Posted on 09/06/2010 7:10:48 AM PDT by Brices Crossroads
Here's supposed wisdom from someone named Professor Bainbridge.
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2010/09/so-what-if-mike-castle-is-a-rino.html
I'm sure he's accomplished at something beyond securing tenure and blogging. But his rambling post doesn't seem all that impressive, does it?
So, now if you oppose a 40 year career liberal Republican in the Delaware Republican primary, at a time when the nation is rising up against the extremism of the Obama administration and particularly his government run health care law, you are a "purist." Allahpundit over at Hotair, linking to like-minded bloggers here and there, argues, among other things, that he thought Beck was wrong when Beck said he'd rather have seen Obama as president than McCain. This is off the mark. I criticized Beck for the same thing. But comparing a conservative challenge to a liberal in a Republican primary to Obama v. McCain in a general election is incoherent. And what Bainbridge, Allahpundit, and the rest don't get is that if the Republicans do not deliver after this election, or at least make a strong effort to contain what Obama has done, 2012 could be a disaster for those of us who believe in constitutional republicanism, not to mention those of us who want a strong and vibrant GOP. So consumed are they with reaching that 51 Republican majority that they don't consider the consequences of such a majority where a handful of its members can hold sway over the bulk of them -- a la Gang of 14, etc., etc. Castle has already announced he will oppose the repeal of Obamacare. Obamacare, as we know, is the most aggressive domestic assault on liberty and the individual in modern times. Bainbridge, et al, need not fear a lack of liberal, moderate, maverick Republicans post-November. There will be plenty -- Snowe, Collins, Graham, Lugar, McCain, and so forth. Purity will not be a problem. Resolve will.
As for this "purity" straw man, conservatives do not agree on all issues. Look at the Supreme Court, where Thomas and Scalia, while agreeing on much, do not agree at all times. This issue is how you perceive your role as a public official and how you intend to carry out your constitutional duties. Castle's approach, while said to be moderate, is actually quite radical. He rejects the Constitution's limits on the federal government and believes the continued expansion of governmental power is inevitable -- which it certainly will be if he is successful and we are not.
It's also interesting that most of the bloggers who support Castle were largely silent during the earlier primaries, where conservatives where challenging establishment candidates from Nevada to Alaska. They didn't take sides as they are for Castle. And they have not contributed much to the conservative ascendency. They're skeptical of it and the Tea Party movement, of which they have little in common. They don't really want to shake up Washington, at least not too much. They enjoy the game of politics, they spend lots of time lamenting big government, they get a kick out of linking to this story or that story, but in fact they are pretty comfortable with the way things are. In the face of hostile, fundamental change, they find misplaced prudence in undercutting the Burkean reformers.
or
are they lying to us now since the RNC has a pet RINO in this race?
They better get their heads out their butts. The sort of reckless smear job they are pulling now is going to be impossible to walk back if O'Donnel wins the nomination again.
There are no moderates. It was a ruse used to pacify the people. Most of congress now are nothing more than cheats, liars and thieves.
They have to go.
According to the ACU, Castle voted 72% liberal in 2008 and 80% liberal in 2007. If you are cool with that then you are not a conservative "fellow traveller".
You’re right. The more they beat the hell out of Christine O’Donnell, a candidate THEY endorsed in 2008, the more it looks like it will backfire on them.
Yes, thank you, he was one of eight Republicans to vote for cap and trade in the House, and last night there was an article here about Reid looking forward to Castle’s vote in the lame duck session for kneecap and tax.
And Scott Brown is quite Moderate. Many here would call him a RINO. He also was facing one of the worst candidates in Modern History.
O'Donnell can't win in Delaware. She might be more Conservative than Castle, but she's a perennial candidate, and she doesn't stand a chance in the general election. If you want to hand another vote for Reid as the minority leader, by all means, support her. Castle is far from perfect, but we have got to make sure that Reid isn't the majority leader come January. Castle will help that happen, Senator Coons will not.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything, "she who shall not be named" will do about an endorsement in this race.
I am amused at how out of staters perceive tiny Delaware. As in most states, Delaware is really two states - urban GOP decided to play friendly with the RATs. Or LA along religious lines.
As in most elections, turnout is the key. Historically, turnout percentages in DE are less than Congress’s favorability rating. Then to assume that Coons wins is to make the same mistake Castle has made - ignore your opposition.
The time for nose holding when voting will only encourage the RINOs to keep on pushing like-minded candidates in our face. The Tea Party protests and Washington marches should have told Conservatives two things - 1)we the people still hod the power and 2)GOP needs us more than we need them.
Rod,
I am just so surprised at you.
Do what you have to do I suppose.
Are you going to disclose any of the negatives on Castle - or are you going to wait to do that once he's running against the Democrat Coons?
That's the ultimate question, in a nutshell! If Castle wins, Conservatives LOSE! I would rather face an avowed enemy than attempt to placate a traitor in my own camp.
But back to your excellent question... I suspect the real answer (why elect Mike Castle?) is that the GOP establishment is NOT conservative, does NOT favor limited government, and does NOT respect the Constitution. The GOP is run by closeted Socialists who merely favor a more incremental approach than their Democrat brethren. THAT is why the GOP establishment supports a wool-covered Democrat like Mike Castle. When the chips are all the way down, people reveal their true colors -- and the GOP establishment is blue.
It is time to spew out the duplicitous Republican leadership and their RINO puppets, and reclaim the party.
Just the establishment doing what the establishment does. Chris Christie’s endorsement means nothing, btw. He is the epitome of an establishment Republican.
Perhaps some one can explain why some people on this forum are so quick to denounce O’Donnell while ignoring the RINO’s baggage. Is it because they hate women, or are they trolls, or they are more PUB than Conservative?
If we really want to elect a Senator who is pro-cap and trade, pro-DeathCare, pro-abortion and anti-gun, what does it matter what letter is after his name? If Castle wins the primary, the general election will be a choice between “Tweedle-Dee” and “Tweedle-Dum”. If O’Donnell wins, we have an election with choices.
Just trying to figure it all out. You have a freepmail.
I’m from Fla. I don’t have a clue about Delaware.
BINGO! You will always get more of whatever you reward.
Cite please.
Sharron Angle will see to it that this does not happen.
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