Posted on 05/08/2009 6:06:23 AM PDT by Born Conservative
"It's a wonderful country, this America. It's called a secret ballot," former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Thursday -- as he refused to pledge his support to former Congressman Pat Toomey over recent Republican-turned-Democratic incumbent Arlen Specter for his homestate's 2010 Senate race.
Ridge's comment came in response to this question posed by MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "If you had to vote between Toomey, the conservative Republican, or Specter, the ex-Republican, who would you vote for?"
With his refusal, Tom Ridge made clear that he really is through with electoral politics -- because he'll never, ever earn the support of conservative Republicans again.
Sadly, I wish I could say Ridge's refusal to back Toomey is inexplicable.
But it's not.
It's par for the course.
So-called "moderate" Republicans frequently refuse to back more conservative Republicans -- even when the conservative triumphs in a primary contest.
"They can't win," the moderates complain.
And then, when the conservatives lose -- at least in part because the moderates didn't vote for them in the general election -- the moderates claim validation of their argument.
"See? We told you he was too conservative to win."
Flip answers like Ridge's help explain why conservatives are just as happy to do without moderate Republicans -- why, in the words of many, the answer to Arlen Specter's defection was "good riddance."
The irony is that, just a few moments before committing his act of perfidy, Ridge had called upon the GOP to be "less judgmental" and "more expansive."
Here's the entire exchange, which took place at the end of an interview at the top of Matthews' Thursday "Hardball" show:
Ridge: "I do hope that my party, at some point in time, is less judgmental, is more expansive -- "
Matthews: "Hardball time. Can Toomey beat a Democrat?"
Ridge: "(Long pause.) Depends who the Democrat is."
Matthews: "Could he beat Specter, the switcher?"
Ridge: "Eh, I don't know. I don't know. It depends on the nature of his campaign. But I think he's going to have a primary -- "
Matthews: "Who you votin' for?"
Ridge: "Well, I'm going to wait and see who's in the primary."
Matthews: "No, if you had to vote between Toomey, the conservative Republican, or Specter, the ex-Republican, who would you vote for?"
Ridge: "It's a wonderful country, this America. It's called a secret ballot."
>So-called “moderate” Republicans frequently refuse to back more conservative Republicans — even when the conservative triumphs in a primary contest.<
rinos are reallys dinos.
That's one of my contributions I'll make during the year instead of wasting my money by donating it to the RNC.
ditto
no money to RNC while headed by the likes of bumbling Steele
Since Ridge is clearly going to run AGAINST Toomey, it seems unlikely he’s going to commit to SUPPORTING him this early...magritte
Is Ridge the one some of the “elite” in the Republican party recently pushed over Toomey?
It is the moderates that are extreme. They are the ideologues, not conservatives.
Tom Ridge no longer lives in Pa.
Conservatives in Pa are thrilled he has decided to stay out of the race since we don’t want him in the first place.
He is exposed as just another RINO that we are well rid of. Stay out of the way, Tom, and let the people decide who the nominee will be.
Spector is hanging himself on a regular basis now, and it’s a long time ‘til November 2010. Anything can happen.
Yes, but if he runs he will want conservatives to vote for him too. This kind of stuff just hack people off.
The correct answer would have been: "I'm a Republican and I will vote for the Republican candidate. If that's me, then I'll vote for me. If I don't run, then I will vote for the Republican on the ticket."
Specter won’t be the nominee anyway. Sestak will probably be the guy.
Which color alert was this green,yellow, orange? I guess yellow. Ridge drove US nuts with his kisser (at US expence) plastered in the HS TV ads and those orange alerts.
http://www.theusmat.com/
Ridge announced yesterday that he was NOT going to run.
So, this is a case of him just being a regular loser as opposed to one out for political gain.
I'm not Ridge fan and definitely don't want another RINO, but what he did may not be as bad as everyone seems to think. Why should he announce his undying loyalty for his party? We haven't done that, in fact, many sat home rather than vote for McCain. But the timing is all wrong. Toomey doens't even have the nomination yet and his support this early wouldn't influence anything (same with the RAT nominee). But if he waits until the nominees are chosen THEN he can come out in favor of who he supports based on "principles and the issues". That's in quotes because he can now spin it like that, but if he comes out now...its just party above nation.
I would never commit to a race this early anyway.
Boy, do the RINOs compain when the conservatives threaten the same thing, though!
Mr. Randy Pullen
RNC Treasurer
310 First Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Dear Mr. Pullen,
Contrary to your enclosed message, I have in fact given up on the Republican Party. I am first and foremost a conservative. As the Republican Party continues its drift to the left, I find little reason to provide support.
The RNC had its chance and squandered it during the GW Bush Presidency. During that era Republicans spent our hard earned tax money like drunken sailors and made “pork” a way of life. I work hard to make a living and expect my elected leaders to be frugal with my tax dollars. The only difference I see now between the Republicans and Democrats on fiscal matters is the size of the deficits. My support will be for fiscal conservatives, and right now neither party qualifies.
The Republican Party had an opportunity during the GW Bush years to establish a meaningful national energy policy, but did not.
The Republican Party had the opportunity to deal with illegal immigration and to close our borders, but did not.
The Republican Party had the chance to reform the out of control tax code in America, but did not.
The Republican Party had the chance to effect tort reform and reduce size of the lawsuit settlements that are crippling our businesses and our health care system, but did not.
I could go on, but I’d only be wasting my time. Your only goal is to win elections. You care not a twit about actually leading America in a positive direction.
When the Republican Party returns to fiscal and social conservatism, I’ll once again support it. But for now, the RNC has lost its way. Just being against the worst excesses of the DNC is not enough. You need to stand for bedrock conservative principles. Since you do not, we must part our ways.
Sincerely,
Great letter.
Another RINO POS.
So is Randy Pullen the twit who doesn't care a whit? Thanks Bluto for a splendid economy of words in conveying that thought.
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