Op-ed: Time to kick Snowe, Specter, and Collins out of the GOP caucus
posted at 4:05 pm on February 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
Reads like a lost Ed Anger column.
I don’t get it. What would it achieve?
This bill is purely Democratic pork to pay back their base and consolidate socialist power for years, if not decades, to come. They are scarcely attempting to conceal this fact and not even the most ignorant among us should be fooled in the slightest. But Senators Specter, Collins, and Snowe – a veritable Three Stooges of politics – appear to lack the wisdom and maturity of their classic movie comedy namesakes. And what they have foisted upon the public will not be a laughing matter. (Though I confess I wouldn’t mind seeing them get poked in the eyes or clonked in the cranium with a big wooden mallet.)…
The only purpose there ever was to allowing liberals like Collins, Snowe and Specter in the party in spite of all their wandering off the reservation was that they would still cast a few keys votes when numbers fell at important dividing points – e.g. a Republican as majority leader when the Senate was divided 50-50; with the party when at or near 60-40 to stop or end filibusters.
Neither one of these reasons exists anymore. Democrats presently have 58 votes, and with this betrayal, these three have proven they can’t even be counted on to uphold filibusters. As such, they have demonstrated themselves to be completely expendable.
What’s a surer way to get them to vote with the GOP on future filibusters, excommunicating them or trying to make nice? If you want them out, which is a distinct possibility in Specter’s case, follow the nutroots example and fund a primary challenger. Otherwise, why bend over backwards to alienate the last few pockets of Republican support in the northeast?
Blowback
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Indeed. I mean, this bill is bad, but plenty of other bad votes don’t get people kicked out of the caucus.
Abby Adams on February 11, 2009 at 4:08 PM
That reads like a deranged rant from the Daily Kos.
Hello Ideological Purity?
Ares on February 11, 2009 at 4:09 PM
If they cannot be counted on to prevent the rape of our economy, what good are they?
Would you advocate making nice with a boyfriend who stole you blind, beat you up, and molested your kids just so you can have a date for Cousin Matilda’s wedding?
Hells No!
Laura in Maryland on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
As long as Maine and Pennsylvania send these three to serve as Republican Senators, they have a right to be in the Republican caucus.
The GOP belongs to the Republican voters of each state, not to a conservative hegemony. I myself would love to vote Specter out of the GOP in the next Republican Primary, if he is still a Republican at that point.
MitchFlorida on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
it would screw the GOP even more, is what it would achieve.
one problem the GOP has is people in the GOP that do not understand how politics work, period. They think Specter and the Maine twins truely beleive in ans support these things, when the truth is that is probably not the case and they are submitting to political pressures.
Just like Dems do when they do something conservative, its just the way the freaking game is played. This is why Bush/Dole supported RINO Senator Lincoln Chaffee instead of the Conservative that challenged him. They knew there was absolutely zero chance of the conservative winning in Delaware?, and he sided with the GOP atleast some on stuff.
Specter, and the Maine twins are the best the GOP can get given the Political pressures put on them by the residents/voters of those states. This is why Conservatives need to get as many GOP elected Senators and Congressmen from Red States as possible.
jp on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Get rid of them this way.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Hey, Mavericky Maverick didn’t get kicked out for his Shamnesty bill. We gave him a promotion and watched as he made a predictable pigs ear out of it. The GOP doesn’t throw its’ garbage out. We eat it. Specter 2012!
austinnelly on February 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM
It’s sort of a mixed bag. These three also do a great deal of PR damage as “Republicans” voting for all sorts of ridiculous crap and undermining the party.
Plus, this bill was the Liberal Omnibus bill of the last 30 years… if any bill was going to get shot down by Republicans, it’s this trillion dollar leftist social experiment. If they sell out on the entire domestic liberal wishlist, where is the line where they can be counted on?
