Adventures in conformity, GOP-style »
Posted By scott4261 6 months ago in Political News
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.
Read Full Story at wacotrib.com »
698 Views Share Story 120 Comments Report
Submitted By:
scott4261
OK, folks...
I have been spending way too much time on propeller lately...
.....I don't do the whole social media crap very well anyway ...
RSS Join the Discussion
+ Add CommentComments So Far: 120 (view all)
-
-
-
75%
memestryker6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
IMO, those who have hijacked the Republican party are themselves either brainwashed in religious doctrine, caught up in rigid cultural convention, or opportunists who see a way to manipulate others for personal gain.
Reply
Conservatism has been sidelined.
I hope the extremists don't retain power in the Republican party. I was saddened to see organizations like the Discovery Institute and the Creationism Museum come into being at great expense to members of the party, spending all that money to market doctrine to the naive and gullible, and I was very sorry to see President Bush's anti-science policy, that mirrored it.
But we've seen other countries with progressive societies fall to radical forms of Islam, so there's no reason to think a Paulist form of Christianity couldn't spread through fear and intimidation in the same manner.
It's as if civilization itself is teetering on the edge, and most people have learned to turn to the supernatural for comfort and they are terrified to let it go and face Reality.
-
-
85%
Spadecaller6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply-
18%
Endoscopy6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
The extreme views are the ones held by the far left that think that spending trillions in deficit spending is OK after railing truthfully about Bush deficits of an average of over $200 billion. This includes you Spadecaller. Your party is doing what they ran against. All the talk in the election talking about fiscal responsibility has gone out the window.
Reply
I think it is hilarious that Sen. Specter became a Democrat and after a few things he said and did they stripped him of his seniority after Reid promised that would not happen. Real truth tellers the Democrats are.
-
-
86%
Poulenc6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Well, clearly, it's time to go back to the drawing board for the Grand Old Party.
Reply
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. -
rally-monkeyComment removed: Abusive11 Replies
-
22%
Jaydee406 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply-
83%
StevieGee6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Jaydee, "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?"
Reply
None of this existed before January? You can't possibly blame ANY of these things on Obama. ALL of these things are the result of the Bush government. (and even before that) Obama has worked very hard and will continue to do so. Bush would have been on his eighth vacation by now. The wheels in Washington turn slowly, give him time. -
73%
mesodude6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
" Americans are in denial but their beloved Republic is a tragic Failure."
Reply
--If you expect in just over 100 days that Obama (or any President) could repair the damage that's been done to our country in the last 8 years alone, you're extremely unrealistic. You cannot be serious. Of course Americans know their country is in trouble. But intelligent Americans realize that a plan in a death spiral has to be stabilized before it can land safely or whatever. ;-( -
86%
Gransater6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Their beloved Republic is a tragic failure.............
Reply
I disagree with you! If the republic were a failure, the majority of voters would have continued their silence and not exercised their right to vote for a change. A republic lives, not as an entity of its own, but as a reflection on the general populance, and their participation and approval. Thus, I say the republic is alive and well, and americans, woken up from years of "eigther you're with us, or you are against us" syndrome, are anything but in denial.
The greatest societies in history, have allways existed with eighter the tacit approval of its people, or it existed by direct approval of its people. Once that approval is lost, the societies have generally fallen into despair. So it will be with current administration, and, by extension the republic.
How can you possibly say that the Republic is a failure? If anything we are stronger, we are engaged in mutual exchange of ideas, both foreign and domestic, and as aresult arriving at a mutual consensus on a number of issues. Granted, these aren't allways the best from one or the other point of view, and even from both points of view, but, establishing some ground to work from sure is a lot better than the idea vacuum we experienced for a number of years. It can't allways be a one sided relationship. Is the Republic a failure, because it changed course, and you disagree with present direction? If you disagree, come up with viable alternatives to things you don't agree with, that would benefit everyone.
It seems you are unhappy that some issues haven't been dealt with appropiate expedience. What may be of importance to you, may have to take the backseat to more important issues, such as unraveling the mess we currently find ourselves in, something we all played a part in creating. Nonetheless many a issue needs to be dealt with, and 100 or so days is somewhat a short period to clear the perceived slate you carry. In due time, when some stability has been achieved, we can turn attention to the, for the Republic's future stability, issues that led us down a path we should have avoided. What makes us great, is that we CAN learn from the past, and thus remain the great place we are. It's called progress, and it touches more than economic issues. It touches the very soul of what we are about. It touches us in unseen ways, that makes us carry our heads up in pride. This is why I disagree with you. Personally I would never call our Republic a failure. Doing so, is to give up on the very essence of what it means to be an American! -
25%
Endoscopy6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Silly liberal. One of the big rants going on before the election is the fiscal policy of big deficits that were bankrupting the government. And what is this president and congress doing? Making Bush look like a miser. You liberals are being shown for the hypocrites that you are. Hardly any of you are upset over trillion dollar deficits going on forever. Mortgaging our great great grandchildren and making the country bankrupt in a very real sense.
Reply
-
-
89%
skyking2p6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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...
Reply -
-
85%
vor6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply
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. -
25%
vettenut6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Typical bilgewater from the transparently left-wing media cheerleaders!
Reply
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........-
-
-
92%
djn3nunez36 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Mind you, anti-abortion Democrats don't talk the same way as their Republican counterparts. At the Democrats for Life event, for instance, nobody contemplated an overturning of Roe v. Wade, let alone a ban on abortion. Instead, anti-abortion Democrats envisioned more near-term goals: reducing the number of abortions through education and adoption and providing assistance for mothers and children, with constitutional fights far out on the horizon.
Reply
http://blog.cleveland.com/pdopinion/2008/09/antiab... -
100%
Tangent0016 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"When was the last time a prominent Dem spoke out against abortion?"
Reply
From a statement from Democrats for Life:
"Importantly, we hope they will swell the ranks of our current pro-life members who are so dedicated to protecting pro-life issues in the Congress including Congressmen Altmire, Berry, Boren, Costello, Cuellar, Davis, Donnelly, Ellsworth, Holden, Kildee, Lipinski, Marshall, McIntyre, Melancon, Mollohan, Murtha, Oberstar, Ortiz, Peterson, Rahall, Skelton, Shuler, Stupak, Taylor and Wilson."
http://www.democratsforlife.org/index.php?option=c...
-
-
94%
Om6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply-
18%
BB646 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
You're almost copying speeches made by Adolf Hitler in 1933 about the weaker parties that would soon be eliminated by his rewriting of the laws. With his control of the Reichstag, anything and everything was passed. Laws concerning opposing views were written. Habeas corpus ended. The the race laws, confiscation of weapons, forced abortions and so on were all passed with a single party plan. You claim to protect the rights of all. You claim to protect free speech but I've never seen your party defend the rights of those who disagree with them. How many members of Congress or White House are pro-life? How many support the Second Amendment? I'll bet you will find more members of the GOP who support your rights that you will find members of your party ready to defend mine. You defend and protect only those which mirror your party's line. For years you always called Bush a fascist only now to show your true colors.
Reply
-
-
21%
BB646 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply
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.-
88%
dunkirk6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"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."
Reply
ROFLMAO, Bush legacy is astounding isnt it, to almost completly bring th emost powerful nation in the worlds economy to its knees. Yes we will see Repiugs with teh message of lower taxes, less govt (glad your aginst the gay marriage ban amendment since that would kinda represent MORE government) yatta yatta yatta all the things they always campaign on and then promptly forget about once you elect them. It seems the Republicans are the ones who love to shout long and loud about how inefficient government is and then when elected go about proving it. -
88%
djn3nunez36 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I see you have you head firmly ......... in the sand.
Reply
Any critic of the long awaited invasion and occupation of Iraq was a traitor who hated America and would love for the terrorist who hit us on 9-11 to win.
Were you in a coma during the Whitewater (aka as leave no pebble unturn so we can find some dirt to harrass President Clinton with) investigation?
The problem with the GOP(and DEM for that matter) is their words are not followed up on in the real world. -
89%
NoWayMan6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"You will see Republicans with a clear message. Lower taxes, less government, reduced social welfare programs, strong defense, and enforced borders."
Reply
um, yeah. that's the exact same message we've been hearing for years.
problem is, the repubs simply don't deliver and the message is a lie.
and when we're talking about ideas, we're talking about NEW ideas.
does the GOP have any new ideas? or will you simply be regurgitating the same mantra of lies you 've been spoonfed all these years ?
-
-
capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user8 Replies
-
44%
tadair9196 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply
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. -
93%
AnteUp6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I heard Christopher Hayes of The Nation last night on Countdown.
Reply
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! -
88%
cowboygrandpa6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Special interests will kill both parties !!!
Reply
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. -
13%
simonsez6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
My new photo is the county breakdown of the 2008 Presidential election.
Reply
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.-
90%
NoWayMan6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"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."
Reply
um, 70 MILLION Americans said "yes" to Obama and that number may be increasing.
currently, his approval rating is higher than the pergentage of people who voted for him. -
67%
wtagg6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
How many said yes?
Reply
How many said no to Bush in 2000? Did those Americans have justifiable concerns of him running roughshod over productive citizens and humongous spending on the part of this government.
Both Bush and Obama are two peas in a pod. I do not understand why you felt comfortable with one and not the other. You should have been/be concerned with both.
-
-
83%
Progressive6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Michael Steele isn't helping:
Reply
http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/05/08/100-days... -
86%
jordan116 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"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.">>>>
Reply
In other words, the party of ugly. -
22%
Icantwait6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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
Reply-
-
90%
PapaWolf6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I'm sorry, but this is just too idiotic to reply to. But I'll say 1 or 2 things:
Reply
>>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.
So much for that "Big Tent" lie you've all been telling us. & it will NOT be stronger, just smaller - AND more extremist.
>>laid down in our Constitution and Bill of Rights
From what I've seen over the past almost 30 years is that the only amendment in the BoR that you guys like is the 2nd - and ONLY the part about bearing arms.
>>Obama is lying his tail off
Where the HAYELL do you see him lying? Or is it more that you don't like what he says, so you call him a liar?
And, last (for now)
>>Passing the buck off,
You GOTTA be thinking about W who took responsibility for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!! Obama has done nothing but take responsibility for his mistakes. & , personally, until he's PROVEN to be a liar, not just called that by those who wish for his failure, then I tend to believe what he says - a HE!! of a lot more than W, who WAS proven to be a liar many times over.
-
-
rally-monkeyComment removed: Abusive
-
25%
galletta61216 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply -
-
0%
Icantwait6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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
Reply -
0%
Icantwait6 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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
Reply -
100%
higgdj76 months ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
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.
Reply -
More News
Submit a Story
Advertisement
Add a Comment
Sign In With Your Propeller Account
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.