GOP Wars: Erick Erickson on Judas Goats
UPDATES on NY-23 House Race
I’ve updated Tea Party Activists Are Scalding the GOP with a few links and quotes, but I want to highlight Erick Erickson’s Judas Goats And Principles because I didn’t want it to get lost within the updates. As he addresses the NY-23 election and the upcoming Florida Senate primary he discusses the current war going on within the Republican party. I have some disagreements, but he makes some excellent points. His emphasis within the quote.
…we need also be mindful of the Judas Goat. The Judas Goat is a trained animal that is trained to lead other animals to pens or slaughter while sparing itself….
One of the undercurrents of the tea party movement is that the GOP is just as bad as the Democrats….
By 2006, the GOP had, in its leadership, become devoid of governing principles, intending instead to win at all costs.
Along the way, many good conservatives sold out their principles because the party leadership hired enough Judas Goats to lead conservatives to the slaughter….
We find ourselves now needing to recover from that slaughter of principles….
In New York 23, the conservative movement has made it a Hill to Die On. Here, in New York of all places, the conservative movement will tell the GOP that it will either win with conservatives or lose without them….
There can be no compromise on this race when confronted with a leftist running as a Republican versus a Republican running as a conservative because the establishment rejected him despite the fact that he can win.
Friends, it is not every race. It is not every issue. It is not all the time. It is rarely, if ever, all or nothing. There is always room for disagreement. But when confronted by the facts, issues, and positions of the candidates in NY-23, as in the Florida Senate race, we either hang together or we might as well hang separately.
It does us no good to advance a candidate who will not even at a minimum guarantee us 51% on votes other than leadership. And even now, with Newt Gingrich’s endorsement in hand, is wavering on whether or not she’ll even remain a Republican should she win.
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has more information on the NY-23 election and Dede Scozzafava, the GOP candidate.
Now comes word from CQ that the Republican National Committee has made a “six-figure transfer” of funds to the NRCC to support Scozzafava…
In addition to Scozzafava’s radical leftist record that I outlined this morning, Scozzafava is the proud recipient of the Margaret Sanger Award from New York family planners.
This is Michelle’s post from this morning on Dede Scozzafava:
An ACORN-Friendly, Big Labor-Backing, Tax-and-Spend Radical in GOP Clothing
UPDATE II: From Robert Stacy McCain:
The Great RINO Hunt in Upstate New York
The campaign is “thrilled” by the latest poll that shows Hoffman “surging.”…
Now the Hoffman campaign is reportedly preparing a major new ad rollout and it is rumored — just a rumor at this point — that FreedomWorks honcho Dick Armey may be coming to upstate New York next week to campaign for the Conservative candidate.
R. S. McCain has also been covering the NY-23 race at his blog: The Other McCain. He notes
The three-way NY23 battle is now at the top of Memeorandum
__________
H/T: RedState, Michelle Malkin, The American Spectator, The Other McCain.
[1]
breaking news from RedState:
BREAKING: Scozzafava Possibly Mulling Party Switch
Dede Scozzafava won’t even state that she’ll run as a Republican in 2010!!
WTF????
[2]
Yes, and I just saw this at MM:
[3]
Barf, INC (2). I am afraid tthat much of the base is still ignorant of this and continues to blithely give to them.
[4]
Bruce, it kind of made me ill as well. They must be getting the money from die-hard R donors or Dems who despise the GOP.
[5]
INC, I’d be curious to know what your disagreements with Eric are on that post. I skimmed thru it and didn’t notice anything.
One thing we must all remember about Rubio, is that he will probably be pro-amnesty should he win the senate seat. Other than that huge issue, he is good. Seemingly.
Now, I heard over the radio that there will be a third candidate, running as an anti-amnesty conservative, challenging both Rubio and Crist. That is probably bad news for Rubio…
[6]
Stunned by Newt’s endorsement of Scozza…
MFG will not denounce her, he merely refers to her candidacy as “aberrational” …
The problem is, that’s not so aberrational for the GOP any more…
[7]
Stunned by Newt’s endorsement of Scozza…
Really? Did you miss his photo op global warming session with Nancy, among other things? Newt is a beltway guy and has been for some time.
