Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 321-327 next last
To: Once-Ler
Good for you. I like being told I think America sucks.

No I don't want it all and want it now, but I'm of the opinion that those issues while good campaign slogans are not the lithmus test of whether I will vote for a canadate or not.

You may stick your head in the sand and drink the pink coolaid but I'm not.

That's not to say I'm not voting GOP, I am, most of the 3rd. parties are not viable options and loosing to the Dem's is not an acceptable outcome.

What I am saying is that there is not enough being done to effect change from the inside of the party, and too many so-called conservatives are accepting way too much infringements on the American way of life that I happen to love.

I don't even know why I bother repsonding to you when you make such accusations. If you can read what I've written and call me a quitter, and someone who thinks America sucks, you're off your proverbial rocker.

What are you doing for your kids who do deserve a better America? They might but I'm not sure you do.

141 posted on 07/01/2004 8:33:35 AM PDT by CBF ('' .... behind every blade of grass.'')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
>>>I have an idea.

You believe in miracles I see. (Just kidding.)

142 posted on 07/01/2004 8:35:02 AM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

"He is a US patriot."

He's maniacal, ala Buchanan. And like Buchanan, he will never rise above the position he finds himself in today. Sorry, actively campaigning against another Republican thats not even from your state in this manner is such a terrible comment on Tancredo's character it defies words.


143 posted on 07/01/2004 8:37:52 AM PDT by Badeye ("The day you stop learning, is the day you begin dying")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

Well said Spiff. I too grow tired of his "extremists, xenophobes, racists" rant. He's is truely a one note band.


144 posted on 07/01/2004 8:38:35 AM PDT by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper
The itty, bitty land and coast border...


145 posted on 07/01/2004 8:43:47 AM PDT by Tamzee (Noonan on Reagan, "...his leadership changed the world... As president, he was a giant.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: Badeye
Tancredo is a pro-life conservative and a loyal member of the GOP. He supports Bush`s tax cuts and his defesne buildup, not to mention Bush`s efforts in the WoT and the conflcit in Iraq. Tancredo supports the reelection of Bush-Cheney. On the issue of amnesty for illegals, Tancredo and Bush disagree. On the issue of amnesty for illegals, I disagree with Bush.

Get a grip.

146 posted on 07/01/2004 8:50:04 AM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper
Hi BigSky, -- Read my post 141 to Once-ler. I'm not a big fan of the 3rd. parties either, but damned if we're still in a world of hurt with the parites the way that they are.

My sister and brother just met up in Bozeman last week for some expoloring. Gotta love Montana.

147 posted on 07/01/2004 9:01:09 AM PDT by CBF ('' .... behind every blade of grass.'')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

"Tancredo is a pro-life conservative and a loyal member of the GOP."

Riiiight. You missed why the GOP is irritated with him contained in the article, huh?

My "grip" especially when it comes to reading comprehension, is quite firm.


148 posted on 07/01/2004 9:04:43 AM PDT by Badeye ("The day you stop learning, is the day you begin dying")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

Most so-called "moderate republicans" are SOBs who are too lazy to mow their own yard and too cheap to pay the teenager down the street to do it.


149 posted on 07/01/2004 9:07:03 AM PDT by jpl ("America's greatest chapter is still to be written, for the best is yet to come." - Ronald W. Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Badeye; hchutch
He's maniacal, ala Buchanan. And like Buchanan, he will never rise above the position he finds himself in today. Sorry, actively campaigning against another Republican thats not even from your state in this manner is such a terrible comment on Tancredo's character it defies words.

The GOP leadership is telling Tancredo to knock it off for one simple reason: to NOT do so would be to OK retaliation against Tancredo.

150 posted on 07/01/2004 9:08:03 AM PDT by Poohbah ("Mister Gorbachev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!" -- President Ronald Reagan, Berlin, 1987)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: CBF
We're they exploring for any sign of Conservatives? LOL j/k

For what it's worth, the Liberal bastion of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley is a beautiful spot, a great hiking and fishing area. I'm sure your brother and sister are having a wonderful time there. :)

151 posted on 07/01/2004 9:28:36 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (John Kerry: An old creep, with gray hair, trying to look like he's 30 years old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: Once-Ler

>> For most people the choice is clear on issues of abortion, gun rights, taxes, and defense. It is too bad you don't see a difference.

Has the republican controlled executive or legislative branch repealed any abortion laws?

Has the republican controlled executive or legislative branch repealed any of the idiotic gun laws?

Has the republican controlled executive or legislative branch gotten ride of the immoral and incomprehensible tax laws? ( the "tax cut" was paltry )


152 posted on 07/01/2004 9:40:08 AM PDT by BigAzzHam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Cultural Jihad
Bush's plan deals with illegal immigration and is similiar to what Tancredo has proposed.

Tancredo is a loser. Granted I hate RINOs and liberal Republicans as much as the next conservative, but holding your breath until you're red in the face and throwing hissy fits isn't going to get you anywhere. Tancredo needs to work with Bush and advocate sensible border control in a gentlemanly manner or else join the losers in the Constitution Party.

153 posted on 07/01/2004 10:38:54 AM PDT by ServesURight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

Thanks Jim for Post #76.


154 posted on 07/01/2004 10:44:09 AM PDT by ServesURight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: FITZ
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.

They should also take a little side trip to Tijuana. Illegal aliens bring their culture with them, recreating their home environments right in the middle of our towns. It ain't pretty. Good deal for illegal aliens, very bad deal for us, and expensive too.

155 posted on 07/01/2004 10:45:18 AM PDT by janetgreen (CALIFORNIA-HOME OF MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
Must be a variation on the "S.S.S." codewords we see posted occasionally, and never called upon.
156 posted on 07/01/2004 10:45:30 AM PDT by Cultural Jihad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: hchutch

Ping to Post #76...Cannon's apparently a sinner on ONE issue.


157 posted on 07/01/2004 10:49:03 AM PDT by Poohbah ("Mister Gorbachev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!" -- President Ronald Reagan, Berlin, 1987)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: CBF
I'm of the opinion that those issues while good campaign slogans are not the lithmus test of whether I will vote for a canadate or not.

We are talking about abortion, gun rights, taxes and defense. Your quote from a previous post was...

I'm afraid abortion, gun rights, taxes and defense are just not enough anymore.

I think those issues are important and the bedrock of the Republican platform.

What I am saying is that there is not enough being done to effect change from the inside of the party,

My quote from a previous post was...

You want it all and you want it now.

I think I'm just going over the same stuff.

158 posted on 07/01/2004 10:51:10 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: stevio
Toomey lost by ~1% of the vote.

That was a primary. Toomey couldn't win over half of the Republican votes. How do you think he could win a general election? Dubya decided it would be better for him, PA, and America to have a liberal Republican who votes for conservative issues 50% of the time, rather than a socialist 'rat who votes for conservative issues 0% of the time.

159 posted on 07/01/2004 10:57:00 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

Thank God for Tancredo and the handful of other fighting to keep the GOP standing for something right.


160 posted on 07/01/2004 11:06:16 AM PDT by StoneColdGOP (McClintock - In Your Heart, You Know He's Right)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 321-327 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson