plumber, and to an extent the Republican leadership, they represent what David Brooks referred to as “political nihilism,” shiftless and ignorant. It should be of no comfort to anyone that they are the loudest voices in the movement.