[markomalley]

If the GOP would take even a moderate stand for some principles...

But with the Scozzafava endorsement, one has to ask if they will even take a stand for NE RINOism...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

“Our party has to bring those voters along with a critique of policies, not the kind of harsh rhetoric the left used against former President Bush,” Gillespie said.

Well, Ed, how well did that work out for Obama and his Maoist minions?

Idiot.

[Recon Dad]

But with the Scozzafava endorsement

This one set me off yesterday like a rocket. I was screeming into the phone at John Boehner’s staff and writing follow up letters.

What the hell is so extreme about what the TEA Party folks stand for. If you have to dodge the issues raised by the TEA Party folks as too radical they need to be gone...

[DH]

The problem with Republicans is twofold. First, it’s the two party system with all others being shut out due to the costs associated alone. Second, it’s the fact that Republicans EXPECT your vote instead of hoping to EARN it.

For time exceeding my life span, you basically had two choices; Democrat or Republican representatives. Notice I did not say Liberal or Conservative representatives.

Now our country has been mortally wounded by these spineless Republicans in their quest to satisfy only their egos and pocketbooks.

It’s time to throw all of them out of office and start once again with those who FEAR THE WRATH of those who put them into office and those who will protect the Constitutionality of all that transpires within the governing body of this country.

[Altura Ct.]

Congressional leaders talk in private of being boxed in by commentators such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.

Boxed in? Really? The way out is simple unless of course conservative principles mean absolutely nothing to you which I believe in the majority of cases within the current crop GOP that is true.

Constitution, Western Values & culture, Sovereignty, Dismantling the Leviathan we call DC. All of these lead you out of the box.

[thecabal]

The illusion that the oligarchy has put up is being shattered.

[Biggirl]

The good news is that 2010 is coming, and it will make 1994 look like a day at the beach.

[Ulysse]

“MORE VOICES”?

What voices?

[italyconservative]

Did not read all of the responses so if someone already said this - sorry. IMO, we will continue to see articles like this to try and push us to a third party there by rendering us ineffective come the next set of elections. Bad idea. Don’t fall for this fluff! No third party! It was our party to begin with! We are making a difference! Stay the course!

[StatenIsland]

Lots of straw-men and framing of the argument in this hit-piece.

If the party doesn’t move in the direction of its impassioned and energized conservative base, of course party ID will go into the crapper. I’ve identified myself as a Republican since Barry Goldwater, and now, to my own amazement, I find that I cannot do so.

Dede is about more than just one upstate NY county - she’s become a cause celebre, and is probably the best thing that could happen to conservatives, even if we lose a seat we’ve held forever. MAYBE THIS WILL OPEN THEIR EYES!

[nathanbedford]

A few observations to put the lie to this spin:

A look at Real Clear Politics,http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/, reveals that all the pollsters save one, Rasmussen, have the Democrats above the Republicans in congressional job approval. But all of the polls save one, Rasmussen, survey either of adults (perfectly useless) or registered voters (not very useful). Rasmussen alone polls likely voters. Rasmussen has the Republicans in Congress up six points over the Democrats.

Other polls show that since July the Republicans have gained nearly 20% approval and the Democrats have lost nearly 10% in approval. Although that polls shows the Democrats still ahead, the value of such polls which do not poll likely voters is limited to revealing the trend and those data show the trend is our friend.

Citing numbers attend the show that Obama is retaining his popularity do not support this kind of spin. First, there is no reason to believe that Obama's popularity will rub off in a midterm election in which he is not a candidate. Second, although I do not have polling data, it is generally accepted that intensity is on the side of those who vehemently oppose Barack Obama. Third, recently Obama's approval numbers have been dropping like a stone down a well.

The authors do not tell us that, although the Democrats remain the plurality party, conservatism remains the majority philosophy. If that is ignored exhortations of Rinos and intermeddling liberals in Republican domestic affairs which call for Republicans to move left in order to gain independence, makes sense. But if one understands that the bulk of the country is inherently conservative, one understands that Republicans need only articulate an attractive conservative message and avoid being painted as crazed out of the mainstream zealots by people like JIM VANDEHEI & MIKE ALLEN who wrote this Politico article.

[NoGrayZone]

"Dede Scozzafava, despite her liberal views on abortion and other issues,"

RIGHT THERE is what is wrong w/ the republican party....liberal views DO NOT belong. She can be as liberal as she wants, on the OTHER side.

[ArtDodger]

The dems are going to lose big in 2010 and the GOP is waiting to step in and say, “Everyone voted for us so we have a mandate to remain as we are!” The present configuration of the GOP is quite happy with the status quo and are comfortable being the minority party in Washington,even if it means watching the country go Socialist...Time to dredge the swamp!

