Prepare for the RINO Wars
Palin, Limbaugh, Beck … now it’s Republicans seeing the downside
It appears the RINOs are itching for a war and want to stifle conservative voices within the GOP and outside the GOP. Funny, but I don’t remember Glenn Beck ever claiming to be a Republican. If John McCain< Lucy Graham and Steve Schmidt (you remember Steve: John McCain’s genius of a campaign manager) have their way, conservatives will have no power within the GOP.
Mainstream Republicans are looking at the loudest of the conservative voices — Sarah Palin and the most prominent of the talk-show types (Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, et al) — and concluding that the GOP needs to do something different if it’s to succeed.
Steve Schmidt, former campaign strategist for John McCain, said Friday that nominating former Alaska governor Sarah Palin for president in 2012 would be “catastrophic” for the party.
“In the year since the election has ended, she has done nothing to expand her appeal beyond the base,” Schmidt said at a forum sponsored by The Atlantic magazine and web site.
“The independent vote is going to be up for grabs in 2012,” he said. “That middle of the electorate is going to be determinative of the outcome of the elections. I just don’t see that if you look at the things she has done over the year … that she is going to expand that base in the middle.”
Meanwhile, Schmidt’s old boss “is working behind-the-scenes to reshape the Republican Party in his own center-right image,” reports politico.com. That means recruiting candidates, raising money, and campaigning on their behalf.
“Those familiar with McCain’s thinking say he has expressed serious concern about the direction of the party and is actively seeking out and supporting candidates who can broaden the party’s reach. In McCain’s case, that means backing conservative pragmatists and moderates.”
The GOP getting advice from idiot Steve Schmidt is like the Pittsburgh Steelers or New England Patriots asking Matt Millen to make the team’s 2010 draft selections.
Meanwhile, McCain is assisting Romkney with a Pheonix fundraiser for Mitt’s PAC.
WASHINGTON – Mitt Romney had already sent out invitations for his Phoenix fund-raiser, offering supporters the chance to meet him in a Chase Field luxury box over a $300-per-person lunch or a $3,000 VIP reception.
But when former rival John McCain called with an offer to be listed as host for the event in his hometown, Romney happily went back to the printer for a new invitation with McCain’s name emblazoned on it.
Yesterday, McCain’s gesture helped Romney’s political action committee raise about $80,000. It also consummated an 18-month rapprochement between two competitors who battled for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination. Acrimony has been replaced by a professional friendship, the latest success in Romney’s methodical campaign to win over past skeptics as he prepares for another presidential run in 2012.
It appears that McCain has finally come to the realization that he will never be President. Romney is the GOP establishment’s choice and the media’s choice. McCain is aware of how meldable Romney is. If McCain cannot be President, why not try to elect someone over whom he can have a great deal of influence?
The next three years represent a battle for the soul of the GOP. Will it be a more conservative party that will stop the contry’s movement toward socialism of become Dem Lite?
Hat Tip: Christian Science Monitor and Boston Globe..
[1]
Well, are we “bigots” going to take Lucy Graham’s advice and shut up while McCain, Graham, Romney and the rest of the RINOs exert control over the party and we just show up on election day and vote for the candidates they select … or are we going to fight for a conservative party?
Tea Partiers need to infiltrate the GOP and take control.
[2]
My top 5 RINO to hate – all sellouts to statists on HC:
(1) Rommney
(2) Frist
(3) Dole
(4) Snowe
(5) McCain (hasnt sold out officially yet but enables the quislings)
They all suck arse
[3]
I sure am glad we got rid of that RINO Norm Coleman
[4]
A total purge of RINO’s is what’s needed
[5]
#3 I am not – he really wasnt that big a RINO and that was vote 41 for stopping HC!
[6]
I cant beleive I am posting from this source but this is actually a pretty funny disection of the HC scam and the Individual Mandate:
“The Phantom Fix for HC”
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1927270-2,00.html
Basically, it exposes the statist scam for what it is – bait n switch.
No I didnt write it, but I could have….
Maybe I should sue, eh?
