Liberal Republicans lick their wounds
The future of conservatism is bright.
All those liberal Republicans who were arguing that the GOP needed to “rebrand” itself and move leftward are now crying in their coffee. Arlen Specter is feeling lonely.
Break out the world’s smallest violin. I’m verklempt.
At a Tuesday reception for moderate Republicans, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter hushed the cocktail chatter when he began ticking off a long list of like- minded lawmakers who no longer hold office.
“Today, we’re in a phone booth,” Specter said.
To conservatives at the Republican National Convention this week, John McCain’s choice of running mate Sarah Palin represented recognition of their clout. For remnants of the party’s once-powerful Eastern Establishment, the Minnesota meeting signified a lost opportunity to prod their party toward the political center.
McCain’s selection of the anti-abortion, socially conservative Alaska governor, after he considered naming an abortion-rights backer such as former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge or independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, leaves pro-choice Republicans at odds with both the presidential ticket and the party’s platform.
“There was shock” over Palin’s selection, said Jennifer Stockman, co-chairwoman of Republican Majority for Choice. “We were looking for someone who would be transformative and take control of the party away from the social conservatives.”
You lose.
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Sorry Senator Specter, but when you try to put the majority in the phone booth, you may wind up there yourself.
If that’s what you want then there’s already have a party that agrees with you. Maybe you’ve heard of them, they’re called Democrats.
Could Palin just be a smokescreen to placate social cons? We’ll find out more tonight.
We are giving Juan McCain the POTUS nomination, isn’t that center enough? If we wanted a democrat running mate we’d be democrats.
Arlen PAID dems to vote for him and encouraged them to switch parties in order to beat Pat Toomey.
facts is facts and I’ll bet he will show up and try to be seen with McCain next week in lancaster.
WAAAAA! Trig Palin behaved better than these clowns.
Hey Arlen ~
It’s ok, we’re a big tent. You and all your RINO buddies are welcome to come in and get your mind right!
Arlen Specter is to serious Conservatism
as Carrot Top is to Comedy.
Then vote for Barack Obama.
Arlen should have been gone 20 years ago…make that 30…or is it 40?
Arlen wins where he does because of his Democratic sympathies.
Go Arlen Go …as in go away.
No if we can put the liberal Republicans in a phone booth in California, we might start making headway here in restoring the party.
I hope the door hits them on their asses on the way out.
clarification for those in Rio Linda:
PA still has closed primaries in order to vote in primary you have to be IN that party…
okay back to adult chat
Arlen’s fav joke is he wants to live long enuff to be the longest pol in senate what a pitiful man he is and I am reminded of Palin’s words last night:
Some people further their career ……
I guess these folks will just have to vote for Barack Obama, as they were planning to all along.
Whenever God closes a door, he opens a window. Hopefully on a high floor…
blood lmaooo
So, the problem is that those unwashed hooligans in the middle of the country want a conservative party. Bummer for you, Arlen.
Actually… I think Pro-Choice Republicans are at-odds with a Higher Power. They’ve got more to worry about then being excluded from the party majority.
To quote the aflac duck in the Yogi ad:”Aghhhhh”
They want to drive the final nail in the coffin. Instead McCain chose someone who might possibly save the party.
Snarling Arlen Sphincter has been on the outs with Pennsylvania Conservatives for a LONG TIME. It’s the liberal bastions of Pittsburgh and Philly that keep putting this “Kennedy Era Dullard and author of the miracle single bullet theory” to still ply his trade.
grid you are correct in order to ensure their jobs and egos they will do anything BUT do what they are elected to do.
NO SALE watch the death throes it wont be pretty
Speaking of Juan, do we have anything on Gov. Palin’s immigration stance yet?
MM said:
*snort*
Listen carefully, Sen. Specter: We cannot out-liberal the liberals.
Have fun in the phone booth. BTW, have you noticed that phone booths are going away, too?
Well know we discover from CNN that Piper Palin was really Paul Wolfowitz in disguise
Arlen is a stooge. No serious politically savvy person has ever considered him to be a republican let along conservative.
Gosh, does this mean we won’t have prison reform on the platform?!? Oh no!!!
Sincerely,
David Frum
a sidenote:
before some of you start whining: McCain will be himself 2night enjoy it and leave the cry baby crap to your pillow. he is far from ideal stop stating the obvious and get focused!!
What, Arlen, is the difference between a Liberal Republican and a Conservative Democrat? I’d wager that we Conservatives can trust the Blue Dof Dems nore than you RINO’s
R-i-i-i-i-i-ght….because hanging around in the center did them so much good in 2006. I get it.
Der to be clear,
Arlen paid dems and sucked up to them in order to narrowly defeat Pat Toomey in primary in his last race. There is nothing that “man” wont do to keep his seat.
Whenever I read something like this, I can’t figure out why they don’t see that “for choice” means “for abortion”, since the choice to abort your baby is the only true “choice” they support. They don’t support anyone else’s right to choose anything at all, including a running mate for VPOTUS.
Why can’t we say that out loud more often?
Bush the Younger gave us eight years of unbalanced budgets like a liberal and opened our borders like a liberal. What more do they want?
Tonight we will know if John is coming home.
Okay, as a slightly liberal Rep. I honestly do not understand this portion of the parties concern. What part of our Nations Security, Less Taxes, Free Market, and Improved Education, do these non-thinkers not understand?
McCain and I part ways on Immigration and I am hoping to hear MUCH stronger words in this area tonight. Illegals are entitled to nothing. NO AMNESTY. NO JOBS. NO ANCHOR BABIES!
I found this.. cross posted at The Jawa Report
if she is going to be VP, she will have to echo John McCain’s viewpoints..
(now I’m going to sound like Bill Grant)
have to hold his feet to the fire..
Well, unfortunatley we have to go with McCain’s stance as the party platform not Palin’s.
And since they havent presented her personal belief on the matter, I’m going to go with it being in stark contrast to his. Maybe not.
tarp home?
how to say this.. hm Listen to Cindy and what she says that is what McCain is
at the core, yes he says it poorly ssometimes…
Yeah, Arlen, I feel your pain. But here’s a clue about how life works to help you get over it. Isn’t it remotely possible that if you and your RINO buddies (hey George, that’s you!) go out of your way to hold not only the Republican base but the citizens of this country in contempt that they might, hypothetically speaking of course, eventually grow tired of it and wanting to return the favor, start looking for someone who viewed them as more than just fodder for the taxman? Just a thought, bro’. Besides, you did want to have a chance at winning this election, didn’t you? Yes, I’m sure you did.
Well, in a few months you can commiserate about it with George as he writes his memoirs with one hand and holds onto an arab sheik with the other.
I bet we won’t here a single word about immigration. Not one.
Is the Republican party going the way of the Whigs?
Here/hear. I hate when I do that.
Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, Arlen Spector, Orin Hatch, Shepard Smith, Mort Kondrake, and all of you counterfeit Republicans or media charlatans at FOX: TAKE THE TRAIN.
Who are these “liberal”, and or pro-choice republicans going to vote for?
Every vote counts, right?
This is the equivalent of one rotten kid taking his ball & going home. The rest of the kids find another ball & make a great game of it. What a bunch of out-of-touch weiners.
I think so. I hope so.
Ouch
What is it with these people? There are far more important issues in this country and this world other than someone’s “right” to terminate a life. Whether you believe it is just a lump of flesh or you believe it has a soul, the simple fact of the matter is that once said abortion is done, there will be no life that will occurrr thus you have terminated a life.
I’m sorry, but if these people are only concerned with that, then maybe it is better that they be marginalized within our party. We get enough of that crap from Liberals, we don’t need to be told that everything in the world is less significant than abortion by people in our own.
Frankly, I am far more concerned with Islamic Global Domination and their efforts at achieving it, our swiss cheese borders, the economy, unemployment and a wealth of other issues WELL before I get even close to how I feel about abortion.
