Rush to Colin Powell: Become a Democrat, please
posted at 9:27 pm on May 6, 2009 by Allahpundit
Isn’t he a Democrat already? He voted for Obama and thinks it’s time for big government. He’s a Republican at this point the same way Andrew Sullivan is.
On the other hand, why is Rush telling people what to call themselves? I thought he’s always fancied himself less a voice for Republicans than for conservatives. If Powell and Meghan McCain want to label themselves Republican, terrific; the Limbaugh mission, or so I’ve assumed, is to ensure that the GOP’s platform and leadership are each appropriately conservative. If Colin Powell can help attract people to that platform, why purge him? Granted, it’s not going to happen today, but who knows how it’ll shake out in 2012?
For more red meat, try this snippet from Greg Hengler of Rush saluting Palin. For what it’s worth, I told Andy Levy today that I wished he’d become a Republican — just so Rush could kick him out of the party. Click the image to watch.
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Fun! I agreed with every word AP wrote on this. Colon is already a Dem in practice, and an nitwit, but if he wants to identify with the Rethugs, God bless him.
And Rush, O Great One – STFU. Anyone that wants to be a GOPer can join right in; it’s a free country. I’d like it if they voted Republican once in a while, too.
Jaibones on May 7, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Exactly…the intent being that parties should clearly distinguish themselves from the other…there should be true poles to give a clear choice to voters….hopefully avoiding the kinds of general ‘consensus’ that parliamentary systems encourage. Otherwise, we would be slaves to a ‘consensus of thought’ that would provide no real choices…just an affirmation of an entrenched political class that is not accountable to anyone. It has always worked in our best interst that our parties be very ideologically different…so I reject your premise.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:00 AM
YYZ on May 7, 2009 at 12:56 AM
In future years, when the nation tries to figure out what happened to drive it into decreptitude, I believe that Republican Party will come under tremendous criticism.
After being snookered by Huckabee and a slate of piss-poor clowns, in a moment of great national peril, the once-ascendent Party nominated an ancient second-rate political hack without a thought in his head and thus allowed a hard-core Marxist to take over the Presidency and corrupt our entire political system.
Watching people like Jeb Bush fight over the bones is embarrassing.
PS – I was in the bookstore today, and found a copy of Hugh Hewitt’s “Painting the Nation Red – building the permanent Republican majority”. It was like finding an archeological relic. Things have imploded that quickly.
TexasJew on May 7, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Thanks. A good teaching story to remember.
Loxodonta on May 7, 2009 at 1:08 AM
You have got to be kidding.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:12 AM
The “blue dog” democrats have no problem hiding behind Pelosi’s skirts. The difference is that they do not openly criticize their Party.
The Powellite type of Republicans – if one can call them that – who criticize their Party do it constantly. They are not Republicans in any sense that I can see. They are not for anything, in fact. I don’t know what sort of Republican Party they envision. In fact, they seem to lack a coherent political philosophy of any kind.
Rush is right.
As Gilbert and Sullivan wisely put it: “If everybody’s somebody, then no one’s anybody.”
TexasJew on May 7, 2009 at 1:17 AM
I don’t seem to remember Powell and Chris Buckley and all these other RINOs delivering these long boring speeches against Rush Limbaugh until around 2006. Gee I wonder why that is? Why wasn’t the “brave” General Powell saying Limbaugh was bad during the Clinton era? He was still the same guy after all. Oh thats right, its because he was winning converts who would help put money in Powell’s pocket so it didn’t matter.
Speedwagon82 on May 7, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Rush isn’t a Republican. Why is he telling Republicans what to do?
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:20 AM
Huh? Line drive from left field.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:24 AM
It’s so unlike him to give advice to anyone.
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Seriously, Rush Limbaugh isn’t a Republican. He’s a conservative but he is not a registered Republican.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Rush isn’t a Republican. Why is he telling Republicans what to do?
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:20 AM
Well speaking as a Republican, Rush has my proxy vote to tell Colin Powell to get his scamming ass out of my Party.
TexasJew on May 7, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Well again…one is as one votes…I can’t prove Rush voted for anybody, but if he did, he voted Republican…Powell, we know by his own admission, did not…he voted for the most anti-Republican candidate that has ever existed…and has still not backed down.
So, what was your point again?
