Posted on 06/03/2011 8:21:34 AM PDT by kevkrom
I'm a Republican In Name Only (RINO). And happy to be one.
Of course, I'm not referring to the same definition of RINO that is prevalent on this forum. And frankly, I'm not even sure what the current definition is, except perhaps for each person using the term meaning "someone who disagrees with me on any issue I deem even moderately important".
Seems like a corruption of language to me. The original usage of RINO was to identify and label elected Republicans who behaved like and voted with the Democrats. It was never a measure of conservatism, per se, but one of party platform, loyalty, and discipline.
What's lost in the recent usage of the word is that the Republican Party is not a conservative party. It simply isn't. Conservatives make up a large part of the party, but not the whole of it, especially in the party structure and leadership (an oxymoronic term at times, to be sure). However, the GOP is the natural home for conservatives because there is some overlap on key issues, and the political deck is stacked against creating an effective alternative party.
So, conservatives are stuck with being Republicans if they want to have any voice -- there simply aren't enough of us, nor do we have the infrastructure, to go it alone without the GOP. Conversely, the Republicans ignore conservatives at their own peril -- they are not a strong enough party to win elections if the conservatives stay home (or make protest votes).
And that is why I'm a RINO. I'm a registered Republican, and intend to remain so. But I'm a conservative first and foremost, and my loyalty to the Republican Party extends only as far as the that party remains a vehicle to accomplish conservative goals.
Ironically, many, if not most, of the so-called RINOs out there are better Republicans than many of the posters at this site. They're not conservatives (or not strong enough conservatives for some), but they're most certainly not RINOs -- they simply represent the "establishment" and "elitist" wings of the party instead of the conservative one. Don't confuse "Republican" and "conservative" to mean the same thing.
>>>I’m a RINO. Are you a RINO too?
Yes I am.
NO!
I just want a representative who represents the people who elected him regardless of what the party wants.
I thought this was one of those kamakazi opus threads.
Heh. The question isn’t if we think a third party will split the GOP vote, rather, does the GOP think it can split the Conservative vote?
We are more than they. Believe it.
However, you gotta speak up, even amongst your Conservative friends. Just today, a stalwart in the office was incredulous to learn that Romney is a RINO of the worst sort.
SPEAK UP!
Well, I knew the title would draw some eyes as being controversial. But I'm not the type to go for the opus. I'd just leave and bad-mouth y'all behind your backs. :)
It's a good point; but what you really need to do is come up with a short, catchy term for non-conservative Republicans that's easier to type than "non-conservative Republicans".
I have several. Unfortunately, they all violate forum rules.
You are right. “republican” really means moderate political views that are mildly liberal and the Republican Motto is “We Aren’t Liberals But We Will Go Along to Get Along.”
So conservatives with actual Constitutional ideals are, all of us, RINOs.
Well, technically only those of use registered as Republicans, but yes.
FWIW, I did some research on this topic for an A.T. article (working title, Defining RINO Down OR Grading RINO’s on a Curve) — that I will write at some time. My main source was a long time GOP operative who is a true conservative but also has ties deep into the party apparatus. It’s been his profession since early to mid 80’s and his avocation since before that. He knows the history. He loves it.
My first run in with the term was the 92 campaign - and he said that sounds right to him. He said to most back then it was a traitorous term - it meant Republicans who gained credibility with the media by slamming other Republicans or slamming the base (conservative) positions - so RINO always has been at least partially a conservative term for non conservatives in the party, since moderates are the ones who normally do this.
There has always been a small sliver of folks who think RINO means any pro choice Republican. While many RINO’s are pro choice, I reject this definition and that does not appear to be the historical basis of it either.
And as you said, lately on FR and other message boards it means anyone who disagrees with “me” on any particular issue. This makes the term almost useless nowadays. For that reason, and the fact that I’m sure I’ll be called one for writing the article, I have not done so yet. But thanks for posting, I find this an interesting topic.
“I am a libertarian with a small ‘l’ and a Republican with a capital ‘R’. And I am a Republican with a capital ‘R’ on grounds of expediency, not on principle.” -Miilton Friedman
The idea of actually charting a new course and different policies from Liberalism is unthinkable, to a RINO.
Count me as one who will look forward to reading this future article.
“I’m a conservative first and foremost, and my loyalty to the Republican Party extends only as far as the that party remains a vehicle to accomplish conservative goals.”
Been feeling this way for a long, long time now.
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