[reagan_fanatic]

If Reagan were running in 2010, the same angst would be on display about the ‘flamboyant rhetoric’ and ‘angry tone’ of his campaign and supporters.

What they fail to realize is that such ‘flamboyancy’ and ‘anger’ is exactly what gets the voters energized and interested in your candidacy.

We need candidates who stick their necks out, not bury them in the sand.

[Cboldt]

Pawlenty said in a phone interview. "The party needs to be about addition, not subtraction - but not at the expense of watering down its principles."

"We need more voices," said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia, one of the party's up-and-coming leaders. "Our party's challenge has been that we need to be more inclusive - we need to attract the middle again. ..."

Doublespeak, gibberish: "no watering down of principle" simultaneous with "more inclusive"

Instead of rationalizing growth with taint, these guys need to articulate and sell the principles. The party needs to have consistent core principles, other than "win."

I wouldn't vote for or support Pawlenty or Cantor, based on my conclusion that neither of these guys has any principle that would override "win." They need to attract one "middle" to make up for the loss of my support.

[Cboldt]

-- JIM VANDEHEI & MIKE ALLEN --

I'd just add that both of these writers are demonstrably liars.

[maggief]

McCain lost the election and moved the center bar to the left. His solution is to move the party even more left.

He’s hijacking the town halls and tea parties by characterizing the protesters as folks who are “kind of in the middle and they haven’t found a home.”

It’s time to kick this poser to the curb.

[HapaxLegamenon]

Allies of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) have detailed for POLITICO how the former GOP presidential nominee is dismayed with the direction of the party and put an unusual amount of time and effort into trying to push the party in a more centrist direction.

We tried your way Johny boy and it did not work! It resulted in an election catastrophe. The Democrats have a majory in Congress which they have not had (at least in the Senate) since the fallout from Watergate.

I find it strange that the supposed evidence of Republican extremism does not included any elected officials. And these people still claim the party is too right-winged. The real problem is that the GOP has losted its voice. Why do we keep hearing from the same loser moderates?

Lets go back to the Reagan plan. Stand on principles and let the voters come to you.

[EternalVigilance]

Filed under *the Republican “leadership” still doesn’t have a single clue*.

[SmokingJoe]

This is one of the most idiotic, self serving, Democratic Party FUD pieces I have seen for quite a while. It should be dumped into the trash bag where it belongs, along with all the propaganda coming out of the out of the beltway. It's got so many false premises, its hard to know where to begin. lets just take this bit for example:

“On the other hand, the party’s image more broadly remains in the dumps. An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found that only 20 percent of those surveyed consider themselves Republicans”

Trust these guys to come up with the one fraudulent “poll” that ABC manufactured out of thin air to try and push their agenda to emasculate the Republican Party.
ABC's recent “poll” have been rubbish. In the same week they came up with that “poll”, ABC also came out with a “poll” that had 0bozo’s approval ratings soaring high, with strong “support” for 0bamacare, which is totally contrary to practically all other polls, where 0bozo is hitting new record lows.
In the real world Republicans are at one of their highest levels ever on the generic congressional polls, and all 3 Republican candidates are soildly ahead in the upcoming elections in Virginia.

Rasmussen Generic Congressional Ballot:

10-18-09
Republicans : 42%
Democrats : 37%

Back in November 2 2008:
Republicans : 41%
Democrats : 47%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot

Republicans have gone from being 6 points behind n Nvember 2008, to being 5 points ahead today, a swing of 11 points. Because of 0bozo’s extreme left wing policies, Republicans are making huge gains everywhere, despite the sheer stupidity of our elected representatives.

[TomGuy]

Pawlenty: "The party needs to be about addition, not subtraction — but not at the expense of watering down its principles."

What principles? Most of what the GOP leadership have done is compromise with the Dems.

Cantor: "... we need to be more inclusive..."

How did that work for ya in 2006? in 2008?
===

It sounds like more of the same-o crap. The GOP doesn't sound like it really wants to win. It seems to enjoy being the minority.

Conservatives need a reality check:

• [1] get leadership in the party, or
• [2] go elsewhere, or
• [3] sulk and take the bone they throw you.

Those in power are NOT going to give the conservatives any more in 2010 and 2012 than they did in 2006 and 2008.

Big-tent-ism only makes the GOP more Dem-like.

==

But some Republicans worry the party could squander...

That's rich! Of course they squander. They've been squandering for over a decade. Pulling defeat out of the jaws of victory is one of the few consistencies we can depend on from the GOP.

==

Graham, earlier this month, mocked Beck’s famous on-air cry and warned that the Fox News talk show host is “not aligned with any party as far as I can tell. He’s aligned with cynicism.”

That shows Graham is running his mouth, without having listened much to Beck. Any frequent listener knows Beck's party affiliation/leaning.