Finally… I won’t go so far as to toss out the “No True Scottsman” fallacy, but if Collins, Snowe, and Specter are emblematic of Republican support in the Northeast, then I’m not sure exactly what the Northeast thinks it’s voting for when it sends them to the Senate.
Lehosh on February 11, 2009 at 4:12 PM
As concerns this package, and it is not a small thing, it eliminates the “bi-partisanship” nature of the plan and reinforces the conservative stance on this issue. But, what good are they if they can’t be counted on. We’ve lost…better to draw the line now rather than hope. Begging them to act like conservatives only gives them more power.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:12 PM
I can’t believe the minority leader can’t make them tow the party line on this.
Spector told Laura Ingraham that most of the communication from Americans was overwhelmingly against this tragic bill but (and I am quoting) “that doesn’t matter”.
Send them pork -in any form – as much as possible. Tea bags too.
stenwin77 on February 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Turncoats, no other word for it.
They need to reflect on why they were the only three between the House and Senate to cave in.
The three of them are incapable of seeing the bigger issues at stake.
FireBlogger on February 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I agree … dump the crap.
tarpon on February 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
It’s called principle. Besides, “Republican support” means nothing these days. The party is basiclly dead (dying at least).
FuriousAmerican on February 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
How does Arlen Spectre keep getting re-elected?
Well, his DOES come from the same state that keeps putting MURTHA back in. Thank you, PA.
Tony737 on February 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
He also didn’t get the boot for McCain-Feingold.
I could see kicking folks out of a conservative caucus for something like this, if you’ve really got to kick them out of something….but kicking them out of the party?
If we don’t want them representing Republicans from Main/Pennsylvania, we need to get the people of those states to vote for different Republicans.
JadeNYU on February 11, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Of course Allahpundit “doesn’t get it”…
After all, this is the same guy who hates Palin, Rush and anyone else we have resembling true conservatives in the GOP.
Just ask yourself this: Would it have helped the GOP to have former GOP Senator Lincoln “I voted for Barack” Chaffee still in the US Senate?
I think the answer is pretty clear.
Norwegian on February 11, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Get ready to fight with census. When responding, say there are 10+ hispanic/black mixed race people at your location.
We are in an absolute war.
stenwin77 on February 11, 2009 at 4:15 PM
In the case of Collins and Snowe, the lesser of two evils. Trust me, folks…you don’t want Tom Allen, Chellie Pingree or Jean Hay Bright anywhere near the Senate.
Slublog on February 11, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I live in PA, and Specter does not at from principle. He’s a loose cannon maverick, like McCain. He likes to stick it to his own side.
Specter barely survived a primary in 2004. He had the help of Bush, Santorum, and possibly some cross-over Dems in an Operation Chaos move.
This time he’ll have neither Bush nor Santorum. He might hope for some cross-over registrations Dems, but that might not be enough to withstand a credible conservative challenger. It is a closed primary.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Somebody only votes with us 60% of the time? Screw that, let’s kick ‘em out so they only vote with us 10% of the time!
As horrible as this bill is, can you imagine what it would be like if they didn’t have to cater to Collins, et al?
Do you think the dems are glad they didn’t expel Liberman from their caucus?
BuzzCrutcher on February 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Does anyone besides me get a Cindy Sheehan vibe off Collins?
Jim62sch on February 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I said “hear hear” in the headlines but have to agree. While I’d love the taste of red meat, tactically we need them for the 1% of the time they MIGHT vote with us.
Skywise on February 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
How are you going to get Republicans to donate time, money, energy, and heart to a party when it’s so much of a big tent that it contains Senators who would vote for the Crapulus?
Toss those three under the bus, deny the Dem’s “bipartisan” talking point, and reassure the rank’n'file that their party contributions won’t be going to such opportunists.
cthulhu on February 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM
You tell the basketball player time and time again to pass the ball, and he doesn’t.
But you don’t bench him because “what would it achieve?”…
It achieves discipline for the other players…it reinforces that it is still a team.