Here are some of the more amusing quotes:
“Health reform is beginning to look like a run-of-the-mill “fix” of the sort Washington applies whenever a big-spending program spins out of control. When people get attached to benefits they haven’t paid for, the solution is seldom to cut the benefits. It is to rope in a set of dupes (in this case, young, healthy people) to pay for benefits they won’t receive. Far from breaking with the me-first ethos that brought us to the brink of economic ruin, the individual mandate fits squarely within the time-honored Capitol Hill tradition of identifying resources that can be dislodged from future generations, and transferring them to the generation in power.”
and this tells me all I need to know about how Individual Mandates are a trap to let the Feds take over HC:
“The President sees parallels with health care. If you have insurance and get sick, insurance pays. If you don’t, your emergency-room bills get passed on to others in the form of higher premiums. “Those of us with health insurance,” says the President, “are paying a hidden and growing tax for those without it.” So as liberals see it, conservatives ought to like the individual mandate.”
If “the one” supports it this much, it cant be good for conservatives or the people!
[7]
I wonder what kind of legislation will come out of Congress when we have 24 Senators and 145 House members
[8]
Well, who cares
The most important thing is to purge people who disagree with us
[9]
Regardless of the consequences
[10]
To ourselves or to the country
[11]
Yeah, Dude, I’m on board with the RINO purge
[12]
Let’s get down to 24 Senators and see what happens
[13]
OT — as bc said earlier, it is amazing how many stories continue to surface about the Olympics failure a few days ago.
What is really being autopsied, I think, is what we were all asking ourselves during the campaign —> “Who is Obama, really?”
His response and actions in Copenhagen are actually putting some pieces together to viscerally answer that question. He is really a “nothing” president, used to getting pushed forward by the gravitational pull of others — their mentoring, their legislation, their ability to “clear the deck of opponents” or offer bribes, the “Chicago Way.”
Copenhagen was clearly not going to cooperate with this vapid President and his wife. And, this gives more information as to his real strengths —> lip-service only!
The Obamas violated first three rules of selling American Thinker
[14]
What could go wrong?
[15]
Maybe we could get down to 12 Senators, what do you think…???
[16]
John McCain is up for re-election next year. I think the best message we could send to the GOP would be to oust him. But it appears that he will soar to easy re-election.
[17]
MFG -
Who is your favorite statesman in world history? My guess is Neville Chamberlain.
[18]
But it appears that he will soar to easy re-election.
Which will send the wrong message to the RNC, and the GOP power elites.
[19]
MFG’s favorite books:
and
[20]
Rinos from blue, even purple, states are a political necessity. It gives us numbers where we would not have them, and with numbers come committee chairmanships and scheduling power. That being said, we know we are going to get sellouts.
Funny how the dems can stay perfectly in line on all manner of legislation, very rarely losing even their most conservative of members.
Party discipline, for sure, unlike the Republicans.
[21]
Let’s not forget Lindsay Graham.
Great and related op-ed in my morning paper today.
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/Browne/s_646163.html
[22]
The RINOs already putting their plan into play.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/10/sarah-palin-meet-the-press-panel-says-she-wont-be-gop-nominee.html
Two great conservatives: David “Butt Boy” Brooks and “Republican Strategist” Mike Murphy (such a good friend of Mitt Romney and John McCain that he stayed out of the 2008 primaries because he didn’t want to offend either
[23]
I know conservative politics can appeal to independents, if they in fact will be a key to the upcoming cycles. Reagan demonstrated that, as did Gingrich.
If there ever was a perfect time, it will be after America has been force-fed two (and four) years of Obama.
[24]
“Rinos from blue, even purple, states are a political necessity. It gives us numbers where we would not have them, and with numbers come committee chairmanships and scheduling power. That being said, we know we are going to get sellouts.”
On the other hand, had we dumped Richard Lugar after his first term we might have a conservative senator representing Indiana.
[25]
When McCain and Graham hosted their own Town Hall in South Carolina, touting “bipartisanship,” I was urging anyone who went to purchase and throw only HALF-rotten vegetables to serve as a symbol of how myself and others feel about “bipartisanship.”
I don’t think anyone took me up on it.
[26]
[27]
Robert Bennett (Utah) is the best RINO to target. He has lost popularity and is being opposed by Mark Shurtleff, the state’s attorney general.
It’s a safe seat for the GOP as long as the candidate is Mormon. Shurtleff is. In 2008 Utah voters replaced Chris Cannon with a more conservative representative.
[28]
All about a demented RINO blog.
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2009/10/becoming-msm.html
[29]
The GOP is going to add seats in both the House and the Senate in 2010 and 2012. The key is making sure as many conservatives get elected as possible. It’s much more important that people like Pat Toomey get elected than people like Mark Kirk.
