Colin Powell
Meghan Mccain
Olympia Snowe
Susan Collins
Arlen Specter
Arnold Schwarzenegger
John McCain
Charlie Crist
Jon Huntsman
Breaking News
Oprah Quitting TV Show In 2011
List Of People To Be Purged From The Republican Party According To Rush Limbaugh And Other Conservatives
May 6th, 2009
49 Comments
Also John McCain.
You forgot John McCain. . . . Remember, he was supposed to leave with Megan.
Rush is so cute, I wish I was related to him—so I could get three doctors to agree to have him committed for a very long time.
Where are these clowns going to go? It’s not like they are Democrats, and it’s not like we want any of them.
They should form their own, new party. Take Lieberman while they’re on it too. Just as long as Ron Paul stays out, it’s cool.
The Democratic Party would LOVE to take Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. TODAY. IMMEDIATELY.
Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, COME ON DOWN, this is YOUR LUCKY DAY, while Rino hunters have both ends of the stick sharpened, Dino hunters don’t even know what the stick is for.
Nice to see my governor on his hit list. Oddly, I’ve grown a little fond of him over the years.
why do you guys care what happens to the (R)INO’s of the GOP?
Of course, those in the Senate have just been shown how they will be welcomed in the Democratic party should they change. Harry Reid promised Specter that his seniority would be preserved, and the Democrats treated Reid much like how Michael Steele is apparently being treated by his Republicans.
Smooth move, Senate Democrats.
J.
Smooth move, Senate Democrats.
Huh?
…which is apparently news to Newsy…
No great surprise there.
J.
ed, Reid promised Specter that his seniority would be preserved if he switched parties. Specter switched, then the Senate Democrats voted to repudiate Reid’s promise and took away all of Specter’s seniority.
So, the question is: did Reid make a promise he didn’t intend to keep, or did he get stabbed in the back by his membership?
Either way, the message is clear to any wobbly Senate Republicans: switch parties, and get put to the bottom of the seniority list. Stay Republican, and keep their ranking.
J.
Stay Republican, and keep their ranking.
And get heckled by Boss Limbaugh. Or make better promises to Dems if they switch (like, say, endorsing EFCA or Not-Norm Coleman, or not saying other shit on Press the Meat and whatnot)…
Nobody like a traitor, not even his “new team.”
Specter does not deserve the job of Senator. He is nakedly opportunistic and will sell any principle, even decades of party identity, for the next election. If he wants to keep the job he had better start preparing for the Democratic primary.
“Stay Republican, and keep their ranking.”
More idiocy from Jay Tea. Color me surprised.
Why, oh why, did Snarlin’ Arlen decide to defect in the first place? Because the GOP made it clear to him that they were going to support Toomey in the primary. Arlen, by his own admission, jumped ship to save his own ass. Reid promised seniority, and it was promptly revoked.
The actual message to reality-based moderate Republicans is this — stay Republican, and we will work our damndest to defeat you in your upcoming primary. Join the Dems, and you at least have a chance of political survival.
And beyond that, the list also forgot another name — Ronald Reagan. As Glenn Greenwald pointed out recently, Reagan signed multiple treaties stating that the US would never water-board or otherwise torture anyone, including non-Americans. By this standard, he would be cast out from the GOP of Limbaugh, Yoo, and Bybee.
Simple fact — St. Reagan would want nothing to do with the disastrous train-wreck the conservative movement/Republican Party has become.
Then again, nor would any educated, reality-based American for that matter.
Smooth move, Senate Democrats.
Smooth move indeed.
Either way, the message is clear to any wobbly Senate Republicans: switch parties, and get put to the bottom of the seniority list. Stay Republican, and lose their seat.
Fixed.
Simple fact — St. Reagan would want nothing to do with the disastrous train-wreck the conservative movement/Republican Party has become.
Huh? The party of racist assholes, massive debt, and catering to the wealthy? He’d like ‘em just fine.
“Global Warming’s not in the Bible. How can you believe in it?”-Rushites who approve of Dominican Sex Tours
If any Republican senators want to come over to the Democrats, I would promise that they can get their seniority in the next congress, after the 2010 elections. That’s a year and half to show that they will support the Democratic president and help get Democrats elected. Other than that, I am happy to live without them.
Rino’s Stay Republican…
… And get clubbed by the sociopathic Club for Growth and ostracized by the Republican Heathers who voted AGAINST the crucial stimulus package even while those same Republican NO voters are trying to take credit for the incoming stimulus money to their cash starved, recession reeling states.
Republicans are duplicitous sons of
Seriously.
For the record, Dems didn’t “win” Specter, Republicans “lost” him.
Republicans want a Purity Of Essence Party.
