It’s on: RNC members want resolution condemning Specter for stimulus vote
posted at 9:07 pm on April 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Not just Specter, of course — Collins and Snowe would be duly denounced, too — but he’s the only one facing reelection next year so he’s the one who’d suffer most. Take your pick of possible motives for doing this. It gives Pat Toomey a golden talking point and pressures Specter to vote no on the next trillion-dollar bill; it plays well with the base, which could be important to fundraising after all of Steele’s gaffes; and it asserts some authority over Steele himself in potentially forcing him to back Toomey and other primary challengers.
The group of agitators, headed by Indiana national committeeman Jim Bopp, is pushing to pass a resolution calling out Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) for backing the stimulus plan that passed in February.
Conservatives also want to pass a resolution denouncing earmarks and one citing Democrats’ “march to socialism,” according to RNC sources who participated in a Wednesday conference call where the group made their demands…
It takes signatures from committee members or state party chairmen from 16 states to call a special meeting. Only once in recent memory have RNC members called a meeting on their own, when a group opposed to then-Chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan held a forum for candidates for chairman in early January of this year…
“Is trying to govern through resolutions really the appropriate use of time and money for the RNC?” asked one committee member with close ties to Chairman Michael Steele.
If you’re Steele, why not go for it? It would raise the RNC’s profile, and a more powerful RNC means a more powerful RNC chairman. With any luck, it’d put enough fear into the centrist three that they’d think twice the next time they thought of crossing the aisle.
Blowback
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Specter is going to be reelected. Leave the guy alone. Not everyone in the party is going to be conservative. I don’t like the guy, like most people here. But there’s always going to be the mushy types within a party, for whatever reason.
therightwinger on April 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Ummmmmmmmmm………
………… millions of American Citizens that are very pissed off that the current Democratic controlled government is turning this country upside down to the point that they are throwing “TEA Parties”, and Specter sides with them?
………. just a guess.
Seven Percent Solution on April 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Or it could push them across the aisle.
jgapinoy on April 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM
If Steele leads this effort against Specter, I might send in some money,
luvstotango on April 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Why? It’s not like his mushiness hasn’t mattered in votes. He’s helped plunge the nation into another trillion in debt. He can take some heat from his party for that.
amerpundit on April 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
What about Schwarzenegger? I would love to see the RNC hammer this bastard as well.
Mark1971 on April 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I think you may be wrong on this. In PA. there is a lot of grassroot org. that want him out, and we will work haard to see that it happens. We are all tired of the rino and if it comes down to standing on street corners with ‘No way Specter’ signs, we will do it. If you live in PA, connect with conservative allies, or in any state, it is growing across the country…..
clinker46 on April 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Not anymore……….
……… you don’t like it, join the Democrat Party!
Seven Percent Solution on April 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I think you may be wrong on this. In PA. there is a lot of grassroot org. that want him out, and we will work haard to see that it happens. We are all tired of the rino and if it comes down to standing on street corners with ‘No way Specter’ signs, we will do it. If you live in PA, connect with conservative allies, or in any state, it is growing across the country…..
clinker46 on April 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I saw this at RedState. While it’s about Palin, it makes me also want to know how many envelopes have been returned with notes on them about the Stimulus Trio?
Why is the GOP establishment hostile to Palin?
INC on April 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Why? It’s not like his mushiness hasn’t mattered in votes. He’s helped plunge the nation into another trillion in debt. He can take some heat from his party for that.
amerpundit on April 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I think you may be wrong on this. In PA. there is a lot of grassroot org. that want him out, and we will work haard to see that it happens. We are all tired of the rino and if it comes down to standing on street corners with ‘No way Specter’ signs, we will do it. If you live in PA, connect with conservative allies, or in any state, it is growing across the country…..
clinker46 on April 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I wish he’d lose, but I just don’t see it happening.
therightwinger on April 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Sorry, did not mean to post duplicates, trigger finger went nutty. Happens when I am discussing rino’s, dontcha’ know?
clinker46 on April 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Steele should work under cover.
tarpon on April 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Toss his ass out!
