Lindsey Graham on NY-23 fallout: Leave the RINOs alone!
posted at 9:00 pm on November 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
How RINO is too RINO for Graham? It’s unclear. Even he’s sour on Scozzafava, but apparently only because she was too far left for the “mainstream” in NY-23, not because she was too far left, period. Like Ace, I’m happy to help build a bridge between centrists and conservatives, but a bridge has to end somewhere. Where does this one end? Or should we simply ask all Democrats to declare themselves Republicans and have a one-party system that encompasses everyone from DeMint to Pelosi according to whatever’s “mainstream” in their district?
“To those people who are pursuing purity, you’ll become a club not a party,” Graham told POLITICO in the Capitol Wednesday. “Those people who are trying to embrace conservatism in a thoughtful way that fits the region and the state and the district are going to do well. Conservativism is an asset. Blind ideology is not.”
Graham, who has sparred with his party’s right wing on issues ranging from climate change to Guantanamo Bay to Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination, warned that those concerned about the state of the GOP should help find candidates who are electable — not ones who adhere to a particular type of ideology. And he said that both the GOP nominee, Dede Scozzafava and the conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman were both out of the mainstream of the upstate New York district – which lead to the victory of Democrat Bill Owens Tuesday night.
“If your goal is to make everybody just like you in terms of ideology, that’s a self-centered approach to politics,” Graham said.
If you believe your ideology is the best course for America, why wouldn’t you want everyone to be just like you? Does this guy think Obama sits around the White House at night, musing, “Gee, it’d be terrible if everybody thought just like I did”? Compromise when you must but win when you can. Sometimes I think Graham has it the other way around.
Follow the link for more, including kind words about Carly Fiorina. DeMint’s backing Chuck DeVore out there, which means we’re possibly staring at another Crist/Rubio-type nuclear war in the making. Meanwhile, via Think Progress, here’s Graham touting his deal with the left on cap and trade. The takeaway: “The green economy is coming. We can either follow or lead.”
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words can’t express how much i do not care what LG has to say right now.
toenail on November 4, 2009 at 9:02 PM
screw him
deedtrader on November 4, 2009 at 9:03 PM
sit down lindsey, let the statesmen and women work.
ted c on November 4, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Is John McCain electable?
Is Mitt Romney electable?
Is Scarsdefloiated electable?
Is Colin Powell electable?
Is Mike Huckabee electable?
Is Newt Gingrich electable?
Skandia Recluse on November 4, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Not if there’s enough pork involved.
malclave on November 4, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Bye Lindsay.
portlandon on November 4, 2009 at 9:04 PM
He’s lost his mind. There must be pictures of him with a goat or something.
Cindy Munford on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
The GOP lacks leadership.
d1carter on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Chuck Devore’s been stumping to replace Babs for MONTHS. Carly just decided to go for it recently. It’s hard for me to think anyone conservative would prefer her to him.
Bob's Kid on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
The GOP is working very hard on building a bridge to nowhere.
SouperConservative on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
The Southern Scozzafava. Meh. Skifozza.
J.J. Sefton on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
He is so far out in left field he is sitting in the stands.
FireBlogger on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
From Redstate…
katy on November 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Its not very Christian for me to wish for this
maggotto die in a fiery plane crash…his legs pinned beneath his seat…while the flesh is burned from his bones…Good thing I’m an atheist.
Blarg the Destroyer on November 4, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Is he up for reelection next year?
Kevin71 on November 4, 2009 at 9:06 PM
To Graham:
Do you mean Sarah Palin should have left you alone in campaigning for your recent re-election in Georgia?
After she campaigned for you that cost her another ethics complaints?
In fact, you’re the biggest mole in Sarah’s almost perfect conservative credentials.
TheAlamos on November 4, 2009 at 9:07 PM
It should end about three paces behind Graham.
Maquis on November 4, 2009 at 9:07 PM
RE: The Green Economy
The government will tell you where you are going to work.
The government will tell you what kind of work you will do.
The government will tell you how you will do that work.
The government will tell you how much money you are going to make.
The government will take from you 35-65 percent of what you are paid.
The government will pay you.
And this is a good thing?
Skandia Recluse on November 4, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Now THAT’s a big tent!
DrStock on November 4, 2009 at 9:07 PM
The real lesson of NY-23: everybody is able to draw whatever lesson makes them happy, no matter what!
neuquenguy on November 4, 2009 at 9:08 PM
God he turns my stomach.
