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."
time to send back another RNC prepaid envelope full of McCain Pesos....
I was at a Toomey fundraiser in Allentown yesterday. He is an eloquent speaker, and more important, his message is right on. The press was invited to come but didn’t. This is going to be an uphill battle, but by 2010, I believe Toomey will waltz right in. Thanks for your contribution.
RINOs suck.
That’s because is way closer in philosophy to specter than to Toomey.
Ridge, is antother tongue-tied doofus in the mold of George Bush — father and son. Can’t PA come up with something better?
Hey I live in Whitehall...However, I am in the military now and am in Italy, but Whitehall is where my family lives.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Thank you too for your service towards conservatism which is so important in today’s world. I was just excited to see someone from Allentown. Have a great weekend!!!!
You too FRiend!
I bet as a kid, he ate his Purple Crayon.
Ridge is going to run against Toomey in the primary. He doesn’t want to have on the record that he supports Toomey. If he made this statement after the primary, then it would really be a problem.
Ridge has said he is not running for the Senate.
I wish. I think Specter had assurance from Rendell and the Democrats before he switched that he would not have a primary challenge. At least none with any Democrat party backing or money. The Republicrats have already thrown their money and support to Democrat Specter. They will NEVER back Toomey or any conservative. All he has to do is vote the "right way" on Card Check and he'll have everyone of the dozens of unions he had last time back on board and working for him.
That is what he says now—today that is. Let’s see if he changes his mind. Politicians have been known to do that.
Ah, yes. The Big Tent. Only moderates are allowed to perform, although conservatives are supposed to fill the seats!
thanks.
tom’s still a rino.
no help from him.
I agree that he is a RINO. But if he still fails to back Toomey after the primary, he is a traitor.
Hey,look, I have been a died-in-the-wool cynic since I was about 16, so I never trusted ANYONE.What someone like TOm Ridge does or doesn’t do, or who he does or doesn’t support, is not a matter of grave concern to me. I didn’t vote for him, I never ‘believed’ in him , I am NOT into
hero worship, and I don’t care. It’s time we dispense with the totally unearned ‘mystique’ surrounding any and ALL of these Establishment Elites. THEY THEMSELVES ARE MEANINGLESS/ Let’s understand that at the outset.
I got a survey in the mail today from the RNC signed by Steele asking for donations. Well I plan on sending a letter back in their business reply envelope explaining unless they start supporting candidates like Palin and Toomey they will be receiving no more money from me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.