The player comes back and still does not listen, so you kick him off the team, because he does more harm then good…he becomes a distraction.
Yes, he may play for the other team, but it happens…look at Barney Frank, he plays for the “other team”.
right2bright on February 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Notice that the Dems talked of kicking out Slow Joe Lieberman, but did not. And he helped them out big time on this.
If you are going to do it, do it, but make it clear why you are doing it. And it should not be about them being moderate on other issues, it should be about them voting for this disaster of a pork-u-lus bill.
Mr. Joe on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
which is why, as someone running in a blue state Obama won easily, is trying to appeal to the Liberals in hopes he gets re-elected.
jp on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
In, out–I don’t care. But I do not like either lady and do not want my RNC money spent on them. It’s this ‘over look’ their nonsense all this time which has made them the way they are. However, I do concede they have a far left constituency and have to grovel, but, not so far from re-election time.
jeanie on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
The real question is, why bend over backwards to make nice with and appease people who seem to enjoy nothing more than stabbing you in the back…consistantly and repeatedly?
t.ferg on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
On which major filibuster should we trust Specter to join with the GOP? Amnesty? Tax increases? Major spending? Judges? Minimum wage?
This is the guy who voted to limit tax cuts, opposed impeaching Clinton, slammed Bush over FISA, supports amnesty, is pro-choice, supported raising the minimum wage, bends over for The One at the first opportunity, and said that the Republican Party is “principally moderate, if not liberal”.
Via Wiki, SurveyUSA shows that he’s liked by PA Democrats more than Republicans.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 4:19 PM
A wolf in sheeps clothing is still a wolf. You do not want them in your pasture.
infidel on February 11, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Cash in their chips, these people don’t understand who they represent and they will vote whichever way the wind blows. Make Nice with them all you like it isn’t about us. It’s about their politics.
Dr Evil on February 11, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I agree. If they won’t vote Republican to stop this egregious bill, to hell with them.
wildcat84 on February 11, 2009 at 4:19 PM
For most of my adult life it seems that we are always backing the lesser of two evils. Screw that from now on. If we lose, we lose, but we won’t be embarrassed by left-leaners just because we’re afraid of worse. Despite their steamrolling efforts now, the Dems are doing a pretty good job of exposing themselves. Let them and let the lines be drawn.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Welcome to being a Maine Republican. I voted for Collins’ primary opponent, but he lost. So in that first general election, I voted for the person that more closely represented my views. I don’t like Collins or Snowe, but in Maine, they’re the best we can expect and far preferable to the alternative.
Slublog on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Instead of fretting so much about blue state Republicans we should be concentrating our fire at red state Democrats.
goat on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
You seem to be confused… The Dems threatened to boot Lieberman because of Iraq: a position that he has never compromised on. Otherwise, Lieberman is a doctrinaire liberal.
These three, by contrast, aren’t acting as single-issue rebels: they’re unreliable across the spectrum. I’d like to know the ways in which Collins, Snowe, and Specter are doctrinaire conservatives.
Lehosh on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Why do they keep getting re-elected? Well, the party supports them, and that is part of the original bargain with a candidate who’s recruited. Take on the hard task of running for senate (fund-raising, mud-slinging at you and your family), and we will support you for re-election, unles you’ve been convicted of something (or perhaps, as the saying goes, “been found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy”.)
Presumably this bargain does not require a candidate to promise to vote a certain party line in every vote. And the party knows that in some states, a RINO is all that the GOP can hope for in some years. One would think on important issues, the GOP politician would vote with the party, but think of the amnesty debate, in which Bush and the GOP wanted amnesty, but a group of conservatives managed to stop it.
The most the party could do would be take away a committee post (Specter is senior member on judiciary), but I doubt McConnell would do that, given his “bipartisan” talk about the stimulus. And that fact that McConnell is a wuss. The RINO 3 were just being “bipartisan” in their definition.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
If the last pockets of support in the Northeast are for Republicans that aren’t conservative then the seats are already lost. We might be able to count on alms from these three, but if they will go for something as wild as the stimulus then we shouldn’t count on them for tough votes.
