[Clintonfatigued]

Conservatives would be well-advised to do something like this- only challenge RINO’s in safe Republican districts and don't oppose them in the general election except under extraordinary circumstances.

[BillyBoy]

>> Conservatives would be well-advised to do something like this- only challenge RINO’s in safe Republican districts <<

I think this is a terrible stragedy. The number of "safe" Republican districts (e.g. normally a Republican is guaranteed to win by default) is this nation is extremely small. For all statewide races, it's basically non-existent... even the most heavily Republican states in the union (Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kansas, etc.) elect RATs to statewide office now and then. You'd basically be guaranteeing a liberal majority nationwide, especially if you think it's off limits to challenge RINOs in "lean Republican" and "likely Republican" districts that elect Democrats now and then.

I have no problem giving every RINO official in this country a primary challenge, regardless of how heavily Republican their district is. In a few VERY rare circumstances, like centrist Joesph Cao representing an ultra-liberal marxist district, it's a pipe dream if you expect to elect anyone better. But even here in Illinois, I'm thankful RINOs like Loleta Dickerson and Kirk Dillard were taken out in the primary, no matter how much people whine this is "Obama's state" and that supposedly "only RINOs" can win here.

>> don't oppose them in the general election except under extraordinary circumstances. <<

I agree with that, but it seems you and I have a different definition of "extradoinary circumstances". To me, "extraodinary circumstances" means the "Republican" nominee SO incredibly bad, they're NOT just a squishy RINO or a centrist or an annoying backstabber, but they're as liberal as many Democrats and if you only went by their record, you'd be likely to assume they're a RAT.

Hence, I oppose Mark Kirk in the general election but would hold my nose for Lindsey Graham. For you, Clintonfatigued; the opposite is true.

[Impy]

I look at every race case by case.

I have no trouble opposing RINO incumbents in GOP-leaning swing or rat-leaning districts. Or conservative but too establishment people in safe districts (like for example John Boehner). I’d seize any good chance to “upgrade”.

I wouldn’t oppose as good as we can get Joe Cao in heavily rat NOLA.

But if Mark Kirk in his slightly rat seat had serious primary opposition in his recent house primaries I certainly would have opposed him.

2 Senators come to mind. Specter and Chaffee. I sure as hell opposed them in their final GOP primaries. And I oppose Mark Castle in his current primary. I think it’s well worth the ‘risk’ in that case.