[8]
Erick has also endorsed the Texan running for Kay Barely’s seat, that would be Michael Williams. Looks like a very solid fellow, but appears soft on border/immigration issues too.
I generally trust Erick, all the rest of the posters at Redstate can go hang as far as I’m concerned. But he is a sturdy conservative, as far as I can tell.
[9]
RWY, it was in this line that I did not quote.
and in this towards the end:
I certainly realize there are areas in which a pro-life, fiscal conservative cannot be elected, nevertheless, I have to act as a Christian first and then as a conservative.
I do vote (as you know) and at the moment this point is moot because I’m not in a deep blue area with a Dem representative; however, there is no way in good conscience before God I would work as part of a GOP party effort to promote someone who is not pro-life.
[10]
Well, Bruce, I know Newt has a tendency to cave, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. He is making fun of himself…
By the way Bruce, I agree with your view on Limbaugh. However my only area of disagreement would be he brought the 2003 incident on himself, even though he was right then, too. He was hired at ESPN to talk football, not politics, or to take slaps at the media, well-deserved as they are.
Just my 2c.
[11]
Dede Scozzafava won’t even state that she’ll run as a Republican in 2010!!
More evidence we slipped into an alternate bizzaro universe. I wonder how things are going in the normal universe.
[12]
Yes, RWY, I didn’t like Red State for awhile but Erick has been a trooper.
INC…..what do you do when you have two candidates that are not pro-life…..but one is otherwise conservative? We face that on the state level often in Ca. I am Catholic and very pro-life but this state is nearly destroyed as it is. Fortunately in my local level the Rs are all pro-life.
[13]
INC, I agree with you, and I disagree with Eric that there are areas where those types cannot win. There may be, but those are likely to be deep blue Democrat districts.
You don’t have to trumpet your pro-life views from the mountaintops, and you can win in a moderate/purple district emphasizing the fiscal issues.
If you have to be a Bush type fiscal liberal to win, I think you’re better off in the Dem party. If only for honesty’s sake……
So, thanks for replying…
[14]
Newt is pretty much done. Earlier today I think Erick said Newt’s endorsement revealed him as a political opportunist. He’s now taken that post down and replaced it with something more temperate.
This is some of what he has up now:
It beats me why people think any lib will ever keep their word about anything. Newt should know that.
[15]
Yes, I love Newt, but he is becoming worthless. I don’t know what is the matter with him. Self-esteem want-to-be-loved issues….
[16]
It beats me why people think any lib will ever keep their word about anything. Newt should know that.
Hear, hear…..
[17]
Yep, Rush certainly did himself no favors in 2003. He was hoooked on oxy contin at the time too. Not his best year.
[18]
Bruce, in the voting booth I would try to choose the one who is the most conservative. I put the qualifier in because Erick’s words to me were edging into compromising principles for pragmatic party work. I think RedState is designed to promote the Republican party. They’re much more vocal to my way of thinking in not towing the line anymore. I do blog over there occasionally, but it’s going to be principle first for me.
I can work for an individual candidate, but I’ve never joined a Republican women’s group. I’d cause too many problems with my own brand of “maverickness”!
RWY, I think the VA governor race is one in which the R is pro-life but he has been emphasizing his fiscal conservatism.
[19]
Sorry, my replies are taking so long–numerous interruptions and things going on here!
[20]
You know, Newt started letting us down shortly after the 1994 elections. He practically swooned over Bill Clinton and was easily dispatched by The Rapist in Chief.
[21]
At least he finally learned to smile without looking like a Halloween Pumpkin.
Newt can speak well but he just isnt trustworthy.
[22]
RWY, I agree with what you said–a pro-life candidate can probably win about anywhere except perhaps some ultra-lib area such as San Francisco. Personality and winsomeness regarding pro-life issues count a great deal, IMO.
