Posted on 11/10/2005 9:40:22 PM PST by Crackingham
House Republican leaders were forced to abruptly pull their $54 billion budget-cutting bill off the House floor yesterday, amid growing dissension in Republican ranks over spending priorities, taxes, oil exploration and the reach of government. A battle between House Republican conservatives and moderates over energy policy and federal anti-poverty and education programs left GOP leaders without enough votes to pass a budget measure they had framed as one of the most important pieces of legislation in years. Across the Capitol, a moderate GOP revolt in the Senate Finance Committee forced Republicans to postpone action on a bill to extend some of President Bush's most contentious tax cuts.
The twin setbacks added to signs that the Republican Party's discipline is cracking under the weight of Bush's plummeting approval ratings, Tuesday's electoral defeats and the discontent of the American electorate. After five years of remarkable unity under Bush's gaze, divisions between Republican moderates and conservatives are threatening to paralyze the party.
"The fractures were always there. The difference was the White House was always able to hold them in line because of perceived power," said Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. "After Tuesday's election, it's 'Why are we following these guys? They're taking us off the cliff.' "
SNIP
The House budget vote was supposed to reestablish the Republican commitment to a smaller government that would change the federal approach to Medicaid, food stamps, agriculture subsidies, student loans and a host of other programs. But moderate Republicans made it clear that was not the way they wanted the party defined.
SNIP
"I've told the leadership they're asking for the dismantling of the Republican conference" with this budget, said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), a leading moderate. "The clear evidence from Tuesday's election results is that Americans are moderate. They need to start listening to us."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I wonder if it may not be time to take a loss and do some purging. I'll tell you this, the RNC better be awfully careful about how they disburse my donations. If I see these scumbag moderates getting help from the RNC, the RNC won't be getting any more help from me.
I'm almost to the point of saying screw 'em, I'm done.
If the GOP can't agree to cut a small % of the budget, then why am I registered as a GOP?
Granted, the is a COMPOST article, so until I hear the new media's reaction tomorrow I won't have both sides of the issue to make my decision.
We could use a man like Ronald Reagan again.
I've stopped donating... it's not worth it at this time, IMHO..
Bush was a big part of this. He campaigned hard in PA for Specter over Toomey.
Why?????????????
Which members opposed ANWR and the budget cuts?
We need to organize and recruit conservative GOP candidates to run against these RINOs in their districts. Bring pressure on them from the right to force them to get in line if they want to win the party nomination.
Even if they eventually win their primary, we will at least get close to a year of decent votes from them in the meantime. They need to be scared straight.
I say the GOP leadership needs to hold the vote even if the moderates in the party vote against it and it fails. It will send a clear message about who needs to be voted out of office.
So have I...When they called for money, I told them I wasn't going to anymore until they started acting like the majority and doing what they campaigned on... be sure to tell them...
They don't get it .the reason Bush's numbers have gone down ISN'T because of the independents or dems...the numbers are down because REPUBLICANS are upset with the party!
It's time we STOP letting these 'moderates' get away with being Democrats in (R) Clothing.
Time to clean house, next November, best we can and install some serious Conservatives with backbones and willpower.
Are we mad enough about this CRAP to move the earth and make it happen? I hope so.
What exactly is 'moderate' about wanting to INCREASE entitlement spending in the face of two hurricanes a war and a budget deficit???? Lets just call them what they are! Liberals!!! And without the Hammer around, they think they have the freedom to caucus with the DNC.
Buck the moderates.
"The clear evidence from Tuesday's election results is that Americans are moderate. They need to start listening to us."
No, when American's can't see a difference between parties they don't get involved. They figure is all a waste of time and effort.
I say poor money into a conservative candidate that can defeat Sherwood Moderate in the primary.
If not, then let the sap lose. I honestly couldn't care less. Cut the budgets already. Is this too much too ask?
The numbers are down partly because they aren't refuting the lies told, and partly because their conservative base is jumping ship. When they attempted to follow a somewhat conservative plan during the election year, and knocked down the lies, Republicans cleaned up and G.W.B. became the first since his father to win a majority of the vote.
Going silent and going Liberal is what has killed them. They deserve their low ratings.
"Bush was a big part of this. He campaigned hard in PA for Specter over Toomey."
Get over it. Toomey would have lost if he'd run unopposed, that's what a rotten candidate he is. Toomey, Toomey, Toomey. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Nowadays, I toss every GOP fundraising letter in the garbage. Hopefully, they will take the hint. Piss on them all.
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