Yankee Republicans on Last Legs

AP Washington ^ | 11-13-06 | Michelle R. Smith

[xtinct]

The classic New England Republican -- fiscally conservative, socially liberal -- is near death, following a long and quiet decline that began more then a decade ago when the GOP nationally began its move to the right.

It is a political breed generations old.

The Democratic tidal wave in Tuesday's elections claimed several victims in seats that had long been in Republican hands. Scholars say the losses may be the death knell for the traditional "rock-ribbed" New England Republican.

[goldstategop]

The Rockefeller Republicans - the liberal wing of the GOP rotted out and fell down like weakened oaks in the Democratic storm. Good riddance.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[gr8eman]

"George W. Bush has taken the party further and further south,"

Really?!!! Hmmm...let's see...so all the republican minded (i.e. sane) people are moving south from Yankeeland for GWB?!!!

[ivyleaguebrat]

If you say so. For those of us who couldn't care less about the social conservatives, the loss of fiscal conservatives stings.

[goldstategop]

You mean like Lincoln Chaffee? BWAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA Sure they were "fiscal conservatives" alright. So much so they voted with the Democrats.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Born to Conserve]

"...fiscally conservative, socially liberal... "

Isn't that a Libertarian?

[MadIvan]

So far as I was aware, the only north eastern bastion of genuine conservatism was New Hampshire - but even that is under threat because of migrants from Massachusetts, who not content with ruining their own state, feel the need to wreck their neighbour.

Regards, Ivan

[CheyennePress]

I find it very interesting that this article states that a move towards social conservativism (and in some respects, away from fiscal conservativism) is perceived as a move to the right.

It seems to me that we're talking about a realignment of right-leaning priorities, not a "move right," as the AP writer chooses to call it.

I'm conservative in both respects, so perhaps my judgement is cloudy as to what "to the right" means, but I don't think so.

[ivyleaguebrat]

I wasn't speaking to Chafee.

[goldstategop]

There are no true conservative Republicans in the Northeast. They were liberals who pretended to be Republicans. Now that pretense is being shed and they are who they really were all along - Democrats.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Omega Man II]

Judd Gregg is just pretending to be a Republican?

[goldstategop]

Oh I'm sure you can find exceptions to the rule even in the Northeast. But it doesn't the reality the GOP there is effectively dead. There's not much of a party to speak of any longer in New England and many Atlantic States.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[paudio]

As long as someone is either a fiscal conservative, or social conservative, or both, I think he/she should be able to be called a Republican. If we require only social and fiscal conservative can be a Republican, we're doomed as a party.

[xtinct]

That's why the people of New Hampshire (after election 2006) called their state 'mini Massachusetts." And, they're not happy about the interloppers either.

Message boards were full of notes to disenchanted MA residents to please pass on moving to New Hampshire - some bluntly stating "We don't want you here. We like our state exactly as it is"

Election resulted in more Dems elected in New Hamshire..."mini Massachusetts" has commenced there clearly.

[MadIvan]

I read a fascinating statistic about Vermont the other day, which said that over half of its present residents were not actually born in the state. The Left has turned Vermont into one giant commune. New Hampshire risks a great deal of pain if they follow a similar path.

Regards, Ivan

[Sprite518]

Bingo... I always found that odd too.

[ALPAPilot]

Hey, I'm in New Hampshire and am as conservative as any of you:}

[caver]

"As long as someone is either a fiscal conservative, or social conservative, or both, I think he/she should be able to be called a Republican. If we require only social and fiscal conservative can be a Republican, we're doomed as a party."

The problem is that the main core of the Republican party are now Democrats. But they still like to be called Republicans.

The terms Republican and Conservative used to be synonymous. They haven't been for a long time. I believe Reagain said at one time, when he was a Democrat, "the party left me, I didn't leave them".

The same thing has happened to the Republicans. There's a good reason there's a lot of interest in third parties.

[Dane]

The problem is that the main core of the Republican party are now Democrats. But they still like to be called Republicans.

Yeah soon to be House minority leader Mike Pence is a democrat, and finally the GOP will have someone with cajones in the Seanate as their leader, Mitch McConell.

Do you guys, such as you caver, ever read what you write.

OH BTW, the "new" democrats that put the democrats over the top ran as GOP lite to win, but once in DC will vote the pelosi line.

BTW, have you noticed that lou dobbs is cooing over nancey pelosi.

[caver]

"Yeah soon to be House minority leader Mike Pence is a democrat, and finally the GOP will have someone with cajones in the Seanate as their leader, Mitch McConell."

Oh yes, I actually read what I write. Mike Pence who happens to be my rep, is an exception to the RINOs.

I was speaking in generalities. It remains to be seen whether Pence will be able to pull the Pubs back under one umbrella. I don't think it's posssible. Pence is too nice of a guy to play the game that the Dems are so good at. But I would be plesantly surprised if he gets nasty.