Michael Steele: We need to reach out to pro-choice Republicans
posted at 7:06 pm on December 8, 2008 by Allahpundit
The question of the day, as posed by former Giuliani speechwriter John Avlon in NRO: Should the GOP have a litmus test of social conservatism? David Brody put it to Steele in the context of his membership on the board of Republican Leadership Committee, Christie Todd Whitman’s outfit for “a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues by its members.” I like his answer; most of you probably won’t. Or maybe you will. I can’t keep track anymore of which RINOs should be purged and which merely reformed.
Lots more goodness where this came from, with clips at CBN of Steele on the federal marriage amendment (he’s against it), kicking toxic incumbents like Ted Stevens out of office before they can destroy the party (he’s for it), and the media’s adulation of He Who Came From the Sky to Deliver Us (“This is their creation. He is their creation.”). Click the image to watch.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 9 Next »
Wow what a novel concept. I guess Steele didn’t notice the fact that some of out leading candidates in the primaries were pro choice. I don’t remember abortion being at the top of the list in terms of priorities for voters anyway.
echosyst on December 8, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Good interview.
terryannonline on December 8, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Goody, time for some rabid KILL ALL RINOS, MAY THEY ROT IN THE DEEPEST,DARKEST PIT OF HELL posts! :)
Joking people, don`t go all bat-s***ty on me.
ThePrez on December 8, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Steele is absolutely right.
And the GOP has become too exclusionary…especially where I live here in Iowa.
The Iowa GOP has become overrun by the so-cons. This effects all of us, because they set the tone for choosing our nominee…. and stuck us with the worthless Huckster last time.
We’ll get him again in ’12 unless Palin gets knowledgable really quick and makes a strong run.
You can’t be a pro-life Dem. We SHOULD BE the big tent party.
bigred on December 8, 2008 at 7:15 PM
I was against Steele being the RNC chair, because I thought it would look like we were putting a black person there to counter Obama. Now I am for him either way. The republican party needs to cut the puppet strings that social conservatives pull and tug on, and free our party to invite those who aren’t socially conservative into the party.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Man, you are SO gonna get bombed on for that. Here`s your helmet.
ThePrez on December 8, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I’d call myself a pro-life conservative.
But what does that mean? To me it means that abortion would be legal in states where it had enough votes to be legal.
It means that the Government would not be in the business of funding it. It means that no abortions are given to children without parental consent. It means no partial birth abortions.
Is that an insane and intolerant view these days?
Just wondering…
Dorvillian on December 8, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Accept, yes. Reach out, why? Were there tons of Republicans who voted for Obama based on one issue? They don’t sound like folks to build a party around.
Let’s move away from single-issue voters. That includes people who are so pro-choice that they can’t vote for a Republican.
Y-not on December 8, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Yes you can.
No thanks. One of the reasons why I stopped being a liberal is because they murder babies. I don’t want these sick ****s on my side. And since the middle doesn’t give a damn one way or another when it comes to abortion I don’t see why we should.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:19 PM
It’s not like that wasn’t tried. I vote we need to reach out to conservative principles, not cheapening life in society. We have enough crime to thank for that venture as it is.
The next thing we will hear is we need to reach out to assisted suicide … then just lower the age to save the planet, think of the tonnes of CO2 that wouldn’t have to be emitted. Hey wait, wasn’t there a movie about this, and isn’t this what they are now doing in England. Trying to put a dollar cost on repair — Hey granny, sorry that operation costs too much, you just aren’t worth the CO2 load on the planet anymore.
tarpon on December 8, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Wow… compasionate conservatism… part deux…
If you don’t stand up for principal, you stand for nothing.
So, he’s not for Smaller Government (ie Fiscal Con)…
and now he’s not a Social Con….
What kind of Con is he…
Romeo13 on December 8, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Define moderate. There is no moderate philosophy.
Oh yeah, hey, no biggie on that whole killin’ babies thing. Whatevs.
CP on December 8, 2008 at 7:22 PM
This social con “issue” is a red herring. DON’T buy it.
It is being used by the enemy to end one of the right’s advantages. The left has sold it and now some of you are buying it. They know that if they can reduce the social conservatives presence they can win and win and win. See what happened with McCain. Social issues were nothing this time.