It is time that Single Issue Voters get with the team and come on in for the big win. Should they want to only vote for that issue, then The Golden Calf is you “man” and more power to you…but don’t come crawling to us when you can’t afford that abortion because you have been taxed out of your home.
Good. Now, they either join us in helping get McCain/Palin elected or they get out of the way. Don’t let up the pressure. Remind them what the base RNC demands.
William Amos I disagree. Piper Palin was having almost as much fun as her mama. We need to keep our eyes on that little cutie–she’ll be on that stage someday!
And without the Social Conservatives there would be a tiny little group of Rockerfellerites holding office supporting every issue the Democrats propose except taxes and regulations. And that tiny little group of Rockerfellerites would lose every vote on those two issues and wonder why.
Many times I have had a Moderate Republican ask me “so, who else are they (conservatives) going to vote for? Well in 1992, 96 and 2006 it looks as if they didn’t vote for the transformativeite. Since Governor Palin was announced our contributions and volunteers seem to be coming back, at least in my precinct and district.
transformative/moderate/Liberal Republican: minority status
So Palin is the One, she is our messiah, bringing the light back to the GOP. Let us all bask in her Warm Glowing Warming Glow…
I agree. I doubt he makes one reference to it. It would be nice to hear him take a stand as hard at illegals as he did on abortion.
McCain could win it tonight if he came out strongly for enforcement, but he won’t. I doubt it’s mentioned. If he goes down the “God’s Children” road, I may throw something at the T.V.
Wow.
A question for you, Michelle.
What, exactly, is your definition of “liberal Republican”?
Anyone who doesn’t buy into the ideology of hard-right conservatism?
It’s an honest question that deserves an honest answer…. because this post is really going to offend a lot of your registrants who aren’t hard-right.
I’d like to see you answer it yourself Ms. Malkin, instead of letting your attack dogs do the work for you. I suspect that I already know what your reply will be, based on the tone of your post up above, but I’d rather not jump to conclusions until you offer some kind of clarification.
A word of caution, Michelle. As much as you wish it to be so, those on the religious right are not the “true conservatives”, nor are they the “party base”.
They’re simply another faction of the Republican party… no more and no less. They share the party with a lot of other folks who are Patriotic American citizens and just as committed to their principals as Evangelicals are to thiers, and perhaps even moreso.
I would really hate to see you start crowing about the hard-right idealism that is expressed on this blog on a daily basis, being solely responsible for the selection and ascension of Sarah Palin.
Surely, you’re not going to go there?
Can we swap the liberal Republicans for all the Catholic and socially conservative black Dems?
I have a pro-choice Republican friend who is still voting McCain/Palin. Don’t get too excited…most of these folks will stick to the Republican ticket.
Isn’t Republican Majority for Choice the ultimate oxymoron…….
When was the last time anyone has seen a telephone booth?
There haven’t been any around here for years.
The RNC is still run by the Rockefeller wing. That’s why we have McCain. They wanted an amnesty candidate.
Arlen beat Toomey because the RNC funded Arlen. They have done the same thing countles times across the country. Funding the RINOs, trying to defeat conservatives.
The people of Utah provided a great example of what informed voters can do to overcome incumbent advantages. What was his name? Cannon, I think. Six term Cheap Labor Importer, sent packing.
Now we know what Ahm a Liar! isn’t doing on Sundays.
FYI, Skippy: We found our Messiah two thousand and eight years before you did.
Are there a lot of SLOW CHILDREN signs around your
huthouse?“We were looking for someone who would be transformative and take control of the party away from the social conservatives.”
Jenny, the Democratic Party awaits you over there on the on the left side. Buh-bye.
Well, well, Ahh, the Liar is back!!!! Not pretending to be a conservative today, though, eh?
On September 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm, DerKrieger said:
Lipstick?
Blue
they are manic aint they.
On September 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm, Irish Rose said:
Can’t give you hers as I am not one of her minions, but I’ll give you mine.