I’ve long thought a lot of elections are won on defense or economic issues. Those are the things that make up people’s minds.
[23]
Yes, Newt is not strong in his beliefs……
[24]
I wonder if people really are waking up. I do vote on economic issues too, but out of principle. I would rather be free, and somewhat less wealthy, than a socialist and more wealthy.
The problem is that if you can convince Americans, like Europeans appear to have been convinced, than socialism can lead to as much or more wealth than liberty and capitalism, they seem to be prepared to accept it.
Worrisome….
[25]
Even though it is manifestly not true, that socialism leads to as great or greater wealth, regardless of which segment, rich, poor, or middle class, you happen to be.
[26]
RWY, there are too many who don’t connect freedom with opportunity and prosperity. They get led around by the nose.
[27]
#5 rwy – Rubio is against illegal immigration. It is part of the reason why the GOP “establishment” does not support him. From his web site:
http://marcorubio.com/issues/
IMMIGRATION: “Legal immigration has been a great source of strength and prosperity for America, but I believe illegal immigration threatens the foundation of this system. If I had been in the Senate at the time, I would have opposed the McCain-Kennedy bill. I believe we must fix our immigration system by first securing the border, fixing the visa and entry process and opposing amnesty in any reform.”
[28]
Thanks for that link, TLS!
[29]
TLS, great link. What does he mean by fixing the visa and entry process.? There are a hundred ways to couch the mass-immigration position..
We have a huge jobs problem in the country, immigration laws need to be enforced and we don’t need millions of new immigrants, until jobs can be found for the legal Americans who are here.
TLS, I’m not doubting you, but that statement seems like boilerplate to me, Jeb and George Bush say the same things and they are amnesty stooges.
the word on Rubio is that he is very shy about enforcing immigration laws, from his time in the FL house. Blocked several enforcement measures that came up…
I’ll have to find it, since I heard it on local radio…
[30]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2244552/posts
[31]
Now, Crist is openly pro-amnesty, so voting for Rubio is the better choice, but be prepared for him to be another open borders senator on the immigration issue.
[32]
rwy – I sent him your link with this note:
I have been promoting your campaign in CA and asking members of my political shpere to fund your efforts. However, today I say something which I will copy here, that is in direct opposition to the immigration views posted on your campaign site. Can you please address this information and advise what EVIDENCE exists to refute it? Thanks!!
I’ll let you know if I get a response.
[33]
Excellent, TLS…..
[34]
RWY, I will remain on watch re Rubio and immigration. Do you know what kind of a guy Dave Caulkett is and can this be verified from another source?
[35]
Thanks, TLS–I missed your comment as I was writing mine!
[36]
http://www.flimen.org
Floridians for Immigration Enforcement.
[37]
From the website, can’t seem to post this text….
Miami-Dade lawmakers stymie immigration bills (cached version):
”The last thing we wanted was to come up here and start drawing lines and making noise,” said Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican and chairman of the Miami-Dade delegation.
“That’s exactly what these people wanted — the attention. It’s an election year, and immigration is an easy issue to press on.”
Without the backing of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the first Cuban-American to hold the position, the bills failed to get any major play in their committees. Six weeks into the session, a three-hour workshop was held on the six House bills, but even that failed to produce its desired intent of combining the bills into one larger committee bill.
”Speaker Rubio outlined the priorities of the session and this didn’t fall under that list,” said Rivera, one of Rubio’s lieutenants.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/05/florida-legislature/:
“I spoke to more than a dozen (legislators) and they all told me the same thing; that the problem is coming from the fourth floor and (Speaker of the House Marco) Rubio’s office,” said Jack Oliver, FLIMEN’s political issues chairman.
Oliver said he had those conversations with legislators only after meeting with Rubio two weeks ago and being assured that the Speaker’s office “wouldn’t try to impede the bills.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIgN51XxD4
http://www.flimen.org/Florida%202008%20Legislation%20Archive.htm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article448661.ece:
It is one of six bills that haven’t moved in the House. Rubio relented slightly Tuesday by permitting a workshop on the legislation.
