Adventures in conformity, GOP-style »

Posted By scott4261 7 months, 3 weeks ago in Political News

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John Young, Waco Tribune-Herald

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

When Sen. Arlen Specter left the Republican Party for the Democrats last week, “good riddance” was uttered near and far, particularly on the AM radio dial.

Specter was a RINO —Republican in Name Only — said partisan puritans. He was pro-choice. He supported the Obama stimulus package. The party is stronger for the purging of him and his ilk, they said.

Yes. And a team that’s stubby-legged and pasty-faced will reach the NBA finals.

Actually, the correct answer: no. The GOP is not stronger. In fact, it’s a lot weaker, and not just because a skinny-legged senator with much seniority took his game elsewhere.

It’s weaker because of Rush Limbaugh. It’s weaker because of Karl Rove. It’s weaker because of rhetorical bombs and bombast. It’s weaker because warring words, rather than consensus-seeking actions, have come to define it.

While the Democrats have a speechwriter’s dream, Barack Obama, serving as their face, and the nation’s, the increasingly minority party has the cigar-chomping Limbaugh serving as its own.

Obama projects hope and competence. Limbaugh projects bile and comeuppance.

While Obama projects healing and inclusiveness, Limbaugh thrives on divisiveness and innuendo (yeah, let’s blame illegal aliens for an alien strain of flu, if we can’t blame Democrats).

Once upon a time in politics, this worked. Wedge issues did their job. That’s why Rove had a job in the White House.

Increasingly, these days, wedge issues simply drive centrists away.

Specter long was a target for refusing to play the hyperbole games of the religious right. If you aren’t for banning abortion, something most Americans say they don’t want to do, then you are “pro-abortion.”

Actually, most polls show Republicans are decidedly ambivalent about how far they want government to go relative to reproductive rights.

If you think gays and lesbians have human rights by virtue of being human, then you “want to tear down the family,” says the GOP party line.

Say what you will, but a recent Washington Post poll found that 49 percent of Americans support gay marriage (a 13 percent surge over three years), compared to 46 percent who don’t.

A poll by the same paper found only 21 percent of Americans identifying themselves as Republicans. Maybe the Republicans need to identify themselves with other things.

They didn’t identify themselves with fiscal responsibility when they were in a position to act it out in Washington. They put tax cuts and military spending first, and everything else last.

Now they’re talking about debt and runaway spending. But when in a position to do something about it, they pooh-poohed deficits. They were like CEOs of leveraged businesses who were turning just enough profit to keep their bonuses coming.

Meanwhile, the Roves and the Limbaughs kept hammering at those old wedge issues — immigration, abortion, gay rights — and more and more political moderates who once felt comfortable in the Republican Party started feeling queasy.

For the lack of someone to lead it away from its baser impulses, the party of Eisenhower, Goldwater, Dirksen, Rockefeller and Taft has become the party of Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, Beck and Boortz.

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scott4261

I'm scott4261. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas with my partner, Mike, and our toy poodle, Romeo.

When I am am here, it's to ...

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  • 83%
    scott42617 months, 3 weeks ago

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    Sometimes we DO get the truth from Texas! These days, who'd've thunk it?

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  • 85%
    Spadecaller7 months, 3 weeks ago

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    GOP (Grand Obsolesce Party) will have to be completely redefined if it expects to garner enough votes to maintain their current roster of politicians. In fact, they will even have to change their platform and maybe even their party's name, now that they have abandoned the party to the extremist ideologies of Limbaugh and Hannity.

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  • 86%
    Poulenc7 months, 3 weeks ago

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    Well, clearly, it's time to go back to the drawing board for the Grand Old Party.

    Unfortunately, fear-'n'-smear is a political MO with long, long legs.

    Incomprehensible--yet completely understandable to me--is the fuss already being made about the possibility of O. picking a gay candidate for the SC.

    Oh, the horror! Oh, the fear, already being stirred by conservs and other true 'muricans everywhere.

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    • 22%
      Jaydee407 months, 3 weeks ago

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      What is clear is that Americans only care about appearance and not facts. Yes it's great the GOP are gone but what has the new leader done to fix the country? Real issues like run away Military spending and an out of control CIA, or an outrageous trade unbalance. How about war crimes committed by a government he now heads? No MR Obamma is not a man of substance either, just a white washer. How about the fact that no American has stood trial for their part in not stopping 911 when it's on record they had knowledge it was going to happen? Americans are in denial but their beloved Republic is a tragic Failure.