A Republican willing to submit to, appease, or practice collectivism, which holds that man is nothing more than a slave to the state.
lmao what a joke just go vote for barak baby killer obama.
as for mr magic bullet….just switch parties already.
Hah! Good one!
Stand down fellow Malkin Attack Dogs for Irish Rose doth spoke.
But me thinketh our IrishRose knoweth not a ‘religious right’ nor ‘conservative’ true or other. I know not of the IrishRose.
My garden has hybrid tea roses, floribundas and one rugosa rose. But of the IrishRose I know not.
Attack Dog AN out.
Speaking of liberal Republicans, Lindsey Graham and Tom Ridge are scheduled to speak at the RNC tonight before McCain.
After Mitt, Rudy and Sarah, talk about buzzkill!
Michelle is more than capable of answering this herself, if she so desires. One thing, though. You on the left have it a bad habit of assuming that all conservatives are part of the “religious right”. It’s a really bad mistake, and a dead giveaway to conservatives that the person making the claim is in all probability a liberal, and equally likely, a Democrat. I know you claim to be pro-life, but otherwise you show no indication of being anything but a run-of-the-mill Dem.
Liberal Republicans lick their wounds; Conservative Democrats kiss Pelosi’s tush; and Liberal Democrats lick…other Liberal Democrats!
Funny, but not accurate. Zell Miller was more conservative than most Republicans. Actually, the name for a conservative Democrat is ex-Democrat. They throw them out of the party.
I heard she was injured in a multi-post accident when the site crashed last night.
Get well soon!
Everybody was so charged up, they all tried to post at once and blew up her servers, I think.
On September 4th, 2008 at 6:09 pm, txvet2 said:
Great point. I’m an agnostic bordering on atheist, but I am probably to the right of Pat Robertson or Limbaugh, both of whom sometimes argue for the party, as opposed to the rights of the individual, which leads to some bizarre arguments.
I still recall Rush arguing against the democrat’s lies about Republicans “cutting school lunches,” the salient point being that Republicans were just cutting back the rate of growth.
A staunch conservative would be arguing instead that the state has no business schooling, much less feeding, young humans, as it gives way too much power to the state.
#59,#61
I’ll go ahead and put conservatism and realism as my top priorities. You go ahead and keep with your groupthink and irrational exuberance. In your defense though, you are douchebags.
That’s from a poll reported in the Boston Globe. Who will call and tell them that Palin is the VP nominee?
Palin turns “Snarling” Arlen Specter into sniffling spectacle. So sad. /s
What will the GOP do without the Open Border/Get Rid of that Troublesum fetus group?
I mean, they might stay in their gated communities and have to talk a bit with their nanny, Maria on election day.
I mean as long as you get a lower tax rate, why worry about all that abortion, true freedom of religion, guns, and other icky stuff?
Irish Rose, let me educate you. The Republican base is any group or individual who “usually” votes for Republicans. This includes religious conservatives as well as the blue blood Wall Street type. The folks who are not the base are the folks who vote over stupid stuff like, what your hair looks like, or if you are an alpha male wearing a brown suit. They may vote Republican this time, but the next time the candidate may be bald so they will vote democrat.
The democrat base is the folks at the Folsom Street fair every year. They are also the ones who exterminate their babies before they are born and hand out happy-fun abortion literate/games at the DNC. They are the ones who riot in the streets because we defended ourselves against terrorist. They are the ones who believe that hope and change are tangible and they want to get them some.
If I may answer the question you posed to Michelle (What, exactly, is your definition of “liberal Republican”?)I believe a liberal republican is an individual who actually believes that the Constitution of the United States of America has a clause in it somewhere that says killing innocent babies is Okey Dokey.
Oh he has taken a stand. It’s just on the wrong side.
(b) That’s you Liar. Lucky for you the terms are selectively enforced.
Why is it always abortion with the moderates? Why are eastern elites obsessed with abortion so much? Is it abortion itself, or is it a form of political tomcattery… how they mark their territory so as not to be confused with those hayseed evangelicals?