Slublog is right about the lesser of two evils though so maybe we should take what we can get and not expect anything heroic from Reid’s favorite Republicans.
blankminde on February 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
NO time to kick them out…
they can be DUMBASSCRATES
NRA Lifer on February 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Yep.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I say support Conservative Republican challengers in the primaries…vote them out!
CCRWM on February 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
What kind of republican would vote for a socialist bill that will grant universal health care a giant leap into existence and rob the money of this generation (with inflation and taxation) as well as future generations?
This should oust these fools from the republican party automatically. Specter just told Hannity a couple of days ago that he wishes there was a better bill and more time to debate it. Why the hell would you vote for the bill then?!
jencab on February 11, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I feel for you, but the only way I know to help you is to help build a strong conservative party that will stop this insanity on the national level. Maybe, if we can do that and they will act like adults when they get in power, it will change the political landscape all over.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Yeah, we had the opportunity to kick Specter out in ’04. Pat Toomey was doing well against him. Then Bush came in and backed Specter, leading him to win the primary.
Specter has a 40% ACU rating as of ’07. That’s before the spending monstrosities. He’s voted with us less and less every year.
How much have we gotten out of catering to Collins? The final compromise was stripping the bill of more tax cuts and putting spending back in. Collins is still supporting it. We’re still spending $789.5 billion on something that even Biden says there’s a good chance of failure.
amerpundit on February 11, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Arlen behaves like a liberal for the first five years, then the last year before an election, he starts behaving like a “moderate.” If someone annouces a primary challenge soon, watch him tack a little to the right (the right of where is is now, that is).
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I don’t get it – what purpose do they serve in the caucus? Same logic. There obviously does not exist any type of pressure or logic to influence their votes in favor of the GOP, so what’s your point?
Jaibones on February 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM
This ^^
These 3 tools will be continually trotted out and used by the Dems as poster children for “bipartisanship”. It completely undermines the Republican party in the rare instances that they try to take a principled and unified stand.
Lastly after seeing their pompous ass faces on the tube the last few days I really don’t get the feeling they voted the way they did because they have integrity
Sugarbuzz on February 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Heck, I’d love to see a conservative challenger to either of my two senators. But the bench up here is pretty shallow, and the more conservative candidates usually lose the primaries.
Slublog on February 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Arkansas is a case in point.
We have 2 democrat senators in a state that voted overwhelminly for G .W Bush in 04 and 08 go figure.
The RNC could could easily win both these seats if they actually competed. Mark Pryor ran unopposed in 08.
Get that.. A senate seat was up for grabs and the RNC did not even put up a challenger.
kangjie on February 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Let them go along to get along, for now. Clandestinely groom their replacements. Pull the plug on them when the time’s right.
Christien on February 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
There may be votes on which they will vote with the GOP. Pathetic as it is, until the GOP increases its members in the Senate, even a RINO vote can help now and then on certain issues.
Arlen voted for card-check because he had the safety of Bush’s veto. He won’t have that again. His vote will matter this time.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Republican support? Where?
Kicking the three morons out of the GOP caucus would allow them to drift to the lunatics they are going to vote with, anyway, and takes away the Dems’ claims of “bi-partisan”, using these traitors as some representation of GOP support for their insane legislation. If any of these three had any integrity, they would join a filibuster for things they agreed with, anyway. But we know that they have no integrity, at all, so let them just hang with the rest of the intellectual slugs on the left.
But, I don’t know, maybe you like being stabbed in the back … over and over …
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Oh and Blanch lincoln is up for reelection in 2010.
Think the RNC will put somebody for her to compete against
She has done nothing in the years she has been and is a hideous looking dyke libtard looking creature
kangjie on February 11, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Bingo.
