Posted on 10/02/2010 3:31:44 PM PDT by pissant
As the public media focuses on the upcoming November elections for House and Senate, a brewing battle within the Republican caucus in the Senate has been largely overlooked.
Many ways exist to describe the two sides of this internal civil war—“true” conservatives vs. “RINO” Republicans; extremists vs. pragmatists; new generation vs. dinosaurs. But, as is usual in politics, the battle may be embodied in two senators—Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
DeMint has successfully endorsed candidates, Tea Party and otherwise, opposed by “establishment” Republicans. In Kentucky, DeMint’s choice, Rand Paul, defeated the candidate endorsed by McConnell in the Republican primary. In Alaska, DeMint’s choice defeated incumbent GOP senator Lisa Murkowski, who had the full support of McConnell and the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. In Colorado, the Tea Party choice defeated the establishment candidate, Jane Norton. Delaware’s extraordinary Republican primary result is well-known. In Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was cruising toward the nomination and almost certain victory, only to lose to the insurgent candidate, Mario Rubio, in the primary. It cost Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, $21 million to beat the “true” Republican, J.C. Hayward, a favorite of the Tea Party.
One has to go all the way back to the late 1960s and early 1970s to see such fierce intraparty conflict. Then, the anti-war wing of the Democratic Party launched an all-out attack on establishment Democrats, electing House and Senate members and, ultimately, nominating George McGovern. Only Watergate and subsequent events forestalled the inevitable Republican wave until the 1980 elections.
Looking at the public statements of DeMint and McConnell shows the disconnect. DeMint has said, in various forms, that he would rather have 30 “real” Republicans in the Senate than 51 nominal ones.
(Excerpt) Read more at frumforum.com ...
WTH is “J.C.Hayward” anyway? And does RINO Frum thinks anyone cares what he says?
Representatives vs. power hungry narcissists?
Wake up RC...this ‘source’ is lining out ‘free market’ principles to ‘correct’ HC. He voted against the marxist bill and will lead in repealing it. What is the matter with you? Don’t you know how to interpret intent?
Do you not know how to read. Demint signed that letter in 2007...with the exact words that I listed.
To which you seemed to think he wouldn’t say such a thing and wanted a source. YES he said it via his signature.
And don’t forget that he liked Romneycare.
So again, I ask you..is he for rationed health care given that he put his signature on that document with the exact quote that I gave you.
Btw, one of the features of Romneycare...which Demint backed..is an individual mandate - purchase insurance or you get a penalty.
He is flip flopping for expediency. He was for an individual mandate with Romneycare but now he claims an individual mandate is unconstitutional.
How do you reconcile that in an intelligent manner
RUN JIM RUN!
DeMint will be excellent if he drops Romney and go to Sarah and I think he will.
They’re allies.
Same way the cultists tell us Precious is no longer for amnesty, LOST, carbon caps, etc. Just pull it out of an orifice.
Here’s a tad of good news, it’s from today’s Commie Appeal.
Couldn’t find a link at the Commie Appeal for the article but it is very telling. This is an AP story by Liz Sidoti
Democrats buy no ads for Lincoln
Party also seems to have written off Gordon’s seat, not sure about Tanner’s.
Dems have all but written off at least 2 Senate seats, ND, IN and AR and at least 6 House seates in TN, Louisiana, NY and elsewhere as they embark on a final-weeks, ad push to minimize congressional losses.
In 1 sign of dem discouragement, the party hasn’t reserved any airtime to protect Sen. Blance Lincoln, AR. who trails GOP Rep. John Boozman.
Dems are trying to determine whether to move forward with ad plas to win dem held TN 8th district (open), Tn 6th District is open, trending more republican in recent years, dems have no plans to funnel money into the race.
Dems have set aside air time for open seat 2nd district AR (open seat) dem candidate Sen. Joyce Eliot trails Republican Tim Griffin.
Dozens more are extremely competitive, including Travis Childers, MS 1st, and John Spratt SC 5th.
Republicans defending 6 competitive seats expect to lose 2 at least: open, at-large Delaware seat and Rep Joe Cao’s 2nd Louisiana
Great information. Thanks for the updates.
Any good news is welcome. I’m glad to see blanche going down.
NOW if we could just dump Steve Cohen in Memphis I’d be in 7th heaven.
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