Good riddance.
artist on April 3, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Book em danno !
William Amos on April 3, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Steele, and the ‘REAL’ republicans, could get a big bounce from outing those three!
Hal-9000 on April 3, 2009 at 9:27 PM
If Specter knows that he’s finished what’s to stop him from either continuing to vote as he does and retire or to cross the aisle to join his real party?
DerKrieger on April 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I’m sick and tired of being held hostage by these frauds.
They voted for cloture on the “stimulus” against ALL other Republicans in both houses. Noone read the damn bill, and yet they voted for cloture in less than 24 hours, so that this bill would be voted on and passed by the Democrat majority. Those three stooges willingly participated in denying any debate on the Senate floor and giving the American public a chance to understand the biggest spending fiasco in World History.
They are de facto “on the other side of the aisle” already.
Saltysam on April 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sweet! A little backbone? Or is it just a mirage?
beatcanvas on April 3, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Steele.
You want to earn my respect?
You want me to actually send money again in the future?
You walk in to Spector’s office with a tall black hat and you tell him there is a new sheriff in town, and that you shoot and ask questions later. Then make sure Snowe and Collins see that you ain’t bluffin’.
Saltysam on April 3, 2009 at 9:33 PM
The phonies who put an (R) after their names get the best part of the deal. Specter couldn’t have got it right if that stuff dripping out of Ira Einhorn’s trunk dripped in his eye.
Time for him and the rest of his coven to go.
Feedie on April 3, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I am all for it. Do it.
Cinday Blackburn on April 3, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Oh Hell yes.
The Wall on April 3, 2009 at 9:39 PM
B-Ware PA – Obama will send in his brown shirts – ACORN to support Specter. Resist anything you hear about the opposition in PA and other states. It’s ACORN – Obama’s army. He can have “yes we can” and we can have “no you can’t enough is enough”.
suzyk on April 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
OOOOOOH Shit!!!!!!!!!
Let’s focus on Bristol. This is making Allah uncomfortable.
owlpellets on April 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Show some guts Steele. Don’t squander this opportunity.
jencab on April 3, 2009 at 9:45 PM
About time it will cost someone for being a RHINO.
GarandFan on April 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I want Steele to start taking on Dems Congress and their leader alike. Specter is scared sh!tless, he is not stepping out of line again. He will never get the nomination in PA but let’s make him sweat and tow the line. I want someone to start opening their mouth about the left.
msmveritas on April 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Funny how all the “Moderate” GOPers scream endlessly about throwing Palin or Rush or Christians out of the party yet run screaming “UNFAIR” when a RINO is put in that same kind of light.
William Amos on April 3, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Hope it feels good the be a gangsta, specter. Out on your arse, rino!
HornetSting on April 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
3rd party time. Frack them all, Socialists and Democrat-lites (aka RINOs).
Dandapani on April 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
No way! This is OUR party, the rinos need to leave.
HornetSting on April 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Perhaps, but a concerted effort to run their butts out of the Party should never cease.
rplat on April 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Benedict Arlen showed his true colors by voting for this Democratic Payback Package. I won’t forgive or forget how he sided with the Dims even after the Republican Senators practically got down on their hands & knees & begged him not to. He can’t be trusted & requires to much coddling.
redridinghood on April 3, 2009 at 9:54 PM
a victory for truth in advertising then….
sven10077 on April 3, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Probably be better just to form a club for the cool kids and just not invite the 3 RINOS. That’d really show ‘em! Have a big party party on Friday night with like a cool band, and there are Olympia, Susan, and Arlen with nothing to do, trying to front it off, going to a movie or something.
CK MacLeod on April 3, 2009 at 9:56 PM
+1
Great point. Ninnies, all of them.
beatcanvas on April 3, 2009 at 9:57 PM
And why the hell should Spector be singled out?
If we have princilples, then Snowe and Collins need to be douched (so to speak) also.
Can anybody in RNC make a hard decision?
God help us all, if not.