I swear he is not a man. He is a female who years ago decided to dress up like a man and run for Senate as a gag….but then got herself elected and is stuck playing the part.
JoeinTX on November 4, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Isn’t that his goal? His ideology of the “Big tent”. He is just blathering in fear. You see, he is NOT a Conservative.
mmmmm mmmmm mmmm
IowaWoman on November 4, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Lindsey, if you’re right, secession is coming. Millions in the red states will never surrender their liberty. You can either follow or lead.
flyfisher on November 4, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Sure, Graham. Politics is about looking out for someone else’s interests.
I’m OK with compromise, but not martyrdom.
jaime on November 4, 2009 at 9:08 PM
He is the Eddie Haskell of republicans
kangjie on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Oops. SC, not Georgia. he he he
TheAlamos on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
It’s pretty simple. You have at least got to be either a fiscal or social conservative, and it would help if you can win your next primary. BUT, you can’t camp out next to Obama’s colon and expect any conservative to take you seriously, Lindsey old girl.
doufree on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Follow or lead on the green economy? Or, we could just defeat the religious scam.
kagai on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Or as Arnold said in Predator: if it bleeds, we can kill it.
John the Libertarian on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Graham, STFU. You may be a RINO, but Skuzzofava was an Obama-liberal. We don’t need that kind of crap in a party of conservatives and centrists.
BottomLine5 on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
It’s a hard line to draw. I would say a good litmus test is what position a candidate took on the stimulus package.
Mark1971 on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Please, could we have more losers from the McCain campaign tell us how to win an election? They say people learn from mistakes, so you guys must be geniuses. I’m all ears.
Ronnie on November 4, 2009 at 9:10 PM
It’s hard to argue with him on the point that both Dede and Doug were outside of the mainstream. Doug was even outside of the district. *haha However, apparently the local GOP group couldn’t find someone appropriate to nominate.
Lack of political talent, I guess.
AnninCA on November 4, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I’m all for a bit tent, but does it have to include idiots?
Spirit of 1776 on November 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM
RE: The Green economy
The government will tell you what kind of products you will produce.
The government will take money from all taxpayers, and give some taxpayers extra money to use to buy the products they don’t want.
The government will tell you what products you can buy.
The government will set the price of those green products.
and this is a good thing?
Skandia Recluse on November 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Graham is the Goracle of the GOP.
MeatHeadinCA on November 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM
It is hard for me to express my sheer disappointment with the S. Carolina voters that continually electing this man.
Mr. Arrogant on November 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Graham’s a piece of sh1te. He’s gotta go.
Midas on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
I would call Graham and his style of politics “fatally flawed” but he’s not majestic enough to merit the critique. He’s just weak and stupid. This is a man utterly besotted with proving himself worthy of a glowing NY Times editorial. He really does make me sick.
rrpjr on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
First, the people who selected a candidate who supports marxist ideals and baby killers are what’s wrong with the GOP. If anyone wants them in my tent I’m either leaving or throwing them out too.
Second, unless Lindsey was able to strike a deal that SC is getting a lot of these “green” jobs then I don’t get it. I know we’re trying to get another nuclear plant down here, that might end up being paid for through cap and tax and I’m always willing to take a high paying job that does not contribute to anything.
cadams on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
So Lindsay wants a get along,wishy/washy,lets make a deal,
RINO`s can vote liberal now and then,and to satisfy the
base,what the hell,they can vote Conservatively now and
then too,
so,its all good!!(Sarc)
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
The Green Economy… what a waste…. see Spain. Sure we will pay for it but we cannot afford it. We are screwed.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
We could use them for tent stakes! Now, where’s my sledge hammer at…
Maquis on November 4, 2009 at 9:12 PM
He’s the next one that needs to be shown the door.
p0s3r on November 4, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Tonite in Mr. Graham’s honor I will burn a log and drop a log.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:13 PM
The “green job” with the highest projected demand? Why, mucking out the unicorns’ stables, of course!
ya2daup on November 4, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Come out of the closet already, Lindsey.
greggriffith on November 4, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Or get out of the way and let it topple over a cliff.
The Ugly American on November 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Strom Thurmond…please visit Graham tonight in his dreams!
SouthernGent on November 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Sounds as if there’s not much fight in the dog named graham. Stop being ashamed of conservative principles. Think about the country and the people for a change instead of getting your face on tv and reelected.
Kissmygrits on November 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
He must carry a jar of vaseline with him wherever he goes.
suzyk on November 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Spain was unavailable for comment.