But it seemed for appearances only, as Rubio’s office has been buffeted with phone calls from citizens in recent weeks complaining about the lack of movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXaxTarTqN8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplFZyzBUtQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2w2e-HG1PA
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/04/zapata-and-rubi.html
[38]
Miami-Dade lawmakers stymie immigration bills (cached version):
”The last thing we wanted was to come up here and start drawing lines and making noise,” said Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican and chairman of the Miami-Dade delegation.
“That’s exactly what these people wanted — the attention. It’s an election year, and immigration is an easy issue to press on.”
Without the backing of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the first Cuban-American to hold the position, the bills failed to get any major play in their committees. Six weeks into the session, a three-hour workshop was held on the six House bills, but even that failed to produce its desired intent of combining the bills into one larger committee bill.
”Speaker Rubio outlined the priorities of the session and this didn’t fall under that list,” said Rivera, one of Rubio’s lieutenants.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/05/florida-legislature/:
“I spoke to more than a dozen (legislators) and they all told me the same thing; that the problem is coming from the fourth floor and (Speaker of the House Marco) Rubio’s office,” said Jack Oliver, FLIMEN’s political issues chairman.
Oliver said he had those conversations with legislators only after meeting with Rubio two weeks ago and being assured that the Speaker’s office “wouldn’t try to impede the bills.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIgN51XxD4
http://www.flimen.org/Florida%202008%20Legislation%20Archive.htm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article448661.ece:
It is one of six bills that haven’t moved in the House. Rubio relented slightly Tuesday by permitting a workshop on the legislation.
But it seemed for appearances only, as Rubio’s office has been buffeted with phone calls from citizens in recent weeks complaining about the lack of movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXaxTarTqN8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplFZyzBUtQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2w2e-HG1PA
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/04/zapata-and-rubi.html
[39]
They’ve got a long series of links on their site that will not post here….
[40]
Marco Rubio on Illegal Immigration
[41]
”The last thing we wanted was to come up here and start drawing lines and making noise,” said Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican and chairman of the Miami-Dade delegation.
“That’s exactly what these people wanted — the attention. It’s an election year, and immigration is an easy issue to press on.”
Without the backing of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the first Cuban-American to hold the position, the bills failed to get any major play in their committees. Six weeks into the session, a three-hour workshop was held on the six House bills, but even that failed to produce its desired intent of combining the bills into one larger committee bill.
”Speaker Rubio outlined the priorities of the session and this didn’t fall under that list,” said Rivera, one of Rubio’s lieutenants.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/05/florida-legislature/:
“I spoke to more than a dozen (legislators) and they all told me the same thing; that the problem is coming from the fourth floor and (Speaker of the House Marco) Rubio’s office,” said Jack Oliver, FLIMEN’s political issues chairman.
Oliver said he had those conversations with legislators only after meeting with Rubio two weeks ago and being assured that the Speaker’s office “wouldn’t try to impede the bills.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIgN51XxD4
http://www.flimen.org/Florida%202008%20Legislation%20Archive.htm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article448661.ece:
It is one of six bills that haven’t moved in the House. Rubio relented slightly Tuesday by permitting a workshop on the legislation.
But it seemed for appearances only, as Rubio’s office has been buffeted with phone calls from citizens in recent weeks complaining about the lack of movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXaxTarTqN8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplFZyzBUtQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2w2e-HG1PA
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/04/zapata-and-rubi.html
[42]
[43]
”Speaker Rubio outlined the priorities of the session and this didn’t fall under that list,” said Rivera, one of Rubio’s lieutenants.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/05/florida-legislature/:
“I spoke to more than a dozen (legislators) and they all told me the same thing; that the problem is coming from the fourth floor and (Speaker of the House Marco) Rubio’s office,” said Jack Oliver, FLIMEN’s political issues chairman.
