It's My Party- Why are Republican leaders governing like Democrats?

WSJ- Opinion Journal ^ | 12/04/2005 | DICK ARMEY

[KCRW]

In all my years in politics, I've never sensed such anger and frustration from our volunteers--those who do the hard work of door-to-door mobilization that Republican candidates depend on to get elected. Across the nation, wherever I go to speak with them, their refrain is the same: "I can't tell a dime's worth of difference between Republicans and Democrats." Our base rightly expects Republicans to govern by the principles--lower taxes, less government and more freedom--that got them elected. Today, with Republicans controlling both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, there is a widening credibility gap between their political rhetoric and their public policies.

What will happen to Republicans if these freedom-loving, grassroots activists don't show up for work next fall? The elections earlier this month may be an indication of the answer.

Colorado's Gov. Bill Owens, once the future presidential nominee of choice among smaller-government conservatives, teamed up with liberal Democrats in the Legislature to expand the state budget by billions of dollars and grab taxpayers' refunds for years to come. The Democratic big spenders got what they wanted, but it has left the Republican Party fractured and effectively ended Gov. Owens's future as a Republican leader. Here is one of Armey's Axioms: Make a deal with the devil and you're the junior partner.

[KCRW]

What are the RINO's going to do when we are not there to get them re-elected. The days of acting like Democrats is over. Check out the last line of this article by Dick Armey- "When we act like us, we win. When we act like them, we lose."

[sure_fine]

slinky spine syndrom

[tarheelswamprat]

When I lived in Texas I was proud to have Dick Armey as my Congressman. I hope the current incumbents will listen to him.

[NHResident]

Mr. Armey is exactly right. For all he has done in ousting Saddam, President Bush has failed to build either the party or support his base. In over 30 years of voting, I have never been as disgusted with my party's leaders at the national level. Senators, Representatives and the President - Hillary may find she has a complete walk into the White House. The nation as whole seems to have totally lost the lesson of 9/11. It is sad, and it is really unfortunate but it appears one or more national tragedies will be necessary before the politicians wake up.

[ConsentofGoverned]

"The days of acting like Democrats is over"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.............
The margins of victory are so small, that a major stay at home of conservatives in 06 and 08 will swing vote to Dems.
I hate it but the elites seem to be able to control the few conservatives we send to Washington..From the President on down all we get is some tax bones thrown to Us but from the Border and Illegals to expanding Fed gov I cannot tell the GOP from the DEMS. A third party could emerge that I could support but the odds against it are so large. Perhaps the Internet can overcome the blocks but it will take forums like FR to push for a third party.

[randog]

My governor, Kenny Guinn (NV), is a RINO. He came up the political ladder via the education system, a notorious breeding ground for liberals and hard-core leftists (e.g., Patty "Osama Mama" Murray of WA).

RINOs know they'll get elected because of the "lesser of two evils" principle. The real problem isn't with the RINOs--they're liberals and they know it--it's with the GOP, who enables these fools and puts them on their ticket.

[TXBSAFH]

The biggest problem is httat the fish rots from the head. Jorge Arbusto is not a conservative, he is a rockefeller republican thru and thru.

[quantim]

President Bush has failed to build either the party or support his base.

It's fair to say that Bush's lower numbers in the polls are more symptomatic of the lack of republican support rather than democrat.

[Mogger]

Well, you won't see me wasting my time helping elect Charlie Bass (Republican RINO from New Hampshire) any more.

He's become liberal ("moderate") enough to make you puke.

No more putting up signs for him such as these I put up all over northern NH:

And no more rolling my Unimog all over to support him:

[ConsentofGoverned]

"It's fair to say that Bush's lower numbers in the polls are more symptomatic of the lack of republican support rather than democrat."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..........
Worth repeating..wonder why the MSM likes to report it's BUSH's conservative Scotus picks (Miers LOL) and the War
and Hurricanes that have lost him support??while most conservatives are fuming with him.. To me BUSH seems strangely out of touch either something very HUGE is coming or he's back to the bottle ..I hope neither is true for both will be ill for us all.

[Mogger]

We dropped that trailer at high traffic locations on various Republicans' yards. No more.

Charlie Bass really ticked me off a few weeks ago on a radio interview when he snubbed conservatives saying something like, we have to go along with the "moderate" view of things, something like that anyway, I can't remember exactly what he said.

I always knew he was a RINO, but what he said and the way he said it really blew me away.

[Thermalseeker]

Our base rightly expects Republicans to govern by the principles--lower taxes, less government and more freedom--that got them elected.

Exactly what I told the RNC guy who called me the other day soliciting donations. I told him the RNC had gotten it's last dime from me until they start actually doing what they talk about. Creating two new Federal Bureaucracies in the past five years isn't in the "reduced government" model they've harped about my entire adult life. His response was "You mean you'd rather have a San Francisco Liberal in office?" I said, no, but with Republicans like you, who needs Democrats?

I also reminded him that it was Thomas Jefferson who said revolution every so often is a good thing. If it takes suffering through a few years of the Liberals in control to wake up the 'Pubbies and make them hold true to the principles they've espoused my entire life I'm all for it.

[ConsentofGoverned]

"Charlie Bass really ticked me off a few weeks ago on a radio interview when he snubbed conservatives saying something like, we have to go along with the "moderate" view of things, something like that anyway, I can't remember exactly what he said."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...........
In DC the mantra is go along to get along. Conservatives are changed with a few private meetings where the "real Power structure is explained" ..Bush's dad ex CIA, and now GW BUSH (ex of Ivy League educated) pushs OPEN BORDERS, BIG GOV SPENDING, and degrades the White House with BIll Clinton's Picture hanging all point to an Elite who are controlling the GOV. THE GOP president saying Illegals must be given rights to stay in USA per BUSH's Amnesty plan and those against it are RACIST. Hiding of Able Danger and Clinton's out right crimes - Sandy BERGER what more does anyone need to see to understand the GOV is not the GOV our founding fathers started. Who controls the GOV I do not know but it is not who we think.

[yarddog]

Things are even worse than Armey is saying. Notice he didn't mention abortion, (no action of any kind), illegal immigration (actively aiding and abetting it) gun control (new controls by executive fiat), and Islamic terrorism (fighting it in some places, aiding it in others),

[Prime Choice]

Seems the Republican'ts aren't getting enough calcium to grow a spine...

[Mogger]

(heh-heh) Excellent graphic of Republican milk!

[manwiththehands]

I agree, but the problem is worse. With this war in Iraq our Repubics should be even more motivated to control spending. If I were certain our troops were getting EVERYTHING they needed to fight this war (body armor, weapons, adequate troop levels, etc.) then I would be less cynical. However, thousands of pork projects at the expense of our troops and our economy makes me seethe. Using money to line your political pocket - especially during a war - is borderline treasonous.

[Mogger]

In DC the mantra is go along to get along.

For Repubs it seems to be. certainly not for Democrats.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

When I lived in Texas I was proud to have Dick Armey as my Congressman. I hope the current incumbents will listen to him.

Jeb henserling replaced him and is a disciple. The loss of Senator Phil Gramm was a blow too, but we have Hutchison and Cornyn in the Senate so we are fine there. Sam Johnson is my Representative and there is none better. Just as rinos are elected by their constituents, there are Democrat strongholds in Texas who elect Democrat liberals. We can only influence those we vote for.

[unixfox]

The best way to get rid of RINOS is to vote AGAINST them. Of course with all of the lying and manipulating that goes on it's hard to determine who is worth a crap anymore.