Deace: Conservative Hero or Zero
- Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 11:35
- Constitution Daily
- 908 views
- 37 comments
Iowa’s second most popular radio personality, Steve Deace, definitely knows how to shake things up in conservative circles. I find myself having conversations about him with all kinds of different people. But the beginning of the conversation always starts with some type of disclaimer of how Deace is arrogant or according to some, maybe even an idiot. Most people who aren’t fans of Deace himself still listen to his show. And that got me thinking about a few things.
I tend to think in end results, meaning, what does Deace’s show do to/for the conservative agenda? Without ever talking with Deace and only judging by his show’s content, I think I’m fairly safe to assume Deace is a conservative. Sure, he’s voted for Obama and ripped on many Republicans, but we all know the guy is a rock ribbed conservative. So why does he create such a stir? The answer to that question probably is better off left to each individual who despises him but for me, his stir is more thought-provoking than anything else.
For example, most of Deace’s shows are based on the concept of the lesser of two evils argument. We know Deace sees things in black and white, much like most of us do personally on the issues. I’m pro-life, pro-marriage, against illegal immigration…I don’t have any issues I can think of that my opinion falls in the gray area. But I am willing to vote for a guy like McCain. Deace is not. Just like I would have been willing to vote for Romney, not a chance for Deace to do that.
His shows make me examine my vote more carefully. He wasn’t able to deter my vote for McCain but he made my argument for doing so a little more clear. I know if McCain were elected president, we would have a better chance of saving the unborn from the liberals in Congress. I know if Obama weren’t president now, we’d have a better chance of securing victory in the war on terror. I know we’d have a better chance at curbing spending and retaining some of Bush’s tax cuts. Would McCain be as good as some of the other Republicans who ran for president? Hell no – not even close. But it is what we got. And if my vote can save one life, then that is the vote I’ll gladly make.
So back to the end result. I believe Deace is great for conservatives in Iowa. There is no question he’s pulled us to the right. That doesn’t mean I listen to his show with a smile on my face all the time but I do most of the time. He’s right on the issues…just in my opinion a little flawed on his logic sometimes.
So here are some questions to ask yourself the next time Deace says something you dislike. First, is he right? Second, if in your opinion he isn’t right; does this advance the conservative movement? Third, if in your opinion it doesn’t advance the conservative movement; what does it do? And fourth, you can always find Dr. Laura or some sports show on, why are you listening?
After reading back through this post, I realized I just wrote a pretty positive article about Deace and his show. That actually wasn’t my intent but after going through the thought process of writing this article, it is the end result.
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I used to listen to Rush but then realized he is a hack. He claims some Republicans are RINO’s and claims others are conservative even though they are more RINOish than the guys he claimed are true RINO’s. Rush, “O’ I will ignore Romney’s pro-choice, pro-gay marriage past” and call him a true conservative, but I will not ignore Huck’s spending in a democratically controlled congress or McCain’s Democratic buddies.” What an idiot Rush is. At lease Deace says that truth and we are better for it.
Sorry, but that dog don’t hunt . . . Deace is a godsend to Iowa. His relentless efforts to expose the phoney left leaning Republicans from their own records and positions is the biggest breath of fresh air I have taken in many a year. If it weren’t for Deace, the RINO’s in this state and elsewhere would continue to loudly proclaim their conservative “bona fides” during the election cycles, then sneakily work with the Democrats to expand government. As a conservative, I am done voting for the liberals . . . no matter what party they come from. Any “Republican” who supports gun-control, abortion, tax increases, run-away spending and insidious regulatory growth will never again see a vote from me . . . and I could care less if you RINO’s EVER regain control of the State House again! If you want conservatives’ support . . . then support conservatives!!
Listen to the Obama voter? You have to be kidding.
Absolute Hero. The reason some love him, and others hate him is because he is actually making a difference. If he had become another one of the droning voices of compromise and
conformity like Rush or Hannity, his would be a name that could more freely be uttered in public, but he has chosen to use his program to challenge everyone involved in politics to justify their actions. The guy has become a master chef when it comes to turning sacred cows into hamburger.
There are people in this state who have spent an entire career “in politics” and not had the impact Deace has had in a few short years.
Iowa has been blessed with some exceedingly gifted communicators. First Reagan, then Mickelson, now Deace… what’s in the water over there at WHO?
