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Republicans need to make room for moderates
Seattl P-I ^ | 01/16/2004 | Gov. Christine Whitman

Posted on 01/16/2004 8:47:57 AM PST by Abram

OLDWICK, N.J. -- On May 5, 1996, when I was halfway through my first term as governor of New Jersey, there was a picture of me on the cover of the Sunday magazine of The New York Times, accompanied by the headline "It's My Party, Too." I liked that message so much, I had it framed and hung it in my office in Trenton and, later, Washington, D.C. To moderate Republicans like me, that headline proclaimed our belief that there was still room for us in the party of Lincoln.

Now, almost eight years later, many moderate Republicans feel even less certain of their place in the party. When President Bush, arguably one of the more conservative presidents in recent history, is under attack from the right wing of the party for his proposal regarding immigration and migrant workers, is it any wonder moderates feel out of sync?

(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bigtent; christiewhitman; gop; moderates; republicans; shutupandvote; stoptheexcerpts
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Former Gov. Whitman makes some good points in this editorial. Although many Coastal Republicans are dubbed immediately as RINOs and summarily dismissed...we should not be. Moderates such as myself deserve a place/voice in the party. Moderate and Conservative Democrats are leaving the Democrat Party recently because the Party is moving so far to the left and pandering the issues espoused entirely by their base. Conservatives threaten to leave, not vote, or vote third party when all their issues are not addressed 100% of the time. As a moderate Republican, I find myself holding my nose and voting for evangelical Republicans that hold social issues more important than smaller government/fiscal conservative issues that I find important. Don't get me wrong...social issues are very important, but my liberterian tendancies of a smaller, less intrusive government are trampled by many of the stands held by many fundamentalist Republicans. Moderates in both parties deserve a voice and if not, both parties will find themselves in the minority as moderates move between the parties seeking a forum. Currently, the Democrats' moderates and Conservatives are moving to the Republicans...but looking at history...the trend can easily be reversed.

For those that don't know me or my stances...I would fall under the RINO category, but I am a partisan Republican that espouses limited government, fiscal conservativism and responsibility and a strong national defense. I don't mind paying taxes, but I HATE to see waste of any kind. I cherish the environment and support fair, legal immigration and support Choice in most things from school, guns, lifestyle, that does not hurt other people. Morality should be taught from the home and the pulpit, but not legislated by politicans. Tolerance and diversity should be key as everyone has a story and a right to live the American Dream. I support LEGAL immigration.

1 posted on 01/16/2004 8:48:00 AM PST by Abram
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To: Abram
Now, almost eight years later, many moderate Republicans feel even less certain of their place in the party.

Not true. They get elected to the U.S. Senate.

2 posted on 01/16/2004 8:50:28 AM PST by Jagdgewehr
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To: Abram
Why RINOs should get the hell out of the GOP:

Any questions?


3 posted on 01/16/2004 8:50:49 AM PST by KantianBurke (2+2 does NOT equal 5)
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To: Abram
She's joking right?
4 posted on 01/16/2004 8:53:17 AM PST by BenLurkin (Socialism is Slavery)
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To: Jagdgewehr
When President Bush, arguably one of the more conservative presidents in recent history

Riiiiiiiiight! If spending is any indicator, then BILL CLINTON is more conservative than G W Bush! The Republican party is infested with liberals (and G W Bush is among them).

5 posted on 01/16/2004 8:53:58 AM PST by xrp
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To: Abram
"Republicans need to make room for moderates on the presidential ticket -- I should be VP!" -- Whitman

.I would fall under the RINO category, but I am a partisan Republican

Sorry, wrong answer, inconsistent, you're not a RINO, too bad.

6 posted on 01/16/2004 8:57:12 AM PST by JohnnyZ (This Week in Senate Races: David Beasley, Katherine Harris, Gary Hart, and Dan Blue DECIDE)
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To: KantianBurke
Sure, relegate yourself to the minority party. Ask some of the DINOs how comfortable they feel in the Democrat party. If not for some of our votes, you would have never elected the majority you enjoy in both houses of Congress and the White House.
7 posted on 01/16/2004 8:57:44 AM PST by Abram
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To: xrp
Ok, which conservative presidents have we had in the last 20 years besides the Gipper and arguably, he had some moderate tendencies too.
8 posted on 01/16/2004 8:59:08 AM PST by Abram
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To: JohnnyZ
NO, I wouldn't consider myself a RINO, but some people sure do. I don't mind...I am secure in my "Republicanism"...but I espouse some pretty unpopular issues.
9 posted on 01/16/2004 9:01:49 AM PST by Abram
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To: Abram
Actually one of the problems with RINOs is that continaully demand special attention and "compromises." For instance, Jeffords' leftist tendencies were so glaring that there was talk of a GOP primary challenger. Lott, in his usual spinelessness and obsequeniousness, squashed the idea. 2 years later, Jeffords jumped. They're not worth the trouble and they're not trustworthy.

