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.
Perhaps. If Reid is knocked out of the Senate, but the GOP doesn't take the majority, then it will be Majority Leader Schumer, one of the most ruthless, cunning and evil Senators that we have ever seen. Would you rather have HIM as the Majority Leader? I can guarantee that he would be far more effective than Reid.
Has Congress actually held a vote on removing God from the pledge? If so, why can't this mythical vote be located?
Is lying OK?
Agree with your sentiments about upchuck, but are you suggesting that we should be trying to defeat Angle?
Absolutely not. Angle can win, and she should have our support. However, it also makes it absolutely vital that we retake the majority in the Senate. That means supporting Kirk in Illinois (ugh) and Castle in Delaware (also ugh.) O'Donnell can't win. She's run for office over and over again, and can barely crack 30% in the State. The Senate is on the bubble with a Castle win. We can't afford to hand the RATs a free Senate Seat, and thus Schmuck Schumer the Majority Leader spot.
I answered your Freepmail.
I’ll summarize out loud on this thread.
Know that Mike Castle has MILLIONS of dollars. Know that he is an entrenched Blue Blood GOP. Know that Christine O’Donnell was nominated by the Delaware GOP in 2008 to run against Joe Biden.
If she’s a flake, why on earth did they nominate a flake? Or was the Delaware GOP lying then or are they lying now?
Know that the fine, fine Mac Truck guy, who so adores his Castle guy, has been all weekend here on Freerepublic, NOT defending Castle....damn they can’t defend Castle. But beating up on O’Donnell.
How sad is this....she’s an American seeking an office, an American that they thought fine enough to nominate before but now that they run against their darling....
I know Christine O’Donnell personally. Have known her since 2005. Have spent hours talking with her. She’s a perfectly sane, very nice, very fine and moral person.
You don’t have to believe me but I vouch for her on my own reputation. My heart breaks to see how they beat her down...all for Mike Castle.
Now Mike Castle...hey, he’s been an elected official in Delaware for many years and he’s not a bad fellow.
He’s just a Democrat is all.
and that’s the rub.
THIS is the year that Conservatives do the best they can to get the Repubs to rid the ranks of these people. Think Didi Scuzzifava. Think Charlie Crist....from down your way.
Of course the entrenched and their minions rather like their cushy jobs and they fight back. I know there’s lots out there about O’Donnell...damn once they got started they don’t stop. A lot of people owe Castle favors and there’s promises of a rosey future, of course.
It’s not like this is new. Nikki Hayley. Sarah Palin.
They beat the hell out of those who dare to challenge them. They mock. They have people move next door to them. They print false things. They’ve got pundits who need stories and for a swing their way they promise stories in the future.
It’s not like this isn’t happening in a lot of places across the fruited plains.
Just keep an open mind and don’t become part of the rabble.
There’s nothing wrong with Christine O’Donnell. No matter they tell you. I consider her a personal friend.
It breaks my heart what they’re doing to her. And she too suffers from the stress and she too is not perfect.
But she’s no nut and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Your opinion is good enough for me thanks.
>>>if O’Donnell wins, then we have Senator Coons come November.<<<
You just may see the opposite - there are thousands who will NOT vote for Castle under any circumstances.
Several polls have Christine ahead of Coons.
Go Christine!
Lots of establishment party hacks on the O’Donnell threads.
Castle shows his true colors by refusing to move to the right for the primary. At least McCain was able to fake it.
Wow, and if you read through all of those posts, the reasons they say she should go away are based on a smear campaign by Castle. It sounds as though you have not read anything about Castle. This attack on Christine is disproportionate and the good ol boys are going to be very sorry they pulled out all the stops for Castle, who will be voting with the democrats to further shackle our children.
"I would rather face an avowed enemy than attempt to placate a traitor in my own camp."
Precisely. From all accounts by members here who live in Delaware, Castle is worse than a democrat.
Furthermore, as you went on to accurately state,
"It is time to spew out the duplicitous Republican leadership and their RINO puppets, and reclaim the party.Electing bad characters like Castle only impedes our progess. I can't find one positive that Castle's election affords us.
Ditto. Hopefully Sarah Palin or her staff is reading this thread. Sarah, it appears that Christine O'Donnell could use your help.
Time is of the essence of course,and a couple of personal appearances by Palin could change everything.
We are lucky enough here on FR to have a poster,Fishtalk who has met and knows the candidate personally. Sometimes that can make a huge difference,for me it does.
I agree. Palin should get in this race NOW. I cannot understand why Conservatives4Palin has been so quiet about this race. Mike Castle is a clear and present danger to Constitutional government. Mark Levin sees it and he sees right through the leftist tactics against her.
Levin has condemned such tactics when they have been employed against Sarah Palin, as have I in numerous posts on FR. I wish she would weigh in on this race. Stopping Tom Campbell in California was a great thing, and I am glad she did it. But Mike Castle is WORSE THAN CAMPBELL. He should not be permitted to waltz into the U.S. Senate,particularly through the use of smear/diversion tactics that he and his minions in the Establishment have been employing.
The Establishment is polishing up the same tactics to use on Sarah Palin. She needs to stand four square against them and their smears NOW. Turning a blind eye to this now will just embolden them in 2012. No sir. She should strike them NOW.
Thanks for the personal observations, Fishtalk. The more I read about COD the better I like her.
Absolute hogwash.
>>>Mike Castle even voted to remove “Under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance!
Cite please.<<<
It’s a shame you don’t know how to check on bills/votes -
109th Congress H.R.2389
Yep, Castle voted with that famous Bernie Sanders on that...
Way to go Mike -
I apologize, I misquoted the O'Donnell campaign. They assert your guy Castle, "Voted to allow liberal activist judges to strip “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance." So, do you take back calling me a liar?
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2006-384&sort=name
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