Harry Schell on April 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me really wants to stick it to Specter for being so weak but the other part of me thinks that the RNC and Steele need to do a much better job at standing against Obama with actual alternative plans such as Representative Ryans. Give the weak Republicans something of substance to support, instead of simply yelling at them not to support something.
The RNC needs to operate as a shadow government with clear alternatives to everything the Democrats do.
I think the people themselves will do the cleansing when it comes to Specter.
Daemonocracy on April 3, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Skip the symbolic gestures. Pull their committee assignments and hit ‘em where it hurts. No Republican who voted for the “stimulus” bill should be representing the party in an appropriations committee.
Hollowpoint on April 3, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Get rid of him. Maybe Toomey loses, maybe not. Either way we’ll at least KNOW how his replacement will be voting. That’s 100 times better than the current situation, where you never know exactly when he’s going to cut the legs out from under you.
ExSubNuke on April 3, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Spector needs to retire and let a real Republican run in his place. Spector’s support for the porkulous bill can never be forgiven.
BottomLine5 on April 3, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I agree. If McConnell won’t pull the 3 off of all committees, he should be replaced as well..
Stand up. Stand on principle. Be consistent…
And, eat more oatmeal cookies…
Gohawgs on April 3, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Nothing says “big tent” like “obey our platform or be punished.” Even if most Americans come to the conclusion that the stimulus was a mistake, they’re not going to look kindly on a party which eats its own for not being pure enough. This is an excellent way to stay a minority party … and perhaps even become a regional party.
Even fewer Republican Senators — two — voted against the Bush tax cuts. Seven years later, one was the Republican nominee for President. Die-hards might bemoan this, but it’s pretty hypocritical to now formally condemn the stimulus three. (Informally, on the other hand….)
calbear on April 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM
It is past time the corrupt Congresstitutes understand it is WE THE PEOPLE who are their bosses. We elected them, we can kill their careers just as easily. Every one of the sorry SOB’s need to be handed their hats and coats and receive a swift kick in the nether regions as they crawl out the door.
They are the ones responsible for damning our great-grandchildren to outrageous taxes and interest on loans this country cannot pay. Now the entire population above the age of 10 needs to work while the Gubment confiscates 99% of their earnings to pay for what these corrupt clowns did.
SeniorD on April 3, 2009 at 10:29 PM
During the Judicial Confirmation effort when the party was trying to utilize the Nuclear Option and declare using the filibuster an unconstitutional act when confirming Judges, my two RINO Senators, Snowe and Collins went over to the dark side for media adoration and face time. I got the Portland Maine republican committee to draft a sense of the committee letter to the good dears expressing our disgust at their acts.
There was horror and terror amongst the RINO loving Maine republican leadership. I next moved to do the same at the County committee. One would think I had pooped in the country club pool. The powers that were used parliamentary procedures to defer the move for a month. At the next meeting they packed the place with every elected republican in the county, all of whom had a vote. We debated for over two hours. The opposition’s position was that such a letter was (a) disrespectful, and (b) not appropriate, for we were only the base, little folk not meriting a view. Our opinions did not matter, only those of our elected betters did. We voted and lost by about a dozen votes from well over 100, about twice the turnout normally present.
As a result, perhaps a score of active republicans simply gave up and stopped playing, including this one. Why play when those we send to office could care less what they vast majority of their party voters want?
JIMV on April 3, 2009 at 10:33 PM
PASS THE RESOLUTION.
GOP has ONE HOPE – make as much distance as possible between themselves and what the Democrats are doing to this country right now.
If they don’t do it – they will end up a minority forever. The only hope they have is to make it clear they oppose what is happening. Passing a resolution condemning these turncoats who are conspiring with the Democrats to destroy the Constitution is highly appropriate and sends a very strong message this isn’t a BIPARTISAN train ride into hell.
HondaV65 on April 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Actually, I am responsible. I just reamed a RNC Senate Fundraiser today for the 3 RIN0 Senators and their hideous votes. Hey, he, ho, ho Arlene Specter has to go.
Mutnodjmet on April 3, 2009 at 10:44 PM
We need a screen shot of Arlen ‘Pinocchio’ Specter turning into a Donkey.