I don’t know who you’re arguing with, and I don’t want to know. Collins is a total bonehead – witness her stammering, disjointed “I did two tabs of Mickey Mouse blotter an hour ago, so bear with me” interview on Fox News – so anyone suggesting that she is a benefit because she’s in the committee meeting holding the line on absurd spending must have done three tabs.
Jaibones on February 11, 2009 at 4:30 PM
SPECTER IS AS DODDERING AN OLD FOOL AS SENATOR BYRD EVER WAS—minus the hood, of course.
seejanemom on February 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
When you bite off your nose, you’re doing it to better spite your face.
Loxodonta on February 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Yes….it could be an opportunity. But you get the same opportunity if you just strip their seniority and committee chairmanships from them.
I don’t know how you do that without kicking them out though.
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Extreme anger is the first response to their actions and kicking them out is definitely a feel good response.
I can see both sides, but with attacks on gun rights no doubt coming down the pike, it’s probably better to keep them around. I would hope they understand the sheer frustration people have with government these days.
It’s stopped becoming a government of the people, and become nothing more than a beast in full survival mode that works more towards enslaving it’s citizens than keeping them free to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
darwin on February 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Besides, if hardliners throw these nitwits out, it could open the door to a primary challenge from someone with a functioning brain who could get RNC support, so that we don’t get the Karl Rove/Specter treatment again.
Jaibones on February 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
LAURA IN MARYLAND
awesome LOL
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I blame the GOP dirtbags that shut out Toomey in 2004.
GW BUSH.
RICK SANTORUM.
Never forget.
DarthBrooks on February 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I see you. The only other thing I have for you is plenty of space down here in SC. You can help us dump Graham or at least help us make sure his testicles remain in the down and locked position.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Allah, I know that these are your type of “Republicans” but you really need to wake up and read the record. When it comes to any vote that matters, these three are unreliable at best and usually vote with Democrats. Why leave them in the caucus? It’s like handing the GOP playbook to the filthy liar in the White House.
Why should we trust these rat bastard traitors when NOT ONE GOP voice was at the conference committee? This isn’t a bipartisan bill and Snowe, Specter, and Collins are as partisan as they come….. for the filthy criminals like Reid and Pelosi.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
And it will go to the liberals whether his is in the caucus or not.
Jaibones on February 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Huckabee could have won it, but he was too interested in screwing up Romney and then Palin.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Why kick them out?
Because it would show the American Voter that the Republicans STAND for somthing.
The Repubs lost the trust of Fiscal Cons during the last 8 years of Compasionate Conservatism, and by bloating the Government…
Now? if these three are allowed to stay with no “punishment”, then it shows Fiscal Cons, like myself, the the Repubs have not changed… that they are not serious.
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM
And we are just supposed to bend over and continue to take it then? I for one am tired of liberals like Specter, Collins, Snowe and McCain pretending to be Republicans. If they aren’t going to support the party then I don’t see any reason to make nice or anything else with them. This was the most important vote of our life-time and they showed themselves for who they are, Liberals!!!!!!!
flytier on February 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM
kangjie on February 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Like I said we should be concentrating on red state Dems, Arkansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana come to mind.
goat on February 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I think the caucus looked for three volunteers to make sure this vote got the minimum needed for cloture so the GOP doesn’t look obstructionist, while they go ahead and vote as a block against it.
I would love it if these three voted for cloture, then voted against the final bill and it was a Republican sweep of no votes. It would be especially sweet knowing how many things the Dems kept from even coming to a vote, from the Colombian Free Trade Agreement to the 15 Bush bench appointees.
“Look, Republicans are for people having an opportunity to vote things up or down, we were just against it. Democrats don’t even want to let us vote!”
PastorJon on February 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
And, I would add that none of the three slimeballs said anything as Harry Reid was praising their “patriotism” for supporting his treasonous bill … though Collins thanked her “Republican colleagues”, Specter and Snow.