How many of you are so gullible? Play right into their hands. You scare the F out of me. I cannot believe I read such stupidity.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:24 PM
It IS the top priority for a lot of conservative leaders, though, who will not accept pro-choice nominees. This is just one example of how the movement’s priorities are out of sync with the electorate’s priorities. As I have said before: if all you ever talk about is abortion, don’t be surprised if people start to think that it’s all you really care about.
Big S on December 8, 2008 at 7:24 PM
@ CP on December 8, 2008 at 7:22 PM
A clump of cells isnt a baby.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:24 PM
He is completely 100% correct.
The party has taken a tragic Right turn within the last few years and it killed us. The Far Right should not be allowed to run the show. This is evident by the insanity over in the other threads regarding whether Obama is an American or not.
If we are fighting this kind of craziness in the Middle East, why would we want this kind of unbendable socailly Conservative all or nothing stringency in our own Party?
It should always be about a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues by its members.
With this recipe we have always won.
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I have nothing against pro-choice Republicans who believe it from a personal point of view but I would like to ask why anybody in there right mind pro-choice or pro-life who would not be in favor of a repeal of Roe vs Wade in order to allow each state to decide for itself how it wants to proceed? Isn’t that the democratic thing to do? I suppose this ia a minority position but I would support any GOP party leader, whether pro-choice or pro-life if they supported the repeal of this court decision.
technopeasant on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Didn’t any of these idiots see the result of the last elections. Reaching out to apposing views is the last thing you want to do. Of course you have to have your own view to begin with. Which is one of the problems with the RNC. Just what do they stand for anymore? Certainly not what I stand for.
Tommy_G on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Steele is absolutely correct. Thiw was NOT a single issue election, but the sad truth is that there is a substantial block of voters that are staunchly pro-life and I think an even larger block that is pro-choice.
We will not win in 2012 without a pro-choice candidate. Granting states the right to vote on the issue does not make you a bad Christian. The Pope can stay in the dark ages on this topic all he wants… I’m a pro-choice conservative and we need to save America NOW! By winning pr-choice voters we shrink the center-left population and the math works itself out.
cannonball on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
agree with you, but fear the attempt to ‘purge’ is going to make the party smaller and less relevant. As Steele says in the video clip, the type of Republican who can get elected in a liberal county in Maryland (Connie Morella, who lost her seat a while back) is different than the type of Republican (Roscoe Bartlett, our only remaining R in the State Congressional Delegation) who can get elected in a conservative county/district in Maryland.
I full support fielding strong conservatives for national office.
I would support fielding less ideologically pure candidates in more liberal states or districts (see above).
This desire to purge any and all RINOs is an attempt to have our cake and eat it too. The Dems have a majority that includes a contingent (the Blue Dogs) that does not agree with them on some key principles but helps them gain a majority. If you are not the majority in a legislature, or not the winner in a single seat race for a State or National Election, where you are on the PURE vs RINO scale doesn’t really matter, because you have little or no power to influence public policy.
Red State State of Mind on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
@ Big S on December 8, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Exactly, abortion should be so low on our list that it isnt even mentioned during the campaign. I want a leader that is sound on fiscal policy, foreign affairs, technology, education, second amendment, etc.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Yeah, right, that’s why we have been winning….
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Not impressed with his reasoning. You can go on shows and be a guest at something or other and not give up your principles, but the moment you compromise your principles to get the numbers, you SELL OUT!
You have to get them to come to our side by proving our issues are right and they are wrong.
Mercy4Me on December 8, 2008 at 7:27 PM
@ cannonball on December 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
When half the republican “base” thinks you are advocating toddler murder for that position, its hard to attract new voters to associate themselves with these crazies.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:27 PM
How ’bout no more reaching out to anybody. Just develop a platform, stick to it, and try to persuade the electorate that it is the better platform. Those of us that don’t like certain planks in the platform can either hold our nose or go somewhere else.
Making the Big Tent out of spandex and trying to stretch it to include everyone is bogus.
innominatus on December 8, 2008 at 7:28 PM
You’re a clump of cells too. Just a bigger one who wastes more oxygen, water and food.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Hmmm, so in other words, since being for the life and liberty of the unborn is politically incorrect (or so they think), the GOP is now scrapping it as a principle of the party. Gotcha.
So, what other issues is the GOP going to scrap? How else is it going to sell its political soul for votes and to be popular again?
Didn’t the Democrats increase their power by running socially conservative politicians (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-god)? So now the genius strategy of the GOP is to try to regain power in a socially conservative electorate by scrapping social conservative issues? Brilliant.
Have fun stormin’ the castle with that strategy.
Michael in MI on December 8, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Exactly. The GOP’s days of dealing with uteruses and men in love should be put far behind us….
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Um, you are, on the physical level, nothing more than a clump of cells either…
Can we abort you? Retroactivly?
Romeo13 on December 8, 2008 at 7:29 PM
The BIGGEST reason we lost was
ta DAH – the ECONOMY stupid.
Nothing to do with abortion or social issues
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Look, if you’re pro-life, the Republican party is yours. But we shouldn’t exclude people from the party if that’s not necessarily their #1 issue.
Other than appoint conservative judges, there’s not a damn thing we can do about the abortion issue.
The Human Life Amendment will NEVER pass. The best we can ever hope for is to overturn Roe v. Wade & send the issue back to the states, where it belongs. But that ain’t going to happen for at least 8 years.
We SHOULD stand by our principles. We should also respect those who agree with us on most issues. The alternative is we get our asses kicked even worse by a party that disagrees with us on everything.
bigred on December 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Fine, just so long as they know that there is no constitutional right to it.
Harpoon on December 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
There is room in my Republican party for this – after all, we are about personal liberty. My conservative family considers me their arch-conservative. I usually say:
I am pro-choice. I’m also pro-the-right-choice.
ElRonaldo on December 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Before we get all bent out of shape, the party hasn’t taken a sharp right turn … Hello, who was it that was our standardbearer last election? It sure wasn’t a conservative. In fact if it hadn’t been for the Conservative Palin, it would have likely been a total wipe out.
All the 2008 election proved is it’s real easy to make idiot voters out of ignorant people — All you have to do is promise them free pies. Most Obama voters don’t have a clue about anything.
Get real folks … Ronald Reagan showed the way to landslide successes.
tarpon on December 8, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Steele is correct.
The “masturbation” = pre meditated murder crowd is killing the R’s
mylegsareswollen on December 8, 2008 at 7:31 PM
@ Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Exactly, I use oxygen, water and food. I don’t rely on clinging to the wall of a uterus like a parasite and staling nutrients from my mother. That makes me a person, and the clump of cells in the uterus not. If you are against abortion, dont have one. How hard is that? Stop trying to force your views on everyone else.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Muyoso- a parasite. Sorry but you are sick
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:33 PM
@ bigred on December 8, 2008 at 7:30 PM
It will never get overturned. Its wishful thinking. Its here to stay.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:33 PM
I think pro life people need to do a little reaching out themselves.
tomas on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I mean pro not life sorry.
tomas on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
muyoso,
We should stop pushing our views on other people? This is great news, I’ve been waiting for the chance to go raping, pillaging and killing without all those pesky people imposing their laws on me. You don’t think abortion is murder, fine, some of us do. When you tell us to just give it up as important you’re telling us that murder isn’t a big deal (from our perspective). And from your tone it doesn’t sound like you want a bigger tent – you just want to kick pro-life conservatives out of the tent.
gwelf on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Amen. Could not have said it any better.
Develop a platform of principles. Govern by those principles. Convince people those principles are correct. And then let the chips fall where they may.
Sacrificing principles in order to create a “big tent” is not a winning strategy. Especially when the principle we’re talking about is trending in the pro-life direction, not the pro-choice direction. Which is why the Democrats opened their party to pro-life candidates in Congressional and Senate seats in order to increase their majorities.
Michael in MI on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
We will not win in 2012 without a pro-choice candidate.
As long as a pro-life candidate does not favor throwing women in jail for having abortions or doctors in jail for committing them I believe a pro-life candidate can lead the GOP to victory in 2012. And Sarah Palin is the person to do that as she does NOT support incarceration for women or their doctors.
technopeasant on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
That’s more of the idiotic reasoning that got us McCain. Big tent means having not standards and being run over by the same people who lost us this last election. Will the GOP ever learn or are they just that stupid.
flytier on December 8, 2008 at 7:35 PM
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Not anymore. You were born. Allow others that priviledge.
kingsjester on December 8, 2008 at 7:35 PM
@ Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:33 PM
parasite – Biology. An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.
How is that not what a baby does while it grows?