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:31 AM
Rush is right most of the time. But I don’t understand how driving folks out of the GOP is gonna make the GOP stronger. Reagan didn’t drive folks out; he was inclusive. I understand frustration with Powell and guys like Specter but going after John McCain? Pro-life, pro-military, never-voted-for-a-tax-increase McCain? Seems a tad hysterical.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:32 AM
Oh, another point…conservatives still align with only one party…guess which one.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:32 AM
So, then, you also disagree with Colin Powell, when he said that the GOP would be better off without people like Rush?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Of course I disagree with Powell. You don’t build a party by driving folks out.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:35 AM
We need not have a pogram and run people out of the party but we sure as Hell need to define ourselves in a way that is coherent and based upon some underlying principles from which we do not waver.
We need not have a pogram but we sure as Hell need to define ourselves in a way that is coherent and based upon some underlying principles from which we do not waver.
I think the message of stricter adherence to the Constitution, Federalism, low taxes, fiscal conservativism, free market capitalism and national defense makes as much sense today as ever. The problem has not been the message but the messengers.
The Democrats are dangerously wrong on so many issues facing this nation. It therefore only makes sense to provide a thoughtful, conservative alternative before the bow breaks on the rocks of the economy, spending and terrorism.
We should be reaching out to conservatives and moderates on a policy by policy basis. We can break bread over legislation like Cap and trade, socialized medicine, fiscal responsibility, and defense. If some Republicans want to order from the al carte menu, so-be-it but it should not be a matter of party policy from which the leadership bends.
moxie_neanderthal on May 7, 2009 at 1:36 AM
He’s not driving anybody out. He can’t.
And Powell didn’t vote for McCain. And Rush says he should leave the party because he’s being false…fair enough. He can’t throw Powell out…but he’s right…Powell is no Republican.
And McCain was no conservative…and you’re inability to graps the frustration the base has with a ‘Progressive Conservative’ is mind-boggling. No, it’s not hysterical, it’s his record…and yes, he’s a big Government, pro-amnesty Republican.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:36 AM
I don’t seem to remember Powell and Chris Buckley and all these other RINOs delivering these long boring speeches against Rush Limbaugh until around 2006. Gee I wonder why that is? Why wasn’t the “brave” General Powell saying Limbaugh was bad during the Clinton era? He was still the same guy after all. Oh thats right, its because he was winning converts who would help put money in Powell’s pocket so it didn’t matter.
Speedwagon82 on May 7, 2009 at 1:19 AM
The same way that they are now portraying Reagan as some kind of squishy moderate. Of course, when he was alive, he was pure, AIDS-enabling Evil, but he is now more useful to them dead. To the Left, dead conservative Republicans seem to take on all kinds of wonderful liberal trappings. Look at the amazing liberal rehabilitation of Barry Goldwater.
Powell is detestable, of course. He is as full of that same undeserved racial entitlement as his best new friend in the White House. Two peas in a crappy little pod.
TexasJew on May 7, 2009 at 1:37 AM
Why, Why, Why should we take advice from anyone who voted for Obama?
Colin is just another Arlen, a tool for the Dems. to use against the Republicans. I’m sick of these flip-flopping traitors.
Rush is absolutely right. Colin is a Democrat NOT a Repulican. We don’t need someone who’ll end up stabbing us in the back!
redridinghood on May 7, 2009 at 1:40 AM
You’re right but party discipline is more easily enforced when you’re the party in power.
There is an inverse relationship between power and sniping from the sidelines.
moxie_neanderthal on May 7, 2009 at 1:41 AM
BTW, Powell started it…he decided to open this attack by hitting Rush first. A real ‘all-inclusive big-tent’ kinda guy Powell is, huh? The guy who voted for Obama and still supports him fully…bashes Rush, Rush responds, and Rush is the bad guy.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:43 AM
“we sure as Hell need to define ourselves in a way that is coherent and based upon some underlying principles from which we do not waver.”
Exactly.
There has to be some sort of a differentiation between the parties. Otherwise, I’d rather be a Democrat, since most of the easy chicks seem to be Democrats.
And if the only thing the Republicans have got is: “We accept everybody! Got to make the party as big as possible! That’s the only way to win!” then color me Democrat. Why not? They’re already bigger, and win more, and have a lot more experience in operating without principles.
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 1:45 AM
Oh I grasp the frustration. McCain drives me nuts on global warming for example. But Newt Gingrich believes in global warming, too. Should we go after him next? Do you have to line-up and believe everything conservative one-hundred percent to be in the GOP now? It’s okay if members of a party disagree with each other. Isn’t the GOP an alliance of defense conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and religious conservatives? We don’t agree on everything but the GOP is the party we agree with most.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:45 AM
So, then, you also disagree with Colin Powell, when he said that the GOP would be better off without people like Rush?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Powell is an idiot,of course. There has never been anyone as stupid before this trying to invision a party without its base. And the Rush conservatives are the base of the Republican Party. The hard-core, no-crap base.