Hawkins1701 on November 4, 2009 at 9:14 PM
What a putz.
ctmom on November 4, 2009 at 9:15 PM
FIFY
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Look at Oregon for a lesson on green jobs. It is a fiasco and even the liberal rag “The Oregonian” says so.
A judge declared global warming a religion (via Gateway Pundit). It is time to stand up an put this garbage where it belongs.
And Lindsay along with it.
ORconservative on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Isn’t this the same guy who said he didn’t want to represent Whit5e people?
screw him…
DwnSouthJukin on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I am so sick of this man after only 41 seconds I stuck an ice pick in each ear. Why doesn’t this guy just change his R to a D?
boomer on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 PM
blah blah… amnesty… blah blah… big tent… blah blah… global warming…
Blech!
profitsbeard on November 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Can South Carolina recall Grahamnesty like California did with their governor?
cubachi on November 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I would go further back. TARP is where most republicans, and even conservatives, sold out their principles to protect their 401K. With the false and fear-filled mantra that “we cannot have freedom without economic security” we opened the doors to every bailaout and porkulous that politicians feel like raming down our throats, along we the real loss of freedom that comes with massive government intervention.
neuquenguy on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Gramnesty is lucky S.C. doesn’t have assisted suicide laws.
platypus on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Current Gentlemen politics aren`t gonna cut it,
when dealing with the Liberal Rahms of the
Socialist Barbaric win at all costs,the ends
justify the means,take no prisoners style of
politics that the Liberal Party are currently
deploying!!
McCain/Snowe/Graham, can`t we compromise,and get along!!
(sarc).
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
I’d rather lasso them an drag them to my side of the river and if they drown on the way across…so be it.
boomer on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Well, he’s got the rhetoric down pat. Now all he need is to blink like Nancy.
Dusty on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
The only thing green about the green economy is the green they’ll be extracting from your wallet.
Lindsey Graham has been in DC too long.
roux on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Huh? Let me get this straight: in any election those who do not win are, by his definition, “out of the mainstream”. Relativism, thy name is Flimsy Graham!
ya2daup on November 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
OT: The boss is going off on Gingrich on Hannity
John the Libertarian on November 4, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I’ll follow the Free Market thank you very much. If a green economy is profitable it doesn’t need the government to initiate it. OTOH, what I think is coming is the state control of the economy in the name of being green and I don’t want to see us lead or follow that.
PackerBronco on November 4, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Thompson/Palin/2012!!
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
We ought to listen to what he has said, No 1: Pollution and Carbon Credits, he says lead or follow? Well, the UN and EU are way ahead of us on that score, and so is Al Gore….I think he’s building up to the Copenhagen Treaty which is fast approaching….and it all, at this moment hinges on our Cap & Trade. No 2. How can he in all honesty tie our lack of independence on oil to this? It doesn’t make sense. You can’t have the one with the other, the aim of the UN and EU is to eventually stop all drilling and change the worlds dependency off oil and onto less polluting fuel. It pays to listen…if they push through this Cap and Trade, we can essentually kiss our collective asses goodbye…..I mean, if, when Obama goes to Copenhagan and signs the treaty, there is no way to get out of it. Graham is right, there is money to be made, not for you and me tho, we gonna get taxed like you won’t believe, but those with the money and know how will, perfect example is Gore, he stands to become the first Carbon Credit Billionaire!! Even tho he’s such a RINO, we need to keep our ears open….
RoxanneH on November 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
This turd is mighty proud of the fact that he has replaced the Maine sisters as the most despised Republican Senator. And Senator Cornyn was making an effort to pump some money into the coffers today. HA! From now on “green economy ” is going to be written with a fat zero on every returned mailing to your offices. Get it? Got it? Good.
Marcus on November 4, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Lindsey Graham: if he agrees with conservatives, it’s entirely by accident.
Lehosh on November 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
The talk of the Green economy always reminds of a news story talking about how for one family solar panels were surprisingly affordable. As the story went on they disclosed that the panels cost around 40000 and the taxpayer was footing 20000 of it. That is the green economy in a nut shell.
Oh and can you say Cash for Clunkers.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
DeMint runs against him in the primary? :)
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Ms Lindsey
Hanging out with VanJones ?
macncheez on November 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
How about you start compromising with your base, Lindsey?
Free Constitution on November 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
“If you believe your ideology is the best course for America, why wouldn’t you want everyone to be just like you?”
Because you may not always be right.
But thanks for the new slogan of conservatives:
Conservatism is the new Communism!
