Posted on 07/31/2009 8:42:23 AM PDT by DanZanRyu
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday urged fellow Republicans to welcome outsiders into the party ranks, not scorn them, as the GOP rebuilds from defeats that left the White House and Congress in Democratic hands.
The potential 2012 presidential candidate, addressing a meeting of the Republican National Committee, appealed to members to build bridges to independents and conservative-leaning Democrats that would win converts and, in turn, elections.
To move forward at a time when Republican numbers are shrinking in many states, the party should show "respect of those who don't agree with us," Pawlenty said. "Let's make sure that we welcome others who are not yet Republicans."
The speech came in the midst of an organizational meeting in which party leaders are discussing ways to repair their dented brand, lure back big-dollar contributors and identify and train a new generation of Republican candidates.
The meeting follows a difficult stretch for the GOP. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, once seen as rising stars, have been damaged by extramarital affairs; Democrat Al Franken ousted Republican Norm Coleman in Minnesota's Senate race; and moderate Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter became a Democrat.
Echoing Pawlenty, Republican Chairman Michael Steele said the GOP needs to get back in touch with average Americans by stressing the party's traditional values, from tightfisted spending to strong national security.
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“Gee people, we had open borders, big tent John McCain again the most liberal candidate ever. Isn’t that enough? The Democrats don’t worry about having a big tent do they?”
Excellent, he’s clearing the field (of himself) for Sarah.
why would statists and socialists want to join a party that appears to be in favor of limited government and capitalism? They already have their own party
The principled one stands only for things worth standing for, and trusts people to be attracted to him.
” President Reagan got Democrats and independents to vote for him not because he changed his message to accommodate them. He made them realize how much in common they had with us!”
Bingo.
The Republicans project such an image of weakness and groveling with stupid remarks like this.
They validate the false stereotypes planted by the media and the Dems ( who are the most intolerant group, ever.)
Republicans who act like Timidity Pawlenty-
inarticulate , fragile and easily rolled -damage the party and the cause.
I am so sick of weak and easily frightened elected Republicans.
There is nothing wrong with rebuilding the Reagan coalition. Real Blue Dogs should be given a reason to vote for conservative candidates and thanks to Chairman Zero, there has never been a better chance for conservatives to remind them that the Democrat Party has left the dems who voted for Reagan. Appeal to moderates is a secondary goal -- it must be made abundantly clear to those in charge of the GOP that the conservative base will not be fooled again.
Sure. Party power is more important the principles! Accept everybody!
Rinos are trying to make room for themselves to justify their takeover of the GOP and making it into a permanent minority party. The story goes, it’s not their fault the party they are leading is a minority...it’s fault of the “extremists” who won’t shut up and follow them in that liberal/socialist pup tent they occupy.
They are totally freaked out that the GOP has lost so many voters since the Rinodom took over the GOP. They are scared of losing it all in the next election because “extremists” won’t vote for them anymore. Liberals vote for Democrats and conservatives vote for small government, economic freedom constitutionalists. Rinos are big government Liberals.
We’ve been through this before when the GOP was a permanent minority party led by Rinos. They want that silent majority to stay that way in representation and power but vote for them as the lessor of two evils. Good luck with that Rinos!
Big government water melon Arnie is about as popular as a STD in California and that state is as “Rino” as you can get. This is the condition of the GOP in the Rino’s control and leadership.
I’m not sure what conservatives are going to do when half the population no longer pays taxes AND the Federal Government is the largest employer in the country. What the heck do we have to offer these people? They do not want freedom - they want “free stuff” and do not care how it is paid for since they are not paying.
All I know is “Democrat Lite” is not the way to go.
The half voting themselves free stuff is going to run out of other people’s money.
Then the Left will go after them rather than cut government spending. Watch. It is happening right now as revenues fall and services (free stuff) increases.
New York State just raised taxes on the “rich” to cover their budget deficit. Revenue projections were way short on this scheme and now they have a 2 billion deficit to contend with.
The rich are tapped out with the last huge tax increase that did not provide enough revenue for the gimme mob. Are the liberals going to cut government or expand the tax base to include more of the gimme guys and gals? In the past they expanded the tax base to all the “rich” people making any money at all and continued expanding government w/o end.
Bed-wetting RINO Alert!
I don’t see anything in the party platform that stops anyone from joining us. They just need to get in line with conservatism.
McWho?
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