 |
  Ron's weekly message [5 minutes audio, every Monday] • Podcast • Weekly archive • Toll-free 888-322-1414 • |
       |
| Free Republic Ron Paul Ping List: Join/Leave |
A new Dr. No in Congress?
Posted on 07/24/2007 5:20:08 AM PDT by George W. Bush
Wed Jul 18, 11:45 AM ET
The Nation -- There is no question that Americans are frustrated with the current Congress. Polls suggest that approval ratings for the U.S. House and Senate are even more dismal than those for President Bush -- although not quite so bad as for Vice President Cheney.
But are Americans merely frustrated with the current Democratic leadership of the House and Senate, or are they disenchanted, as well, with the leaders of the Republican caucuses?
An indication of the indignation with Republican leaders came from a unique Georgia special election Tuesday, in which two Republicans ran against one another. Under Georgia law, candidates of all parties run together in primaries to fill open House seats. Then the top two finishers -- no matter what their partisan affiliation -- face each other in a runoff.
In the overwhelmingly Republican district of the late Congressman Charlie Norwood, primary voting last month produced a run-off featuring two conservative Republicans.
That's where things got interesting -- and instructive. The frontrunner in the primary voting in north Georgia's 10th district, former state Sen. Jim Whitehead, was the consensus choice of the Republican establishment. Whitehead essentially promised to be a rubberstamp for the Bush White House and Republican leaders in Congress.
His opponent, Paul Broun, was a quirky physician who claims to be "the only doctor in Georgia whose practice is almost exclusively house calls." A frequent candidate who was very much on the outs with party insiders, Broun barely squeaked into the run-off and most pundits stopped paying attention to a race it was assumed Whitehead would win with ease.
After all, Whitehead had represented much of the district in the legislature, he had a huge money advantage, and he enjoyed strong support from sitting Republican members of Congress and groups closely associated with the D.C. leadership of the party, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Broun had little going for him, except his outsider status. His campaign appealed to disenchanted Republican, Democratic and independent voters with the message: "Dr. Broun is their only hope for an independent-thinking candidate."
As Broun put it, he was "fighting the entire GOP establishment."
That proved to be an appealing message. On Tuesday, Broun came from far behind to lead Whitehead by 394 after Tuesday night's count. The win came thanks to a remarkable coalition of very conservative voters in the rural counties of north Georgia, more liberal voters in Athens -- the home of the University of Georgia -- and African Americans.
With such a close result, a recount is likely. But Broun's come-from-behind win is likely to hold, and it is already being described by Georgia media as a "stunning upset."
What message can be taken away from this result?
Given a choice between two conservative candidates, Georgia voters were asked: Do you want a candidate of the GOP establishment who promises to work with Republican leaders in Congress, or do you want an outsider who promises to go to Washington without strings attached?
As evidence of his independence, Broun emphasized a Ron Paul-like committed to "work to restore government according to the Constitution as our Founders intended." While the Georgia appears to be a more cautious constitutionalist than the maverick Texas congressman who is making a longshot bid for the party's presidential nomination in 2008, Broun borrowed one of the most popular of Paul's principles, promising that if elected he would assess any new legislation by first asking: "Is it constitutional and a proper function of government?"
No one was going to confuse Broun with a liberal, but he did display a Paul-like libertarian streak, suggesting that the federal government ought to stay away away from issues gay marriage and legalizing marijuana -- matters that the candidate suggested are best handled at the state level.
"I believe in the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which clearly says that all powers not specifically given to the federal government, or prohibited by the Constitution to the states, are reserved to the states and the people," Broun said. "I am not a person who believes that our lives should be controlled by politicians in Washington. I do not believe that the states are merely administrative units of the federal government, to do its bidding."
Whitehead responded by attacking Broun, using the standard anti-gay, anti-crime rhetoric of the party's congressional leadership.
It didn't work. And there is a lesson here for those who suggest that the dip in the popularity of Congress is merely a problem for Democrats. The disdain for Washington's way of doing things appears to be bipartisan.
This is a most shocking result in GA for the GOP establishment.
