Posted on 10/24/2011 5:06:54 PM PDT by MitchSouthFla.
Televangelist and mogul Pat Robertson — a man whose name is practically synonymous with the Religious Right — likely took 700 Club viewers by surprise today when he opined that the Republican base is losing support by “pushing” what he described as “an extreme position.”
Robertson expressed worry that Republican front runners are going to alienate voters during the general election by catering to a narrow base:
I believe it was Lyndon Johnson that said, “I doubt these people realize if they push me over to an extreme position that I’ll lose the election. And I’m the one who will be supporting what they want, but they’re going to make it so I can’t win.” Those people in the Republican primary have got to lay off of this stuff. They’re forcing their leaders, the front runners, into positions that will mean they lose the general election. Now whether this did it to Cain, I don’t know, but nevertheless, you know, you appeal to the narrow base and they’ll applaud the daylights out of what you’re saying, and then you hit the general election and they say “no way” and then the Democrat, whoever it is, is going to just play these statements to the hilt. They’ve got to stop this! It’s just so counterproductive! Well. If they want to lose, this is the game for losers. As Right Wing Watch notes, Robertson’s statement came on the heels of a discussion about recent poll favorite Herman Cain‘s shifting views on how the government should approach the issue of abortion.
How long until people take a look at this opinion — made by a man who obviously is deeply integrated in and, we may assume, has a deep commitment to the Republican party — and declare him a “RINO,” proving his point?
(Excerpt) Read more at mediaite.com ...
My response to the poster who quoted Goldwater, a diehard conservative, that got creamed in the general election by Johnson.
It had nothing to do with the last election.
I love AuH2O, but the fact remains the population was turned off by his proclaimed extremism. Reagan put a softer tone on much of the same viewpoints, and won handily (Carter only won 6 States, and in the ‘84 election Mondale only won 1 State - Reagan missed a 50 State sweep by 3800 votes in Mondale’s home State!)
Thanks for elaborating, sorry I should have read further back.
Pat Robertson is a false prophet, a televangelist shyster, a failed republican candidate and a mean-spirited fellow who does a disservice to the Christian church and the GOP by identifying himself with either.
Unfortunately for Goldwater, the 'Rats twisted that speech and tarred Goldwater with tag of "extremist," never bothering to consider the modifier "in the defense of liberty." Of course, had they talked about "extremism in the defense of liberty," they would have to consider some notables in their own party, like Roosevelt and Truman and Wilson, to be as guilty or more so than Goldwater.
I’m beginning to think there may be something up with Pat? Several of his statements lately have not sounded like him at all.I wonder if he is in the beginning stages of dementia ?
>>> Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice.
Said one of the biggest losers in modern politics.
>>> I wonder if he is in the beginning stages of dementia ?
Any dementia doesn’t appear to be all on his side.
I take it then you agree with Pat Robertson assessment?
I take it then you agree with Pat Robertson assessment?
Pat Robertson was responding to the following:
Karl Rove all but disqualified Herman Cain’s chances for the GOP nomination because he said a family should have choice when deciding whether to have an abortion if a minor girl has been raped. For most people, this is considered reasonable.
Cain backed off from that position, but Karl Rove said it was too late. For the record, Ronald Reagan believed in exceptions for rape and incest.
Cain, in deference to the purists, has changed his position back and forth. This is what Robertson was referring to.
Yeah. Which led to a hundred thousand babies a year killed in CA before Reagan left the Governor's office. Which led to Reagan saying that was the worst mistake he ever made. Which led to Reagan's personhood, Fourteenth Amendment position, which remains in the GOP platform after twenty seven years, although most of the GOP pretends it doesn't.
Finny, terrific post #5 sounds like your “list!”
rlmorel, you might like finny’s #190 here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2792217/posts?page=190#190
I have always like Pat but....this sounds like he has LOST HIS MIND!
Obama and the libs are forcing Socialism on us...and Pat is worried about Republicans being too conservative?????
This sounds like a mis-quote....or Pat has lost it.....
Yes, ‘extremism’, by definition, reduces electoral appeal.
Do you want to win the general election, or get creamed like Goldwater?
Hey Pat!
Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Those words should be worn with pride! The ‘rats and the RINOs should be ashamed..
The GOP has left me...with all their RINOS.
The democrats don't share your disdain of principled extreme candidate politicians. Look at Obama, the MOST liberal Ideology-driven senator was there choice. The sheeple both like and respect principled conservatives, we just don't have any.
Grow up and grow a pair.
If there is only Heaven and Hell in the afterlife; where do moderates go?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.