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GOP Wages War Against Its Conservatives
GOPUSA ^ | June.28,2004 | Christopher G. Adamo

Posted on 06/30/2004 9:38:32 PM PDT by Reagan Man

Colorado Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo is in big trouble with the GOP leadership. And just what, you may be wondering, is his great sin? "Team America," a political action committee originally founded by Tancredo, worked to unseat Representative Chris Cannon, a liberal Republican from Utah, by supporting Matthew Throckmorton, his challenger in the Republican primary.

Chief among those organizations caterwauling about the actions of Tancredo is the liberal "Tuesday Group," a coalition of approximately thirty liberal Republican House members whose goal is to steer the party to the left. Hiding under the cloak of a grossly distorted rendition of Ronald Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" ("Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican"), the Tuesday Group is now expressing concern that party conservatives are finally making efforts to strike back.

Apparently, undermining the conservative agenda by abandoning the party at key junctures during the legislative process is perfectly fine with these Republican "centrists." But any discussion of such matters by conservatives, who have tired of seeing their party abandoning its principles, is strictly taboo. By such hypocritical assertions, these liberal "Trojan Horses" hope to continue dominating party politics from within.

Of course Ronald Reagan never intended for his "Eleventh Commandment" to be arbitrarily invoked as a means of allowing liberalism to spread, unchecked, within the ranks of the GOP. Rather, it was supposed to prevent the sort of backbiting and mud slinging within party ranks, which can ultimately undermine the credibility of the entire party.

House Majority leader Tom Delay, a longtime champion of conservatism, has found himself in the middle of this row. Seeking to maintain a cohesive Republican majority, he is promoting themes of "team spirit" and "comity" among party members. Delay even referenced Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" in a meeting with Tancredo in which the Colorado Congressman was apparently warned to change his ways and endorse a unified party, or face retribution within Republican circles.

Unfortunately, such rhetoric fails to deal with the fact that it is the Republican liberals who regularly undermine party unity by voting with Democrats at critical junctures. With such people constantly placing the philosophies of liberalism ahead of traditional Republican principle, the only manner in which even a facade of "unity" can be maintained is for the entire party to shift to the left. This, of course, is precisely the strategy of the liberal Republicans.

Tancredo's major issue of concern is unchecked illegal immigration and the resulting compromise of America's borders. Hardly a miniscule "pet issue" of a fringe constituency, the immigration problem goes to the very core of maintaining America's national integrity and heritage. Little else of GOP principles or goals can be regarded as significant in any way, as long the party remains indifferent to the invasion of the nation's borders by a flood of illegal immigrants who, as soon as they are able to do so, will vote against such things. Yet, major forces within the GOP are once again actively working to insure that at best, the Republican counterpart to Democrat plans of opening the borders will only amount to a watered-down version of the very same thing.

By supporting truly conservative Republican challengers, Tancredo's PAC hopes to specifically target key players of the open borders advocacy for defeat during their respective state primaries. While it is not entirely clear whether or not Tancredo is still officially participating with the work of the PAC, his political ideology remains consistent with that of its members. Tancredo realizes that threats to the future of the nation are no less virulent when advanced by so-called "Republicans," than when spawned by their traditional advocates, the Democrats.

Tom Delay has, in the past, shown himself to be extremely principled, with the one notable exception being his support, under severe White House pressure, for an education bill that was essentially crafted by Ted Kennedy. He knows that if his party persists in its claims to uphold both high and low standards, only the low standards will prevail. Though presently striving to remain within the boundaries of party loyalty, he is surely aware that, as a principled conservative, his own future is no less threatened by the underhanded actions of the "moderates" than is Tancredo.

For Delay and Tancredo, whose differences are far outweighed by their political common ground, the most pressing matter is to maintain the party according to conservative principle rather than allowing the "centrists" to reinvent it in the image of the Democrats.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: conservatives; gop
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To: Bogolyubski

WELL STATED!!

