Purity or Strategy: The Debate We Need To Have: Would you rather put up with a RINO, or a Democrat?

Pajamas Media ^ | 02/22/2014 | Andrew Klavan

[SeekAndFind]

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Last week, there was one of those mommy-and-daddy-are-fighting moments on Fox News as two powerhouse conservatives debated one of the most important issues facing the right. In one corner, was the dagger-sharp and stunningly beautiful and did I mention beautiful Ann Coulter. In the other corner, was the valiant, good-hearted and, you know, perfectly presentable in his own way Sean Hannity. No one can doubt either the patriotism or the fearlessness of these two. You may sometimes disagree with one or the other, that’s fine, but it seems undeniable that both have the good of the country first and foremost in their minds. Plus Ann’s really attractive.

You can watch the video to hear the whole thing but the gist is this. Ann thinks we have to stop “shysters” who pretend to represent the Tea Party from luring us into endless primaries against “establishment” Republicans. The thinking behind this (as I’ve heard her say elsewhere) is that there is only so much campaign money to go around and it needs to be focused wholly on defeating Democrats, winning a Republican majority in both houses and using that majority to “repeal Obamacare, repeal Obamacare, repeal Obamacare.”

Sean took a more purist Tea Party line, saying there are some Republicans who “should be defeated,” and endorsing the idea that we should primary the RINOs where we can and — my words here not his — we should end the civil war within the Republican Party by winning it for the true conservatives.

What a swell party this is!

Just to let you know where I stand emotionally, here’s a true story. The first time I made a speech before a Tea Party crowd, I felt as if I were floating two feet off the ground. I respected, admired and agreed with the Tea Partiers so completely, that my heart rose up and I began to believe that despite the Obama debacle, the country would ultimately be fine. As I was leaving the rally, I got a call from a friend asking me to come by for a drink with a couple of the highest-ranking Republicans in Washington. It was me and them, having a glass together, eye to eye. By the time I left that gathering, I was so depressed by the establishment GOP’s blindness and philosophical corruption I could barely see straight. I phoned Andrew Breitbart for moral support. “I’ve just had a drink with [blank] and [blank],” I began. And he responded immediately, “Are they ***holes or what?”

All my sympathies, in other words, are with the Tea Party. And I would truly love to see the RINOs skewered on their own horns.

And yet… In general, Tea Party candidates tend to do well in congressional races where small, homogenous districts are in play. In Senate races where you need votes across an entire state, a primary victory for someone like Christine O’Donnell or Todd Akin may briefly fill the conservative heart with joy, but the loss of a Senate seat that could have been won is simply too high a price to pay for that momentary triumph.

We need to talk this out with good sense and without pompous ranting. Politics is the art of the possible. Writing belligerently purist articles, blog posts or comments is relatively easy. Winning elections is hard. Barack Obama is one of the most destructive presidents this country has ever seen, but a talented politician. If stopping him in his tracks requires stomaching some RINOs here and there, it seems a no brainer: It must be done. Ann may have put her case a little too forcefully in the debate above (she’s not exactly given to dithering!), but surely she’s right in the general principle that strategy — and victory — have to come before purity.

I’d rather put up with frustrating RINOs than continue in the minority with our country under attack from within. But let me know what you think.

[Jim Noble]

Would you rather put up with a RINO, or a Democrat?

It's not really "either/or".

For a Senate seat, in a RINO vs. Democrat race, I'd vote for the RINO (I am planning to vote for Scott Brown in November). Six years is too long, and the Senate is too closely divided, to do otherwise. If I lived in Kentucky, I would consider kicking out McConnell, presuming he is the nominee, but I'd have to think long and hard about it because the term is so long.

For a two-year House seat, I'd vote for the Democrat under certain circumstances to kick out a notorious RINO, presuming I lived in a strong GOP district and was confident about winning back the seat in 2 years. John Boehner is exhibit #1. HE MUST BE FIRED, damn the cost. Cantor is another one, except that VA is trending RAT and I wouldn't want to give up that seat for good.

[mulligan]

Is there a difference? Both are liars, greedy, incompetent, ignorant, corrupt, self-serving and very un-American.

[sauropod]

So speaks someone who obviously didn’t really listen/watch what she was saying during her campaign.