One of the best ways to ensure that this happens is by donating to deserving candidates rather than the RNC. When you give the RNC money, you give them a blank check.
[30]
First of all some of that article is bunk, Romney was working on behave of the McCain camp in a friendly way till the VP pick, he still did it after that as well but to a lessor degree.
(2) Frist
(3) Dole
—
Maybe we should stay focused on those currently in office?
“Rinos from blue, even purple, states are a political necessity. It gives us numbers where we would not have them, and with numbers come committee chairmanships and scheduling power. That being said, we know we are going to get sellouts.”
—
As frustrating as it is, Yup.
Pink and deep red states are another matter, course there you actually need quality alternatives to enter the fray.
“When McCain and Graham hosted their own Town Hall in South Carolina”
–
Just the thought of that makes me want to puke.
[31]
OT – The Lions look like they are about to start another streak.
[32]
“It’s much more important that people like Pat Toomey get elected than people like Mark Kirk”
—
So true, course even Kirk (as bad as he is) is better then Burris, but yeah the effort (read: time and money) should be spent on the quality candidates.
[33]
“Maybe we could get down to 12 Senators, what do you think…???”
—
I think we could probably get it down to 5 if we only settle for perfection.
[34]
And that Lincoln Chafee
I sure am glad he’s gone
He had an ACU of 40-50 and voted Republican to organize the Senate and voted for Bush’s Supreme Court nominees
But **** that, that’s not good enough, we need to support 100% conservatives in RI
Even though they have no chance at all of getting elected
[35]
We’re SO much better off now with his Marxist-Leninist psychopathic Communist replacement Sheldon Whitehouse aren’t we…???
[36]
And what’s his name in Alaska
Corrupt RINO!
I’m SO glad he’s gone
Now we have Begich there, another Communist psychopath in a state with a 30%+ Republican advantage in party ID over the Democrats
Yes, we needed a Democrat in the Senate in Alaska
[37]
What? The charges were dismissed after he lost the election?
What an amazing coincidence!!
[38]
Some people might think we got played in that situation
[39]
But, no matter, one less RINO!!!!!
[40]
And Conrad Burns!
He HAS to go
[41]
So MT, a state which votes R overwhelmingly for the Presidency now has TWO Communists in the Senate, and one of them is fashioning this disastrous HellCare bill as we speak
[42]
But at least we got rid of that awful RINO Conrad Burns
[43]
Consequences…???
[44]
Who cares, the important thing is to purge RINO’s
[45]
Lots of little points on the subject. May upset some of you.
After reading the posts on this subject I guess the bottom line is simply this.
Should conservative Republicans support moderates and should moderates support conservatives?
If DeMint is the 2012 candidate should moderates support him? If Romney is the 2012 candidate should conservatives support him?
Either one without the support of the other is doomed.
Over at polipundit there was conservatives that threw their votes behind third party candidates because McCain was too moderate. As did many Americans.
I know that many posters here want to move the Republican party as far right as possible. I do too.
The Democrats have moved totally left and will pay a price for it in 2010 and 2012. (I HOPE).
Should we follow the Dims lead and move totally to the right and pay a price for it?
2008 was not a jump to the left by voters, which Obama and his henchmen believe, it was a cycle of moderate independents (although McCain was tailor-made for them) that were just sick of Bush and conservatives that did not support McCain gave the election to Obama.
The final result was an OBama who felt he was truly “The Chosen One”. He even misread the mandate he received and hasn’t caught on yet.
So—I think it is fine that McCain would support Romney and Romney would accept it. We haven’t won anything yet and candidates better find all the support and money they can.
The Dems aren’t going to go down without a fight. Just look at Corzine coming back. The battle in New Jersey is going to be for the middle of the road voter.
Should conservatives sit it out and re-elect Corzine because Christie is a rino?
[46]
Bottom Line:
Support the most conservative candidate in the primary and then suck it up and vote R in the general
[47]
MFG-That’s my plan.
I just burn inside when I listen to Graham, Snowe and Burns on some topics.
However, it’s a lot like the Saudi’s in foreign affairs. They represent everything against American values but yet we get in bed with em.
[48]
Let’s be like the French and always wear white underwear (so we can use them as “surrender flags”).
[49]
Just get in the boxcars kids. When we get to camp we’ve got big ovens to keep you warm.
[50]
You slaves do a good job plantin’ and pickin’ and we’ll let you vote for whom we tell you to.
