Future of GOP and Moderate Republicans Uncertain [GOP "Struggling To Find Its Identity"]

NYTimes ^ | November 01st, 2009

[Steelfish]

Future of GOP and Moderate Republicans Uncertain

ASSOCIATED PRESS November 1, 2009

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- In a Republican Party struggling to find its identity, the surprise withdrawal of the chosen GOP candidate for a New York congressional race -- forced by a rising conservative upstart -- renews a lingering national debate: Are moderates welcome in today's Grand Old Party?

The question became even more relevant Sunday when the ex-candidate, state Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava, threw her support behind the Democrat in the race rather than the Conservative Party candidate favored by fellow Republicans.

The GOP leadership insisted on Sunday political TV talk shows the party is strong and inclusive while Democrats described a Republican party out of touch with the people.

''We accept moderates in our party, and we want moderates in our party. We cover a wide range of Americans,'' said Republican House Leader John Boehner in an interview on CNN's ''State of the Union.''

But in New York's rural 23rd Congressional District, the message was clear early: Scozzafava was too moderate; some even used the dreaded ''L'' word -- liberal. Her endorsement of Democrat Bill Owens over Conservative Doug Hoffman only reinforced that perception.

[K-oneTexas]

It’s leadership left the voters down last year in the Primaries and for some time before that. The leadership still hasn’t founds it way or it’s calling.

It needs to very soon of face the inevitable sight of it’s carcass lying along the road as another comes and takes its place.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

The MSM has spoken and we the sheeple are supposed to follow..well get bent newcomentator guy. Hoffman represents the heart and soul of the GOP so get over it...

[Chet 99]

Scoffaza wasn’t a moderate. She’s a liberal Democrat pretending to be a Republican - and I suspect she’ll drop that pretense fairly soon.

[Patrick1]

The future as far as Tuesday is concerned looks pretty good.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Bull. It’s wheat/chaff, sheep/goats time. Let the sorting out process continue.

[pepsi_junkie]

So the squishie crypto-liberals tried to take over the GOP and are ticked off that the conservatives won’t just fall into line anymore? Let’s see, two crushing electoral defeats and the most liberal administration and congress in the history of the nation, sure, let’s stay the course and keep putting our hops in “moderates” and RINOs. Good idea.

[elkfersupper]

The future of moderates in the GOP is the same as chickens in the barnyard.

They may be here tomorrow and they may not.

[rabscuttle385]

Are moderates welcome in today's Grand Old Party?

A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs
which must not be compromised to political expediency
or simply to swell its numbers.
RONALD W. REAGAN

We don't intend to turn the Republican Party
over to the traitors in the battle just ended.
We will have no more of those candidates
who are pledged to the same goals
as our opposition and who seek our support.
Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates
wouldn’t make any sense at all.
RONALD W. REAGAN

[Carbonsteel]

Put simply, the Republicans are trying to decide if they wants to go all out socialist. They are at the same cross roads the Dems were at 15-20 years ago.

[pointsal]

The Republican identity...Well, let me help Steele & Company. Start with the "big tent" and "the get along" habits of Dole, Hatch, Gingrich, Romney, etc.

At every (repeat every) damned opportunity these fools have sucked up to the left. For what good purpose, the suckers have gotten screwed EVERY time!

If the candidates are RINOS and DIABLOS well call them out. It's time the $*it or get off the pot!

[FrankR]

The 'identity' of any organization is defined by its leaders...currently the GOP has none...

It's like an old joke by Brother Dave Gardner...

The difference between a drunk and an alcoholic is, drunks don't have to attend all those danged meetings.

[Deagle]

Heh... Don’t ya just love the MSM’s idea of a moderate? Geez, if their attitudes prevailed, only Democrats and the far left would ever win elections.

My idea of a moderate is someone who still believes in the Constitution, limited government, limited taxes, and has a few beliefs socially that might contradict the liberals.

Their idea of a moderate is someone who believes like most liberal Democrats but wants to slow down the growth of government just enough to pass for a moderate. NY Times, go away - please, surely you can’t continue this charade without funding...

[Paladin2]

“Moderates” are more than welcome to vote for conservatives.

[muawiyah]

Fur shur if there’s a new rooster around we know what will happen next! Bwak bwak bwak bwak!!!!! Squawk squawk squawk.

[BornToBeAmerican]

I am so sad the President Regan was never my President. Likewise, I am deeply saddened that I never “knew” this great man at all.

Thank God that his words and wisdom resonate so loud and clear still

[sirchtruth]

Here's the deal. Moderates/rino's are either going to do one of three things:

1: Concede Power to conservatives.
2: Leave the Republican Party.
3: Get their smarmy asses kicked out of the Republican Party.

These are your choices moderate's and rino's. There will be no compromise!

[ALPAPilot]

We accept moderates in our party, and we want moderates in our party. We cover a wide range of Americans

Conservatives are those who support the Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, and mutually pledge to each other their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor.

Moderates are those who would otherwise be conservative but leave their firearm at home occasionally.

[londonfog]

They are panicked. They see the tsunami of conservatism and will try stigmatization and slander . They are shaking in their loafers. The good news is that no one reads the Times. No one watched the networks except the feeble minded. This is the Limbaugh nation. This is the Savage nation and its pissed off and moving towards them .
Stop “winner take all” primaries in OUR party and we crush the rinos. Zero tolerance for “winner take all”!!!

[rabscuttle385]

These are your choices moderate's and rino's. There will be no compromise!

RINOs that resist conversion or removal will be shown no quarter!