Posted on 01/20/2010 10:25:30 AM PST by bmweezer
Massachusetts voters have created a political upheaval not seen in recent memory. However, now that the red, white and blue balloons in Boston have come down, it’s time for Republicans to have a reality check.
Scott Brown is a moderate Republican, at best
There once was a time when the Republican Party was truly a big tent, in the sense that conservative and moderates a like worked together for the good of the country and to a lesser extent, for the party. However, in recent years, as the balance of power in Washington got so close between Republicans and Democrats, causing one or two votes separating the two sides, on key issues certain Republicans were forced to show their left-of-center hands, with some leaving the party all together. (Think: Arlen Specter, Jeff Jeffords, to name two.)
While we are all thrilled about Brown’s victory, in some respects he will quickly become a disappointment. While the Senator-elect will be with us on health care, defense and on ways we can create private sector jobs (less government), he won’t make us happy on other issues. For example, while Brown confirms that he will vote against the current health care package (whatever that is), he also indicated that he is open to restarting the debate to get a bill passed. In addition, don’t forget that Brown is pro-choice, which down the road will certainly cause some conservatives pause. And let us not forget that he will represent blue-state Massachusetts and will be up for reelection in just three years time.
It’s only 41 seats
Brown’s accession will quickly slow down President Obama’s agenda, but not completely. One might recall that when the president was inaugurated, the Democrats did a lot in the U.S. Senate when they also had (just) 59 seats. Then, Arlen Specter caucused with the Republicans, but the president was still able to get enough Republican support to push through the stimulus plan and the like, because people like Specter supported the president. While the GOP now has 41 seats again (the Democrats gained their 60th seat when Specter switched parties last spring), it only takes the Democrats to peel off one GOPer to move their legislation through. The only way a filibuster can stop the president is if all 41 members of the Republican team stay in place and that might not happen in certain cases.
We need moderate Republicans in moderate states, like it or not.
Most of us on the right would like to believe that the entire nation is conservative and because of that, all moderate and left-wingers are bad people with bad ideas. However, Brown's victory needs to show us that for the GOP to survive (and govern), the party needs to return to the days of a 'Big Tent Strategy.' In blue-states in particular, a tried-and-true conservative will most likely not win. However, moderate GOPers will. Therefore, we need to keep that in mind when we discuss our party's goal of taking back the majority - it cannot happen with just conservatives, like it or not. Conservatives, therefore should praise the recruitment of moderate candidates in areas where they are required, while helping to defeat less conservative Democrats in states where true GOP conservatives can be elected. (Think Arkansas, Indiana)
However, 2010 isn’t 2009
And yet, we should be optimistic about the year ahead. First and foremost, the Brown election proves that the president’s popularity is indeed waning. Representatives on the Hill react to presidential poll numbers and with the 2010 mid-terms looming, Democrats know their days could be numbered. Unlike in 2008 and 2009 when all woes could be blamed on George W. Bush, in 2010, it is the Democrats that will get the blame on the economy, national security and the like if things don’t change. Therefore, Brown’s election is simply one battle won in a long war ahead.
“Conservatism IS the Center...” (rightwingextremist1776)
YES! If only people would realize this...
Didn’t see it, but I believe his real answer is ‘a lot’. Maybe not all, as with some of us here, but a lot.
And he’s smart enough not to alienate those of his constituents who voted for him but are still working themselves around and away from their vote 14 months ago.
And his rhetoric and votes will never satisfy all Freepers 100%—which is what some Freepers demand!
Brown won because he was conservative and brought the electorate TO HIM. Moving to the center fails every time it is tried. If the big tent means acting like a Dem, then screw the big tent. If the big tent follows the Reagan and Newt model and pulls in moderates and some Dems because their conservative beliefs, then most of us here are for the big tent.
We have seen in VA, NJ and MA strong articulate conservatives who are taking strong stances on the economy and government. They are focused on jobs, taxes and government overreach and standing proudly on their principles....and it is working. The blueprint is set.
Sounds like sour grapes to me - not even 24 hrs after victory! This blogger is not a conservative - but a b^ll b*ster!
Rush is pleased with Scott Brown and we all know Rush is a huge RINO right? /s
He is to the right of Pansey Graham, Snowe, Collins, Snarlin’ Arlin (when he had an R), Voinovich, and a few others at least. I don’t know that we could have done better in MA, but he would be unelectable in Texas.
Yeah, well GWB was pro-amnesty, which is just as bad, IMO.
I seriously doubt Brown will ever be as bad as a Lincoln Chaffee or an Arlen Specter. Maybe not even as bad as McCain.
But good luck in your search for absolute perfection.
I’m not turning on Brown.. I just knew from the start he shouldn’t be put on a pedestal.. Drudge Headline suggesting he should run for President in ‘12 is dumb. The only reason he won was to stop this HC bill from passing. We have to wait and see how he does.
This guy is much more conservative that what you would normally get from a NE Republican moderate.
Provincetown is gay dominated, and Brown's anti gay sentiments were seen there in the voting.
Provincetown went for Coakley 84% to Browns 15% - tom
“For now, can’t we just be happy?”
Agreed, and YES WE CAN! Lol!
Many say ‘no Rino’s’ but better to have someone who agrees with much of your agenda than a dem who is against all of it. You don't get perfection immediately, - usually never.
Start with that and then put the pressure on them to be more conservative or use their Republican vote to keep the power to push for more conservatives. We can't win by allowing any Dem to retain power.
Change comes slow.
Communism has been insidiously pushing its agenda for many decades.
The 9/11 terrorists worked and planned for years to accomplish their one horrific incident.
Muslims have been fighting for thousands of years, gaining followers all the while.
“The only thing this election really did for me is confirm that I’m not crazy - that there are others out there that think we are intentionally being led to hell by a crew of bitter, half-crazy, career politicians that have lost the artificial horizon on their instrument panel.”
Yes, yes, yes YES!
Bingo! They are incapable of joy, which means they won’t even be happy in Heaven.
blah blah blah.
If I have to suffer the occassional Brown then fine. My larger concern is getting rid of the ‘leadership’ on DC. I don’t care if those yahoos stay elected or not. Give me Demint and those like him
Now we know why Jesus stayed out of politics......There just ain't pleasing anybody these days.
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