Specter: The GOP’s moved “far to the right” since Reagan
posted at 9:00 pm on May 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Well, no, it really hasn’t, as InstaGlenn noted a few days ago. It’s the country that’s drifted left, foremost on social issues. The “far to the right” nonsense comes near the end of the first clip; the second has Benedict Arlen reminding us that purging moderates does carry a price for conservatives. I get a sense from some of our readers that losing, say, Collins or Snowe wouldn’t hurt at all because they’re utterly indistinguishable from Democrats — i.e. they’ve already left the party in principle. That’s a convenient fiction: You may get only half a loaf from them but half a loaf’s better than none, especially on judicial appointments.
Don’t look now, but between Tom Ridge making noise about taking up the moderate banner against Toomey and Joe Sestak loudly questioning Specter’s Democratic bona fides, we end up with not one but two primary shootouts in Pennsylvania.
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I can’t watch…
Tim Zank on May 3, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Allah, get the clip of the feminist that Laura interviewed on O’Reilly Friday night. She said what Miss California needed was a heart transplant not breast implants.
TXMomof3 on May 3, 2009 at 9:03 PM
F*** You, Arlen.
bluelightbrigade on May 3, 2009 at 9:03 PM
It would be great to see democrat PA voters kick him in the shins. Personally I’d aim just a bit higher.
ChicagoBlues on May 3, 2009 at 9:03 PM
We need to thank Spector for finally moving PA to the right
EricPWJohnson on May 3, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Specter must be getting alzheimers or some other form of dementia.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM
MSNBC and Specter…where he belongs.
ChicagoBlues on May 3, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Getting?
TheBigOldDog on May 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Last I checked, Reagan was more conservative than Bush Sr, Dole, Bush Jr and McCain. And he won NY and CA… twice. The country has changed as AP said but the quality of the candidate has as well.
V15J on May 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Ditto.
Didn’t Hotair link to an article about Specter’s leaving creating a hole on judicial appointments that can be filled by a conservative and gives the GOP the opportunity to block Obama’s judicial appointments? (green room or a healdine I think) Do Senators appoint judges in thier districts am I missing something?
Theworldisnotenough on May 3, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Look Arlen, nobody asked you to change parties, they asked you to stop spending money that they don’t have. They’re your constituents, Dumbass! You have to admit he’s pretty fast on the uptake to immediately start screaming about social conservatives and evangelicals. Must haven gotten a sneak peak at the Dems playbook before he signed on.
As to Snow and Collins, their folks will decide.
Cindy Munford on May 3, 2009 at 9:09 PM
It’s not that I want to see all moderates go. I understand that one of the beauties of our system is that the Party, either Republican or Democratic, does not enforce party orthodoxy on every vote. I’m sure there are many more party line votes in the parliamentary system than there are here in the US.
My problem with people like Snowe and Collins is that they seem to delight in bucking the Republican Party on the issues that matter most to the base. The stimulus was a line in the sand, and they crossed it. They crossed it knowing how hard the leadership in the House worked to provide a united front. I understand that there are times when a politician’s personal views do not agree with that of the Party. On some issues, I have no problem with a person voting their conscience. However, on some occasions, you have to swallow hard and do something you don’t want to do for the good of the Party. Imagine how different the last few months would have been if they had just held on and forced Obama to craft a better stimulus bill. But they didn’t, and for that I say that they can take their half of loaf and go play with their buddy Arlen and the rest of the Dems
Shivv on May 3, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Sorry Allah……….
……… I know you spent a lot of time an energy on this piece, but I am not going to listen to anything this man has to say.
As far as I am concerned, he can spend the rest of his days wandering the halls of Congress………….
…………. looking for relevance.
He had his chance to stand up for this Country and the political party that voted him into power………
……….. and not only did he fail, but he sold out.
I’m going back to “Date Night”……..
Seven Percent Solution on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
RuPaul needs to ask Arlen about his diapers.
BHO Jonestown on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Well, no….it really has. The GOP has lurched right, and now Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh are mainstream, and previous free-range whackjobs like Alex Jones and Cornelius Troost are just a lil’ right of center.
Pretty soon Stormfront will be center-right the way you are headed.
strangelet on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
LOL … Spector is REALLY claiming that Pennsylvania Republicans ARE FAR TO THE RIGHT of Reagan.
Man … what a wuss.