Let ‘em have it, without Republicans Snowe and Collins the Republican Party becomes the Right Wing Extremist Party without even a fig leaf to pretend otherwise. Without Specter there are now only two (2!!!) moderate Republicans in the Republican Party in Congress.*
Several of the Republicans I know voted Democratic in 2008 election precisely because of the Republican Party’s radical right wing extremism. Every chance I got I’d remind them that barely even 02% of the Republican Party is moderate.
With Specter gone and only Collins and Snowe remaining, now the Republicans I know are going to get perpetually reminded that barely even 01% of the Republican Party is moderate and all that remains of the Republican leadership is a bunch of anti-science, innumerate, theocratic, bigoted, predatory, extremists.
Hopefully moderate Republican members recognize that and continue (or begin) voting Democratic.
Did Reid overstep himself with his offers to Republicans?
Good Lord! Reid has been handing Republicans gifts for years that he shouldn’t have and didn’t need to.
I wish the rest of the country were ready to have Russ Feingold as majority leader. If he were willing to take the job I wish that the Senate Dems would vote him in and help Russ convince the rest of the nation he’s the right person for the job and for America.
As for Specter, sure, I have mixed feeling about Specter. Who doesn’t?
As a Republican Specter often “said” the things I wanted to hear right up until vote time and then he “voted” in ways that made my head doubly explode for getting suckered by what Specter had “said.”
Now, if Specter gets his act together, he can “say” the right things and finally FOLLOW IT UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY “VOTING” THE TRUE RIGHT WAY: WITH THE DEMS.
So far Specter has changed his shoes but he’s still dancing with the Republicans.
Considering his record that’s not a surprise, just a disappointment.
A cartoonist had Specter sitting on a fence. On one side of the fence was a Republican Elephant and on the other side of the fence was a Democratic Donkey.
The first panel of the cartoon and the second panel were identical.
The first panel was entitled, “Specter as a Republican.”
The second panel was entitled, “Specter as a Democrat.” with the Democratic Donkey exclaiming “See, now he’s a Democrat!”
But Specter was still sitting on the same fence.
My attitude is” “glad to see you in the Democratic Party**, Specter, wherever you can help, Thanks! But don’t take it personal if I support the more progressive Democratic Party primary challenger that’s heading your way.”
* While there are only 2 Republican moderates in the Republican Party, about 1/3 to 2/3 of the Democratic Party is Republican moderates.
** I’m not a Democratic Party member. I’m an Independent and I can’t recall if the Penn Dems primary is “closed” (whether they allow party switchers to vote in their primary). Ultimately, ideally, the Penn Dem’s primary will have a clear record as to whether Specter supported the Penn Dem’s concerns.
So far Specter’s record is already all show, no follow through, same as Specter always was.
This is great news for John McCain!
I see Newsy is off his meds… is he ever on them?
While there are only 2 Republican moderates in the Republican Party, about 1/3 to 2/3 of the Democratic Party is Republican moderates.
Anyone wanna see where those numbers come from? I don’t, because I’m quite certain Newsy is pulling them out of his ass.
But let’s withhold our laughter for a moment and presume that number is true. It appears Newsy is referring to the US Senate, because there have to be more than two moderate Republicans in the whole nation. He’s saying that roughly 20 to 40 Democratic Senators have no real loyalty to their party, and would “defect” if the Republican party made them the proper overtures and instituted the right reforms. What the hell does that say about those Senators?
Actually, it might explain what happened with Specter’s seniority. Reid made a promise, and the Senate Democrats chose to abridge that deal. If those Senators have no real loyalty to their party, they certainly wouldn’t feel obligated to honor the word of their leader.
Nah. Occam’s Razor says otherwise. The simpler explanation is that the majority of Democrats in the Senate resented Specter’s seniority carrying over meant that they would be bumped down the list, and didn’t like that. And it’s entirely plausible that Reid didn’t clear the offer with enough of his fellow Democrats before opening his mouth.
J.
Of course, those in the Senate have just been shown how they will be welcomed in the Democratic party should they change. Harry Reid promised Specter that his seniority would be preserved, and the Democrats treated Reid much like how Michael Steele is apparently being treated by his Republicans.
Smooth move, Senate Democrats.
Well, he can always switch back and face Toomey in the primacy.
Not that any of the analogies you’re making are remotely accurate, but even your core point is nonsense. All it shows is that Reid is an ineffective leader of the Senate. Which few people would dispute.
If Specter doesn’t like the deal he’s getting, he can go. His party affiliation is his choice. But I’m not crying for anyone who stuck by his former party for the last 8 years, regardless of how moderate of a talk they talk when the cameras are rolling.
Then, Eric, the message is clear: Harry Reid has NO authority to make promises on behalf of Senate Democrats. His word is useless. His pledges are empty. There is absolutely no sense in negotiating with him on anything, because there is absolutely no weight behind his words.