[51]
I hate to rain on your parade MFG, but in Lincoln Chaffee’s last two years in the Senate, he had ACU ratings of 24 in 2006 and 12 in 2005. By contrast, John Kerry (yes, that John Kerry) had an ACU rating of 12 in 2006 and 8 in 2005.
Yes MFG, Lincoln Chaffee was a real loss.
[52]
Knocking off a rino here and there may keep the other rino wanabee’s in line.
[53]
The Lions are back:
Bears 48
Lions 24
[54]
“Knocking off a rino here and there may keep the other rino wanabee’s in line.”
My thoughts exactly IP. Bennett is a good place to start. If you follow RINO ACU ratings, you’ll notice that usually the longer they are in office, the bigger rinos they become.
[55]
MI Conservative -
Are you sure you don’t want to retract yesterday’s comment about me being too outspoken?
Had the Lions not screwed up and won last week, they would only be 6 games away from the Bucs’ record.
[56]
What happened to the Lions?
It was 21-21 then the wheels fell off
[57]
Jets have a tough defense
[58]
A total purge of RINO’s is what’s needed — MFG
Not enough. We need to institute a voter induced term limits plan. Don’t need no stinking law. All you need is to vote anybody beyond a 2 termer out in the primary. RINOs alone are not the problem. ‘Professional Pols’ are the problem.
The Founders would be aghast to see a permanent political class in this country.
[59]
Fumbles, Bears punt return for touchdowns, no offense, etc. At the end of Q3, they showed the stats. There was only one first down between both teams in the quarter, but the Bears had four scores (the return TD and two field goals).
By the end of the game, the Bears could pretty much do what they wanted.
The real Lions are back!!!
[60]
Funny how the dems can stay perfectly in line on all manner of legislation, very rarely losing even their most conservative of members.
Party discipline, for sure, unlike the Republicans. — Mullet
Hmm. Not really. The Reps base are still a group of people who have a certain conservative belief. Stray from that and RINO virus appears.
Dims on the other hand are governed by interest blocs. So for the Dims they don’t have DINO’s. So long as a Dim coalition can being enough interests to bear to bring something out of committee it will be considered. Those not in the coalition are paid in kind by reciprocity on some other interest from some other bloc. So long as parity is maintained between the blocs with the federal spoils everybody is happy.
[61]
Sarah Palin isn’t the only potential Republican candidate with a book in pre-release.
Mitt Romney has No Apology: The Case for American Greatness coming out
Product Details
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (March 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312609809
ISBN-13: 978-0312609801
Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,322 in Books
[62]
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,322 in Books
Heh. Too bad its not the basis for party voting.
[63]
Geez
Jets have no offense at all
[64]
Starting a rookie QB is always so problematical…
[65]
drdog09 -
Sometimes, Miss Nancy has enough RINO support that she can let the Blue Dogs off the leash. For example, on Cap and Trade, she had eight RINO votes.
The Stimulus would not have passed without RINO support, nor would have cap and trade cleared the House.
Mark Kirk: Strongly pro-abortion (100% NORAL rating)
Pro gun control
Pro cap and trade (one of the eight)
If he wants to run fine, but how much better will he be than a Dim?
[66]
I think RomneyCare sinks Mitt
Maybe moderates get behind Pawlenty
[67]
MFG -
The ‘Aints look awful good this year. What happened to the Titans?
[68]
A lot of surprises this year, Titans a big one
Saints look awesome
Up 10-0 and on the Jets 1 in the second quarter
[69]
I think the moderates are still pushing Romney because, as you wrote “he’s next in line.” But, I think Pawlenty is becoming their fall back.
I prefer Pawlenty over Romney because 1) I don’t trust Mitt and 2) he is more ethical. Romney is Palin-bashing big time through surrogates like Steve Schmidt and Mike Murphy.
[70]
BC
Tigers going to the playoffs or is there a playoff game?
[71]
Crap!
Goal line stand
Jets are really good on defense, their offense looks very suspect
[72]
17-0
Wow
[73]
Can the Saints win it all this year…???
[74]
San Diego – Pittsburgh tonight should be a good one. I used to like the Steelers until Rooney endorsed (and worked so hard for) Obama.
Now, the Steelers are in the same category for me as the Cowboys, Raiders and 49ers – I hope they lose every week.
[75]
Tuesday in the Metrodome. I think the Twins will win it. I understand the Met is good for football. I saw a baseball game there once. It was like watching the game in a factory.