As for being a minority party, that's silly. If you're not for shrinking the govt, against abortion, cutting taxes and 2nd Amendment rights why would you WANT to be in the GOP??
10 posted on 01/16/2004 9:04:36 AM PST by KantianBurke (2+2 does NOT equal 5)
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To: Abram
Spoken like a true RINO.
11 posted on 01/16/2004 9:07:49 AM PST by DoctorMichael (Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it.)
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To: Abram
Republicans need to make room for moderates conservatives
12 posted on 01/16/2004 9:09:55 AM PST by BSunday (Hey Brian Cox - shut up.)
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: Abram
Whitman is making a veiled attempt at standup, right? With prescription drugs, illegal amnesty and "free trade", if the GOP were to get any more "moderate" it would fall off the left field fence! ROFLMAO
14 posted on 01/16/2004 9:40:08 AM PST by kellynla ("C" 1/5 1st Mar. Div. U.S.M.C. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi!)
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To: KantianBurke
"For instance, Jeffords' leftist tendencies were so glaring that there was talk of a GOP primary challenger. Lott, in his usual spinelessness and obsequeniousness, squashed the idea. 2 years later, Jeffords jumped."


Worse than that, Lott got the Northeast Dairy Compact reauthorized (which hurt the GOP in the Midwest) and got the RSCC to spend big money on Jeffords to keep other Republicans out (money that could have been used to help Spence Abraham, Slade Gorton and some other real Republicans who lost Senate races in 2000), and Jeffords left the GOP in July of 2001, less than a year after the election.
15 posted on 01/16/2004 10:53:18 AM PST by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: vic heller
Sorry, I refuse to march lock step and I am not looking for sympathy. I have been called a lot worse than RINO and DU. I am trying to promote honest dialogue. I don't roll over and play dead to whatever the Republican Party or Bush says. True he is not as conservative as I would like, but the alternative is either throw my vote away or vote for the Ds which I won't do.

Yes, I speak as a RINO, but in many places, RINOs are the only things that can be elected that even represent 50% of you key positions.
16 posted on 01/16/2004 11:09:27 AM PST by Abram
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To: Abram; vic heller
Parties which succeed in national elections are usually a coalition of groups, with some (but not full) overlapping of positions [just to state the obvious]. Whitman's purpose here is not to point it out, but the Republican Party has already, in the last 40 years, shifted or refined its positions in ways that increase the appeal to moderates and libertarians. For example, the segregationist taint is (all but) gone. The Republicans now are stronger proponents of equality of opportunity than the Democrats.

Similarly in the critical area of education, the Republicans are coalescing around support for vouchers of equal value set up for each kid. This has a lot of small-goverment appeal, a lot of individual freedom appeal and a lot of equality appeal.

I suspect that even in the divisive abortion issue the moderates and conservatives in the party are all fairly willing to agree that an activist Judiciary is a major problem and must be stopped. This would lead to an overturn of Roe v Wade, throwing the issue back to the state legislatures (where, admitted, libertarians and conservatives may well take opposite sides).

17 posted on 01/16/2004 11:17:54 AM PST by Ships of Wood, Men of Iron
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To: AuH2ORepublican
Plus, it may be that Trent bent over backwards for "Farmer Jim" Jeffords because he and Jeffords were singing buddies. Thereafter, I understand that Jeffords left the quartet.
18 posted on 01/16/2004 11:24:08 AM PST by Theodore R. (When will they ever learn?)
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To: Abram
People who support killing babies (like "Christie") have nothing to teach me. They haven't gotten to square one of the human race yet, so I pay no attention to anything they say.
19 posted on 01/16/2004 11:27:47 AM PST by AAABEST
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To: Abram; Grampa Dave; dalereed; BOBTHENAILER; Carry_Okie; Ernest_at_the_Beach; NormsRevenge; ...
Birds of a feather, flock together!!!

I'm just sick and tired of the "Party of Reagan" gittin "flocked!" The Rockerfeller-Country Club "fiscal conservative & social liberals" are just as intollerant as the "fundamentalist constitutional/religious Republicans!"

If we could quit beating each other to death while fighting for "ownership," we could give it a rest, without compromising our "principles" and keep the Democreeps out that both Repellican elements despise!!!

Reagan's 11th Commandment needs to rise again. We're all getting too "vested" in conflict, to conquer consistently!!!

20 posted on 01/16/2004 11:56:30 AM PST by SierraWasp (GovernMental EnvironMentalism has become totally counterproductive and everybody knows it !!!)
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