Come down here to Louisiana and we’ll show you some FIRE AND BRIMSTONE REPUBLICANS there Arlie!
What a little child.
HondaV65 on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
The country has gone left, believe me, I used to be left. Now I’m right, and still feel like I’m with the minority. As for Spector, does he think Republicans will listen to him more, now that he’s a democrat?
4shoes on May 3, 2009 at 9:12 PM
At least one Republican on the Judiciary Committee must vote to send the nomination out. Specter would have been a reliable GOP vote. Now it’s possibly Graham or Grassley, the squishiest. But even they might be turned off by some of the lefties Obama could pick.
Of course, the Dems could simply change the rules, too. Nancy certainly has done a lot of that in the House.
Wethal on May 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM
He looks like his face is caving in.
Emily M. on May 3, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Well, of course, dummy. It would like the GOP was moving to the right when you are, say it with me now, moving to the left.
Perspective, Arlen. Look it up in the dictionary.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 3, 2009 at 9:14 PM
All RINOs must become extinct. Once We The People can clearly see the havoc being reeked on this country by the center-left, and not be confused by RINOs, they will finally make a real choice.
Dandapani on May 3, 2009 at 9:14 PM
That’s his soul crumbling from within.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 3, 2009 at 9:14 PM
No. It’s the media which has veered hard left and has vacated any sense of social responsibility… The average working person watching one of the networks national newscasts is given the impression that Democrats are mainstream. Not facts, just the whitewash…
phreshone on May 3, 2009 at 9:15 PM
That’s a convenient fiction: You may get only half a loaf from them but half a loaf’s better than none, especially on judicial appointments.
That also is a convenient fiction; Specter was a poison loaf all the way through and no one ever knew which way he would vote. He utterly failed on the one basic issue that the GOP is supposed to stand for, that of fiscal discipline, he could easily have caved on SCOTUS nominees.
To keep the analogy alive, Half Loaf Specter was full of weevils and every time you took a bite there was a good chance you would get a mouthful of bugs. Good riddance to bad bread.
Bishop on May 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM
He already posted it somewhere…I think the Kweef thread.
Emily M. on May 3, 2009 at 9:17 PM
He has a soul?
Emily M. on May 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Josh Painter at RedState skewers Arlen over this. He asks and answers his own questions about if this move to the right was done by GHWB, GWB or Congress, etc. His conclusion:
INC on May 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
How can Specter win? Is he going to get Republican votes campaigning with Obama? Is he going to get Democratic votes by voting against Obama, as he did/will do with the budget and the card check bill? Seems like a no-win to me.
DarkKnight3565 on May 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
If the stupid, fickle, party-switching people of Pennsyvania want to elect Tom Ridge, I have no objection to his trying to run. If they want to elect a wishy-washy jackass traitor like Specter, that’s their poison to swallow as well.
Pennsylvania is headed down the same road as California and Michigan, and that’s too bad, but its their own fault if they don’t stop it.
jimmy the notable on May 3, 2009 at 9:19 PM
That’s some “true guerilla thought” there AllahP.
AUINSC on May 3, 2009 at 9:19 PM
In retrospect, No. He sold his for 40 pieces of silver.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
What a total crap weasel. You folks in PA. must be so proud with Murtha and now Specter, must be the water.
dmann on May 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
BHO Jonestown on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM
did someone mention RuPaul???? YOU BETTER WORK! COVERGIRL! WORK IT GIRL, DO A TWIRL! DO YO THANG, ON THE RUNWA-. sorry.
Ghoul aid on May 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
If the country has moved left on social issues maybe the GOP should drop them as a primary part of their party platform and focus on economic issues like less spending and taxes.
taney71 on May 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
I just looked up Specter’s age. If he is reelected and serves a full 6 years he will be just under 81 to just under 87 years old during that time. Judging by his already clearly observable mental condition by that time he will almost certainly be completely demented.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Someone doesn’t know how to barter.
Emily M. on May 3, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Both major parties have moved us left. One has to move to the right for balance. It hasnt happened yet. Have Specter tested for Alzheimers. He’s loopy.
canditaylor68 on May 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
He knows it hasn’t moved further to the right, it’s just his way of trying to marginalize conservatism and the MSM will gladly lap it up.
lowandslow on May 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Benedict Arlen will lose the democrat nomination. I foresee and Operation Chaos 2.0 where Republicans are encouraged to re-register as democrats in PA so they can oust Specter once and for all. Do it, PA Republicans. Decapitate this man…politically speaking, of course.
SouthernGent on May 3, 2009 at 9:26 PM
From Jill Stanek:
INC on May 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Murtha has turned his district into a community of pork junkies. Most are dependent, directly or indirectly, on federal jobs or dollars. They fear that if Murtha goes, so does the federal money, and the jobs with them, in an area that has few opportunities. It’s not neccesarily right, but it’s understandable.
Wethal on May 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Allah, didn’t you kind of bury the lead from Specter’s Sunday talk show appearances?
Specter — Republican health care policies contributed to Kemp’s death
Nothing like exploiting a person’s death less than 24 hours after his body’s cold for your own personal interests to show you’re really part of the new Democratic majority…
jon1979 on May 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Imagine being such a selfish pr!ck that you won’t honor the democratic decision of your constituents so you try to change the rules of the game? Then, have the balls to go on national TV and lie through the teeth about it. The man doesn’t have an ethical bone in his body.
TheBigOldDog on May 3, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I got about 1:15 into the first clip — that’s all I could stomach.
Whatever his defection may mean to the Party or the country, one fact is inescapable: this guy is a complete douche bag. His arrogance and cluelessness are truly epic, even among the sad collection of Washington lifers that run our government.
cruadin on May 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sorry, even if I bought the line that it was bad for the GOP to lose political animals like Specter, I’d still be glad to see him in the other party. And I love having people like Obama pretending that they respect him and have always respected him. He’s all yours now, buddy.
CK MacLeod on May 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
What a POS!
TheBigOldDog on May 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sorry, left this out:
The states stats were not from Jill Stanek, but The National Conference of State Legislatures.
INC on May 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Specter: The GOP’s moved “far to the right” since Reagan
How would Specter know where the right is in the first place?
Dr Evil on May 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Right, and he’s courting Rahm and Dingy Harry now.
petefrt on May 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Specter: If we had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today.
Specter is a vampire.
Loxodonta on May 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Exactly! By booting this boat anchor from the republican party, it has reinvigorated the entire democratic process in the Penn. senate race.
The same thing needs to happen in Maine as well!
paulsur on May 3, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Half a loaf of Nutbread isnt that filling.
William Amos on May 3, 2009 at 9:34 PM
It gets worse from Specter the SOB:
From Face the Nation interview this AM via Washington Times story (link below):
Mr. Specter continued: “If we [meaning the GOP] had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today. And that research has saved or prolonged many lives, including mine.”
source:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/03/specter-gop-priorities-contributed-kemp-death/
viking01 on May 3, 2009 at 9:34 PM
How is this strong suspicion not valid? They voted for porkulus…why wouldn’t they vote for Obama’s choice on the court? You could have made the exact same point about Specter 2 weeks ago. In this case, since neither is on the Judicial subcommittee, how could they help the Republicans at all during the nomination? Sorry, but you are in the weeds on this one AllahP.
AUINSC on May 3, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I always assume you’re just being a jerkoff for fun, but let’s give you a shot. Instead of just jerking off in front of the computer, why don’t you provide all of the examples of issues on which the GOP has “lurched right”.
Since you never heard of Glen Beck a year ago, that comment is meaningless, and since Rush Limbaugh has been the leading talk radio voice in the country for over 20 years, that comment only demonstrates your stupidity.
What have you got, dickeater?
Jaibones on May 3, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Yep. Aren’t they considering running a primary challenger against him?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 3, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Good point. There was been a huge amount of money spent on cancer research over the decades, going back at least to Nixon’s “War on Cancer”, and anyone who knows beans about medical research knows that merely throwing additional huge amounts of money at it would not, in all likelihood, have saved Kemps’s life.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Increasing the average IQ of both parties in the process.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on May 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Oh good grief! This is in the same vain as voting for John Kerry so Christopher Reeve will walk again. He’s done, put a fork in him.
Cindy Munford on May 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
How is it that the Dems are a step away from being full fledged Stalinists, but they aren’t too far to the left? Republicans ran a candidate that couldn’t be easily distinguished from a Democrat and the party is moving too far right.
Oh, I forgot. “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death.”
TugboatPhil on May 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Find out who’s running against Arlen in the Dem primary and hope he beats Benedict Arlen.
Iblis on May 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
The Talking Skull strikes again.
blatantblue on May 3, 2009 at 9:44 PM
It’s all a matter of perspective. Specter has shifted so far to the left that it only appears the GOP has moved to the right.