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Sarah had it exactly right!!! Same as Reagan did.
tarpon on December 8, 2008 at 7:36 PM
@ kingsjester on December 8, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I allow all others that option. I don’t choose for people to have a child or not, you guys on the other hand are trying to remove that choice from people. Have all the children you want.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Finally. Somebody in the GOP establishment has the onions to say what needs to be said. The religious fundamentalists in the conservative movement are killing the GOP. The social cons DO NOT have a monopoly on “The Truth” or morality.
dakine on December 8, 2008 at 7:38 PM
MUYOSO you are sick
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Ridiculous. Of course you can. You can’t get elected to office in places like NY or SF, but you certainly can in plenty of other districts.
http://www.lifenews.com/nat4551.html
SouthernDem on December 8, 2008 at 7:38 PM
MUYOSO does this parasite have a totally independent genetic make up than its HOST? I will take a yes or a no…no game playing
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Well said!
ramrocks on December 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
I can’t think of any Democratic Governor , Senator or Congressman who is all three; can you give me a few current examples?
I can find some Blue Dogs who are 2 out of 3.
Red State State of Mind on December 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Muyoso sorry but another thing..that parasite was invitied…you are one bitch of a host.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
So does a fetus.
A parasite gives nothing in return (much like you). Babies are vital to reproduction. If we were to go by your own asinine definition, they’d be symbiotes, not parasites.
No, that does not make you a “person”. Anyone who would even support the murder of innocent people for personal benefit is not worthy of that title.
That’s funny, because as soon as I bust into a gas station, shoot the attendant in the face and steal all his cash, ass holes like you send the cops after me. Don’t like murder & armed robbery? Don’t do it!
Dumbass. I’m surprised you even know how to breathe.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
The MORE I read here … I think STUPID is right on.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:41 PM
@ gwelf on December 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
You think its murder and you are sitting here allowing it to happen? You dont think its murder, or else you would be out there forcing abortion clinics closed, doing everything possible to stop the murder. If I thought there was a building where they were murdering babies less than a block from my house, and everyday I saw people walking in with babies, I wouldnt just sit around and allow it to happen. You do. Bet God is gonna reward you for allowing millions of babies to get murdered, where the most you did was scribble a circle on a piece of paper once every 4 years. Im sure your God who killed millions in the Old testament for much less will understand.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:41 PM
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:37 PM
I did. She is a special child. She was born with birth defects. We knew that early on. She had to have cranial surgery at 5 weeks. She is now a wonderful young woman of 21 with many friends and a wonderful outlook on life. Life is precious. God is good. All the time.
kingsjester on December 8, 2008 at 7:41 PM
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Life comes first, because without it, you can’t have the others.
You want unrestrained personal freedoms, join the libertarians.
“So-con” is just libspeak for flyover person. Conservatism isn’t just about economics. Its about traditions, and values. Its about the ideals that founded this country. And killing the innocent wasn’t one of those values. But personal responsibility was.
Without traditions and values, conservatism is jsut a movement to keep more money for yourself than liberals.
Iblis on December 8, 2008 at 7:42 PM
@ Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
You are the reason republicans are seen as crazy religious nutbags.
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:42 PM
This is what happens…you give and you give until you are listened to anymore. Say it loud and say it proud. Moderate means you can’t make a frigging decision without taking a poll. Piss on em.
tomas on December 8, 2008 at 7:42 PM
This assumption that the electorate is so socially Conservative is way off. Speak for yourself.
Those abortion referendums failed in every state. The only reason Prop 8 passed was because the small percentage of voters that brought it over the top to a win hadn’t a clue about what they were supporting or they were stormy-tonys who resent the fact of gay men marrying and they have no one.
Let’s face it – there is nothing more bitter than an old maid.
Not everyone is socially Conservative – this is a Moderate country, period. Take a look outside of your backyard and your neighborhood.
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Pro-life, pro-choice, social cons, social moderates are all mute points. The social issues are irrelevant right now and have nothing to do with the GOP decline. It’s about fiscal conservatism and how we governed when we were in power. And as of right now we still don’t have any leadership in the GOP that conveys that message. The ones that do Coburn, Hunter, Inhofe, etc. barely get noticed. We have to quit screwing around with the Huckabees, McCains, Palins, etc. and start listing to people that can govern in a responsible manner.
lowandslow on December 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Who said they did? I suspect you feel guilty about something.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM
The idea that you’re going to ban abortion in some or all circumstances, and not back it up with punishment for those who break your favored laws, is what gets a lot of people worried. You can’t go around screaming ABORTION IS MURDER!!! and then turn around and tell people that they shouldn’t worry you don’t want to punish them for it. They won’t believe you.