Name one positive accomplishment of Deace. He suppresses the vote. Gave us Culver, Obama and possibly the minorities in the Iowa House.
I hear WHO radio is running ads for Planned Parenthood. A highly principled person like Deace should resign in protest.
I love Deace and his litmus test for being a republican. I mean, if you aren’t 195% anti-abortion, you’re a RINO. But, apparently, not if you vote for Obama, who is pro-abortion.
He’s a fool, and a RINO himself on social issues. He claims he will “live and die” on the social issues “hill”, but then he votes for a social liberal for president. Wow.
Plus he voted for Chris Reed, who is an incredible mistake for the RPI in any capacity.
Jeff, how is Chris Reed bad for the party? (I’m not trolling here, I’m interested in your point of view) I remember thinking during the campaign that he spent a LOT of time that he should have used to fund-raise for the campaign going on WHO and griping about the State Party not giving him a blank check, but other than that I’m not aware of any big skeletons in his closet.
My opinion of Steve? He’s good for the conservative movement, but would be an EPIC FAIL if he was put into a position at the party.
He’s all about debating the issues, but he’s not willing to build a coalition and use incrementalism to advance his agenda. I mean, yeah….IF you can get what you want in one step, that’s nice; but if you can’t get 100% on the first try, why not take 60% and then try to get another 20 or 30% during the next election cycle?
The whole “100% idealogical purity or I’ll burn the whole mo%^#$&*@#er down” approach works well when you’re trying to convince the base to vote for your candidate of choice, but if you use that tactic all the way into the general election you might find yourself endorsing the Pro-Infanticide candidate because “there’s no difference between the two of them”.
Deace is a Hero. He got me involved in politics as well as many others. He has woken a silent majority. Watch in the future what we are capable of. We will dominate the party and government within four years with clear distinctions between liberal and conservative. If you are not pro-life, anti-gay marriage, pro-gun, anti-big labor, we will find out and take you out. Let this be a warning…
Maybe I should temper my statement about Chris Reed. He isn’t that bad, just not ready. He came off badly when he complained about the RPI not giving him money (which they can’t legally do). However, the RPI did not campaign much or do much for him…primarily because he wasn’t a very strong candidate, and he was opposing a rather strong incumbent. Anyhow, give Reed a few years, and he might stop calling veterans of the same military branch as himself, “traitors” for disagreeing with the president.
As for anonymous, you wrote ” If you are not pro-life, anti-gay marriage, pro-gun, anti-big labor, we will find out and take you out. Let this be a warning…”
Are these issues that you really care deeply about? I mean, the economy is the primary concern of most Americans, but when election time rolls around you concern yourself most with if I candidate believes its legal (not morally correct, but LEGAL under our constitution) for 2 men or 2 women to marry.
I want to start the “Fiscal Republican” party, where we care about fiscal issues, small government, and less taxation…and we don’t have a litmus test for abortion, gay marriage, and religion. No “god gays and guns” republicans allowed.
The sad truth is that we need ALL Republicans in order to create sufficient numbers to win elections. We cannot afford to be fractured.
It is good to use the primary system to advance whatever political issues you favor most but after a primary, we remain united in our desire to get as many positive traits advanced as possible.
For us not to hang together, gets us a government such as we have now.
I’m a strong conservative but I acknowledge that we would still be better off with a Republican who at least cares about a smaller government, less taxes and a pro-growth, pro-business agenda.
For me, social issues are more important but I’m not willing to give up 100% of what I want in order to teach someone else a lesson. That is political suicide and taking steps backward.
Give me Nussle over Culver, any day. Give me McCain over the rabid lunatic we have in the WH now.
Where exactly do you fruitloops get the idea that “Deace voted for Obama?” If you think you have proof of that, then go ahead and post it.
1st – Did Deace ever explicitly say he voted for Obama? All I heard was that he didn’t vote for McCain. I didn’t vote for McCain or Obama, but I did vote for a presidential candidate…why couldn’t he?
Jeff the Fiscal Only Conservative – How can you be fiscally conservative when you don’t support changes in a person’s behavior to not require a welfare safety net and therefore a big nanny government? While we still have a culture of death in our society through the killing of 50 million children, how are we to think that we can simply have a small government and everything will be fine? A small government is ONLY for those who make up a just and moral society. It is totally unfit for those who destroy time-tested institutions and make themselves out to be their own gods. I’m not saying a theocracy is the answer, but small government requires a citizenry that moral and virtuous. A large government is necessary for those whose internal compass has broken.
BTW, Deace taught me that one.
BGunzy, I miss your blog. Good commentary outta you.
And Deace DID write an endorsement of Obama. I think its in the archives at WHO. After the election, he told everyone that he didn’t ACTUALLY vote for Obama & that his endorsement was a rhetorical exercise designed to teach us all that McCain was a flawed candidate. But that doesn’t change the fact that he wrote an endorsement for Obama.
If you’re going to be Jonathan Swift and make a “modest proposal”, you need to go WAY over the top & make it clear that you’re working in satire.
BGunzy, you bring up good points. I don’t fully agree, but I think you’ve thought them through.
> A small government is ONLY for those who make up a just and moral society.
That line really bothers me. Maybe you didn’t mean it so boldly, but that’s how I took it.
When we take a hard-line on morality, we ignore reality. We have the FREEDOM in our country to be immoral, to burn the flag, to criticize our president, to like/hate abortion, to espouse hate for other races in newsletters and mail them out, etc. If you want to live in a free society, you can’t just pick who gets to exercise that freedom…why?….because then you don’t actually have freedom.
Americans have the RIGHT to be unjust and immoral (but not illegal). Otherwise, if you are in government leadership and I don’t agree with your set of morals, then I’m on the wrong side of government….and that can be a scary place when “morally just” individuals are running the show. Humans are fallible, and there are many many examples of seemingly “morally just” leaders being very immoral.
Deace’s blog of Nov. 4 claimed he voted for Obama. He claimed he was the lesser of two evils and justified it that way.
After reading that blog, I’ve never listened to him since and never will.
@Last of the Dogmen
— here’s the evidence you requested
http://www.whoradio.com/pages/stevedeace.html?page=28
Check the post on 10-31-2009. It’s easy to find because it’s titled:
“Why I’m Voting for Barack Obama”
Oh, here’s my favorite part from that blog post (these are Deace’s words, not mine):
“But for the first time in my life, this November I will vote for a Democrat. And not just any Democrat, mind you, but perhaps the most unbiblical and leftist major party candidate for president in American history. ”
However, I agree with Deace’s logic here. You can’t take a politician on just a single issue. It does make Deace a giant hypocrite though when he says he wants to “live and die on that hill”, referring to protecting the unborn.
At least we now know that Deace was against abortion before he voted for a guy that was for it…wouldn’t be a big deal if he hadn’t stated it was one of the most important issues to him.
Anyhow, since the election I haven’t tuned into his show. I’m happy to respectfully disagree with someone, but I’ve lost respect for him since he’s proven to me that he’s a hypocrite.
As Deace claims to be this great pro-lifer, he ranted and raved about Nussle. Nussle wasn’t good enough either but this state would have been a whole lot better off right now with Nussle as governor than we are with Culver and his band of merry thieves in the Iowa Legislature.
Deace also undermines Republicans that are running for other offices. He’s a dangerous hypocrite.
deace is a hero because he got Doug Gross to admit that the real split between republicans is between those that believe you must be lead to win and those that believe you must win to lead. That is a fundamental difference and is, in my humble opinion, what is the crux of why we have been losing for the last several cycles. The Doug Gross “professionals” believe it’s a marketing trick to win, then……to lead by paying back campaign contributors as in, eminent domain, corporate welfare for those hand chosen by pols, increased sales taxes, taking oby’s crack cocaine, etc. The non-professional voters and citizens are looking for leadership first. In order to lead, you must actually believe in something, articulate that belief and pursuade others to join you. I still can’t remember what the hell Nussle ran on. I sure know what the d’s ran on. The were very clear about $100 million dollar power fund. They were clear about raising our taxes. They were clear about supporting labor, gay marriage and increasing abortions on demand. Now, they are ramming that agenda down our throats. They led, they won, they govern. We always do it out of order and lose, so we can’t govern.