There would not be a Republican Party without Rush.
No 1994, no Bush presidency, no control of the house and senate. If they had listened to him since 2004, this disaster would not have happened. But they went all RINO with the spending and greenie-weenie stuff, and that was that.
Without people like Rush, millions and millions of people like me wouldn’t be in the Party. I sent a LOT of money to the RNC for that rotting corpse of a candidate they burdened us with last year.
I wouldn’t send those turds a dime if they even hinted that they were turning their back on conservatives like Rush Limbaugh.
TexasJew on May 7, 2009 at 1:45 AM
“Isn’t the GOP an alliance of defense conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and religious conservatives?”
Which of those categories does Colin Powell belong to? Which does McCain’s kid belong to? Which does Olympia Snowe belong to?
(And if your answer for all of those was “defense conservatives,” try again.)
And what is meant by “alliance?” Shouldn’t that mean that occasionally the “defense conservatives” give a nod to the fiscal conservatives? Shouldn’t that mean that the “defense conservatives” maybe put their serial trashing of the religious conservatives on hold, out of respect for the “alliance?”
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 1:51 AM
That’s not the only issue with McCain…but quit trying to make that the issue…the issue is Powell…you’ve never explained how Powell is a Republican in any way yet. Do you think Specter still belongs in the party too? Can you point to one issue these guys align with the Republicans on..and if so, what makes them any different than a blue-dog Democrat at best? You listed a bunch of issues there, but where does Powell fit in with any of them? What has he said, anywhere, that supports any issues listed in the Republican platform…yes, we want more members, but we should not have to become democrats to gain them…and they have no right to define our party when they can’t even manage to vote for our very liberal candidates.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 1:53 AM
Look, I don’t understand why Colin Powell still considers himself a Republican.
But I don’t understand why we want to drive off folks that, say, “only” agree with conservatives on seventy percent of the issues. Folks like that clearly don’t have a place in the Democratic Party; they agree with the GOP more often than not. Why shouldn’t we welcome them? And build on the things we do agree on? Maybe even change minds? You don’t change minds by driving those folks out.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 1:59 AM
Global warming is a joke but cap and trade is no laughing matter. We must defeat cap and trade and derail the enviromentalist agenda of this administration and the congressional leadership. It can be done but it will require reaching out to Democrats who are from states that would be hit especially hard by this transfer regime.
However, if some Republicans want to buy into the crap, they may do so, but as a matter of policy, the party leadership should take a firm stance in the negative and suggest reduction targets as an alternative (if needed).
moxie_neanderthal on May 7, 2009 at 2:00 AM
Ok, fair enough…forget the conservative bit…how about agreeing with the party platform?
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:00 AM
What if someone only agrees with ninety percent of the party platform? Or eighty percent? Even seventy or sixty percent? That still makes them more GOP than Democrat.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:03 AM
All that’s fine…but they should understand that there are other people in the party besides them…and quit attacking the GOP and saying unless they basically go along with the Democrat program, they are doomed. I don’t get that…they strike me as the intolerant ones. We have to adopt their ideas or they will trash us non-stop…that’s what Powell has been doing for many years…lot’s of criticism, but no give, at all, on his part.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Fine…with Powell, as far as I can tell, it’s 0%…still in?
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Oh, and since we are playing this game…why don’t we just let the neo-nazis in too…hell, they might agree with half our platform…we need to votes, after all…remember, big tent and they are pretty disenfranchised too.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:08 AM
How about recognizing a Marxist when one sees the genuine article–especially when the good general spent the greater part of his military career with Marxists as his adversaries?
baldilocks on May 7, 2009 at 2:08 AM
“Folks like that clearly don’t have a place in the Democratic Party”
I’ll ask again for specifics. On what issues, exactly, do “folks like that” disagree with the Democratic Party?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 2:10 AM
As I stated in an earlier post, I have no idea why Powell still considers himself a Republican. However, the idea that Powell agrees with zero percent of the GOP platform is a bit absurd. There’s a lot of stuff in the platform (nine categories) from government reform and energy to crime and values. Powell’s gotta agree with some of that.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:12 AM
Good, where does he demonstrate it…well, with your logic, to the extent that it’s the generic boiler-plate that overlaps the democratic boiler-plate maybe…don’t know of any party that openly says it’s pro-crime…but what the heck. But where does he stand on taxes? On government growth…oh, that’s right…he just said that Americans want more government in their lives, didn’t he? A big winner among the GOP base that is…ignoring the tea parties, of course.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:15 AM
Don’t be silly. You’re comparing folks who may agree with the GOP on national security, crime, and the economy but not on, say, the environment and energy policy with Nazis? No members of criminal organizations allowed in the GOP.