With Rahm ‘Geppetto’ Emanuel working the strings……
Limerick on April 3, 2009 at 10:50 PM
The last that I heard on good authority is that the PA-GOP is NOT endorsing Specter.
onlineanalyst on April 3, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Why is it anytime a rino speaks out against a conservative in the media they must always remain nameless? Conservatives never ask to remain nameless when giving a media source a quote.
The one rino even refuses to be named for opposing something that he says no one cares about. What popular backlash would he be worried about then that requires the cowardly anonymity? Does the media just make these quotes up and attribute them to nameless sources perhaps?
Buddahpundit on April 3, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Because the source was the reporter’s Republican gardener’s son-in-law’s barber.
Limerick on April 3, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Yes !!!
This s.o.b. Specter has hurt us conservatives more than any democrat. He needs to be roundly condemned for it, as a lesson for others not to follow, at least if they expect GOP support.
petefrt on April 3, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I’d rather have a resolution declaring Spector to be a boil on the butt of civilized society. I prefer the unvarnished truth.
progressoverpeace on April 3, 2009 at 11:15 PM
I think the resolution should be passed against all three RINOs AND they should be removed from any and all committees they currently serve on.
Nuts4koi on April 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Strike while the iron’s hot.
SouthernGent on April 3, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Wanna laugh your asses off at the expense of the “One”.
Check this reporters review of the amateur getting flummoxed by a reporter in Great Britain.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/03/g20-barack-obama-nick-robinson-question
G. on April 3, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Get rid of the three blind mice.
Good Riddance to Trash
Kini on April 3, 2009 at 11:56 PM
We sent one back with a note that they should see Specter for a donation since he’d spent all our money.
CJ on April 4, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Hey, how about the RNC tries a conservative-friendly strategy, instead of a media-friendly strategy? We already did that last one, and it lost. The biggest secret that the media doesn’t want Republicans to stumble on to: there actually is a really big tent, and it is called conservativism.
drunyan8315 on April 4, 2009 at 1:05 AM
To Meghan McCain or someone who will send her this message:
As you can see, Arlen Specter is hated by us conservatives. Forty years of hard work, sending in our money to the GOP, and Arlen throws the country to the Commies. He’s old, he’s amassed how much money, he could have done the right thing.
This is how we feel about your father, John McCain. John McCain also falls in this category to us. Please, just go home, and let the patriots of this country, fight to repair the hit we’ve taken, within my lifetime.
I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.
“Do not let spacious plans for a new world divert your energies from saving what is left of the old.” — Winston Churchill
luvstotango on April 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM
So why should we put up with that? Seems to me that we should stand up and throw (vote) out any one that doesn’t stand for conservative principles. Why don’t we insist that if they aren’t shining stars we’ll find someone who is? Why accept that there will be mushy types? That will only be so if we let it be so. I’m through letting it be so. We’ve got to take this country back!
Christian Conservative on April 4, 2009 at 1:18 AM
Well, all I can say is the SNL parody of Governor Paterson is not that far off:
This latest shooting in Binghamton was bad, but the worst tragedy in the history of New York?
Mr. Joe on April 4, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Yeah I know it is bash Specter post and I dig that, but lets bash Patterson too.
Mr. Joe on April 4, 2009 at 1:20 AM
Let’s see if the Folks will stand up in PA and vote Sphincter specter out of dc. and keep his pay for restitution for his sin’s in Radical Voting of spend more, tax more moron.
Still waiting to see how RNC is handling these RINO”S before I give them $$$$.
I am watching you!
hawkman on April 4, 2009 at 1:33 AM
I wouldn’t exactly call Specter a centrist…
EricPWJohnson on April 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM
I just returned the Republican Senate Election Committee’s survery (or whatever they call themselves). Answered all 4 pages of leading questions, then put a big fat ZERO on the donation line. I used a bright highlighter marker that really stood out. I told them that until they swear in blood that not one red dime would go to Specter, and the “gals from Maine”, I would NEVER send them a penny. I have done this several times lately. Think they are getting a clue? I also unloaded on the ones who call. They have quit calling. I made it really clear that I was donating to Specter’s opponent in the primary and I am using all of my political donation budget to directly support the conservatives in the primaries running against any RINOs in Congress. I told them I don’t trust them with my money sent to a consolidated national budget for incumbants. Screw that.
karenhasfreedom on April 4, 2009 at 4:22 AM
Finally.