Yeah, these folks are a great advantage to have in the GOP caucus …
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
and he’ll vote the exact same way
yeah, their way to “save money” was to cut out the tax cuts that might actually have helped regular middle class employed Americans and might have actually helped stimulate important sectors of the economy.
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Any republican with some name recognition and some bankroll can win this in 2010. They need to get started now.
kangjie on February 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Amspec blog.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Slightly OT but I just tried to contact my Senators and the server was down. Here’s hoping that it is citizens speaking out against this Democrat bill and the filthy GOP Senate scum that is supporting it- all three of the traitors. If Maine’s rats want Collins and Snowe, let them go. If Specter wants to become a Democrat, let him go.
This bill was too important to get wrong and the way it was only crafted and debated by Democrats makes it wrong by definition. The only three Republicans willing to sign on to this partisan bill are not really Republicans no matter what letter is behind their names.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I got an e-mail from Michael Steele the other day (fundraising e-mail naturally.) I wrote back saying that I would not give a dime to the GOP unless there was some assurance that the money would not end up in the coffers of Specter, Snow, and Collins.
PackerBronco on February 11, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Um, this gal couldn’t beat Fat Jack Murtha with a good candidate. That’s not a great testimonial to her skills.
funky chicken on February 11, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Specter is like SMIRSH.
Gospel Moody on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Good. We need angry people out in the streets. Let’s burn some effigies, and get tax protests started.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Indeed. The country needs to know, clearly, who’s destroying it.
Let them have their 60 votes.
Entelechy on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
There’s a new thread. Voinovich, Murkowki and Lugar may flip, along with three House GOP members. so much for voting as a “block.”
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
This, more than the stimulus, will define the elements of the GOP.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Good point. Let’s keep them for now.
Aronne on February 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
To what end? These are states that are dying. Better the GOP stick to the conservative message and bolster support in the productive parts of America than pander to the partisan whores of Maine and an elderly socialist from PA.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Murtha has poured so much pork into that district that it’s a company town: Murtha, Inc. And he tried to scare voters into thinking they’d lose their jobs. Although, but for the Obama coattails, Murtha might not have made it.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
AP, this was the litmus test and they flunked. They knowingly and purposely thwarted any attempt by our side to resist, derail or modify this crap in any meaningful way. Instead they threw their lot in with the opposition. No only did they enable the opposition in this instance but they emboldened them and will make it easier for other party members to jump the fence in the future.
There is a reason the Democrats want to go fast. Poll after poll indicates that the longer this thing is exposed to the scrutiny of sunshine that more Americans are giving it the thumbs down as they understand the particulars of this bill and its implications.
You would expect that Specter would be a little more sensitive to healthcare issues having survived a life threatening event. But isn’t. In fact, this dolt has helped launch us on a healthcare trajectory that in a few years might not permit the sort of lifesaving care he required.
The three stooges gave their votes and a shred of political cover for the most expansive waste of taxpayer money in history and provided the means for a massive governmental lurch to the left. Absolutely shameful! In light of their votes it is a reasonable to ask what the Hell these people believe in, are their positions representative of their party and if not, do we want them representing the larger body. There should be consequences for siding with the other side when we needed every single vote.
For this party to remain at all relevant and provide one scintilla of resistance it must coalesce around some pretty basic principles and stick together. You want to keep them in the party, fine but they should be ousted of any leadership role. As a party we should reject outright the dimmis role of the appeaser.
moxie_neanderthal on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
There’s nothing that would get them to vote with the GOP on anything.
MarkTheGreat on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I disagree. If we keep them, then they hold sway over the GOP in Congress. I do not want to be represented by them. Rather to lose and retain principle than lose in embarrassment. We will be better for it in the long term.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
These 3 plus 4 or 5 more have been nothing but trouble for the last 12 years.I would only say don,t let the door hit you in your pompas A** when you go over to the other side for good.The sooner the better.
thmcbb on February 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Only the dumbest would sit and look at those three and say keep them in the caucus.
