Posted on 01/07/2008 2:03:00 PM PST by jmc813
There’s an obnoxious and destructive term that’s begun to do real damage to the Republican Party. That term is “RINO,” or “R.I.N.O.” – an acronym for “Republican In Name Only.” Angry conservatives use the term to attack purported moderates in their own party. Recently, Mike Huckabee and John McCain have been attacked as “RINO’s” –Governor Schwarzenegger of California regularly draws that denunciation. Those who make war on RINO’s, however, ought to confront an obvious question: would you really prefer that such people drop the Republican designation? How does it help if politicians or office-holders with whom you disagree leave your party and join the opposition? When alleged “RINO” Jim Jeffords of Vermont left the GOP and joined the Democrats, it gave them control of the US Senate. When another RINO, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, lost his Senate seat in 2006, it also gave the Democrats control; if Chafee had won, we’d still have a Republican majority and GOP committee chairs. The truth is that no successful political party has ever been built on ideological purity. You can construct a majority coalition by bringing people into your party, not by driving them away. It’s childish and self-destructive to wage war based on some notion of “real conservatism” with those who want to align themselves with your side. Ronald Reagan himself used to say that “if somebody agrees with me 70% of the time, rather than 100%, that doesn’t make him my enemy.” Democrats understand this principle--- they never attack “DINO’s,” Democrats In Name Only. In fact, they understand the usefulness of such figures: they put forward several conservative Democrats in key Congressional districts in 2006, and those “DINO’s” helped them win a majority in the House. If Republicans continue to express contempt and hostility for those they consider “RINO’s,” they’ve got to get ready for “DIMO’s” – Democrats In the Majority Only.” It’s time, in other words, for sane GOP partisans to call off the silly and suicidal RINO hunt.
Two words: LINCOLN CHAFFEE.
The problem is too many people become hyper-critical of others, because their own lives are such a mess. Your treading on dangerous territory when you let your emotions, instead of rational thought, dictate your political views.
2 Peter 2
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
Why don’t they just become Democrats and be done with it. As Rush says there will never be a book call “Great Moderates in History”!
Not bad...but I call them REMFs. For an ex-Army Officer like myself, the term has so much more cache. LOL!!!
For those unfamiliar with this nugget of an acronym, it stands for Rear Echelon M----r F----r. A more socially acceptable term might be "Staff Puke", i.e. an officer that you want as far from a leadership position as possible.
Every time you post on a thread, your views seem more aligned with DU.
I just can't figure out why you are still here? It's getting old now.
Thanks for ruining my day by reminding me of this REMF.
j/k
Once again, I'm not advocating for RINOs. However, as to your challenge... we would get confirmations, judges, committee chairs, setting the agenda, and a whole list of other goodies.
I'm not calling for us to compromise our principles as Medved is... but he is correct in his analysis that we lost the leadership of Congress due to numbers, not ideology. Where he fails in his analysis is in not noting that it took conservatism for the Dems to take control... it works every time it's tried. Therefore, the logical conclusion (he missed) isn't that we should embrace RINOs but that we should embrace conservatism all the more.
But the opposite danger is that everything becomes about power instead of principle. The trick is learning to accept agreement while not embracing the things you disagree with. Reagan did that well. He took the support but always stood firmly on principles.
I don’t care what Medved says; Schwarzenegger is a RINO!
So if Hillary decides to run as a Republican tomorrow we should welcome her?
Angry conservatives use the term to attack purported moderates in their own party. Recently, Mike Huckabee and John McCain have been attacked as “RINO’s” –Governor Schwarzenegger of California regularly draws that denunciation.
Those who make war on RINO’s, however, ought to confront an obvious question: would you really prefer that such people drop the Republican designation? How does it help if politicians or office-holders with whom you disagree leave your party and join the opposition?
When alleged “RINO” Jim Jeffords of Vermont left the GOP and joined the Democrats, it gave them control of the US Senate. When another RINO, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, lost his Senate seat in 2006, it also gave the Democrats control; if Chafee had won, we’d still have a Republican majority and GOP committee chairs.
The truth is that no successful political party has ever been built on ideological purity. You can construct a majority coalition by bringing people into your party, not by driving them away. It’s childish and self-destructive to wage war based on some notion of “real conservatism” with those who want to align themselves with your side.
Ronald Reagan himself used to say that “if somebody agrees with me 70% of the time, rather than 100%, that doesn’t make him my enemy.” Democrats understand this principle--- they never attack “DINO’s,” Democrats In Name Only.
In fact, they understand the usefulness of such figures: they put forward several conservative Democrats in key Congressional districts in 2006, and those “DINO’s” helped them win a majority in the House.
If Republicans continue to express contempt and hostility for those they consider “RINO’s,” they’ve got to get ready for “DIMO’s” – Democrats In the Majority Only.” It’s time, in other words, for sane GOP partisans to call off the silly and suicidal RINO hunt.
“Bravo Medved. Once again you have it spot-on.”
Visiting from DU? Medved is a moron.
Conservatives only make up 35 percent of the American electorate. You can’t win elections with just conservatives.
You need moderates and indepedents.
Ask Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
Earth to Free Republic: "Read it. Learn it. Know it."
Medved's a little late to the party: McCain has been a RINO here on FR for five years at least. And Huckabee - he's to the left of Nancy Pelosi on some issues! I wouldn't even call him a RINO, he needs a new defining acronym.
I can’t stand Medved. Sorry folks. He is a jerk RINO.
It is we Conservatives who use the term RINO. Whenever a Republican does not toe the Conservative line, they are branded a RINO. We know there are Moderates and Liberals within the party and use RINO as a ‘sway our way’ tool.
I see you just got done at DU.
Party over principle! When the party does not seem to stand for anything doesn't mean much.
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