See, this is why Republicans are losing it

[vince]

In my opinion, as much as they think they want power, the hard right of the Republican party are really naturally more suited to opposition. Being in power, forces ideologues to compromise and the hard right is loath to compromise on any of their principles. It's offends their political purity. It's an anathema to them to have their ideals come hard up against reality. And reality kicks idealism's butt every time.

The Sarah Palins and Dick Armey (sp?) and Limbaughs are far happier sniping and profiting from the sidelines than they would be if they had to deal with reality. That's why Sarah quit her job isn't it? It was just too darn hard gettin' the message out to the 'real folks' and having to deal with pesky things like the press and the legislature, at the same time.

 

[Bbucko]

I don't think it's stupid, I think it's principled. The republican party either needs to get back to its core tenets or dissolve.

Getting rid of RINOs is one part of the process.

Evidently Newt Gingrich no longer passes the smell test and is now, officially, a RINO.

VinylBoy- Would you support the democratic party in attempting to replace a democratic politician who was outspokenly opposed to same sex marriage, opposed abortion rights, supported the rights of big business, attacked ACORN, and was generally fiscally and socially conservative?

They're called Blue Dogs and most definitely have a seat at the Democratic table.

 

[vince]

Actually, it's an excellent move.

It seems silly to waste a perfectly good 2-party system by having two parties which are indistinguishable in their essential features. But we're stuck with two. A third party would be electoral disaster - think Teddy Roosevelt in 1912, or Ross Perot in 1992. A much more effective course would be to push the Republican Party in a direction which more effectively opposes the Democratic Party platform. Then voters would have a choice which might mean something.

Maybe, but if the Reps were taken over by the right-wing of the party (and I think that is what going on here, it's a war for control of the party), the third party that could arise might be centrist and draw from both the Reps and the Dems. It's possible I think. It would be like the Liberal Party of Canada.Centrist and a total whore of a party that can be many things to many people. They are for big business, the little guy, mother's milk and a strong military while they cut the Forces budgets to ribbon's. LOL. They are out of. power right now, but they are not called the "natural governing party od Canada" for nothing.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

OK don't answer my question.

YAWN... I did answer it. Do I need to spell it out, Sesame Street style?

I support the person who is best for the job, regardless of their political affiliation. You worded your statements as if somehow I would accept the bickering among Democrats when I have clearly stated that I think it's stupid regardless of who is doing it. So sorry if I gave you a non-partisan answer to a partisan-fueled question.

I don't think in binary, nor do I answer questions in that manner as well. Therefore, I don't abandon political parties since I would vote Republican, Independent or whatever if the right candidate with the best chance to win emerged.

 

[arkfarmbear]

I was a Republican in Reagan's days.
I also was a Bush fan when he was governor of Texas. In the White House, I didn't.
My problem with Republicans since Reagan's time is that very frequently their "heroes" are caught in acts they say they deplore and even want to criminalize! But, when their icon gets caught they don't toss them aside!
Reagan had what he called the 11th commandment, which was "never criticize another Republican!"
I guess it is still being followed.


I worked in an industry that was very powerful in those days. The chief lobbyist and I were friends. He and his partner spent many nights in the White House, as guests of George and Laura!

 

[vince]

If Reagan tried to run on his record these days, he'd be dismissed as a flaming liberal.

 

[SpeedoGuy]

If Reagan tried to run on his record these days, he'd be dismissed as a flaming liberal.

As would anyone to the left of talk radio.

http://visualblip.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/jesusbushweb.JPG

 

[b.c.]

Evidently Newt Gingrich no longer passes the smell test and is now, officially, a RINO.



They're called Blue Dogs and most definitely have a seat at the Democratic table.

shhhhhhhh... don't tell them. Let them back themselves further into the political right while ostracizing and alienating anyone marginally more centrist in ideology.

Hell, don't tell them that as a party they need to broaden their base and appeal to a greater number of people who don't traditionally consider themselves as conservative.

Damn sure don't tell 'em (like Colin Powell tried to do - boy was he wasting his breath) about softening their position on certain issues considered too "socialistic" from a conservative's point of view.

Don't tell them to embrace ideology that makes an effort to better connect with young and old, black and white, and in-between; to better reach out to people of various faiths, nationalities, and persuasions...to inject less subliminal hatred and bigotry into their messages, because today's youth are better at reading between the lines than their parents were. (Did we not teach them to?)

Don't give them even a clue. After all, we don't wanna fuck around and tell 'em how to win one, do we?

 

[2322]

somehow sometime the repubs will be back. the pendulum swings both ways as the democrats have short memories.

"Big tent party" my ass.

 

[SpeedoGuy]

"Big tent party" my ass.

lol

http://www.bendib.com/black/6-14-Big-Tent.jpg