Posted on 05/30/2004 8:54:37 PM PDT by Badray
Party over Principle?
That is the $64,000.00 question.
This past Friday morning, Arlen Specter was at a town hall meeting in Ross Township (suburb north of Pittsburgh PA). According to Specter staffer Justin Lokay, this was at the suggestion of Lou Nudi, the Ross Committee Chairman.
There were about 35 people in attendance including the Senator and 5 or 6 staffers and interns. Also there was Congresswoman Melissa Hart, State Senator John Pippy, former Hart staffer and 16th state house district candidate Pat Geho, former row office candidate Becky Toomey (oh, the irony, but she is still the prettiest, and my favorite Specter supporter), Lou Nudi, as well as some various other local committee people. Arriving late as usual was State Representative Jeff Habay. More on him later.
I arrived shortly before the meeting started and checked to see if I was on the PNG (persona non grata) list, but was welcomed in, much to my surprise because I have been barred from previous events. I sat and listened to how conservative values were important to Arlen, how much he enjoys being around G.W.Bush, and how we must defeat the Democrats.
This is a pretty stock speech when he tries to court Republicans. Sadly too many pubbies have short memories and actually believe Arlen when he speaks. He invoked the name of his recent challenger, Pat Toomey and says that he enjoys his support because the Dem candidate is so bad. Yada, yada, yada . . .
He then tried to ingratiate himself by mentioning the names of several people in the crowd. There names were conveniently written on the cue card in his hand. The whole thing was a sad charade, but that didn't stop many from sucking it up. I don't know if they were all die hard supporters or simply supporting the "R" against the horrible "D" that looms ahead if we don't support Arlen.
He then 'yielded' to Melissa Hart. She yucked it up with him for a moment (Think Sonny and Cher, except that Sonny was the conservative, not Cher.) before he stepped aside. About now, there should have been a commercial break, but they continued anyway. Melissa then spoke in glowing terms of Arlen and how important it was to put Arlen into office so that he could chair the Judiciary Committee and help get Bush's judicial nominees approved. She cited the brave defense of former PA Attorney General Mike Fisher when some Democrats posed some minor opposition to Mike's approval. Thank God, Arlen was there to save the day and he convinced the Dems not to block him. BTW, Fisher was supported in his quest for the bench by his recent opponent for the Governor's office - Democrat Governor Ed Rendell. Gee, that must have been a tough fight, Arlen.
What no Borking of Fisher? Don't worry, if Mike starts to make some sound judgements, you can bet that Arlen will apologize like he did after fighting for Clarence Thomas.
Melissa was about 3 minutes into her praise when I just couldn't take it any longer. There she was defending the man that has been pissing on us for years and she was calling it rain. I walked out. On the way out, I said to her brother that I just couldn't stand the BS.
I stayed outside for the remainder of the meeting. I missed the Q and A session, but was told that there was only one tough question asked and that Arlen spent about ten minutes addressing it. The question may have hit a nerve, but I doubt that he will do anything more than pay lip service to it.
Some good news. There was some who expressed continued opposition to him despite coming to be convinced that they should now be supporting him.
I did tell Melissa's aide that I was not alone in my displeasure with her support of Arlen. She may or may not care, but I am sure that I am quite right in my assessment. She is putting the party before any principle she ever espoused and this will cost her later.
Another person that I engaged was Rep. Habay. He arrived only after I had left the meeting and was outside for about 15 minutes. He approached me as he entered the building and I greeted him with a snide remark that he resembled a man that I used to know and told him that I was disappointed in his support for Arlen. He told me that Arlen helped him early in his 'career' (God, I hate that word when applied to politicians.) and that he was repaying the favor. (Doesn't the mob do favors now for favors in the future too?) I told him that that is what happens when you get into bed with the wrong people. He started getting testy at that point (I have to keep the BAD in badray, ya know) and retorted that he wasn't in bed with anyone, but that he would be glad to sit down and discuss the issue with me. I said OK, but he needed to dig himself out of a big hole. Walking away, he said that he was very comfortable in his position. I thanked him for telling me what I needed to know as he turned the corner (more than metaphorically?).