She was a good candidate. She was done in by people supposedly on our side and she got some very bad coaching by consultants.

[sauropod]

John Boehner is exhibit #1. HE MUST BE FIRED, damn the cost. Cantor is another one, except that VA is trending RAT and I wouldn't want to give up that seat for good.

Agree. I don't trust Cantor as far as I can spit. Add Kevin McCarthy to that list (and whatshername McMorris-Rogers too. Never trust anyone with a hyphenated name).

[PotatoChop]

I am done supporting RINO’s! Finished, over with, never supporting another RINO under any circumstance PERIOD!

At least the American people know who they are getting when electing a liberal socialist! The RINO runs as a conservative in the primary and the national election, then, crosses the isle to kiss and spoon a liberal democrat in order to compromise, then, they plot to pass “debt limits” or in the latest case “blank check” for Obama, an how they can give Obama an the socialist everything without the conservative Americans finding out about it!

NO, no more RINO’s under any circumstance!!!!

[Nifster]

Oh I surely think that Christine was done in by the rovio wing of what purports to be the republican party. And I will grant you that she was much more coherent and interesting than Todd by a long shot

[berdie]

I think the country has become more liberal in the last 30/40 years due to the educational system, the media and entertainment industry. Add a large cultural change that accepts the “gimme” mentality. People educated in this manner are not likely to vote for a conservative. And they are overtaking us.

Add that to the fact that most politicians are in it for themselves...not the country as a whole. (Sorry, I am a cynic).

Although I am of the firm belief that the present Repub leadership appears to be weak (unless they are fighting amongst themselves) The Dems are worse. I'll fight tooth and toenail to get conservative candidates in the primary. Sadly...if that doesn't work I'll vote lesser of two evils...again. I will be sick about it but I'm sure not gonna stay home. To plagiarize a very wise man..I'd rather have someone that votes in a manner similar to my own mind part of the time than one that votes against those views all of the time.

If amnesty passes...we are sunk.

[Paulie]

***No one can doubt either the patriotism or the fearlessness of these two.***

Sorry Andy, you are WAY off base here. On both counts.

[ConservativeMind]

That is essentially my practice, with money going to the conservatives.

[pfony1]

I’m surprised that you think that Democrats will vote to build a REAL border fence.

[Norm Lenhart]

Then let me see an explanation how, considering right now the REPUBLICANS are making all the noise about bringing in more illegals, you feel the Dem is worse in light of your concerns.

Please. In detail. Explain your position. For all our benefit.

If the importation of new Democrats is bad and the only possible way it can happen is by the Republicans who are calling for that very thing doing it, how is the Dem the bad guy here?

Again, the RINO that you would vote for is the very person that would tilt the balance and let those people in to vote Dem.

Explain yourself.

[nascarnation]

Difficult to say.
Many treatises have been written on whether or not the Japanese mgrs are “more subsidized” than ours.

[sauropod]

She was much more coherent than the sour grapes Pubbie senator who was unseated by her (name escapes me at the moment).

That guy was every bit a louse.

[Norm Lenhart]

She was indeed. And I shake my head in confusion as to how it is that so many on the right were so willing to not only go along with the Rovian/Alynski BS, but that they to this day repeat how (insert Rovian/Alynski refrence here) she was.

...While simultaneously priding themselves on their high information voter identification.

[central_va]

I never hear the Democrats worry about ideological purity of their party. They have it and their base loves it.

[central_va]

I have gotten to the point that I will vote for a dem over a rino. I’M DONE.

I am not quit there yet, I won't vote for the Demo over the RINO - I will just not vote on that part of the ballot. I am in Cantor's district, I will not for or against him.

[slowhandluke]

Only the RINOs can stab the conservatives in the back. Let’s work that out with a face to face fight.

[EricT.]

What’s the difference?

They’re both members of the Ruling Class Uniparty.

The OP question is a false choice.

[central_va]

What we have to realize is that the Republican Party as a whole is what the Democrats were 30 years ago ideologically.

The Democrats are Bolsheviks pretending to be a Political Party.

[LachlanMinnesota]

You RINOs always claim past glories for your bona fides, but you are never fighting today. I used to be great, but now I’m practical!

What is your agenda?