Big S on December 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM
@ kingsjester on December 8, 2008 at 7:41 PM
FTFY
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM
No, no, no . . . that’s just more “in name only” hogwash. The Republican Party must develop sound conservative agendas then articulate and demonstrate to the voters how their ideology is superior to that of the left. Beginning the rebuild by caving on key issues is not the way to win back congress and the presidency. If their proposals will result in sound fiscal and social policies then maybe even some “pro choice” voters will want to join them. They must be something before they try to do something.
rplat on December 8, 2008 at 7:44 PM
The other day, at a Republican mass-meeting in my town, the pro-abortion Republicans were stoned to death for having a *diverse* opinion. Those who protested the stoning were later rounded up by a crack squad of Dick Cheney’s stormtroopers and are probably serving life sentences now at Gitmo.
No, you’re a clump of cells — we all are. Life happens at the cellular level, my friend. The only difference between you and the “parasite” you speak of is that the “parasite” is a better human being than you are.
The “parasite”, as innocent as he/she truly is, probably doesn’t suck on his/her thumb in the womb justifying the termination of your life.
Punchenko on December 8, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Are you really that sick and ignorant? First off, that clump of cells has a verifiable heartbeat at 3 weeks and fingerprints soon after. Also, by your reasoning we should be able to murder the parasite all the way through the 9 months up until it is born since it is sucking off the mother through it’s umbilical cord.
I hope you were just trying to be provocative with that sick comment because if that is what you really believe in your filthy, evil heart then you suck.
mrsmwp on December 8, 2008 at 7:44 PM
I can find simplistic definitions that make 3 year olds parasites too. It doesn’t make you any less stupid. Here’s one:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4769
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:44 PM
dakine: I agree the SC do not have a monopoly on the ‘Truth’ or morality, but for anybody to advocate to completely abandon moral principles and Reagan conservatism is as the expression goes ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’. We should not interpret ‘big tent’ as catering to the lowest common denominator’.
technopeasant on December 8, 2008 at 7:44 PM
It is hilarious … this election and last the social issues have been almost non-existant yet so many here act as if they were. The manipulation is OBVIOUS.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:45 PM
You’re kidding, right Jamson. Have you ever had a discussion about anything with a born again Christian? To a fundamentalist Christian there is no doubt or uncertainty. “The Truth” is to be found in the bible, and morality is what they say it is. Get your head out of your ass.
dakine on December 8, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Muyoso you are still sick.
Jamson64 on December 8, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I wouldn’t call giving states the right to legislate the “lowest common denominator.”
cannonball on December 8, 2008 at 7:47 PM
the social cons/religious fanatics have driven the GOP into the ground with it’s intolerance and cultural wedges. they must be purged for the GOP to regain any of it’s footing.
Noneya on December 8, 2008 at 7:48 PM
By who? I didn’t even mention God. Unless you wish to imply atheism = child murder, in which case these gentlemen would beg to differ. YOU on the other hand are a textbook example of why most of the country hates atheists.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:48 PM
You’re correct and neither does the left, so forget the pompous crap..
rplat on December 8, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Lets see,what did Hopey say,oh ya,womens egg meets
males baby paste,doesn’t get any baby human rights,
or sumpin like dat!
And the Liberal Socialist Democrat Party keeps equating
religion with abortion!
There needs to be a message of religion or not,that
killing babies is not the right thing in life to be
doing,period!
And so far,its the Republican Party who is fighting for
‘human rights’ of the newborn!!
canopfor on December 8, 2008 at 7:48 PM
muyoso, do you have any children?
cannonball on December 8, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Yeah, because the libs are afraid of conservatives and value voters. They know that they stayed home for McCain. And they want to divorce them from the Republicans, to keep both out of power. They’re afraid because even though they out spent McCain by 4Xs and gave Obama totally one-sided coverage, he only won by 4%. So they plant trolls, and have their “house conservatives” try to destroy the only effective coalition that can thwart their plans.
Iblis on December 8, 2008 at 7:49 PM
muyoso on December 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM
No, you didn’t. If ignorance is bliss, you are a very happy person. If you are not ignorant, then you are just a Troll.