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    • 89%
      skyking2p7 months, 3 weeks ago

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      The Grand and Wonderful leader of the GOP. The one they all look up to for guidance and inspiration. Some press from the past: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/29/us/29limbaugh.ht...

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    • 85%
      vor7 months, 3 weeks ago

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      I don't think this dinosaur of a party is as weak as suggested. While Limbaugh represents a pathetic minority that could never elect a national candidate, when you take the various branches of the GOP and independents they still add up to a sizeable number. For while you may have plenty of hangers on to the likes of Bob Barr and Ron Paul these people will vote Republican any time it appears a Democrat may win. The Republicans real problem in '08 was the lack of an inspiring candidate or message. They just couldn't get behind McCain and Palin came along a little late in the game. And the economic collapse could not have come at a more opportune moment for the Democrats. And the Dems had this spectacular rising star Obama running. McCain would have beaten Kerry or Gore but he couldn't overcome Obama and the optimism he brought to the Democrats. That optimism will be incredibly difficult to repeat in '10 or '12 but it is the negativity of the GOP that should ensure continued Democratic rule.

      But beware, this is politics and public perception can always change in specific circumstances such as economic stagnation. Lest we not forget who promoted the greed and deregulation that brought us to the current predicament. And who was actually in control, making policy. It certainly wasn't the Democrats no matter how hard these pundits try to spin it. They cannot change reality as much as they may try.

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      • 25%
        vettenut7 months, 3 weeks ago

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        Typical bilgewater from the transparently left-wing media cheerleaders!

        Anybody want to talk about the "big-tent philosophy" of the Democrats, the party of "divide and conquer?" When was the last time a prominent Dem spoke out against abortion? LOL!!! If you don't agree with the left-wing philosophy of the Dems, you are not given a voice, let along mentioned by the MSM, who want to portray the Dems as "one big happy family."

        There, now all you leftists can "go to town" negging this comment for all you're worth. Perhaps it will give you something to do besides drinking some more BHO kool-aid........

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      • 94%
        Om7 months, 3 weeks ago

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        It's interesting how certain apologists for the now-defunct Republican Party refer to all Democrats as leftists. Is it any wonder the party of No Way has marginalized itself out of existence when all of its spokespeople are trying to outdo each other with Chicken Little protestations. The ruse is up, the teflon has fallen off. Selfish myopia and naked greed has run its course. Fear and negativity will most certainly rear its ugly twin-head again, but under an entirely new banner.

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      • 21%
        BB647 months, 3 weeks ago

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        You know it's funny that you're so sure the GOP is dead. It did take some hits. For the last 8 years, our president was attacked relentlessly by the media. We didn't defend them. We had talk radio but we really didn't stand up with him. I'm not a fan of Bush, but most of the things they said would not have been taken when FDR, Truman, Carter or Clinton were in office. You will see the GOP finally circling the wagons. You will see our "herd" being culled too. Rinos will continue to leave. Spector the Defector was a name given to him by the DNC when he left your party to join the GOP. Back then as now it was when it was helpful to his career. Party loyalty or his constituents means nothing to him.

        You will see Republicans with a clear message. Lower taxes, less government, reduced social welfare programs, strong defense, and enforced borders. Our HOPE is that there is something left in 2010. Our CHANGE is the address of our current president.

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      • 44%
        tadair9197 months, 3 weeks ago

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        aside from the talking bobble-heads mentioned in this article, what was really so damaging to the party was the rights' unwavering commitment to go with whatever bush/cheney wanted.

        this we can all agree was a terrible mistake.

        but, now it is the left that is making the same unwavering commitment to whatever absurd policy the banksters are pushing under the guise of liberalism.

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        • 93%
          AnteUp7 months, 2 weeks ago

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          I heard Christopher Hayes of The Nation last night on Countdown.
          He said there are times when he just feels like saying,"Guys! -
          it's only been 100 days........suck it up!" He went on to say
          that he knows it is difficult to relinquish power - but they
          did have that control for a very long time. I couldn't agree
          more. The period of adjustment is WAY over.
          We are in a world of hurt in this nation - on a multitude of
          issues - you might think it would be time to roll up your
          sleeves and get to work, but I see the entire GOP message
          as one of rejecting the results of an election that took
          place in a very FAIR manner in November!
          They have undermined, insulted and obstructed to the best
          of their ability.........I say GET TO WORK! You were hired
          by your constituents to do the WORK of the country - DO IT!

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          • 88%
            cowboygrandpa7 months, 2 weeks ago

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            Special interests will kill both parties !!!

            Ya know, I'm seeing this overwhelming hatred of the Republican Party, instead of a hatred of what they stand for.
            Now I do not agree with everything the "modern GOP" stands for, in fact it sickens me that they have become so obtuse in their ideology.
            But, they have some members who still want America to be America, true they are a small number. But instead of bashing them, we need to encourage them in helping to turn the party around. We need a two party system.

            I gotta be honest with ya. I'm not real happy with everything Obama is doing. Just as I was not real happy with what GW was doing.

            I'm considering becoming a no party person again.

            I don't want this country to go to far to the right or left. Fredom is for all, or it is for none.

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            • 13%
              simonsez7 months, 2 weeks ago

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              My new photo is the county breakdown of the 2008 Presidential election.

              60 million Americans said "no" to Obama and that number may be increasing. He is running roughshod over productive citizens and humongous spending on the part of this government.

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            • 83%
              Progressive7 months, 2 weeks ago

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              Michael Steele isn't helping:

              http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/05/08/100-days...

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              • 86%
                jordan117 months, 2 weeks ago

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                "For the lack of someone to lead it away from its baser impulses, the party of Eisenhower, Goldwater, Dirksen, Rockefeller and Taft has become the party of Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, Beck and Boortz.">>>>

                In other words, the party of ugly.

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                • 22%
                  Icantwait7 months, 2 weeks ago

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                  My Fellow Americans: Should I say Scott4261 is a dreamer? Who gave him his information? Katy Cure it? The Republicans are better off without him. Just like the U.S.A. was better off with Benedict Arnold. The more of these wishy washy Senators leave the Republican Party the stronger it will become. Why? True Conservatives not the made up Moderate Conservatives. When the Real Conservatives are in office and following the rules of Progress as laid down in our Constitution and Bill of Rights the most productive our Country has been. Pretty obvious what happens and is happening now that a Liberal or should I say Radical is in Office. Obama is lying his tail off every time he turns around. Passing the buck off, onto his other flunkies, that he purposely help join up with his Merry Band of Bandits. Now, he fires the person responsible for the fly over New York City. He planned it, He ordered it, He denied he ever knew about it, He should have fired himself. I think we should press for a complete, unbias, investigation. We Know The Truth and the Truth is not in Obama. The Real American

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                • 25%
                  galletta61217 months, 2 weeks ago

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                  The Democratic party, its prowess renewed by a taste of success in 2006, is riding the crest of a political wave. It is the stupid party triumphant. What serious Democrats must now consider is whether to accept this state of affairs--or begin to think deeply enough to find a principled ground for rejecting a faction in their midst that is not only stupid but dangerous as well.

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                • 0%
                  Icantwait7 months, 2 weeks ago

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                  My Fellow American: I should be saying you are not even an American. To support someone who does not have the interest of this Country at heart is as Un-American as it gets. He is destine to destroy this Country and you stick you head in the sand and listen to all the News Media Hype promoting the behavior. What Lies? Obviously your either don't listen what he says, (no surprise), or you refuse to believe the, Now Majority, of America is saying. Tell me this is the Truth: Lower Taxes, Improve Relations with Foreign Nations, (Pantywaist President), Close the Borders, Improve Health Care, Eliminate Special Interest Groups, Eliminate Earmarks, Fix the Car Industry, Fix the Banking Situation, Create Jobs, Lower Unemployment, Fix the Foreclosure of Houses Problem, on and on and on. What a fraud and he is only making things worse. Not to mention Putting our Country down to all our Enemies with his Stupid Apologys. They should be Thanking us for all that we have done for them and the World. All the time Insulting our Foreign Friends. He is despicable and if you don't see that, You My Friend Are A Fool. The Real American

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                  • 0%
                    Icantwait7 months, 2 weeks ago

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                    My Fellow American? You may be a Realist but you're not an American. Americans take a stand and don't sit in the middle and wait for the Real Americans to do something. Sitting on the Fence won't stop this Communist movement led by the News Media Hyped Obama to go away. I know your type Not a Damocrat, Not a Republican, an Independent. We'll Independent of What? Get a Backbone and Stand up for what you think is best for this Country. When your head is being about to be carved off who are you going to look for then? We'll your beloved President won't be there to stop it or even care to stop it. Why? He only Cares to be in the Spotlight. You Know It and the Now Majority of Americans Know it. The Real American

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                    • 100%
                      higgdj77 months, 2 weeks ago

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                      Pretty soon the "Big Tent" will be the size of a telephone booth!! Somebody push Rush, Hannity, Beck et al under the bus and start anew. NO ONE with any brains will sign on to the garbage they spout, anymore. My party is gone, it's now their party and I'm not welcome.

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