Is the Republican Party Going RINO Hunting?

**Terri** · #1 11-06-2009, 09:10 AM

Bobby Eberle
The Loft at GOPUSA

For years the Republican Party has been a source of frustration for conservatives. Yes, the Republican Party is the vehicle to victory if conservatives want any chance of passing solid legislation, but too often that vehicle has an ejector seat. Only moderates, or RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), are allowed on board.

This week may have been the start of an awakening within the Republican Party leadership. I don't need to mention the conservative base, because we already know what we believe in. It's the "leaders" of our party who don't. However, after stunning gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia, and the near victory of a long-shot congressional candidate, establishment Republicans can no longer pretend that conservatism doesn't sell.

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MamaCat · #2 11-06-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

For the past decade, conservatives had put their hopes in the Republican Party only to feel betrayed and bewildered. Republicans swept to victory on a conservative message, then governed like big-spending Democrats

So you'll forgive me if I don't trust them this time around, either. All manner of candidates are going to throw around the "conservative" label because they know that We the People are really fed up with the GOP. Steele even said:

Quote:

The report also quoted another telling line from Steele's interview: "I don't need you to identify as a Republican," Steele said. "I need you to identify as a conservative. We are the conservative party."

Emphasis mine. "Identify as", not "be". Big difference. Let's not be fooled again. We have to do our homework on each and every candidate to know what they are, not just what they profess to be.

mnedrow · #3 11-06-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

"I don't need you to identify as a Republican," Steele said. "I need you to identify as a conservative. We are the conservative party."

AMEN!!!

social-isms · #4 11-06-2009, 09:42 AM

MamaCat - you stole my thunder. I too am having a VERY, VERY hard time believing them.

NY-23 is the latest example. Steele should have thrown the full force of the GOP behind Hoffman from the get-go.

If you can't win on principle, than you shouldn't be in the race.

When I ran for school board (and won), I ran with "R" brand prominently on all my literature and my web site. I went to the committee mtgs and got the State GOP's endorsement so I could put proudly the brand on my election material. I had the red, white and blue elephant everywhere.

School Board races are non-partisan here in CA. My opponent did not put his party (Dem) anywhere on his literature, and began to vilify me publicly for making the election partisan.

I simply responded by saying that I wasn't trying to hide who I am behind the veil of non-partisanship. I went on to say the voters should know who they are voting for and rely less on sound bytes and newspaper quotes.

Now, voters have a hard time disseminating what a "R" candidate is because the GOP does not hold them to the platform. We get RINOs running under the GOP banner.

I hope Steele, Newt, and the others in the GOP leadership have gotten the message loud and clear.

**Charie** · #5 11-06-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

"Identify as", not "be". Big difference. Let's not be fooled again. We have to do our homework on each and every candidate to know what they are, not just what they profess to be.

Wonderful point, MC.

I'd like to add: Keep an eye on them and track their voting records after they're elected.

I, too, will have a hard time believing what the Republicans are saying is true. We got too much of the opposite during President Bush's term in office.

P.S. Thank God for the internet. It makes it easy to check on any "public servant".

LAPhil · #6 11-06-2009, 10:41 AM

If the Republican Party didn't get a clue from the other night's elections it certainly should have. Moderation is not going to prevail nor should it, and as far as I'm concerned, any Republicans who are not true conservatives can find themselves another party.

MamaCat · #7 11-06-2009, 10:42 AM

The other day I was thinking the logo for the GOP should be a zebra -- with red and blue stripes. You get to decide how you see it, because it's hard to tell what it really is.

MrJLDoug · #8 11-06-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

If the Republican Party props up candidates to run as conservatives, then govern as moderates, what difference is there between a Democrat and a Republican?

My Thoughts exactly. A Republican Party full of Liberal RINO's will have the Democrats running things by proxy.

cwilliams1536 · #9 11-06-2009, 10:53 AM

Mamacat is right on.

If House and Senate members would be required to display how they voted on bills for all citizens to see at election time the RINOs and bad Dems would get elected out of office.

It is not negative campaigning when the other candidate shows the voting record of incumbents when their votes kill conservative principles and values and stance on issues.

Why doesn't Congress vote the majority of their constituents? My Congress members never asks their constituents for their viewpoint and never posts "for" or "against" calls, e-mails, and letters. This keeps them from being accountable. What needs to be done to get them accountable for their votes?

camtidwell · #10 11-06-2009, 11:13 AM

With Steel as Chairman it is hard to go RINO hunting without shooting yourself in the foot. All one has to do is go back to his statement that women have a right to choose -- pro-choice. He has not shown me that the Republicans are for smaller government, lower taxes. He supported Dede Scozzafana against Hoffman. Now he wants us to believe the Republican Party is something other than Dem light. Let them prove it. Otherwise vote for who ever is not there now regardless of party.