Poll Shows Leftist Liberal Republican Nominee Likely to Split GOP

Free Republic ^ | today

[OMalley]

"ultra-conservative"

REALLY??

I realize I live in a pretty red state, but FR seems moderate compared to what I hear from conservatives in this part of the country LOL

[PerConPat]

There is no reason for a conservative to lower his standards nearly a year before the primaries start.

For the past ten days or so I have followed the Rudy vis--vis Hunter posting. And I have come to the conclusion that the abortion issue is the dominant factor now in play with regard to the Rudy support at FR. Further, Rudy's record on Second Amendment and immigration issues does not appear to be generating enthusiastic support from his backers. And since Hunter's and Rudy's positions on the rest of the issues don't seem to be either a major problem or well enough known at this point, I say that it's abortion that has lit the fire.

Your comment, quoted above, is at the heart of my deduction. Although Rudy has impressive credentials, the ease with which he swings- unfortunate choice of words perhaps- Left of center is troubling. Given the Pubs' platform, one would think there should be a bit more reluctance by so many to anoint him as the nominee this early in the race. At the very least, I would have expected that Rudy would have been asked for more bona fides on pro-life topics than his backers have seemed to demand in these early innings. Sadly, I am left with the question as to whether a similar spectre is haunting the GOP as a whole. Whatever, basing one's decision to select a favorite on the basis of "electability" a year before the Primaries is a thin justification in my book.

[b9]

I will always vote republican but have no respect for these people who hate the republican party so much that they wish to divide it.

DITTO

[Constitution Day]

I hear you.
Influencing others is useful, but not when you have people who aren't willing to listen, even this many months out.

As far as the infighting goes, specifically on this site, it's already repulsive. I know I am not the only longtime Freeper with that opinion.

Lines have been drawn in the sand over this or that candidate and I for one refuse to make up my mind this early.

Take care Az, I am off...

CD

[azhenfud]

My FRiend, I really appreciate your POV and I agree it's true, however I'm far from ever supporting Rudy.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

"Their other positions tend to average out about the same as Hillary's"

I'm not a fan of McCain for other reasons, but at least in the case of McCain and Clinton (where you have two Senate voting records to compare head-to-head) there is a big difference in their political philosophies:

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0061103 http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=WNY99268

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Sorry:

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0061103

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=WNY99268

[sitetest]

Dear Zeroisanumber,

"The political climate has changed quite a bit in the last three years. Iraq is hanging off of us like an albatross, and unless things get better over there and we're able to start bringing our boys home, they're likely to get worse. The public is tired of partisanship and they're going to vote for a candidate who is precieved as a moderate."

If you think that part of the party's problem is the Iraq War, and that only moderate candidates can get elected, why in the world would you think that the candidate who has the most hawkish profile on the war (Mr. Giuliani) would be the candidate to be elected?


sitetest

[Unmarked Package]

"Great graphic on your home page."

The origin of the image comes from a patchwork of interconnected animated GIF files created by hundreds of members of the Something Awful forum who made one frame each. It's a fascinating illustration of amazing surprises found under cover of a humble exterior, i.e., an unmarked package. :-)

[California Patriot]

The original poster should be embarrassed about the title he gave this. Rudy is not a "leftist." Yes, there is a real question about his ideology. But let's talk like adults.

[California Patriot]

The original poster should be embarrassed about the title he gave this. Rudy is not a "leftist." Yes, there is a real question about his ideology. But let's talk like adults.

[b9]

So which frame is yours?

[Antoninus]

I know eight people personally who operate popular conservative blogs on the web and are grassroots organizers in touch with a broad cross section of Republican voters (not bloggers) in their communities on a frequent basis (three of the eight people are in conservative Texas). They all have a distinct impression that Free Republic is ultra-conservative and often avoid FR based on extremism they see here.

Hey, as long as we're talking about unverifiable anecdotes, I personally know eight people--some of whom are in touch with lots of other conservatives in their communities--who think that FR has gone off the reservation and is now a bastion of fake-conservatives and crypto-liberals.