I’ve been a central committee person for many years now and have never seen anyone religiously persecuted. I’ve only noticed people very eager to win elections. They work hard and organize themselves to win elections that allow them to work even harder to elect republicans. Could Mr. Big Dick Conklin please explain how this religious persecution takes place? He is the only person I’ve ever noticed persecutes people. He’s lucky he hasn’t been sued for defamation, slander or libel, or even assault. What, exactly is his point and what does he want? Is he just mad that he isn’t invited to eat at the cool kids lunch table?
and for those of you who think you are leading by boycotting the only place where republican issues are discussed in Iowa, you are stupid. You can’t take dissent? You can’t contribute your dissent to the conversation? You just take your ball and go home. Well…you are stupid. Who cares what you think. Participate in the conversation. However, we all know that the real truth is that you have to demonize Deace instead….just like Rambo Emmanual and company do to free speechers like Rush. Deace is against the “marketing” principal of elections. The pertiest 4 color flyer wins! If you are afraid to hear Deace, and his many other guests with different opinions, why should we listen to anything you have to say. You have chosen to be uninformed. You will only listen if you agree 195% with the content? What makes you different than what you accuse Deace of doing? Idiots.
@deace is the lesser of two evils
No, the reason that I don’t listen is not because I don’t agree with him. I don’t listen because he doesn’t practice what he preaches. I believe him to be a hypocrite and he doesn’t hold any credibility with me any longer.
He’s espousing the “lesser of two-evils” argument, then tells us how he has these core moral issues that he believes are of the utmost importance, seeks out supposed RINO’s for not agreeing with his core moral beliefs…
…AND THEN HE DOES THE EXACT OPPOSITE and votes for “perhaps the most unbiblical and leftist major party candidate for president in American history.” (his exact words from his blog).
He embodies much of what I (and Deace himself) have a problem with in the Republican Party…RINO’s. He’s the real RINO. He calls himself a republican and then votes for who he believes to be the most liberal democratic candidate in American history. Wow, the democrats need more republicans like him.
I think that speaks for itself. I listen to all sorts of radio that I don’t agree with. I read the Daily Kos almost, well, daily (although it pains me and makes my blood boil!). It’s good to hear well thought out arguments different from my own.
I want government representation for Iowa that concerns themselves with job creation, fiscal responsibility, and reducing the size of my government. But Deace would rather lose, than see a supposed RINO like McCain win. He won’t support a candidate that isn’t Republican ENOUGH. But he will vote for a candidate that believes in the opposite of most everything he told us he believes.
That’s the definition of cutting of your nose to spite your face.
And look what happened, we got (in the immortal words of Steve Deace about the man he voted for) “perhaps the most unbiblical and leftist major party candidate for president in American history.”
Also, Deace is not the only place in Iowa where Republican issues are discussed….
Thankfully we now have this website, the Iowa Republican.
I have listened to Steve Deace occasionally. I agree with his traditional conservative stance on the social issues as the moral/cultural issues have always been the most important to me. I always thought Steve came across with a little youthful brashfulness, but I usually was willing to overlook that. Since I have read that he did vote for Obama (I don’t have absolute proof, but the evidence I read seems to point in that direction) than I think he went off the edge rationally in trying to make a point. I did not vote for McCain either. I voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party as I shared most of his conservative values. For a strong professing conservative to vote for Obama out of protest to the prevailing Republican party is weird in my opinion and goes against reason. Deace could have either voted third party, written in the name of some candidate or simply skipped the presidential ticket on his ballot. Steve Deace is going to have a difficult time getting me back as an occasional listener unless he apologizes for such brash foolishness of voting for a dangerous and destructive enemy out of spite to an undesirable Republican candidate.
Are you people really that stupid? DEACE DID NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. It was a rhetorical device he used to try to get people to see that the “lesser of two evils” argument is bogus. Unfortunately, not too many people understood the point. Part of that is Deace’s fault for having to much faith in the intellectual capacity of the public.
@Scott Miller
Clearly I missed it. I guess I’m simply not smart enough for Steve Deace. Scott, you are smarter than me. You win.
When a guy says “I’m voting for Obama” and then proceeds to fill two or three pages explaining to me why he’s voting for Obama, including referencing beaucoup links to sources that support Steve’s assertion that McCain is “worse than Obama” for Christians, I tend to take him at his word.