Instead, those who need to deal with the Senate as a whole should talk with… um… er…
Someone throw me a frickin’ bone here, people…
J.
Barry Goldwater
Then, Eric, the message is clear: Harry Reid has NO authority to make promises on behalf of Senate Democrats. His word is useless. His pledges are empty. There is absolutely no sense in negotiating with him on anything, because there is absolutely no weight behind his words.
Well, no, the message is not clear because we don’t know what went down between Specter and Reid. Right now we have two sides of a conversation and nothing else. A lot of what you’re arguing depends on things you’re assuming happened based on one side of the story. And both sides are unsubstantiated right now.
Reid’s a crappy leader and should be replaced. You’ll get no argument from me, there. But jumping to this position that HIS WORD MEANS NOTHING!! is a stretch.
For whatever it’s worth, my read on this is different: I think Specter was promised seniority after 2010, but Specter is worried he won’t get it so he’s making it very public that he was promised it, but can wait until 2010, while the caucus isn’t promising anything publicly. It’s political gamesmanship, which is to be expected.
Frankly, I don’t think there’s anything to see here except arcane Senatorial posturing. Meanwhile, the Republican party is making it clear they don’t want respected, tenured people who won’t tow the line 100% of the time.
Not analogous.
In other words, for all of Harry Reid’s sloppiness and annoying leadership fails he’s still miles ahead of the Republicans.
“The simpler explanation is that the majority of Democrats in the Senate resented Specter’s seniority carrying over meant that they would be bumped down the list, ”
Or
Democratic Senators aren’t too keen on the fact he is systematically voting against the Democratic party on important issues, while joining the party. Maybe Jay, you would prefer the Democrats kiss his hind quarters as he votes against thier objectives? I have no allusion that he will not vote in lock step with Democrats, but politically do you always take a dump on the welcome mat when someone lets you in thier house?
Specter switched, then the Senate Democrats voted to repudiate Reid’s promise and took away all of Specter’s seniority.
Funny – I don’t think they were going to repudiate Reid’s promise until Specter supported Republican’t policy positions after he supposedly switched to being a Democrat. It was only after Specter kept on publicly supporting the Republican’t party while supposedly now being a Democrat that this happened.
Almost equally funny (but, sadly, just as expected from a card carrying member of the Limbaugh Brigade), is the selective outrage from WhizzBanger JayTea. Poor baby! I feel so sorry for you now that your unbridled Republican’t lunacy is no longer in fashion. What ever will you do (besides be completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand and continue to disseminate Republican’t propaganda on the internets) with yourself?
Personally, I wouldn’t let Specter into any Democratic strategy sessions, or treat him as anything but the rawest rookie Democratic Senator, until at least 2010 (when, presumably, Democrats will have a large enough Senate majority that he can’t hold the party hostage). I strongly suspect that he is a plant by the Republican’ts so that they can get somebody inside the Democratic party who will spill all the Democrats’ secrets to the Republican’ts.
I strongly suspect that he is a plant by the Republican’ts so that they can get somebody inside the Democratic party who will spill all the Democrats’ secrets to the Republican’ts. (: Tom
Really, Tom? You strongly suspect that. As opposed to just pulling it out of your ass and throwing it out here? So Specter is a plant and on his first day forgot that he was a plant by announcing that he hopes the Minnesota courts do justice and name Coleman the winner.
Specter: “Oh no. I forgot I was a plant. And on the first day of my new mission. Oh well, I’ll just say I misspoke. No harm done.”
You really strongly suspect that, Tom?
Really, Tom? You strongly suspect that.
I’m pretty sure the smiley face guy at the end of the comment implies that it was meant as a joke.
Also, Rush Limbaugh is a racist asshole.
Hmm… why do the names “Joe Lieberman” and “Zell Miller” and “Robert Casey” spring to mind?
J.
Hmm… why do the names “Joe Lieberman” and “Zell Miller” and “Robert Casey” spring to mind?
Well I have no idea why Robert Casey springs to mind, of the three only one is not a false analogy.
Zell Miller did more than vote against party interests. He campaigned against Democratic candidates. Zell spoke at the Republican National Convention, which is just a bit different from voting on a bill the party didn’t like.
Joe Lieberman’s a more fair comparison, and I think demonstrates exactly how useless running a more extreme primary candidate against someone can be. Like Lamont, Toomey will probably win the primary and lose the election. I dislike Lieberman, but if you’re going to primary challenge someone, it should be because you have a better winning candidate, not just someone with views you like more.
Eric Sipple, Lieberman was a logical choice to primary because the overall electorate was more liberal than Lieberman was, particularly on the war. It was only because CT lacked a “sore loser” law and because the Republican candidate was DOA that he was able to get the Republican vote, shave off significant numbers of Democratic voters and win.