He lives, as sure as we all draw breath. As sure as a baby smiles. As sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets at night. And all your protestations don’t mean a thing.
kingsjester on December 8, 2008 at 7:49 PM
And they shouldn’t. Murderers should be punished.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Remember how well McCain started polling after Saddleback. Life is a winning issue the Dems can never take from the GOP. As with embryonic stem cell research, science is vindicating us.
There are large numbers of young adults belonging to a new generation that feels it survived Roe v. Wade. Sonograms show how soon those “clumps of cells” seem alive and unique. These kids are freaked out by partial birth abortion, and see the Dems as barbarians.
Dems turn the argument t the evils of poverty and the plight of single women and rape victims. They have to invent bogeymen scarier than murder itself. We should not run from this argument or give over to “making the climate a priority for the new conservatives.” It’s a trap!
chunderroad on December 8, 2008 at 7:50 PM
techno, you’re missing my point. In my experience, folks are either decent or they’re not regardless of political ideology or affiliation. We don’t need to the government or any religious group telling us how we should live our lives.
dakine on December 8, 2008 at 7:50 PM
That’s what you tell yourself to make the guilt go away, isn’t it?
ramrocks on December 8, 2008 at 7:50 PM
I KNEW MICHAEL STEELE WOULD DO THIS!
chunderroad on December 8, 2008 at 7:51 PM
AMEN
I mean – we are fighting this loon behavior in the Middle East – our soldiers are dying on foriegn soil to stop this behavior.
Tell me why would we tolerate it here in the USA and in our political Party no less?? Are we crazy or what??
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:51 PM
‘lowest common denominator’ as defined in the dictionary is the mass of ordinary people, particularly when considered to have low critical standards and to lack taste-the qualities one would attribute to an undiscerning public’. Cannonball that is what I was referring to.
technopeasant on December 8, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Right there with ya! I am trying to think,, did I ever remember some moderate lecturing other moderates that it’s time to wake up,,, that the party is a big tent and moderates need to get over their hangups about the pro life base, get over their hang ups with conservatives and just come together for the good of the party??!
If Mr Steele is going to start attacking and mocking conservatives this early,, it is not a good sign. And bringing up and defending the RINO from New Jersey
Christy Todd Whitman does not give me goose bumps either. He could have talked his big tent thing in a positive light, instead of using it as an opportunity to mock the conservatives and pro lifers.
It is conservatives that are always offering their hand out to others. Even Reagan brought Bush in as VP and did not attack other moderates. It is the moderates that have the hang ups and really do not believe in the big tent. If they could, they would kick us out, invite the Dems in and turn the tent into a fortress surrounded by mote and walls.
JellyToast on December 8, 2008 at 7:51 PM
7:51 PM
Bravo to him for having the balls to do it. he deserves a medal.
AprilOrit on December 8, 2008 at 7:52 PM
rplat, the fact is that nobody has a monopoly on “The Truth”. Problem is that fundamentalists (be they on the right or the left) think that they do, and they want to foist their version thereof on the rest of us.
dakine on December 8, 2008 at 7:52 PM
That’s funny. I seem to remember a bit of a fight over who could get the VP nomination without causing a convention walkout by the God Squad. Then, the right-wing blogosphere spent two months bashing Barack Obama for supporting “infanticide”, and worshipping Sarah Palin for her pro-life bona fides.
Big S on December 8, 2008 at 7:53 PM
I don’t think you have to be PRO Life to be Republican, but to be a Republican candidate?
You lose a lot of enthusiasm from the base.
The candidates SHOULD have a set of core beliefs that can be counted on.
Jason Gillman on December 8, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Big S hits it out of the park!
dakine on December 8, 2008 at 7:53 PM
BLASPHEMER!
Lehosh on December 8, 2008 at 7:54 PM
If I’m correct, I believe it was black and hispanic voters who put it over the top — very socially conservative black and hispanic voters.
Social conservatism is only poised to get bigger with the influx of Catholic hispanics. If we are going to REACH OUT to black and hispanics it will be through SOCIAL ISSUES… that is, of course, unless you want to jettison economic conservatism and dole out dollars like the Democrats do to win over those votes.
Than again I could be wrong and you could be absolutely right.
Punchenko on December 8, 2008 at 7:54 PM
He’s an infamous sociopath around here, he has no guilt.
Darth Executor on December 8, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 … 9 Next »