“Anon con” makes a good point: voting 3rd party is futile and a waste of your vote, but it is the proper way to sacrifice pragmatism for principles. Voting for Obama to prevent an “un-Christian” McCain administration is a bit like purposely giving your kid smallpox in order to immunize them against chickenpox. Or when you’re given the choice between a kick in the nuts and a gunshot wound to the chest, you declare “there’s no difference between the two, since they’re both assaults on my person”. I think your emergency room physician just MIGHT be able to explain the difference between applying an ice pack to your groin for an hour and six hours of emergency surgery.
Deace is one confused dude. If he’s really serious about his devotion to the social issues, he does not know who are his allies. He undermines his allies while helping his enemies.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Deace helps Democrats. I bet more complaints to WHO radio come from Republicans than Democrats. Democrats aren’t stupid. They know he helps them.
@Russ from Winterset
“Or when you’re given the choice between a kick in the nuts and a gunshot wound to the chest, you declare “there’s no difference between the two, since they’re both assaults on my person”.”
I love it! Couldn’t have said it better myself!
I agree with Scott Miller; Steve Deace’s biggest fault seems to be having too much faith in the intellectual capacity of the public. That might be particularly true about Republicans. And I thought Democrats were the touchy-feely ones who couldn’t stand to have their stinkin’ thinkin’ challenged! I’m even more seriously considering re-registering; this party may be past help.
Have you folks even read Deace’s own reply to the article at the head of this thread, or do you merely assume his position? Here’s one short excerpt from it which, I believe, defines why he could not vote for John McCain. It’s not too difficult, again I believe, to understand.
“’Duty is ours but outcomes belong to God.’ As a Christian, I don’t believe the ends justify the means. That’s a Machiavellian concept, not a Biblical one.”
Oh my goodness…Deace did NOT vote for Obama…anyone who knows Deace, knows that he would NEVER, EVER, EVER vote for the lesser of two evils.
Steve Deace has done more good for Iowa and critical thinking than any of our so-called “leaders”. He is humble and intelligent, and he makes us think. The world could use several more Steve Deace’s!!!
Deace is a fag!
Come on, Deace didn’t vote for Obama.
It was satire.
I have always hated people who couldn’t understand satire.
I am sure he didn’t vote for McCain. Perhaps he voted Third Party. Perhaps he left the Presidential race blank.
But he didn’t vote for Obama.
And if you take his post for evidence that he did it shows that you are not that good at thinking. Perhaps you aren’t. Perhaps it is just easier to follow mantras and drink partisan kool aid. Whatever.
Whoever thinks that Deace voted for Obama totally missed the point. He was using the “logic” you espouse against you showing that if you follow your thinking through the “logical” choice was Obama.
By the way, it was really hard to hold my anger.
When I see people who are supposed to be on my side (yes I am a conservative) act unintelligently (sometimes it seems that people can believe the right way perhaps out of chance but still not have good mental reasoning skills) of course it bothers me. More than bothers me. Stupid “Allies” anger me because in the end they sabotage the effort they think they are helping promote.
For those who didn’t get the point of Deace’s “voting for Obama” post the point is YOU ARE STUPID. Well, that is the second point you can learn from it . The real point what that a “lesser of two evils” thinking approach leads one into the arms of someone like Obama.
But back to the second point. Obviously there is something wrong with you. Perhaps you can enroll in some logic classes in like a community college. If you just don’t have the intellectual capacity, then I don’t know what to say except shut up because you embarrass those of us who are conservative for a reason and not out of chance.
I think we have taken some of what Deace has said wrong. He wants to win more than anyone. Here is what I think he is saying. The first in your life is (or should be) God. You set your principles and what you believe around that. You can’t be God’s man and be for abortion of any amount. You can’t be God’s man and take from other people (or have others do it for you). In this country right now there is a great evil at the head. Taking away your rights by saying they know what is best for you. Saying you will get free healthcare, or free this or a reimbursement for that. We all know, deep down, that NOTHING in this life is free. We need to work. That is biblical also. Hope is in God, not man. We have not had our prayers answered by God because we have not put God first. I didn’t get this either until his interview with Dobson’s guy. Our founding Fathers had a belief in God; that our rights were God-given. Just keep an open mind and read. Turn off tv and read “The 5000 Year Leap” or the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We have gotten so far from the Truth. Don’t care “R” or “D”… just search for the Truth. It really does set you free!