I don’t know. It varies from individual to individual. The point is, why turn away folks that are more Republican than Democrat?
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:17 AM
“Powell’s gotta agree with some of that.”
So does Barack Obama. So does Harry Reid. So does Nancy Pelosi. That doesn’t make them Republicans. The germane question is: on which issues, if any, does he disagree with the Democrats? And if there are any, why, as an alleged Republican, doesn’t he occasionally mention them?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 2:19 AM
“why turn away folks that are more Republican than Democrat?”
What evidence do you have that they are “more Republican than Democrat,” when you can’t name a single issue on which any of “them” disagree with the Democrats?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 2:21 AM
Nope, just following your statements to their logical conclusion…I didn’t make any comparisons at all.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:21 AM
Good points. But I still cling to the belief that there must be something Powell agrees with in the platform . . .
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:22 AM
Well, maybe that’s not enough…considering his constant criticism of all things Republican and his voting for Obama and his failure to criticize anything about the Democrats program…now what was your point about Rush’s request again?
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:25 AM
So the Democrats are right? Rush Limbaugh really is the voice of the Republican party?
Rush was at his most influential in 1994. I’m not sure how powerful he was in 2000 (Bush lost the popular vote, remember?) and Clinton fatigue was not unique to dittoheads.
And the Republicans lost Congress in ’06 because of Iraq. Iraq turned around because of the surge, but were the likes of Limbaugh calling for a new strategy prior to then? No. He was one of those people who thought things in Iraq were going relatively fine (remember how the US was always “turning a corner”?), choosing instead to blame the media for their negative coverage, and treating everything Rumsfeld said as gospel.
And honestly. If you think the GOP held the line on spending and didn’t tack a bit to the left on some environmental issues, do you really think John McCain would be President today?
YYZ on May 7, 2009 at 2:28 AM
It varies from individual to individual. I don’t understand why you don’t get that.
You’re being silly. You know damn well Nazis have no place in any party.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Exactly…and neither do lefties.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:29 AM
Sorry, missed that part…how about the Nazi party? And Democrats belong in the Democrat party…not the Republican party.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:31 AM
It’s not enough. Like I said, I don’t know why Powell still considers himself a Republican. But Rush doesn’t want to just get rid of the Powells in the GOP; he has mentioned John McCain in the past. I think he goes to far when he says McCain or folks like McCain should leave the GOP. I just think Rush is wrong on this one.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:33 AM
Excellent!
eforhan on May 7, 2009 at 2:35 AM
“It varies from individual to individual. I don’t understand why you don’t get that.”
I asked, and you quoted it, for “a single issue on which any of “them” disagree with the Democrats,” so the whole “varies from individual to individual” is totally beside the point.
I’ll try again. Pick any one individual, like, say, Colin Powell, and name one issue on which he agrees with the Republicans and disagrees with the Democrats.
Since you claim that they are “more” Republican than Democrat, I’d think you could find at least one single concrete issue for any of “them.” (And I’ll even let you define who the “them” is.)
Let’s start with one single specific place where any one of these “moderates” actually comes out in favor of Republican policies over Democrat ones. That shouldn’t be too much to ask for.
Once we have one example from one person, we can then work up to your allegation that “these folks” are “more Republican than Democrat.” (Should be able to come up with a whole raft of issues for any one particular individual, according to your assertion.)
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 2:37 AM
Yes he did…McCain himself toyed with the idea after losing to Bush. Meg McCain can leave with my blessing, BTW. John…well, he’s done some good lately…so I’ll disagree with Rush about that one for now. At least until he joins with Obama when Amnesty comes up again this year…then I’ll be mad as hell at him again and wish him gone. But I stand firmly by Rush in his statements about Powell.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:37 AM
Geez, I’m not talking about lefties. I’m talking about people who are center-right or moderate Republicans.
No, Nazis don’t belong in the Nazi party, either. They belong in the Dead Party.