Just before Arlen came out, I spoke to County GOP Chairman Rich Stampahar and he tried to convince me that Specter was the man to support. His pleas fell on deaf ears, but they were overheard by an intern of Specter's who wimpily came over to tell me that this was a private event and asked me not to create a disturbance. I replied only that I was talking to people that knew me and approached me and wasn't talking to any one else. Can you imagine anyone thinking that I would cause a disturbance? LOL Not me, I'm too shy.
On the way out, Arlen either didn't recognize me or thought that I went over to the dark side and was now a supporter. He approached me to shake my hand, but I politely declined. I reserve my handshake for those that I respect.
Maybe I'm just not a 'good republican'. Maybe I'm an 'unappeasable'. Maybe I am a purist. I've been called all of these things and more. And worse.
What I do know is that I cannot support this man. Not for party loyalty, not even for the Senate majority (we do not effectively have it now because of people like Specter). I also know that it is not out of bitterness or hatred. It's just principle. He doesn't believe the things that I believe. He doesn't value the things that I value. His vision of America is not my vision.
This November, a vote for Democrat Joe Hoeffel is a vote to put a true conservative, a true Republican in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I'm voting for Joe.
Ray Horvath
Thought not - goodbye.
In real world words,
What about folks who would support Josef Stalin if he had an "R" after his name ?
That's up to you think that.
My opinion you whine incessantly like the ACLU, who do defend terrorists.
Considering the quality of your posts (attacks/ad hominems/etc.), there's really nothing for you and I to discuss.
Go vote for Specter (if you live in PA).
Did Badray post this to the general forum or the Pennsylvania forum?
Besides Ogie, this fascinates me because Badrays little comedy show reveals a microcosm of a larger, more widespread blithering idiocy endemic to those who consider themselves the "Only True Principled Conservatives" in this forum.
So, carry on. I intend to enjoy your contribution of pompous, abject silliness.
See 565
LOL!, whew, you Hillary endorsed Hoeffel supporters, are a sensitive bunch aren't ya.
All the talk I've seen about Specter sabotaging Holmes has been based on speculation. Specter voted for Holmes in committee.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003978
You said that I basically stated Leahy was better than Specter. I don't remember saying that nor would I. But Kyl is much better than Specter.
Whew, dude are you trying out for the male lead in the remake of the movie "Clueless", where the males are the clueless ones?
First you assume that I am a 'dude'(I guess that is Valley talk?). You have assumed wrong. But I see you still haven't lost you debating attack tactics.
Did you ever anticipate that you'd be on Free Republic arguing with self proclaimed "Real True Only Principled Conservatives" that their voting for a Democrat socialist with an ACU lifetime rating of 8 is a bad idea?
It's absurdity at its finest.
They're just rock throwing arsonists. The author of this piece has been "barred" from his local townhall meetings. That oughtta tell you something.
You have every right to participate in the debate over this silly proposal. Senators impact every American. And borders didn't bother us when money from outside was coming in to help us with Toomey's primary. (My fingers are crossed that the same folks help again when Toomey hopefully runs for gov.)
They do make a nice team, don't the Ogie ?
If you'll note, the author of the WSJ piece writes for the Evans-Novak newsletter. More Bob Novak intrigue.
You nailed it beautifully. I keep forgetting how Twilight Zone-ish this is because I've been arguing against this same insane proposal with these same exact FR members since April when Toomey lost. I'm tired of the ridiculous debate but we can't let Badray's misinformation stand, either.
Ogie, aren't you impressed with their adjectives ?
Yep... just what we need right now LOL
I would have eagerly supported, and voted, for Pat Toomey to replace Specter. Well, he put up the good fight, but he lost. He lost. Now it's down to Arlen Specter and Joseph Hoeffel. Toomey has endorsed Arlen Specter. You folks, however, choose Hoeffel out of spite and sick retribution and have constructed some idiotic caper to mask your true motivation.
Obviously, this is about one issue for many of you: abortion. Well, single issue bullies generally end up being a scourge within any political party. They can't be kicked to the curb quickly enough.
Good luck with your bold daring plan. Hoeffel '04!
I saw how some folks here struck out viciously at Senator Santorum and President Bush after Toomey lost. They're single issue cuckoo birds.
And DU'ers are getting quite a chuckle over Freepers campaigning for Hoeffel.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x510678
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