What about all those so-called conservatives who flocked to Huckabee? Yeah, he’s socially conservative, but otherwise a big government statist populist.
I’m not socially conservative, but strongly conservative on fiscal issues. Rudy would have been the closest thing to an ideal candidate for me. I’m willing to let it go and vote for the ticket. Am I still welcome?
Seems like this group is a bit deluded in the GOP majority’s beliefs. I think they need to go back to the drawing board.
James Felix. I am on your side when it comes to illegal immigration? I am curious though..why do you think that John McCain takes the approach he does on illegal immigration? I have asked this to several people I know and get interesting answers.
On September 4th, 2008 at 6:50 pm, Socky said:
Not wanting to be confused with the hayseeds is probably on the mark, at least on a conscious level.
Deeper down, abortion is the ultimate negation of individual rights to the state. That is why east-coast Republicans defend it, and Chinese potentates practice it with such fervor.
If Arlen Sphincter said something in the woods would it still sound like passing gas?
On September 4th, 2008 at 6:09 pm, txvet2 said:
Actually you’re quite wrong about that.
I’m a former Democrat who is now a flag waving, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military moderate Republican, and I’ve attended a fundamentalist Christian church nearly all of my adult life. My oldest son is a United States Marine, and I’m a proud Blue Star mom.
The only people here who insist on stamping the word “liberal” on my forehead are those who don’t like it when I point out – or voice any kind of opposition to – religious hypocrisy, political duplicity and racial bigotry.
On September 4th, 2008 at 6:56 pm, Ron Rockstar said:
I’m not James Felix, but my best guess would be that he believes in and insists on, treating every single person like a human being. I think that his respect for the humanity of the individual is what colors his policy decisions regarding immigration, and it probably always will.
I’ve read Mr. McCains position on immigration. I think that he’s well aware of the unique problems that we have with both criminal illegals and non-criminal illegals, and he’s not going to shirk from dealing with those problems.
But he’s not going to be pushed into treating innocent people like cattle either. I think it goes against his grain to dehumanize others, because he himself was dehumanized.
My two cents.
Again with the religion brand.
Ummm, because hypocrisy of the non-religious brand is better?
Try again.
On September 4th, 2008 at 7:01 pm, Irish Rose said:
Then I’m not quite sure what makes you a moderate. Can you state what tenets you hold to qualify you as a moderate?
Social Republican isn’t that just what a liberal used be?
Screw em!
On September 4th, 2008 at 7:14 pm, FilmLadd said:
I suppose that the best label for me would be “compassionate conservative“… I’m moderate on social issues, but I lean towards conservatism on nearly everything else.
Irish Rose, that is probably the most consistent answer I get on the question. He is compassionate.
On September 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm, Knife-n-Dork said:
Stop lying about Huckabee.
Without Mike Huckabee, I don’t think McCain would have felt the pressure to pick Sarah Palin.
Mike deserves our thanks and our respect.
Let me try on the “what is a RINO” question.
Any politician with an R after their name that believes in governing any other way than that spelled out explicitly in the Constitution and Bill of Rights (words meaning exactly what they meant when they were written – not some modern variation on that meaning).
By this definition, most of the R’s in congress are RINO’s. McCain is very much a RINO.
On September 4th, 2008 at 7:38 pm, conservativesRus said:
Are you trying to change the subject?
IR – I know you and I disagree often on matters here….to me, RINO and liberal republican are one and the same.
I’m totally baffled as to how one can be a social liberal but a fiscal conservative. I’ve heard many describe themselves that way, but the logical conclusion is the two are incompatible.
That does not mean in the least though any absense of compassion. It has to do with how the campassion is shown. Something along the lines of give a man a fish, feed him for a meal, teach him to fish, feed him for a lifetime.
McCain is the leader of the RINO herd and by naming Palin as VP, he’s going to get you to vote for amnesty. Will you still love her after she tells you “God’s Children” should be given a pass on the laws?
Wouldn’t surprise me if Lindsay Graham doesn’t tell those bigots that want the laws enforced to shut up.
Code for tight fisted libertine.