Unlike you, I try to set such people straight when I talk to them. You apparently agree with the bad-mouthers and generalizers.

[soccermom]

Instead of being disingenuous with a headline based on an unscientific poll, why don't you discuss a real poll:

http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/021507_release_web.pdf

[NittanyLion]

It is irresponsible to treat the general election as if it were a primary. Irresponsible, selfish, and suspect

You can complain away about how selfish and irresponsible it is, but that isn't going to change people's actions. You can't control millions of people spread across 50 states, and questioning their motives isn't going to get the GOP elected. The base will fall in line when they have a conservative to support; when they don't, they won't.

That's simply a statement of reality.

[soccermom]

I think the headline is misleading, but the poster never mentioned Rudy at all. You have to be careful about validating their point.

[Soul Seeker]

Good to hear. :-)

I should have designated it was addressed to all concerned. Didn't mean to single you out at all.

Basically I've been fed up with Reps in D.C. trying to outlib and be more more anti-American then the left, Hagel and Warner to name a few, and took a break.

Come back and see the "pramatists" beating the Lib drum predictably, believing the big "L"iberal gets that "R" into the W.H. even though history defies their assertions.

They aren't conservatives, they aren't interested in conservatism succeeding, they stand for nothing other then political power. hey! Like the pols, both Dems and Reps, in D.C.? And in the end all they got for their "pramatist" ways was the beating last November. Oh, but according to them that's because the Reps weren't liberal enough. Gang of Fourteen, spending, amnesty, Warner resolution (the first one) and every other liberal atrocity they spent years pursuing thinking they would be rewarded and then those ungrateful mods went straight backs to the Dems. Reason? 'cause conservatives didn't primp their leadership like the netroots do, they told the truth and those swing voters deserted the GOP. just like they'll do when conservatives line up in 'fall of '08 and tell them if Rudy were the nominee that he is pro-abortion, pro-government control, pro-gun control, pro-spending, pro- tax hikes, pro-gay marriage (despite his polled response about civil ceremonies).

Now, i don't hate Rudy. I don't think most conservatives do. But I HATE his stances on the issues and liking the guy because he has stood firm on the WOT and hasn't bashed conservatives lately like McCain does, doesn't spare him from heated objection to this guy as a nominee based on his beliefs. beliefs he is already starting to be less then honest about, trying to coerce conservatives to his side.
Now if the "pragamatists", and I'm not including you in this number, actually want to live up to their self described title they'll recognize the truth. Which is that conservatives HATE Republicans right now almost as much as they do the Democrats. And if these "pramatists" succeed in pushing the liberal through, they are going to pay more by losing more power. Because conservatives don't have a lot to lose. One lib is the same as another in most instances. we're screwed either way. but there is a big difference for "pragmatists" between control of the W.H. and a minority that can still block Dems in the Senate, vs no W.H., No House and 39 reps in the Senate. If they are as smart as they think they are, time for them to recognize that and start backing a conservative for '08.

[Antoninus]

The original poster should be embarrassed about the title he gave this. Rudy is not a "leftist." Yes, there is a real question about his ideology. But let's talk like adults.

OK, lets. He's a liberal who has an affinity to leftist positions. Better?

Anyone who's so allergic to the 2nd Amedment can not properly be classified as a conservative.

[Antoninus]

You can complain away about how selfish and irresponsible it is, but that isn't going to change people's actions. You can't control millions of people spread across 50 states, and questioning their motives isn't going to get the GOP elected. The base will fall in line when they have a conservative to support; when they don't, they won't. That's simply a statement of reality.

Excellent statement. Those who think Rudy is going to magically capture the conservative base are either deluding themselves or are Hillary water-carriers.

[Antoninus]

I think the headline is misleading, but the poster never mentioned Rudy at all. You have to be careful about validating their point.

It's easy to validate a valid point. When you struggle to poke holes in it, maybe it's time to re-evaluate your own position.