In your ear Arlen . . . good riddance, you’re finally where you belong.
rplat on May 3, 2009 at 9:48 PM
There is a line where we don’t get more out of “moderates” then we lose in keeping them on board. Exactly where that line is can be hard to say, but I think in voting for Obama’s trillion dollar giveaway Arlen crossed it.
I think overall though we on the right have for too long given up too much to “moderates”. It has damaged the brand name and also helped move the country to the left as we continued to negotiate needlessly when we were in a position of strength. I think again to 2004 when the Republicans were in a position to do the reverse of what Obama is doing to us now. Bush tried to reform Social Security, the “moderates” bolted on him, and the Republican came back saying they need a larger majority to get anything done.
18-1 on May 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Specter is either a pathological and slanderous liar or he is terminally stupid and I highly doubt that any amount of spending on any kind of medical research would cure either condition in him.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I think the true certainty in all this is that the republican wandering in the wilderness will last a good long time. They’re not some stellar team rebuilding after losing a key player right after a successful season…they’re the Jets rebuilding. It’s gonna take a while guys…save your energy.
ernesto on May 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
AP
There’s a difference between a Republican Moderate and a moderate who happens to be Republican. Arlen, Snow and Collins fit in the latter, Condi, Rudy and Mitt are the former. It’s a matter of fealty.
Republican Moderates wouldn’t vote against the interest of the party nor use the position as a swing vote to get whatever best suits them from whichever side. Republican moderates can exist in a party with conservatives and libertarians because the three share common ideals. When has Arlen, Snowe or Collins ever shown loyalty to the principles over the notion of compromise? They don’t because being a member of the Moderate Party gives them a value beyond being just another Republican Senator.
As for Ridge – McCain and Powell are behind this. Wait and see.
budfox on May 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Well no, actually they are both to the left of a number of Democrats, Snowe in particular.
They both had lower ACU ratings in 2008 than Russ Feingold, fer cripes sakes. So, what is this moderation of which you speak?
Jaibones on May 3, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Two words: TERM LIMITS!!! Specter is part of the problem….career politician.
His choice in this was just to serve himself. He even said so.
lsutiger on May 3, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Leftist have a tendency towards idealizing those to the left of them. Combined with their incessant “popular fronts” this gives them a strong bias to trend left.
Conservatives on the other hand tend to argue and undercut each other over the smallest of differences. Meanwhile, much of the center-right elites spends its time badmouthing conservatives to its leftist friends.
This explains why the left has had almost no new ideas since the 60s and why the right keeps coming up with no solutions to issues that are very rarely given a chance.
18-1 on May 3, 2009 at 9:55 PM
The entire premise of this is misdirection. The idea that the R party has drifted right is absurd since they’ve just run McCain as the standard bearer of the party.
So there is simply no truth in what any of these people say. They are simply reacting to a huge pro-Obama wave of elite sentiment that will eventually lead to the socialization of the US.
What some of these pundits are probably reflecting is fear. They are hoping against hope that if enough people talk about “moving the party” toward the middle, then it will be ok to vote R.
By enough marketing, voters will feel that the party has “reformed” itself, and therefore these voters will feel ok with voting against Obama.
Some (like Frum) are afraid, others (like C. Buckley have other, personal, issues in their lives)…and, yes, some (like K. Parker?) just want to be in the wave.
r keller on May 3, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Arlen Specter needs some Aricept.
I think he’s losing it.
-Dave
Dave R. on May 3, 2009 at 9:59 PM
And, btw, has anyone thanked Spector for his vote against the budget.
The guy may be a snake…but he voted against it because of the reconciliation part of healthcare. That deserves a thank you.
But, the thing passed, which means the National Obamacare System will only need 51 votes.
We need to focus on the problem…it is not Spector…it is Obama and the Dems rush to rule for 40 years.
r keller on May 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Let’s not listen to the “Big Tenter” that would have kicked 60% of us out of the party…
Upstater85 on May 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Um…which is it? Kemp should be alive because we didn’t do cancer research, or Specter is only alive because we did do the research?
And speaking of idiots, who is coaching Specter to wear that stupid dog-that’s-been-kicked-too-many-times look on his face all the time? Smile, Arlen, you’re supposed to be having fun, remember?
Jaibones on May 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM
He also needs an enema.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Actually, the country has been moving left primarily on economic issues.
Obama ran on more spending (nowhere near his trillion dollar giveaway mind you), and Bush won two elections by running on more spending.
I’m not happy about the fact, but we need to recognize that the mushy middle is currently all for “taxing the wealthy” and spending a bunch of money.
This might change once Obama’s hyperinflation hits, and as the O-cession continues, but at least for now this is where the votes are.
Also note, this doesn’t mean we need to become the Democrats on economic issues, we just have to underplay them publicly while still enacting them quietly just like they do with social issues.
18-1 on May 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
The problem is that all these Washingtonian career politicians have not spent time in the real world and turn a deaf ear to those of us who are.
Personally I hope he is first of many defections. It will make house-cleaning a whole lot easier if we don’t have to forcefully evict them.
PrincipledPilgrim on May 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM
How many times has Arlene had cancer and supposedly beat it? And where have you been getting treatment, Arlene?
He’s crazy and maybe the Dem’s need to take that shovel away from him before he completely buries himself……….nah, keep digging Arlene.
Knucklehead on May 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM
The best way to counter the charge that Conservatives have moved “too far right” is to simply challenge Liberals to identify those parts of our agenda and philosophy they disagree with and to articulate those parts of the Liberal and Obama agenda they support.
I did this with ‘getalife’ and he/she would never answer. I don’t believe he/she wouldn’t but rather simply couldn’t.
DerKrieger on May 3, 2009 at 10:07 PM
We need to focus on the problem…it is not Spector…it is Obama and the Dems rush to rule for 40 years.
r keller on May 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM
It is the ‘rats AND Spector; i.e dem-wannabe’s and a GOP willing to accept them even when more conservative candidates are available.
If the GOP would stop worrying about keeping these aisle-jumping lifers just to keep the seat, we would be in a better position. Instead we’re stuck with these morons who want to make the dems happy while knowing they have the support of the GOP so they never lose their elections.
Bishop on May 3, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Not right enuff. Why do I care what Spector says?
Dingbat63 on May 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM
If the Republicans have moved far to the right, wouldn’t their nominees conform to this belief?
Fred 2 on May 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM
The whole drumbeat in 2006 on was that we needed to nominate moderates to win elections.
So we nominated the most notable moderate in the party who spent most of the last 8 years trashing Bush 43 and we lost to a State Senator who was slightly to the left of Noam Chomsky.
That didn’t seem to work too well now did it…
18-1 on May 3, 2009 at 10:09 PM
“I get a sense from some of our readers that losing, say, Collins or Snowe wouldn’t hurt at all because they’re utterly indistinguishable from Democrats…”
True, but progressive don’t like the Republicans turned DINO anyway, see “Progressives Don’t Want Specter!”
http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/progressives-dont-want-specter.html
LOL!
Donald Douglas on May 3, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Keep your eye on the red ball.
You feel sleepy. Very, very sleepy.
JellyToast on May 3, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Maybe Specter’s correct. He was going to take a whupping in the primaries against a more conservative opponent, so for him, the rule is true.
Everyone always thinks themselves a moderate, and the kooks are both to the right and to the left. Specter’s no different.
As to whether his position is close enough to the rest of Pennsylvania to translate into the majority of votes is another question.
unclesmrgol on May 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Is Franken Senator at this point?
unclesmrgol on May 3, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Someone needs to go check the D.C. water supply. I feel like I’m watching Dumb and Dumber.
PrincipledPilgrim on May 3, 2009 at 10:16 PM
In that photo Specter looks like that cup cake dog AP is so fond of….
liquidflorian on May 3, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Someone please explain to me where a moderate democrat has a voice in his party. So why should republicans be expected to tie their own hands if the democrats show no predisposition toward moderation?
pc on May 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Specter has been so long in politics that he has lost all honor and integrity. He sees the job as his to keep.
njcommuter on May 3, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Hey! Allahpundit!
Specter ISN’T a moderate.
He’s a LIBERAL.
Get it straight, dude.
fossten on May 3, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Someone also better check the air ventilation system at Capital Hill.
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 10:32 PM
K, I’m dense here, I guess. Specter/Collins/Snow will vote how they will vote regardless. Or are you suggesting they’ll vote with the Democrats even *more* if they feel the Republican party holds them in some disfavor?