[76]
If he wants to run fine, but how much better will he be than a Dim?
Understand your point. But sometimes we think too small. We worry about them vs us and party politics. I am suggesting that Americans need to start thinking bigger. Will all the Teas and marches you really think all of them are Republicans? You think the registered Dims are happy with their party either? If Pat Caddell is any indicator, no they are not.
The parties want us split. It suits their purpose. But what would happen to both parties if the only people that could get elected were constitutional moderates? Or if the Independents mounted Operation Chaos against both parties in rotation? I am not even suggesting a third party.
There is 15% on both the Left and Right that won’t be swayed. That leaves the rest take action. The extremists and long term Pols can be driven out.
[77]
Gotta go pick up pizza. If the Saints score while I’m gone I’ll switch to the Cowboys-Broncos.
[78]
This need not be an argument.
Nobody, or at least very few, thought we should primary Coleman.
But McCain must be stopped, or a third party will result. If that happens, the R party must be totally destroyed, or the Dems win by default.
Leave the blue state Rinos alone, primary the Red state Rinos, ruthlessly. McCain, Graham, Bennett, Hatch, have to go. Cornyn and Crist too, and Kay barely.
Keep snowe and remind her of her selfprofessed fiscal conservative smallgov roots she brags about, which I don’t recall her voting for a single time.
[79]
Flush’em all. I am tired of the whole bunch.
On a different note, Mrs. Instapundit has this interesting piece up.
[80]
Yup, Lions are back to the team we are use to.
Tigers should have clinched weeks ago and are stuck going to metrodome. They peaked too soon and now the Twins have the advantage.
bc3b is going out for pizza and I’m having leftover tuna casserole.
I hope he realizes that being outspoken is good as he wines and dines. HA
[81]
Small Business Galt
[82]
drdog-Interesting link
I have many family members that own small businesses and they feel like their in limbo. (Limbo, Latin for limbus, edge or boundary, referring to the edge of HELL!)
How many Americans feel like their at the edge of hell with this president and White House. Maybe we are all in limbo.
[83]
MI Conservative -
I saw a Twins game in the dome a few years ago. It’s a weird place to play baseball in. Like you said, the Tigers should have wrapped it up two weeks ago.
[84]
Well, at least it is the last season there.
I still prefer Tiger Stadium over Comerica Park. I’ve seen games in Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Gotta love them old ball parks.
HOT Diggity DOGS. Geeeet your hot diggity dogs. Just Musard! Cold Beer, Ice cold Beer. Peanuts, get your peanuts.
“YOU LIE” t-shirts, get a “YOU LIE “T-shirt. OOOOPPPSSSS – Those were going to be sold at the Olympics in Chicago in 2016.
[85]
MI -
I used to live in the Chicago area and went to many games at Wrigley. The old Comiskey Park was a real dump. Tiger Stadium had too meny obstructed seats because they built the upper deck too low.
But, there’s nothing like a Whitecaps game at Fifth Third Park.
[86]
HA-obstructed view seats were cheap at least.
Worse than that were the obstructed view seats in Olympia during a red wing game.
[87]
ALAS AND ALAK MUCH TO OUR CHAGRIN,
THE DALLAS COWGIRLS DID IT AGAIN,
ALWAYS THE BRIDSEMAID, NEVER THE BRIDE,
WILL THEY EVER GULF THIS WIDE DIVIDE,
JERRY JONES TOOK IT ON THE CHINNY CHIN CHIN.
[88]
Dear Justmary, please send me one of THESE ASAP.
[89]
At least, the Carolina Panthers won’t go to 0 – 4 this week.
The only reason being they have a “bye” on their schedule.
[90]
please send me one of THESE ASAP.
~ ip727
One? They come in pairs.
[91]
Come now we can get rougher than that –
Terrell, Terrell, your new legacy
Will be that you swallowed those pills with such ease.
And who placed that call to emergency,
Was your publicist just seeking publicity?
She knew just how the press would act,
Getting the story, then getting the facts.
Did they really blow it all up,
Or were you just fast enough to throw it all up?
Breaking your hand did bring some attention,
But when the game was back on you’d have hardly a mention.
Coming back Sunday was all part of the plan,
Clean out the system and they’d see a new man.
Maybe she thought that all of the frenzy
Would help make your teammates more green with envy.
Touting depression as the reason
Might get you more play for the rest of the season.
Sadly enough, despite your denial
Time will tell what stays in your file.
You may always have a truly great gift
But what the media paints is what will stay with.
The toughest truth about it all
Is that we love to watch our heroes fall.
Perceptions are factless, truth isn’t the rule.
Next time try to spin it so you’re not such a fool.
[92]
The “Tea Party Express:Countdown to Judgement Day” bus tour is heading back across the U.S. from Oct 25 to Nov 11, bringing to attention that we are one year from the 2010 elections. They are in need of donations to keep the buses moving.
http://teapartyexpress.wordpress.com/
[93]
Tennessee, Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City and Tampa Bay weren’t as lucky.
Smart move, firing Grueden, Bucs.
[94]
Mutley is a bard of great renown,
pulled from a ditch where he was left to drown,
a mug that only a mommy could love,
in front of a buss she gave him a shove,
he is thehttp://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06/elwoodAP_450×363.jpg” rel=”nofollow”>ugliest mo fo in town.
[95]
The circular firing squad begins in 5..4..3.. Give a listen to the George Will vid. Its an interesting observation, though late to the realization.
[96]
MUTLEY IS A BARD OF GREAT RENOWN,
PULLED FROM A DITCH WHERE HE WAS LEFT TO DROWN,
A MUG THAT ONLY A MOMMY COULD LOVE,
IN FRONT OF A BUSS SHE GAVE HIM A SHOVE,
HE IS THE http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06/elwoodAP_450×363.jpg” rel=”nofollow”> UGLIEST MO FO IN TOWN.
[97]
MUTLEY IS A BARD OF GREAT RENOWN,
PULLED FROM A DITCH WHERE HE WAS LEFT TO DROWN,
A MUG THAT ONLY A MOMMY COULD LOVE,
IN FRONT OF A BUSS SHE GAVE HIM A SHOVE,
HE IS THE UGLIEST MO FO IN TOWN.
http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06/elwoodAP_450×363.jpg” rel=”nofollow”>MUTLEY
[98]
#94 well, if it isn’t Bush’s fault than the rest of the world is just racist.
[99]
I was gone all day. Looking at this thread I wanted to belatedly comment on MI’s post #45. I thought it to be well-reasoned and spot on. How MI put his thoughts together on RINOs and conservatives is just about 100% where I am coming from — I just would have blown the post in trying to put it together, unlike MI’s grace and tact.
[100]
George Will —-> “vain” is going to be the adjective attached to Obama??? My, I wonder why!
A satisfying film clip, drdog!
[101]
Jan,
MI’s reasoning is sound for a 2008 election. I just believe that the battlespace has shifted. I also don’t buy the ‘Obama misread his mandate’ meme. Obama and his hencemen had a clear idea where they wanted to go and it had no relation to any mandate other than the one they had written for themselves.
[102]
Jan, I disagree with you and MI-Con.
McCain is going to war with conservatives, this is obvious. He is doing the country an enormous disservice.
Following MI Con’s reasoning is what got us where we are: In the minority.
I used to be an R party cheerleader too, and I am done with that.
No performance, no principles, no vote. period.
And please don’t say “Well then we will end up with democrats.”, because we all supported Bush and McCain like good little sheep, and look where that got us.
[103]
Should conservative Republicans support moderates and should moderates support conservatives?
What happens in actual fact is, that conservatives support moderates, and get liberal policy for their trouble.
Then when the conservatives need the moderates’ support, they walk over to the Dems.
So that’s not a reflection of recent history, and therefore a wrong conclusion, IMO.
Just look at Corzine coming back. The battle in New Jersey is going to be for the middle of the road voter.
The reason he IS coming back, is that everyone can see that nothing, not one thing, will change in NJ if Christie is in fact elected. They see he is a rino, and they are voting for the real thing.
Corzine will be re-elected, just watch.
Should conservatives sit it out and re-elect Corzine because Christie is a rino?
No, but he will lose anyway, and nothing would change if he won. And if he does win, he will betray the conservatives who voted for him, within weeks.
Just like always.
See? Vote McCain! Vote Graham! And we wonder why nothing changes.
[104]
Support the most conservative candidate in the primary and then suck it up and vote R in the general
Doing this lets the R party know they can push lefties in the primary and get away with it. This is another reason why we got where we are now in the first place.