Oliver said he had those conversations with legislators only after meeting with Rubio two weeks ago and being assured that the Speaker’s office “wouldn’t try to impede the bills.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIgN51XxD4
http://www.flimen.org/Florida%202008%20Legislation%20Archive.htm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article448661.ece:
It is one of six bills that haven’t moved in the House. Rubio relented slightly Tuesday by permitting a workshop on the legislation.
But it seemed for appearances only, as Rubio’s office has been buffeted with phone calls from citizens in recent weeks complaining about the lack of movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXaxTarTqN8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplFZyzBUtQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2w2e-HG1PA
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/04/zapata-and-rubi.html
[44]
Rubio blocked immigration enforcement bills, plain and simple. And his lieutenants demagogued the pro-enforcement position.
If the choice is Crist or Rubio, I’d go with Rubio, but, don’t expect anything but an amnesty position from him.
Remember, Martinez sounded like an immigration hawk in 2004 too, when W shoved Bill McCollum out of the way to make room for him.
[45]
The Republican party is done for. Toast. Nada. Pfffft.
What held the Republicans together were common issues and principles. When you have the party itself abandoning what was its hallmark and a candidate that might even bolt yet the party seems poised to fund them, then it over.
Reform is not possible. Start over.
[46]
Well, Dr, then Obama is getting re-upped, and we maybe don’t even flip the House in 2010.
That could mean, well you know what it could mean.
But I agree the fostering of Scozzafava is absolutely unforgivable.
[47]
We are find ourselves back at the lessor of two evils.
[48]
Yeah, but I am really really over the lesser of two evils routine.. I can’t do that again….
[49]
I’m with you rwy. I’m done voting for the candidate that “can win” because then we all lose.
[50]
Well, maybe we can work with Rubio. I thought we could work with Bush too, and what a joke that was.
It’s like Lucy and the football, every time.
[51]
I knew Bush was soft on the border, but never knew how awful he really was. I thought once he heard the voice of the people, he would listen.
Well, he heard the voice of the people, but not the American people. The Mexican people.
So that sucked.
I must say, TLS, that it is a joy to have you with us on the site. Thanks for all your valuable contributions! And you’re a great poet too!
[52]
Thanks rwy!
[53]
RWY,
My take is the NY-23 is going to show two things:
a) The Republican party cannot maintain momentum doing the Dim-Lite thing.
b) The Teas have more moxy than anybody expected. That a group of unaffiliated street urchins can have a candidate viable in such a short time is a bellwether event. Keep in mind this guy has never run for office before.
Would a party split spell doom for Obama getting reelected? If the cards are played right I don’t think so. Everybody points to the Perot influence for Clinton winning. True. However conditions are not the same now. There are more independents than there are party affiliated people. Even those affiliated, half are what you would call weak associated. Internet makes organization damn easier than before. Get a the right independent candidate with the right issues and the Teas might be able to run a winning campaign.
Do not discount the power of ‘none of the above’.
[54]
Dr, I no longer object. The GOP has taken up the mantle of General McClellan, of whom Lincoln said after relieving him, “I am no longer willing to bore with an auger too dull to take hold.”
[55]
The Tea Parties have the right idea. It is now or never. We can not afford to compromise one more time. It is that reason we are where we are – we have made too many compromises.
The NY 23 is a prime example of this, and look we have the great compromiser (Newt) willing to do it one more time. People like Newt, Huckabee, McCain and others are the problem, NOT the solution. They may have some good ideas BUT all we need to do is look at times like these to see that Newt and others will sell us and our principles out. Sorry we don’t need them.
[56]
Jeez….way to go Dick Armey. I hope you show up.
[57]
People like Newt, Huckabee, McCain and others are the problem, NOT the solution.
Yeh, see that Ras poll showing Huckabee preferred in 2012?
[58]
BCL….dont sweat Huck….he is a nowhere man. I guarantee it.