Republican Candidates Face 'Ronald Reagan' Test

Telegraph(UK) ^ | November 27th 2009

[Steelfish]

Republican Candidates Face 'Ronald Reagan' Test

A proposed litmus test of Republicans' conservative credentials has triggered warnings of a "disaster in the making" for the party just as it stands to make major gains from President Barack Obama's falling popularity.

By Alex Spillius in Washington 26 Nov 2009

The draft resolution would withhold central party funding for candidates in next year's midterm elections who failed to meet eight out of ten principles that supporters of the idea describe as fundamental to Ronald Reagan's rule.

They include supporting the Defence of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, opposing amnesties for illegal immigrants, government interference in health care and hefty bailouts of the kind started by George W Bush and continued by President Barack Obama.

"Conservatives have lost trust in the Republican Party, with government spending, deficits, and ultimately bailouts at the end of the Bush administration," said James Bopp, a Republican National Committee member from an Indiana who wrote the proposal.

"A candidate must be with us most of the time," he said. "If they want our money, then they need to support our values."

Critics have said the move – which the committee will formally consider later this year – would result in the further marginalisation of the Republican Party, as moderate candidates who could appeal to independent voters would have more difficulty winning nominations.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, the party's presidential candidate last year, would almost certainly fail the test, along with at least 40 other Republicans in Congress.

They include 11 senators who supported Mr McCain's failed 2006 immigration bill, which was accused of offering an amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants, and half a dozen congressmen who supported "cap and trade" climate legislation earlier this year.

[Nuc1]

Man, I wish we could find just one candidate that was 80% of Reagan.

[Mr. K]

"A proposed litmus test of Republicans' conservative credentials has triggered warnings of a "disaster in the making" for the party just as it stands to make major gains from President Barack Obama's falling popularity. "

I suppose they mean UNLIKE the resounding success 'reaching across the aisle' has been

We need to thank the liberal media for looking out for our best interest

[stephenjohnbanker]

We have one. Sen Jim DeMint.

[reefdiver]

They need our money and our votes. We need candidates we want to vote for and support.

This doesn't require a Harvard degree to put together

[HiTech RedNeck]

If so, would somebody please teach DeMint how to speak himself out of a paper bag. Ronald Reagan, the “great communicator,” was able to get the public to hear what he thought, and that counted.

[Nosterrex]

Why would supporting Reagan's positions turn off independents? If I remember correctly, Reagan won 49 states in a landslide. It is RINO’s that marginalize the Party, not Reaganites. The article makes the point, although the writer does not seem to notice it, when he said that McCain would not pass the Reagan test. Did not McCain lose in the last election to an empty suit? Where were all the independent votes? Where were all the moderates? They voted for Obama, not McCain. What does that tell you?

[stephenjohnbanker]

I agree.

[Redbob]

How exactly do they think it would be a “disaster” for folks to be able to tell the difference between the GOP and Dimocrat candidates???

[okie01]

It is RINO’s that marginalize the Party, not Reaganites. The article makes the point, although the writer does not seem to notice it, when he said that McCain would not pass the Reagan test.

And did not George H.W. Bush ride Reagan's coattails into the Presidency?

And did not George H.W. Bush lose the 1992 election when he failed to pass the Reagan Test ("No new taxes. Read my lips.").

Subsequently, did not George W. Bush ride to victory by claiming to be A Real Reagan, unlike his dad?

Did not George W. Bush and the Republican majority experience a defeat in 2006, when they failed to govern as they had promised.

Which brings us to 2008. And McCain -- the weakest GOP candidate since Alf Landon, a candidate who felt it necessary to insult his conservative base (and, thus, Reagan's memory) on a daily basis.

A careful examination of the facts leads to the conclusion that Democrats don't win elections, Republicans lose them.

[shield]

Something’s got to done...the RINOS have sold us out...time after time.

[TCH]

Funny how these rump swabs want us to define our party by their “progressive” standards. I have two letters for them: F.O.

[sionnsar]

Conservatives have lost trust in the Republican Party

Do ya think????

[Nuc1]

We have one. Sen Jim DeMint.

Could be. We will have to see.

[skinkinthegrass]

Reagan won 49 states in a landslide.
It is RINO’s that marginalize the Party, not Reaganites.

..and while, He couldn't deliver on some of his promises (Amnesty...program increases / spending cuts, which the 'Rats
"Tipsy O'Neill" reneged on)

...he had the intelligence to appoint (very & honestly) experienced people.

[faucetman]

Conservatives (like myself) are going to take back the Republican party or there won’t be a Republican party. All that will be left is the RINO party.

[cashless]

Pardon me but I really could give a rat's rear end that McCain, Graham (SC) and 10 other RINOS in Congress could not qualify as a Reagan Conservative. They should do the honorable thing and change their affiliation, like Specter, to the party where their hearts really are —the DemocRATS. And take Newt with you when you go.
What we need is a renaming of the parties to Progressives and Conservatives. Let's see who gets elected and who doesn't. Especially if the conservative would get some cahoones and stand like Reagan and did and show the idiocy of the Progressives.

[Steelfish]

100% in agreement.

[ansel12]

What is DeMint’s explanation for being so pro Mitt Romney?

[ExTexasRedhead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=UZkvkLmkYVg