I’d only take one exception to your astute post, your statement; "To top it all off, the Imperial Supreme Court declared this week that enemy combatants - foreign nationals captured in pursuing armed action against the United States - are entitled to the constitutional protections that normally would only apply to citizens,"

The SC only ruled that people detained within the US, are entitled to some minimal rights. This ruling actually helps Bush because the administration is now arguing that GITMO is US territory to avoid granting the prisoners rights under an international treaty the US is a party to.

By ruling that Gitmo is US territory, the Supremes gave Bush cover in his argument against giving the prisoners greater rights under the treaty. It was a really slick move by Bush. That is one thing you have to give the man; he is slick. He makes Clinton look like an armature when it comes to slick.


101 posted on 07/01/2004 3:24:23 AM PDT by SUSSA
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To: asmith92008

I wish everyone would stop waving around the "banning" of partial birth abortion as some Bush accomplishment. As with all his "accomplishments" it is no more than an instruction manual on how to perform a legal partial birth abortion.

I doubt this legislation has stopped one partial birth abortion, just the manner in which it is performed.


102 posted on 07/01/2004 4:58:51 AM PDT by MissAmericanPie
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To: Reagan Man

"Colorado Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo is in big trouble with the GOP leadership. And just what, you may be wondering, is his great sin? "Team America," a political action committee originally founded by Tancredo, worked to unseat Representative Chris Cannon, a liberal Republican from Utah, by supporting Matthew Throckmorton, his challenger in the Republican primary. "

Tancredo has enough problems with the RNC as it is, given his specific viewpoint. And I appreciate the differing opinions.

However, if he is going to actively campaign against a sitting GOP House Representative, then he's just a tad to self centered for my tastes.

I'll keep this in mind next time he whines about lack of support from the Republican Party....should be any minute now, based on his history.


103 posted on 07/01/2004 5:06:02 AM PDT by Badeye ("The day you stop learning, is the day you begin dying")
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To: asmith92008

On economic issues, there is really very little disagreement between the dems and the so-called "conservatives" in congress.

NON DEFENSE domestic spending up 12.5% annually under Bush...ZERO vetos of anything so far....new multi trillion dollar medicare entitlements...expanded tarrifs and farm subsidies, keeping prices high...80,000 new regulations added to the books last year...total cost of regulation to U.S. economy = 800 billion annually...federal budget set to hit 2.5 trillion next year...national debt to hit 8 trillion...

conservative?


104 posted on 07/01/2004 5:26:49 AM PDT by Capitalism2003 (America is too great for small dreams. - Ronald Reagan, speech to Congress. January 1, 1984.)
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To: spodefly
After reading the cogent and inspired reply's of the 'undocumented worker' apologists, I have changed my mind. I now support the uncontrolled immigration of all 6 billion of the world's people into the endless expanse of the US.

Exactly --- the erase-the-borders, let anyone come here and we'll support them all if they can't manage to support themselves crowd has no clue of what they are supporting. Every open borders proponent should just move to Mexico --- maybe a city like Ciudad Juarez and take a better look at what they're proposing.

105 posted on 07/01/2004 5:30:57 AM PDT by FITZ
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To: asmith92008

"Yes but Congress controls DC"

You sound like liberal elite who wishes to ram stuff down people's throats wheter they like it or not.

That is not what conservatism is about.


106 posted on 07/01/2004 6:31:27 AM PDT by staytrue
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To: Sloth
The GOP treats conservatives like the Democratic Party treats blacks. The difference is, blacks have somewhere else to go

Look at post 12 and read this "Liberal Republicans (aka.RINOs) should not have a voice in the GOP political agenda. Period" I think you have it wrong. It is conservatives who treat rinos as blacks only the rinos can move if they choose.

107 posted on 07/01/2004 6:35:14 AM PDT by staytrue
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To: asmith92008; Reagan Man
Amen. It's getting to the point where I don't know where the GOP ends and the Democrats begin.

We get THREE Years BETWEEN Presidential cycles to work that out.

108 posted on 07/01/2004 6:36:50 AM PDT by hobbes1 (Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
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To: Reagan Man
Anyone who opposes amnesty for illegals, stands with a majority of the American people.

But 90% of the people are NOT one issue voters. And for 90% of the american people, this issue is not the one be all end all issue for them.

109 posted on 07/01/2004 6:37:12 AM PDT by staytrue
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To: asmith92008

"It can pass a law allowing people to bare arms. "

Wow! I hadn't heard that it was illegal in DC to wear short-sleeved shirts.


110 posted on 07/01/2004 6:43:04 AM PDT by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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To: unsycophant; Reagan Man; Cultural Jihad; Joe Hadenuf; asmith92008

I think the discussion on this thread is disgusting.

It is time for Tancredo and anti tancredo people to just shut up for the next 120 days or so and get Bush reelected.

On Nov. 4, we can restart the cirular firing squad again.

Oh by the way, is anyone here supporting Kerry for President?

Let's get 60 gop senators and keep the house and presidency, then let's argue.


111 posted on 07/01/2004 6:52:57 AM PDT by staytrue
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To: staytrue
I think you have it wrong. It is conservatives who treat rinos as blacks only the rinos can move if they choose.

The conservatives might very well do that, IF they were running the party. But they're not. The socialists are. The RNC chairman openly acknowledged this a year ago.

112 posted on 07/01/2004 6:54:19 AM PDT by Sloth (We cannot defeat foreign enemies of the Constitution if we yield to the domestic ones.)
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To: Reagan Man
Thanks for bringing us this message.

The RINOs have all but taken over the GOP on issues once never even considered to be negotiable. Controlling the borders being one of them.

It is hard to find a true conservative anymore.

113 posted on 07/01/2004 7:20:38 AM PDT by Happy2BMe (Ronald Reagan to Islamic Terrorism: YOU CAN RUN - BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!)
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To: Republican Wildcat
>>>One issue, however, does not a liberal make...

I never said one issue makes you a liberal. This article went beyond the political fate of one individual. The issue that concerns me and the issue that I talk about is my opposition to amnesty for illegals and how that amnesty is not an issue that conservative Republicans should be supporting.

114 posted on 07/01/2004 7:23:53 AM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
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To: staytrue
You call yourself "staytrue." Stay true to what? If we are not a party of principles, we are nothing. Slavishly saying that we cannot criticize someone because he has an R next to his name is foolishness.
115 posted on 07/01/2004 7:27:57 AM PDT by asmith92008 (If we buy into the nonsense that we always have to vote for RINOs, we'll just end up taking the horn)
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To: MineralMan
And in that heat? Man, it's torture (and not panties on the head kinda torture). Seriously, I need to invent the spell check that picks up homonyms.
116 posted on 07/01/2004 7:29:28 AM PDT by asmith92008 (If we buy into the nonsense that we always have to vote for RINOs, we'll just end up taking the horn)
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To: Reagan Man

Amen...nice article.


117 posted on 07/01/2004 7:30:40 AM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: BigSkyFreeper
>>>Those Democrats Reagan appealed to were FDR Democrats, not Conservative Democrats. Call them for who they are.

I did. I don't know where you were in the 1980`s, but it's an historical fact. Reagan successfully appealed to conservative Democrats in both 1980 and 1984. Those conservative Democrats gave Reagan his huge victory margins and became known as Reagan Republicans.

118 posted on 07/01/2004 7:30:52 AM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
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To: Reagan Man

Also known as FDR Democrats. Reagan was one.


119 posted on 07/01/2004 7:32:14 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (John Kerry: An old creep, with gray hair, trying to look like he's 30 years old.)
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To: staytrue
It is a fact of constitutional law that Congress controls DC. And allowing the people who want to own guns to protect themselves in a crime ridden city is forcing nothing down anyone's throat.

Between this post and your last post demanding everyone walk in lockstep behind anyone who calls himself a Republican, one has to wonder if you actually understand anything about conservatism, as opposed to being a party hack.
120 posted on 07/01/2004 7:33:06 AM PDT by asmith92008 (If we buy into the nonsense that we always have to vote for RINOs, we'll just end up taking the horn)
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