Primarying Spectre would be counterproductive, much like the Democrats primarying Ben Nelson with a liberal candidate would be counterproductive.
But the Republicans realized it would be easy to primary a (slightly) moderate Republican like Chuck Hagel in Nebraska, which is what ultimately compelled him to retire.
Specter’s defection is no great gain for the Dems. It is, despite Jay’s puking and mewling, yet another great loss for the Republicans.
Please explain to me how the GOP picks up seats in 2010, or the presidency in 2012, by alienating moderate/independent voters? The swing voters who decided they’d had enough of conservatism in 2006 and 2008?
If the economy is still in the crapper, then you have a shot. But this puts you in the position of Limbaugh — “I hope he fails.” This won’t gain you many friends.
Chances are, the economy will pick up by late 2010, but it won’t be that great either.
There’s also the possibility of another massive intelligence/leadership failure like 9/11. God forbid it happens, but I sleep a lot more soundly at night knowing adults are in charge now.
So the GOP platform becomes “Remember us! We’re the ones that fucked over America for eight years! 9/11! Wall Street collapsing! Never caught Osama! Fucked up Iraq! And after two years of a Dem prez things are, um, kind of OK and improving despite the residual wing-nut damage!”
I’m sure Patrick Ruffini has it all figured out. Or Gingrich. Or whomever the hell it is you guys are trying to recycle on that day.
Rush is so cute, I wish I was related to him—so I could get three doctors to agree to have him committed for a very long time.
Awesome.
Simple fact — St. Reagan would want nothing to do with the disastrous train-wreck the conservative movement/Republican Party has become.
Ed: Huh? The party of racist assholes, massive debt, and catering to the wealthy? He’d like ‘em just fine.
Maybe so, but they wouldn’t like him. WAY too liberal. He wouldn’t even get on the ballot in today’s GOP.
I wish the rest of the country were ready to have Russ Feingold as majority leader. If he were willing to take the job I wish that the Senate Dems would vote him in and help Russ convince the rest of the nation he’s the right person for the job and for America.
I support this statement.
The swing voters who decided they’d had enough of conservatism in 2006 and 2008?
Swing voters didn’t have enough of conservatism. They had enough of Republicans who ran as conservatives and governed as Moderates. Heck, even Obama ran as a quasi-Conservative! He tacked hard right (”95% of you will get a tax cut.” We’ll have a “net spending cut.”) and put a muzzle on everyone around him (Ayers/Wright/Michelle) that would remind voters of his liberal background.
He wouldn’t even get on the ballot in today’s GOP.
Of course he would. He was a dumbass malleable figurehead and the model for George Bush, Jr.
SaveFarris, it is often hard to determine if right-wingers simply live their lives “lying for the cause” or have simply become delusional after years spent being bombarded with right-wing propaganda.
Swing voters didn’t have enough of conservatism. They had enough of Republicans who ran as conservatives and governed as Moderates. Heck, even Obama ran as a quasi-Conservative!
So swing voters who really love conservatism responded to too many moderates in the Republican party by electing a Democrat promising a massive increase in government’s role in health care and energy while raising tax rates on high income earners?
I see.
Tyro, I am always reminded of Kevin Bacon in Animal House.
So swing voters who really love conservatism responded to too many moderates in the Republican party by electing a Democrat promising a massive increase in government’s role in health care and energy while raising tax rates on high income earners?
Shorter Farris: Um….because SHUT UP, THAT’S WHY!
Specter: “Oh no. I forgot I was a plant. And on the first day of my new mission. Oh well, I’ll just say I misspoke. No harm done.”
You really strongly suspect that, Tom?
To be fair, when’s the last time a Republican did something right?
Zython: Last time a Republican wasn’t a Banana Republican?
hmmmm…..Theodore Roosevelt?
As much as Ike tried, the military-industrial complex of which he warned us was already too entrenched, and had him by the balls (and he knew it).
It’s been a *long* time since the Republican Party actually represented their voters, as compared to the Corporate interests…
I know it’s already been said several times above, but I must concur – John McCain. – RBP
I don’t think Specter is a plant. Plants are smarter than Arlen. Any plant worth its chlorophyll wouldn’t have spent that long in the GOP.
“Swing voters didn’t have enough of conservatism. They had enough of Republicans who ran as conservatives and governed as Moderates.”
Eric Sipple beat me to it. If all these closet-conservatives are out there in this great Center-Right nation, why the hell did most of them vote for Obama?
You guys are well and truly screwed. It’s beautiful.
“The swing voters who decided they’d had enough of conservatism in 2006 and 2008?”
SaveFarris: “Swing voters didn’t have enough of conservatism. They had enough of Republicans who ran as conservatives and governed as Moderates.”
I think 2010 could be quite a shock for you.