[105]
The primary reason we are in the mess we are in is due to RINO’s. Over time the RINOs pusged for more and more spending till we got to the point of being Democrat Light. What did the Democrats do – blamed us for deficit spending and the ever increasing debt. They (Democrats) proposed PAYGO and what did the Republicans do – nothing. The American public bought it and now we are in even greater mess.
So what do we do – elect more RINOs to get right back into a greater mess. The only difference between the Democrats and RINOs is what government expansion they want. McCain has the audacity to talk about fiscal responsibility yet still wants to expand government BUT only at a slower rate for what he wants.
We need true conservatives who KNOW what limited government really is and what the Constitution really says. Not politicians who have their own agenda.
It makes no difference at this point. We are heading for the end game now. It is just a matter of how soon and how fast it happens.
[106]
rwy & drdog
I’ve been different on this issue than you guys, as I personally see the country divided into fractions with the left being on the far end of one side and conservatives reflective of the opposite end of the right. But, there are a whole lot of people with philosophies and “interests” that spread out in that vast continuum between the two.
The left really did not win the last election, as Obama moved to the middle in his rhetoric in order to appeal to a “majority” of voters. Had he acted and spoken like he does now, I believe Obama would have lost big-time, as this country is not leftist in it’s gut beliefs.
But, I also believe that conservatives have to walk a line too, because self-reliance and individualism is not revered by everyone. It doesn’t mean conservatives have to change core values, but I do think in blue and purple states, whose ideology is more liberal, running centrist republican candidates is a strategical necessity.
And, quite frankly, if you don’t want to support people like McCain or Graham, that is your right. But, I think working against them by making fun of them does not spread conservatism any faster. It just increases the infighting that wastes a lot of energy. It’s better to do a Rubio primary battle against Crist — that is how you can change the people-players of your party without weakening the party, by being active and strong in the primary process.
[107]
It makes no difference at this point. We are heading for the end game now. It is just a matter of how soon and how fast it happens.
GNGANG
EXACTAMUNDO I FEAR:
[108]
But, there are a whole lot of people with philosophies and “interests” that spread out in that vast continuum between the two.
Of course. Let them choose between limited government and liberty, and socialism.
Jan, this is the fundamental mistake: There is no need to BE a moderate, simply because there ARE moderates.
Make them choose, left or right. We know that they will ally with the right, when the left shows themselves for who they really are.
And, quite frankly, if you don’t want to support people like McCain or Graham, that is your right. But, I think working against them by making fun of them does not spread conservatism any faster. It just increases the infighting that wastes a lot of energy.
Jan, they are going to war with conservatives to lock them out of politics. They cannot win elections this way. They are ensuring Democrat dominance, whether a third party materializes or not. They are depressing the R party’s share of the vote.
How many times does this have to happen before people understand this?
Jan, it happened 11 months ago… Have you forgotten already? McCain told a crowd they had nothing to fear from Obama. He snickered as they begged him to do something to preserve liberty.
[109]
Jan, I think what weakens the R party is McCain saying we have nothing to fear from Obama.
It is Graham saying that anyone opposing amnesty is a bigot and should shut up.
[110]
Jan, I don’t mean to fight with you, but I think you are forgetting who is behind all this.
It is the rotten and increasingly liberal R party elite that has gone to war with conservatives…
[111]
The SAINTS could go all the way…..
[112]
rwy
I don’t think of our disagreement on this point as an “argument,” but rather a discussion.
There is no need to BE a moderate, simply because there ARE moderates.
I totally agree with you that a conservative doesn’t have to become “moderate.” However, in the same manner a “moderate” doesn’t necessarily have to become conservative either. What needs to happen is to find common ground, not total consensus to be able to come together in their vote.
I didn’t like many of McCain’s statements regarding Obama, gitmo, ANWR etc. But, he has made good ones regarding cutting spending, earmarks, HC and so on. Sometimes he is totally off the mark, other times he hits it fairly well. I also didn’t like his treatment of Palin.
But, I am not begrudging McCain nor people like Graham their Senate seats either. Today, on Fox, Graham was very forceful on points about Iran. Both senators hold placesettings that have value. I’ll not besmirch that value because of some of the political avenues in which we disagree. In other words, I’ll rather have McCain/Graham there than two democrats!
And, that phrase Let them choose between limited government and liberty, and socialism shows that you don’t seem to recognize there is a big territory of beliefs out there inbetween “limited government” and “socialism.” Even in the next election, should we win the House back, big government is going to have to be dialed back consistently, but slowly, or the people will turn on conservatives and go the other way…again. That is the fickleness of human nature!