Let me go through the thinking of those who say keep them in the caucus. Gee without them we can’t filibuster. But duh with them we can’t filibuster.
You don’t get it outside of being three assured votes to elect Mitch McConnell as the leader they are not providing anything worthwhile for the party.
THEY ARE HURTING THE PARTY MORE THEN HELPING IT. GET IT???
In triage there are no dammed few good choices. This is triage and sometimes you have to get rid of the dead limbs to protect the entire patient.
These three have to go.
Jdripper on February 11, 2009 at 4:50 PM
When it comes to voting witht he GOP, most Democrats do better than those three anyway.
MarkTheGreat on February 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Recruit, cultivate, and support fiscal conservatives in your state.
The NRO squib that Wethal cites shows that grassroots support for challenging and ousting Specter in PA is growing. The closeness of his win in his last bid for reelection put some fear into Specter. He won because of support from Dems. Very shortly after that election, Specter announced that he would be running again in 2010. He was looking to build a campaign chest and support way back after the 2004 election.
Specter truly has no loyalties to Republican values, much less conservative positions. His cavalier response to PA residents’ objections to the stimulus bill show how little regard he has to represent anyone other than himself.
onlineanalyst on February 11, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Heres three more red states with Dem Senators, West Virginia, Missouri and South Dakota. I don’t know who is up in 2010 but one of Michael Steele’s first jobs should be finding good opponents for them.
goat on February 11, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I think of Katharine Hepburn in On Golden Pond. And I wish she’d go call Henry Reid an old poop and withdraw her support for the bill.
While I’m thinking about it, I wish Norman Thayer Jr. would walk over to the House and kick Barney Frank’s a**.
BuckeyeSam on February 11, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I agree with you, goat. Concentrate on the red states.
The effort should be a two-pronged approach though to replace politicos that do not reflect our vision for America as a representative republic.
onlineanalyst on February 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Republican support for what? If you can’t stand against a massive spending bill that is largely a series of transfer payments for Democrat constituents and leftist agendas on everything from healthcare, welfare, energy and the environment, what can you stand against?
What core Republican value or principle can we expect any of these people to stand for? Answer, nothing!
Moreover, if they go unpunished it makes it a helluva lot easier for others to take the easy way out, to buckle under pressure. Why the Hell should a junior senator take a principled stand and withstand the sort of political heat the Democrats are starting to unleash with these 527s when his leadership opts to take the easy way out.
Absolutely disgraceful.
moxie_neanderthal on February 11, 2009 at 4:58 PM
It would definitely send a message and one that I doubt would fall on deaf ears.
repvoter on February 11, 2009 at 4:59 PM
It’s that kind of anger that makes me think the rats are full of it when they suggest that these aren’t the only GOP traitors. The fact that these were the only three in Congress to vote in favor of an utterly partisan bill which will bankrupt our grandchildren makes them targets. The rats need to keep these traitors in the good graces of the GOP so that they can betray the nation on future occasions. I say throw them out of the caucus, strip them of their committee assignments and let them fend for themselves in future elections. They don’t deserve any support.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I think Harry Reid made a huge tactical mistake calling them out by name as “Real Patriots.” That essentially means that anybody who is against this bill isn’t. That is sure to enrage more people than just me.
highhopes on February 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM
This is the bill that could potentially destroy our nation, moreso than any bill in the past. It is a massive SPENDING bill, and nothing else.
If a GOPer can’t vote against insane spending, what good are they? I’m pretty sure there aren’t too many of us who would say, “Well, sure, they’re for insane spending. but they’re against amnesty, so I support them.”
For me, Fiscal responsibility is far and away the #1 issue.
What would it achieve, Allahpundit? It would show the voters that we mean business.
jimmy the notable on February 11, 2009 at 5:03 PM
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