Pat Toomey’s Future An interview.

National Review ^ | 4/30/04 | Ramesh Ponnuru

[P.O.E.]

Typically wrong Republican calculation.

In bargaining, you don't start in the middle. You start one way or the other, and work towards the middle by compromise from the other side.

The middle has been incrementally shifted to the left for so long now. That's the main victory of the left over the last few years. Because they think and act long-term.

[NittanyLion]

Joe Hoeffel is a proven GOP vote-getter. He has always won in GOP areas.

Pat Toomey is a proven Democrat vote-getter. He has always won in Democrat areas.

[Formoore04]

"Conservatives will promptly be blamed for the loss, and the call will go out to run a more "moderate" candidate than Specter."

LOL! Too true.

[NittanyLion]

Just remember the two immutable laws of RINOs:

1. Conservatives are far too small a minority to take seriously, as they cannot impact an election's results.

and

2. When a RINO loses, it's because those damn conservatives didn't vote for the GOP candidate.

[McGavin999]

Um....I wasn't working for Toomey, and what I was asking is if there isn't some way the republicans can keep Spector from being on the judiciary at all. I know they usually just promote people up, but can't they give him something else that would make him happy and let Kyl take judiciary?

Now, you've always seemed to me to be pretty knowledgeable about these things, how about helping us to figure out a way to let Specter get elected and still not be the judiciary chair.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[snopercod]

Well said and amen.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Your entire rant is centered around the acronym R.I.N.O., which as we all know means Republican In Name Only.

The Republican Party, like any other political party, is a political entity whose platform is based on the aggregate of the political ideology of the totality of its membership, operating under one common banner.

Your use of the acronym is meant to belittle those who do not stand firm on a specific ideology, and support the Party.

I would point out to you that "Republican" indicates membership to a political party, not adherence to one of the specific ideologies that make up the whole of the Party.

A R.I.N.O then, must be one who looks to elevate their particular ideology above the general direction of the Party at large.

"Conservatives" who continually threaten to abandon the GOP because their ideological demands are not met, are the true Republicans In Name Only.

[Sabertooth]

One thing that has characterized this administration from the beginning has been a willingness, perhaps even an eagerness, to interject itself in Republican primaries. I don't recall any other Presidents doing that and it has Karl Rove's fingerprints all over it. I really don't understand why they persist in doing it.

Bush and Rove meddle in local primaries because they suffer no direct political cost for doing so, and no Republican of any stature has called them to account for the practice.

Those who suggest that Bush and Rove's nigh-infallible policical acumen is based exclusively on pragmatism are kidding themselves. The President universally favors "centrist," big-government, compassionate conservatives Republicans who will support the worst aspects of his agenda (prescription drug swindles, Amnesties, etc.), rather than any conservative opponent.

[Formoore04]

"Your use of the acronym is meant to belittle those who do not stand firm on a specific ideology, and support the Party."

No, the term is used to describe those liberals who have infected the Republican Party. They are neither loyal to the platform or to the party. Just ask Bret Schundler, Tom McClintock, Bill Simon, Pat Toomey, Bob Smith, Jim DeMint, Wayne Smith, etc.

[Mrs. Ranger]

Nope. Not gonna happen. The "fix" is in and Spector's got it. That said, write Toomey in if it will make you feel better and understand that time and demographics are on our side. :)

[Formoore04]

"Sin Pátria, pero sin amo."

Oh, by the way, you're in America now, not whatever 3rd world failed state you fled from.

You want to speak your accursed language go back to Mexico or wherever, we speak a civilized language here, we speak English.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Make me punk.

[NittanyLion]

I believe Luis is Cuban.

[Luis Gonzalez]

The Party is the Party Jethro.

[Formoore04]

"The Party is the Party Jethro."

And they don't support the party, they support other liberal RINOs like themselves. They never support conservative Republicans. Never. Ask Bret Schundler, Bill Simon, Wayne Smith...

[Luis Gonzalez]

No, I am an American.

I was born in Cuba.

"Sin Pátria..." -- without a homeland.

"...pero sin amo." -- but without a master.

A quote from José Marti.

[Luis Gonzalez]

The Party is the Party Jethro.

[NittanyLion]

Right on the money, Sabertooth. Folks try to equate support to incumbents, behind the scenes deals or strategery, but the fact of the matter is that this Administration supports those who support the growth of government.

That's just the way it is, and conservatives should no longer be surprised when it happens. Bush's support of the most liberal GOP candidate it totally predictable at this point.