Norman Blizter on November 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Lindsey, it goes something like this.
No one gives a flying flaming rat’s patootie in space about anything you have to say anymore.
If you want to see what a real RINO looks like, go take a good long look in the mirror of your choice.
If you really want to do something really constructive and useful, it’s this: SHUT THE HELL UP AND JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!
Because if you don’t, when the next major sweeping and cleaning of the Congress comes up in 2010 and it comes time to toss out the trash, you yourself may very well end up amidst the clutter being removed.
pilamaye on November 4, 2009 at 9:26 PM
AP: no, no, no, no, no!!!
“Graham” is never the object of a sentence with the verb “sparred” in it! Always use (the admittedly more awkward) “slap fought”.
ya2daup on November 4, 2009 at 9:26 PM
The rinos use this fallacy everyday. Why aren’t you a Democrat, Graham? Do they not like you because you aren’t just like them in ideology? If the Democrats don’t want Rush Limbaugh to be their presidential candidate in 2012 is it because the Democrats are self-centered? How stupid is this dweeb.
Buddahpundit on November 4, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Mr.Graham,
We have given in and given up Social conservatism, Cultural conservatism and Religious conservatism. I feel we have more than come half way to making the party unified. We refuse to give up Fiscal conservatism and small government. Now lead,follow or get out of the way.
canditaylor68 on November 4, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Has Graham gone crackers?
Rndguy on November 4, 2009 at 9:28 PM
The only ‘green economy’ that’s on the horizon will be when the REAL economy finally craters and we’re back to playing Little House on the Prairie with a population that can’t be supported without agribusiness.
Dark-Star on November 4, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Looks like Lindsey is gearing up to be the next GOP Presidential candidate, after all, it is this type a thing that landed McCain the candidacy ;) The MSM will start pumping this guy up big time in 2011
neuquenguy on November 4, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Time for the Cuda to send a Moosehead to his bed.
Boy, I really hope Graham gets real competition in his next primary.
God, what a complete a*s.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey. You really are a (insert disrespectful word for female body part here).
ElectricPhase on November 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Good point….. I don’t see the Dems inviting Rush to join anytime soon.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Buh bye, lil RINO.
justltl on November 4, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Right on man! The Democrats don’t demand you all think Democrat!
They don’t give a damn what you think! Shut up and earn paper, biatch!
Chris_Balsz on November 4, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Treaties gotta be ratified by the Senate. Clinton couldn’t do Kyoto even with a Dem Senate.
Maquis on November 4, 2009 at 9:32 PM
So,the lesson Lindsey recieved,is that,the base will
get the candidate that the base won`t vote for by the
leadership!
(sarc)
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Actually Ann, Doug could win that district next time around. A pro-lifer can win. It’s just that the issue will still be the economy, the high debt and unemployment which Doug would do fine on.
If he studies up more on the issues in more detail given more time and Owens votes on some Pelosi nonsense, he will win that seat. A moderate to conservative GOP guy/gal will take down Owens if they are more skilled on staying on a good message or theme, get support in the general from beginning to end, and work on building your team ahead of time.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Never been married and rumored to be gay. So, why does he spend so much time with McCain and McCain seems to enjoy it. Hmmmmm?
suzyk on November 4, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Time for the Cuda to send a Moosehead to his bed.
Boy, I really hope Graham gets real competition in his next primary.
God, what a complete a*s.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sapwolf: Moosehead,good one:)
canopfor on November 4, 2009 at 9:35 PM
It’s actually results-oriented. If a majority of Congress doesn’t give a damn about a policy, that policy is DOA.
Chris_Balsz on November 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
More proof that public education has failed. Majorly failed.
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Looks like the new villain for Spider-man 4.
Norman Blizter on November 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
It’s odd how a bedrock conservative state keeps sending back to Washington this fruit loop. I am starting to think their logic is to ship the sissy man out of the state to protect the youth.
David in ATL on November 4, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Don’t forget shamnesty.
silverfox on November 4, 2009 at 9:38 PM
So for the last two years I have been stalled on a Science Fiction Novel I have been writing. Today I decided to put it on my blog on it’s own page. With any luck I will manage to write a little on it every time I update my blog… The Daedalus Effect (Ascension of an Empire).
Chapter one is up, chapters two and three will follow after I have re-edited Chapter one a bit. And after that I hope to overcome my writers block and continue where I left off.
Please feel free to stop by and let me know what you think of it so far…
doriangrey on November 4, 2009 at 9:38 PM
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