"The Republicans won big this time because of judges. People who have never voted before in their lives ran to the polls this time."
I'm not so sure that judges were the driving factor alone. In fact, I didn't think the Republican campaign emphasized
the Judges issue enough. But why do we keepon nominating RINO's as Republican candidates? I'd rather lose the darn seat than elect a RINO, because you're just kidding yourself if you think he's (she's) a conservative.
Why do the Democrats keep supporting Congressman Gene Taylor of Mississippi, a man who has a 64% rating from the ACU, and who generally scores low with liberal groups.
Because when it comes time to organize the House, Taylor always votes for the Democratic candidates. Remember, Speaker of the House is an elected position.
For this same reason, you want as many Republicans in Congress as you can. Remember what happened when Jeffords switched, we lost control for a year in a half. I'd rather have moderates who will keep us in control of the committees, the congressional machinery, then ideological purists which will make us a minority.
Remember, the Majority party is the party that controls the operations, who would you rather have setting the Senate agenda, Bill Frist or Harry Reid?
I think that South Carolinians did not consider Graham a RINO when they elected him. Although he did support McCain in 2000, he seemed to have backed off that and campaigned on Bush principles. Same as Mark Sanford. And for those as myself that still had misgivings we had no choice as he ran unopposed in the primary. That will not happen again even if I have to run myself!