[113]
shows that you don’t seem to recognize there is a big territory of beliefs out there inbetween “limited government” and “socialism.”
I recognize it all right. I also know that it is not in adherence to the constitution, and that it is a slippery slope that lands you right where the democrats want you.
See previous POTUS, 2001-2009…
Now, again, just because there ARE moderates, does not mean they have to be catered to on every issue.
Run on Reagan and small gov, and let everyone know what the progressive left wants.
The moderates will break 2-1 for the Reaganite and they will win.
Another Bush or McCain type puts us right back in the cycle of incompetence that leads to Obamas winning elections.
But, I am not begrudging McCain nor people like Graham their Senate seats either.
They support amnesty which would turn Texas, NC, FL blue forever. What they want would destroy the R party for a hundred years. Is all that ok, because they jawbone on and on about Iran, when Iran will do as they please anyway?
What is so hard about this?
Jan, do you really want to offer the R party of 2006-2008 as the only alternative to Obama? Because I can already tell you how that will turn out.
Why would we want to keep voting in the people who betray us over and over? Why would we want to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results?
[114]
It’s usually the RINOs declaring war on conservatives. Steve Schmidt, McCain;s former campaign manager, makes the derogatory comments about Sarah Palin on Thursday. MTP has David Brooks, GOP Strategist Mike Murphy – a friend of/worked for Mitt Romney and John McCain on MTP – and they agree with Schmidt. Surprised? Sounds like a set up to me.
At the same time, McCain is helping raise money for Mitt’s PAC.
There’s a guy on FR who has 2-3 pages of links illustrating how Romney has used surrogates like Schmidt and Murphy smear Palin.
As Yahoo mentioned earlier, what McCain and Graham are doing could split the GOP.
[115]
I am looking forward to seeing what Rush, Beck and Levin say about this. I don’t expect the organizational FNC team (BOR, Hannity, Greta) to cover this because of their close relationship with McCain.
[116]
In other words, I’ll rather have McCain/Graham there than two democrats!
There is no chance of a Dem winning either seat. What we could really use are 2 good conservatives in those seats.
McCain and Graham are the ones besmirching the seats, not the conservatives who they are attacking, and are more interested in stopping than the Democrats.
And 2008 just proved it. Yet here we are, supporting the same old people, who have been in the government forever.
My question is: why?
[117]
“There is no chance of a Dem winning either seat. What we could really use are 2 good conservatives in those seats.”
Same thing with Bennett and Hatch seats in Utah, seats in Missippi, Georgia, Tennessee and a number of other states.
As someone stated earlier, if we take a couple on RINOs down, it will send a message to other RINOs and RINO wannabes.
[118]
Metaphorically speaking, if you put a round through the running lights of one rino, it discourages the others from popping their heads up, me thinks.
[119]
Jan is confusing me. After months of fantastic commenting, she wants to genuflect before the exact guys, THE VERY SAME GUYS, GRAHAM AND MCCAIN, who think that “bipartisan” is more important that what happens to the American people’s lives, liberty, and property.
This is how we got Medicare D, amnesty, carbon caps and campaign finance reform leading directly to Soros/Center for American progress.
These guys are responsible for the policies that put us here. What’s left of them, anyway.
Plus we have the example of the 2008 election RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
But we are supposed to re-elect them?
How can that be logical?
I cannot understand this. They want to turn TX, AZ, NC, FL, and VA blue permanently with amnesty.
And we are supposed to be impressed with tough words on Iran? words???? are supposed to gloss over horrible, America-destroying policy?????
[120]
Instead of sending money to the RNC, send it to worthy people like Pat Toomey, Michele Bachmann, etc. who won’t screw us when they get elected. Remember, RINOs get worse, not better, the longer they are in office.
[121]
rwy
People can generally be on the same page politically without being lockstep in all the words on that page.
I tolerate the moves of moderates more than you do. People, though, like Spector and Snowe go beyond the boundaries of such tolerance. Those I see as only useful idiots of the GOP. Although, I don’t necessarily even like McCain or Grahram, as much as I just don’t see them as poisonous to the GOP as you and others do.
We just have to agree to disagree as my intention is not to change your opinion, just like you won’t be able to change mine.
Good night!
[122]
Very interesting debate about rinos.
We have people who pretty much agree on all issues and policies on this thread but can’t come up with who or how to support conservatives or rinos. Could this be part of the problem.