Posted on 11/23/2009 1:04:57 PM PST by Steelfish
November 23, 2009 G.O.P. Considers ‘Purity’ Resolution for Candidates
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
The battle among Republicans over what the party should stand for — and how much it should accommodate dissenting views on important issues — is probably going to move from the states to the Republican National Committee when it holds its winter meeting this January in Honolulu.
Republican leaders are circulating a resolution listing 10 positions Republican candidates should support to demonstrate that they “espouse conservative principles and public policies” that are in opposition to “Obama’s socialist agenda.”
According to the resolution, any Republican candidate who broke with the party on three or more of these issues– in votes cast, public statements made or answering a questionnaire – would be penalized by being denied party funds or the party endorsement.
The proposed resolution was signed by 10 Republican national committee members and was distributed on Monday morning. They are asking for the resolution to be debated when Republicans gather for their winter meeting.
The resolution invokes Ronald Reagan, and noted that Mr. Reagan had said the Republican Party should be devoted to conservative principles but also be open to diverse views. President Reagan believed, the resolution notes, “that someone who agreed with him 8 out of 10 times was his friend, not his opponent.”
Hence the provision calling for cutting off Republicans who agree with the party on seven of 10 items. The resolution demands that Republicans support “smaller government, smaller national deficits and lower taxes,” denial of government funding for abortion, and “victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.” It calls on candidates to oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
If the NYT is talking about it; then it is probably a really bad idea.
You mean a Republican party candidate, that takes nearly a million dollars in campaign aide, then withdraws and endorses the Democrat - is somehow a bad thing? < /sarcasm>
The author gives too much credit to politicians; he seems to expect that they would tell the truth - even if the truth would be to their benefit.
Letting the old gray hag define us again.
It’s not like the Democrats don’t have “purity” tests.
If you’re not willing to dismember a fetus on command, you can’t play.
I disagree, but then this proposal is in line with something I have proposed often since I came to FR., so I’m a bit prejudiced.
My main worry is the meeting being in Honolulu as apparently there is something in the water there besides the islands.
More political cover for RINOs.
The list is pathetic.
AT LAST! My guess is that Michael Steele won’t pass the cut.
Dede Scozzafava could find a way to weasel her way around this phony list of resolutions.
I will never really trust a Giuliani or a Romney, or a McCain, they seem to have no core values that will keep them on the track.
I just want representatives to represent the voters first and party second.
Right.. the same RNC from NY-23? The same RNC that gave us the Steele velveteen rabbit?
All I saw was ‘January in Honolulu’. How very nice for them.
That resolution is a great idea. My congressman (Mark Kirk, of IL) is a Republican who is pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-gay marriage, pro-tax increases, pro-spending increases, pro-illegal alien, and anti-Iraq surge. Now, he’s running for the U.S. Senate.
He just wants republican money and social status. I’ve never been able to contribute large amounts but I’ve always done all I could. I’d like to be able to trust the RNC to invest anything I send wisely but they are not trustworthy. I’ve heard all the excuses, they don’t impress me.
What is needed in your district is someone to make a strong primary challenge to him and have Sarah Palin endorse him/her. That will do it.
You would think an oath to uphold and defend the constitution would be enough. Now they have to “pinky promise” to respect the constitution. Cross their heart and hope to slip in the back door while no one is looking.
Democrats, of course, never do this.
The best candidate, in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race, is former Judge Don Lowery. He’s pro-tax cuts, pro-spending cuts, pro-gun, and anti-illegal alien. Please read his site, www.judgelowery4ussenate.com.
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.