Looks like we might have another Dr. No on our hands. LOL.
|
Ron's weekly message [5 minutes audio, every Monday] • Podcast • Weekly archive • Toll-free 888-322-1414 • |
|
| Free Republic Ron Paul Ping List: Join/Leave |
Just goes to show you - conservatism wins. Now let’s see if he’s serious or if it’s all just talk.
Ah yes, The Nation just doing their part.
GOP DISCONTENT
The biggest political upset so far of this election cycle reflected rank-and-file Republican disgust with the party establishment when former State Sen. Jim Whitehead was defeated Tuesday as the anointed successor to the late Rep. Charles Norwood in a heavily Republican northeastern Georgia district that includes Athens and suburban Augusta.
Dr. Paul Broun, a little-known physician, outworked a complacent Whitehead to win the battle between two conservative Republicans. Broun's aggressive mail and telephone campaign attacked an overconfident Whitehead, who did not even respond. Whitehead had led Broun, 44 percent to 21 percent, in the first round of balloting.
Although the seat will remain in Republican hands, Whitehead's unexpected loss terrified those incumbent Republican House members who had thought themselves safe for re-election in 2008.
Actually, Ron Paul himself personally "reported" on this race in his most recent Daily Update:
And he won.
Columnist Robert Novak said this "terrified" all the establishment types in the Republican Party. I had talked to Paul during his campaign, and was thrilled to congratulate him on his victory. There is a new wind blowing." -- Congressman Dr. Ron Paul
http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul_2008/
Incidentally, Ron Paul also said that he thinks that SC Governor Mark Sanford would make a terrific Vice President in a Ron Paul administration. Think I should post the Article?
Whitehead responded by attacking Broun, using the standard anti-gay, anti-crime rhetoric of the party’s congressional leadership.
Speaks volumes.
Bump for limited government
I do think it happily amusing that Dr. Paul Broun, "a quirky physician who claims to be 'the only doctor in Georgia whose practice is almost exclusively house calls'"... was the Ron Paul endorsed Candidate, and HE WON!
HAH!!
Thanks for the ping.
The message of freedom and personal responsibility is refreshing,instead of just slogans and bull$hit.
I’d like to see more of these incumbent elitists get the boot.
Paul Broun was endorsed by.... Congressman Ron Paul.
And... Paul Broun WON!
And it says much... about one district in Georgia. Now if you could show me that conservatism ALWAYS wins in suburbs of NYC, Boston, Las Angeles, Atlanta, DC, etc., they you'd have demonstrated a great point. Just spouting off about the 10th amendment makes a great GOAL. However the devil is in the details and that's where this "back to the founding father roots" stuff sometimes founders.
I'm very sad to say that States as well as individual citizens have come to depend on big federal dollars rolling in. Case in point... Democrats are pushing Universal health care. The public wants some relief from the high cost of insurance. Who are they going to vote for? Someone that promises them a pony or someone that says no, it's not the business of Gov't to help you... that's up to you. Vote for me, you're on your own. Or let's take the next Katrina that comes along. Are they going to vote for a candidate who feels their pain and sends money or one who says, nope it's up to your States to handle that mess? The Constitution won't let me no matter what it says about "domestic tranquility". Sadly I think the answer is all too painfully obvious as we will see in the next election. Did you see those YouTube voters at the Democratic debate?
Sorry, I don't mean to bust anyone's bubble but I think we are so far down this path we'll never get back to 1787.
“Whitehead responded by attacking Broun, using the standard anti-gay, anti-crime rhetoric of the party’s congressional leadership.”
I think a lot of people are getting sick of this kind of ignorance.
Indeed, and it's all they've got.............
Ignorance yes, but driven by narrow minded arrogance. Sadly this disease has laid waste to the republican party.
Paul Broun was endorsed by.... Congressman Ron Paul.
And... Paul Broun WON!
A team worth being on!
No, I'm saying we're already there. If you can find a road back without taking food from people's mouths you might find some success. It still really is about the economy and when people whine when unemployment rates go over 5% or when their 401K's go in the dumper or when they have to pay over $3.50 a gallon, I think you've got a problem finding the RIGHT road back. All that being said, I'm in agreement with the goal even though I question the methods.
Exactly the sort of "winning hearts and minds" that actually works. - Americans who reside outside of the conservative tent, are still Americans. Address these groups concerns about bureaucracy and before too long, they've joined the group.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.