My anticipation is that they’ll vote fairly consistently liberally regardless of party affiliation – and that being the case, frankly, hell yes – get them out of the Republican party so we can try to replace them with folks who have conviction about conservative principles, etc. I. do. not. want. liberals (erase ‘moderate’ from this conversation about these guys, please) in this party.
Look, we’re where we are *because* we’ve tried to be ‘moderate’, and it seems we’d have learned by now that that is not our arena. That way lies failure. The dems aren’t in power because they’re moderates, for heaven’s sake – quite the opposite.
I wish republicans/conservatives would grow a pair and *fight* politically. When republicans were in power – presidency, senate, house – they didn’t act like they were in power at all! No headway was made on conservative principles; moderation was the battle cry – and wow, look what happened! We really swayed the populace to the Republican side, didn’t we?
ENOUGH.
Midas on May 3, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I wish it had gone right.
Maybe Specter has gone left, go you think?
darwin-t on May 3, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Actually, Glenn didn’t note that the “country…drifted left”, only that it was ridiculous to say that the Republican Party has drifted left; it was Dan Riehl who asserted that the country has moved left, which is only partially correct.
The same thing is going on now that has gone on for the last 30 years-the Democratic Party moves left on social issues, then the Democrats claim that the Republicans have swung right, lather, rinse, repeat. And people fall for it, including some who should know better. Quite sad.
I actually doubt that the mass of the American public has moved much left on social issues. Polls show support for abortion is actually slighly lower than it was, say, 20 years ago. Gay marriage-well, we know the results in California when it was put on the ballot, and nationwide polls also show it is only supported by a minority. Religiosity hasn’t changed much either.
There are a couple of things that have changed. One that sticks out to me, is how much the media attitiude has changed. And I’m not just talking about the news business, but the entertainment business. It is almost impossible to watch network TV without a large dose of left-wing didacticism. Particularly in social matters.
The number of Hollywood movies that fit this description is also much, much, larger than it used to be. I have heard left-wingers describe TV programs that are apolitical, or even slightly left-leaning as a “right-wing” show”, simply bccause they don’t have a heavy dose of the “message”, or what they vaguely describe as a “correct attitude”.
Yes the media and Hollywood always leaned left, but this relentless left-wing didacticism wasn’t always a feature of the entertainment business. The level really has picked up in the last 15 years or so, sometimes it is subtle, sometimes not.
If you don’t believe me watch reruns of the David Letterman show from the 1980′s and compare it to now. It is a noticeable difference in attitude. From defiantly apolitical to noticeably left-leaning. It’s only one example, but it neatly mirrors a general trend of the last 15 or so years.
Hand in hand with that is the new stridency of the activists. Perez Hilton anyone? The new attitude is one of intimidation, and sad to say it seems to be having an effect.
Dreadnought on May 3, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Then who’s a moderate?
ernesto on May 3, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I understand how some people want to defend moderates in an attempt to appear more reasonable, but the reality is that they harm the party. Moderates result in a blurring of the ideological lines between Republicans and Democrats. This leaves to an increase in disaffected voters and partially explains the growth of so called “independents.”
If you are indistinguishable from the majority party then you are forced to rely on a race of personalities. If that’s the case why even belong to a political party? You like their mascot? A Party requires core principles that can help distinguish it from their opponents.
What we’ve seen is a temporary swing resulting from an unpopular war, an unpopular President, and constant negative media coverage. To allow a temporary swing to influence a party into completely betraying the ideology it claimed, is potentially fatal and certainly foolish. If the Republican Party becomes indistinguishable from the Democratic Party by embracing reckless and extremely idiotic policies they will lose my support and I will work toward the long and difficult process of establishing a third party.
Stickeehands on May 3, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I see Soros and company got the talking points to Arlen very quick. If I am going to have to hear this crap from moderates for the next few years then you can have the GOP. I mean are we supposed to just keep quiet as a baby’s skull is punctured and the brains sucked out of it. Well I refuse to sit back and act like that does not bother me. I am not planning on climbing in a woman’s uterus,and imposing my will, but will speak for the voiceless in this country. Also if this country is so warped that standing up for life is wrong then we are already screwed. You believe what you believe, and let me do the same. I understand that there are only so many of us that stand on the three pillars of conservatism, but not sure why we should be shunned from the party. We need to build a coalition of people who don’t want to be democrats. That should be our focus instead of trying to change how someone believes.
chief on May 3, 2009 at 10:46 PM
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