I have been calling for this since these three took it upon themselves to undermine the entire Repub Senate, House and 49% of the American electorate by voting for the first stimulus bill twice. Even with time to think about it they they still voted yes. They have done it three times now and they are not done yet. They should be thrown out of the party and mocked in the public square.
They enabled Pelosi, Reid and Obama to start the trillions in new debt while financing every pet Dem project for the next 10 years. They are not Repubs in any shape or form.
Had they voted no on the three occasions, Obama and crew plans would have met disaster and would be now in the rewrite stage giving saner minds a chance to write legislation. Instead Pelosi, Reid and Obama are the toast of the town and the only way of stopping them now is Dems who find their bills so offensive that even they vote against them.
These three, Specter, Collins and Snowe are repugnant political creatures who have single handedly undermined the entire Repub party at perhaps its most critical juncture—and yet to date the party has done nothing about it. They should be stripped of all their committee positions at the least.
patrick neid on April 4, 2009 at 6:45 AM
All right..this would be excellent! I dont see him getting re-elected. The bitter clingers are pi$$ed at him for this vote.
When the state legislature voted themselves a pay raise
in the middle of the night, we tossed out long time Senator Bob Jubelier and several long time judges…the ones who didnt return their raise. We can do this with Spector too.
becki51758 on April 4, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Arlen Spector is so worried that he has already started campaining against Pat Toomy
William Amos on April 4, 2009 at 9:29 AM
The joke has been on the Republicans for some time now..
They’ve been financing the reelection of a solid democratic vote for years.
Specter has been playing them for chumps.
DaveC on April 4, 2009 at 9:51 AM
ABSOLUTELY. RINOS Collins, Snowe and Specter need to be taken to the verbal woodshed for an RNC tongue lashing. I won’t donate a dime to the RNC that will help fund their re elections.
byteshredder on April 4, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Do it.
I don’t care if they *do* party-jump – they’re already effectively *in* the demorat caucus now. And with them officially Dems, they’d be fully out of the way in terms of Republicans getting – you know – real Republicans into the process.
I can’t see a downside to this; it’s well past-due.
Midas on April 4, 2009 at 11:28 AM
IF WE DO THAT HE MIGHT START VOTING WITH DEMOCRATS.OH YEAH HE DOES THAT ALREADY WHEN WE IMPEACH OBAMA LETS NOT FORGET ARLEN
wade underhile on April 4, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Arlen Specter, the inventor of the single bullet theory in the Warren report, has been joined by the hip with Democrapic dogma for decades, it’s time he goes. Arlen I would like to say you have stabbed this country in the back once to often. Take your ill gotten gains and ride off, oh by the way take McCain with you, you two deserve each other.
jainphx on April 4, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Yeah, Steele should go for this.
He should also start developing a plan to roll back libtardism once and for all.
When Republicans get a majority they should immediately work to defund all liberal programs. No money for ACORN no government subsidy for any lib cause. Privatize everything that isn’t nailed down. Social security, education, etc. No ROTC: no federal funds. Sanctuary City: no federal funds. No corporate deductions for charities, that’s stockholders money, not the corporations and it usually goes to libtards anyway. Dust off the contract with America and finish executing it. And when the libs howl, say “sorry you asses spent to much, and we’re in a crisis“. The only way to defeat liberalism is to defund it. Until Republicans get it through their heads, they’ll never achieve anything lasting.
Iblis on April 4, 2009 at 11:45 PM
The comic, nosed-focused, fish eye lens photograph is back. Good to see it.
Mason on April 5, 2009 at 10:13 AM
I sent money to SarahPAC as soon as they went live. I’m not sending money to the RNC …until Palin wins the nomination.
davisbr on April 6, 2009 at 2:26 AM