I’m not talking about Democrats belonging to the GOP; I’m talking about people who may agree with the Democratic party on some things but agree with the GOP on more things.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:39 AM
That’s pretty intolerant of you :-)
And who are these people?…Powell isn’t one of them…you just basically admitted it. You really aren’t answering any questions…I don’t think you’ve settled it yet in your own mind.
Hate to bolt, but I’m off to bed now. Maybe we can pick this up another time.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:42 AM
Yep, best analogy yet.
AUINSC on May 7, 2009 at 2:43 AM
I wasn’t talking about Powell or anyone specifically. I was talking about people out there who may disagree with the GOP on one or two important issues but agree with the GOP on, say, six or seven important issues.
I never even suggested Powell was more Republican than Democrat because I don’t believe that. Like I’ve already said many times before, I don’t know why Powell still considers himself a Republican.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 2:45 AM
” I was talking about people out there who may disagree with the GOP on one or two important issues but agree with the GOP on, say, six or seven important issues.”
That’s why I said: “Pick any one individual.” (“Like, say, Colin Powell” means he’s just an example. You can choose someone else. That’s what “I’ll even let you define who ‘them’ is” means.)
Give an example of a prominent “moderate” Republican, any at all, and the “six or seven important issues” where he or she agrees with the GOP (and disagrees with the Democrats), and who has been told to leave the party by Limbaugh or some other famous right winger, because of disagreement on one or two important issues.
If you have no actual examples, no actual names, no actual issues, then what, for heaven’s sake, are you babbling on about?
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 2:51 AM
Why aren’t you?
Jim Treacher on May 7, 2009 at 3:05 AM
Saying that John McCain should leave the party (which I believe Rush did) is a good example. John McCain has a, what, 82% lifetime conservative rating from the ACU? And Rush wants him to leave? John McCain, who is conservative on national security, and most fiscal and values issues, should be kicked out because he doesn’t line-up on immigration and some environmental/energy issues. He’s pro-life, pro-military, anti-spending, anti-taxes, pro-nuclear power for Heaven’s sake Republican and people want him out of the GOP? I honestly think many conservatives have overemphasized McCain’s flaws and overemphasized his strengths. We aren’t get things perfect in this life; don’t let the good be the enemy of the perfect.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 3:12 AM
Wow, you hit that one out of the park! I’ve understood liberals and Democrats for a long time. In one way, getting mad at them is like getting mad at gravity when you trip and skin your knee.
The Republican Party must answer for more. They must answer for taking the money and abandoning the American people. They must answer for the monied ego-centric fools, idiot-savant enough to trick conservatives into voting for them. They must answer for locking the system into a permanent lesser-of-evils format. The must answer for open borders — flagrant lawlessness from the highest level.
If they don’t answer to us, they will answer to history, not to mention The Boss in the next life.
The Democrat Party is what it is. They’ve lied themselves into insanity and may destroy the nation. They are the Charles Mansons of politics.
The moderate excuse won’t save the Great Enablers of All Time, formerly the Republican Party.
P.S.: Rush doesn’t have the power to purge anyone. The monsters flee from mirrors and sunlight.
Feedie on May 7, 2009 at 3:14 AM
That’s why, after being a lurker for years, I’m finally posting.
I don’t understand why Powell still considers himself a Republican. The GOP hasn’t moved right; the Democrats have moved left. Far left. I respect Colin Powell and his service to the country but he’s completely lost me on this one.
Chagoth on May 7, 2009 at 3:24 AM
Thank you.
There’s a concrete example.
And, of course, one of the problems with McCain is that, although his lifetime rating is pretty good, his ratings more recently hover in the 60% range, which are even lower than Chuck Hagel’s.
The biggest frustration with McCain, however, is not that he disagrees with the GOP base on this, that, or the other issue, but that he, himself, goes out of his way to badmouth his own base, and to distance himself from his own party, in order to garner approval from independents and the media (which didn’t help him a heckuva lot in the election.)
So he is actually the one (proudly) pushing the “one or two issues” where he disagrees with the party, and ignoring the “six or seven” where he agrees. His failed calculus of being everyone’s second-favorite candidate was hopeless from the get-go.
Too many people (not mostly Republicans) were looking for a reason to not vote for him. Quite a few latched onto Palin, but had he chosen Romney or Pawlenty, some other excuse would have presented itself — most likely involving McCain’s “age” or “temperament.” And it wasn’t the right who was looking for a reason to bail on McCain, even though he never missed an opportunity to trumpet his disagreements with them.
Rush Limbaugh probably disagreed as vehemently and frequently with GW Bush as he did with McCain, and yet he unreservedly supported Dubya, and only tepidly supported McCain. That had little to do with the few issues on which Rush disagreed with McCain, and everything to do with the fact that McCain was running on those disagreements.
But, anyway, thank you for bringing up a concrete example. Then we can discuss it, and dissect it, and, perhaps learn from each other’s views.
notropis on May 7, 2009 at 3:35 AM
Jim Demint was quoted from Rush:
The Base is screaming and the numbers show it:
– Levin’s book
– Tea Party participation
– The success and failure of Conservative vs Liberal TV
– Everywhere Palin went, the crowds grew vs McCain by himself….how many times did he get Palin on tour AFTER he did a few without her last year.
The message is clear and if you voted for Obama, if you have not repented….in the words of the Amityville Horror – Get Out
will sass u on May 7, 2009 at 6:21 AM
The republican’s are in trouble BECAUSE they moved from principles to “popular” ideas. Reagan had values and convictions from which he based his decision.
the McCain’s and Powell’s have infiltrated the party and sought to change it from within. One poster mentioned Blue Dogs, the reliable…uh conservative Dem vote that you never ever ever ever hear complain about the socialist agenda and vote 100% with their Caucus.
We Don’t need that. They were tired of being maimed by the press and gave in to some of those ideals….they are a centrist party now and look at what it got us…. How did we win in 94?
Sorry folks, the GOP needs to get their head out of the sand and listen to the CORRECT voices that have shown time and time again what is important. Rush does just that!
will sass u on May 7, 2009 at 6:27 AM
Forgot to include….amnesty for all illegals McCain,
“McCain-Feingold” McCain, “we must stop global warming at all costs” McCain, “Obama is a nice man” McCain, “I will buy your motgage from you” McCain
And so forth.
angryed on May 7, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Please, pretty please with cherry on top. I ask all RINOs to stop propagating this bullshit myth about the ACU ratings.
From American Thinker:
angryed on May 7, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Powell, before the UN Security Council on February 5, 2003, alleged that Iraq had developed mobile laboratories to produce biological weapons. That was one of the more dramatic claims he and the administration used to justify the invasion of Iraq.
Powell is a traitor to America.
crash72 on May 7, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Dear goopers, thats right, keep on letting Rush run the party, keep on letting him run the “purity movement”.Rush makes millions by telling his sheep who is a republican and who isn’t. How small do your numbers have to get before you decide Rush has been horrible for your movement. You sheep talk about the Dems idolizing Obama, its nothing how you worship Rush. He’s leading you sheep to slaughter and you don’t even see it, because you have your blinders on. Man I can’t wait for the 2012 Gooper primary, Rushbo will back somebody and then it will be a free for all. Whatever person Rushbo backs will be way too polarizing to give Obama a run. Heres who isn’t allowed to be a gooper, anyone that disagrees with ANYTHING King Rushbo says. He is the almighty, he is the gop messiah. Rush is all knowing, all seeing. When rushbo speaks it is law, Rush is never wrong, Rushbo is smarter than libruls. Yes goopers, keep on letting Rushbo lead the party, it worked so well in 06 and 08. Prepare for your whipping in 2010. All hail Rush!
athensboy on May 7, 2009 at 7:21 AM
To coin a phrase:
Take my RINO, . . . Please!
seanrobins on May 7, 2009 at 7:34 AM
The real question is why do many conservatives look to entertainers to tell them what to think? They love to mock the kneejerk-ism of Hollywood-liberals but are Palm Beach-conservatives and their “heartland” followers really any different?
All those breathless Fox ratings demos Drudge posts, trying to imply there’s some sort of Democratic stampede to the right are BS and can be interpreted in a different way:
Perhaps Fox tends to draw people who have nothing better do with their lives than consume that crap and its radio equivalent for hours each day, then wonder why they feel so angry and powerless.
Just keep watching the commercials and buying the products, that’s what the whole game is about.
sanguine4 on May 7, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Sir, with all due respect, there was no snookering going on, the candidate was chosen by people unaccountable to us. Then the establishment got behind him so that the good ol boy would win.
The same thing occurred during Bush II, remember that? He was the pick before anyone else had a chance. The party platform was behind him from day one. To my shame, I too supported him. He turned out to be a big time globalist that not only built our secret police that can spy on us at will, but he sold our sovereignty down the river with SPP.
The GOP is as corrupt as the Democrat, the difference being only speed.
And yes, that Hugh Hewitt book is a relic. Hugh is just a party guy though, always defending the GOP and supportive of it’s platform no matter how detrimental to our nation.
True_King on May 7, 2009 at 7:35 AM
You say this in the midst of the most iconic messianic worship a President has ever had? Sheer hypocrisy.
True_King on May 7, 2009 at 7:36 AM
Hey, dimwit!
Guess what, Conservatives don’t need to be told – least of all by a pustule like yourself – who is and isn’t a conservative.
Conservatives already don’t give a s*** about the Republican Party, except to the extent that those in it reflect our conservative values. Who needs another Dimmocrap Party. There’s already one full of Dims. And if you really are a Dim, we say: “God Bless You… go be a Dimmocrat.”
I rather doubt that you are either a Republican or a conservative, but rather a “seminar caller” who thinks that conservatives are as stupid as Lefties, and need to be told what to think.
seanrobins on May 7, 2009 at 7:37 AM
I am not aware of these “conservatives looking to entertainers” to their daily thoughts. Wouldn’t that be Lefties looking to moveon.org or media matters or DK or HuffPo or NY Times or James Carville for their thoughts?
It is fascinating to see the Dimmies cowering with abject fear in the darkness of their own barren minds whenever conservatives and conservatism rally.
Be afraid, Dimmies….be very afraid… because if you think things are baaaaaad after the first 100 days, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The more President ‘Prompter does, the more the American People who foolishly voted for him realize how they’ve been hoodwinked.
seanrobins on May 7, 2009 at 7:42 AM
I agree with much of what you say. Where I differ is your last sentence. I don’t believe it’s all about profits because Rush is sincere in his opinions. But like you, I do wonder why conservatives go to Rush to be led. He does nothing of any substance, no actionable plans other than silly games like Operation Chaos.
What most people don’t realize is that as long as they’re trapped in their left/right game, they will fail to see the men who move the pawns like Rush/Olbermann/any politician, on the chessboard. They too are in effect pawns.
True_King on May 7, 2009 at 7:44 AM
You’re wasting your time. I can spot a compassionate conservative (read RINO) from a mile away. That guy is a faux conservative who for the sake of his pride will sell the party down the river to include assclowns like McShamnesty and Powell.
csdeven on May 7, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Poor Colin, he will never shake his UN Iraq WMD speech, no matter how much he tries to enlist and please the DNC lapdog media.
tarpon on May 7, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Clean up your own party first assclown. The conservatives are not going to let the republican party turn into Dem lite (without a fight)just so you liberal traitors can blur the line between the two parties. You’re obviously scared of Rush or you wouldn’t be trying to help republicans “fix” their party.
Conservatism will survive and when America is tired of you liberal dumbasses, there will be a clearly defined movement for them to gravitate to. Then they will join the movement on the conservatives terms and not solely on acquiescing to stroke their ego as the party in power.
csdeven on May 7, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Um….I take it that when Powell supported McCain, that was his way of attracting people to the GOP? I’d love for you to explain how that works.
Just a reminder folks from the man who truly helped grow the Republican Party….
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” – Ronald Reagan
GT on May 7, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Aw crap…..got to remember to have a cup of coffee before posting before 9am.
Um….I take it that when Powell supported Obama, that was his way of attracting people to the GOP? I’d love for you to explain how that works.
Just a reminder folks from the man who truly helped grow the Republican Party….
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” – Ronald Reagan
.
GT on May 7, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Rush doesn’t tell us what to think, he just voices what we are already thinking!
Unlike you guys, we don’t take talking points from Rush, he just confirms what we are already considering! It’s called Unity and that is what he is saying.
You guys are just too scared of Rush…and for good reason.
will sass u on May 7, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Love the quote JT
will sass u on May 7, 2009 at 8:21 AM
The Rush comments may drive a few RINOs out of the party, but showing dedication to principle attracts more than it pushes away. If you don’t upset anyone you probably aren’t inspiring anyone either.
It’s a net gain.
pugwriter on May 7, 2009 at 8:29 AM
At this point Arlen Specter has more integrity than Powell; he at least is calling himself a Democrat and not pretending to be a Republican.
The reason that Rush is calling out the Powells and the McCains (at least the cute fat one) is because they are going after the Conservative core of the Republican party. Why shouldn’t Rush fight back?
Powell voted for Obama, Meghan voted for her dad, and who knows what the other so-called Republican critics of Conservatism did. These people are self-aggrandizers who have fooled themselves into thinking they are the head of an important cultural movement. But to quote the wise Joe Biden, “Look behind you. No one is following.”
So, Colin, Meghan, Frummy–all of you–embrace your inner Lib and be a Democrat. You (and we) will find it so Liberating. Take the plunge, my friends.
EMD on May 7, 2009 at 8:31 AM
I bet it just burns up the Libs that Fox ratings are sky high and MSNBC and CNN have cratered. So what do they do? What they do best: Get angry and resort to psychobabble to explain the failure of the Old Media, Liberal Radio, and (soon) Hollywood entertainment.
We enjoy the news about these ratings and ongoing trauma that the NYT, Boston Post, and other Liberal rags are going through because we are seeing the death of the Old Media. American Pravda is dying a slow, painful death, and we love every minute of it.
EMD on May 7, 2009 at 8:49 AM
For those of you who believe conservatives flock to Rush to be “led”, please get your heads out of your asses. Rush articulates what we have always believed in clear, concise and entertaining ways. He gives voice to our ideals and principles. He is one of us, but with a gift for expressing conservatism that most of us don’t have. You are foolishly confusing our enjoyment of Rush’ articulations with cult-like worship. Not very perceptive of you.
SKYFOX on May 7, 2009 at 8:49 AM
We need to drive the moderate leadership OUT of the party, because they do not represent the CORE of the party and the CORE of teh party will not vote for them or their ideas.
Also we dont have room for RINOS. Colin Powel is libtard idiot. We dont have room for democrats in the REPUBLICAN PARTY. Thats why we want him out.
dogsoldier on May 7, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Mega Dittos.
Bogeyfre on May 7, 2009 at 9:41 AM
An ideologically pure party with no new ideas and a pathological fear of science? Does it also scapegoat? Oh boy, that’ll be popular.
Make sure that you have a hate filled orator to spread the message. You have that as well? Good work. Nothing bad ever comes out of such a setup.
Krydor on May 7, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Also the parodies are spot on and damn funny….
Bogeyfre on May 7, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Not so much. I’m one of Limbaugh’s biggest fans, but AP’s absolutley right on this – it’s not Rush’s place to tell people not to call themselves Republicans. If Nancy Pelosi suddenly changes her party affiliation to Republican, and begins calling herself a Republican, I’ll welcome her nitwit ass to the party and she can say whatever she wants.
I apparently agree with Powell on almost nothing, and have very little respect for the jobs he has done that I am aware of, especially Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (political nonsense job), Secretary of State (he was little better than a Democrat), and his current job as freelance promoter of a socialist nitwit on the basis of skin color.
But if he says he’s a Republican, on what basis would I tell him to leave?
Jaibones on May 7, 2009 at 9:57 AM
I agree with Rush, the GOP should be a party of conservatives. I don’t think we need to be a big tent party. A smaller but more cohesive GOP that has a direct message will win elections. If by getting rid of the twits from Maine, Powell and the McCain’s shrinks our numbers then so be it.
cadams on May 7, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Mark Steyn hit the nail on the head when he said Republicans need to move the center to us not the other way around.
evensteven on May 7, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Dude, you’re looking for disagreements where there may not be any, which seems like a waste of energy. If Powell would have be associated with the GOP than the Democrats, then that’s a good thing.
You want policy agreement? Fine – he agreed with Bush that Hussein needed to be removed forcibly from this earth. That’s a pretty good start.
You’re arguing with people who agree with you on 95% of public policy issues – these are not your enemies.
Jaibones on May 7, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Read your own comment. REally? How? If you have told people like Powell that they can’t vote Republican, then by definition your “small, cohesive” party is…small. If conservative policies carry the day in the GOP, then the party will obviously get bigger.
It will get bigger because people like Powell will believe that our policies make more sense than the socialist nitwit Democrats. Use a little logic.
Jaibones on May 7, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I heard McCain in a local radio interview the other day, & he blasted BHO many times during that hour on a variety of subjects. Do you think he would do that if we drummed him out of the GOP?
McCain is a decent Senator. Not great, but decent. I don’t want to turn him into a political enemy.
jgapinoy on May 7, 2009 at 10:32 AM
And 82% is a lot better than 50%, or 40%, or the 8% that BHO got.
jgapinoy on May 7, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Here we are again, Republicans fight against Republicans, THAT is our failure.. We need to be FIGHTING DEMOCRATS.. And, I have lost all respect for Powell, he voted race. He doesn’t have any right to tell US Republicans what to do, ESPECIALLY since he voted for Obama…
reshas1 on May 7, 2009 at 10:48 AM
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