Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

"No Room for Moderates in Today’s GOP"

Posted by Brad Woodhouse on November 2, 2009 at 11:57 AM

When moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava dropped out of the special election in NY-23 on Saturday – then endorsed Democratic candidate Bill Owens on Sunday – she laid bare a serious problem for the Republican Party, regardless of who wins the special election tomorrow.

The Republican Party is increasingly dominated by its radical right wing, which harbors extreme views on everything from tax policy and health care, to social issues and foreign policy.

Right wing groups spent more than $1 million against Scozzafava, while the national Republican Party spent $1 million on her behalf – to no avail. Her decision to drop out of the race – just four days before the election – is yet another indication that there is no room for moderate Republicans in today’s GOP.

From the Washington Post, “In NY: No Room for GOP Moderates”

The Republican civil war in New York’s 23rd congressional district has been resolved in favor of the right-wing: The abrupt withdrawal on Halloween of assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, the Republican nominee and a moderate, leaves the third party Conservative, standing alone for Tuesday’s election.

Conservatives -- who had been bashing Scozzafava as if she were some sort of socialist -- were elated that Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate, could now get full Republican Party support. Their war on moderates claimed its first scalp, and a very important one.

From the Politico, “Conservatives take aim at leaders, Crist, other races”:

...Right now, the power, the energy, the momentum — and the results — are on the side of the conservative activists…

Make no mistake: There is a huge divide between the public rants of this activist wing and the private angst of party leaders in D.C.

Numerous GOP officials have told POLITICO they worry that the party has been hijacked by a noisy and powerful minority that will keep the GOP in a noisy and not-so-powerful minority for a long time…

From Politics Daily, “Palin's GOP Brand: Exclusionary and Short-Sighted, but Who Will Stop It?”:

…There's a direct line between Palin, the most famous Republican to endorse conservative third-party congressional candidate Doug Hoffman in Tuesday's special election in New York, and moderate Republican assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's stunning decision Saturday to suspend her campaign.

Hoffman could well win, giving short-term succor to the GOP and Palin's exclusionary, storm-the-barricades brand of Republicanism. And who knows when and where this will stop -- or where it will lead? It has all the elements of a runaway train, and very few Republicans are willing to step in front of it…

Despite the protestations of elected Republicans who say that they understand the diversity needed to win elections and majorities, and that this is an isolated case, you have to wonder what will happen to aspiring Republican moderates of the future -- or if there will even be any…

Comments (3) «

It's George McGovern all over again. The Birthers are so stupid they don't understand that they are playing fringe politics. But then it's that ditsy, fake Hockey Mom who is egging them on.

It should be interesting to see how much money big conservatives contributors are willing to spend towards bringing down their own power base. This could insure that the GOP remains a regional party for decades if not kill it outright even before 2012.

Charlie Crist was Their One and the teabaggers are going to crucify him? It's no mistake that those in the new Republican movement resemble the Pharisees. They believe they have the right to decide who lives and dies (odd since they supposedly are against abortion).

All voters have become high conscious of those sorts of things since the bottom dropped out of their safety nets and standard of living. Extremists always frighten the electorate. These Aryan Nation activists frighten even billionaires who like things just the way they are with THEM controlling everything.

At some point those like Dick Armory who have become caught up in believing the very lies in their own publicity releases will wake up. But by then he will not be able to control the monster he let out of the bunker.

To think this is ALL about racism. The European press has been saying it for months. They're going to destroy any abolitionist they can find within their own party because they couldn't beat a black man at the polls last November.

This is as much about their shame and pride as it is about politics. Clever opportunists are fueling the flames of these angry bigots hoping it will catch on within the general public. They forget that their only receptive audience is now beginning to enter nursing homes.

The younger generations will not live in the past when the conservatives tried to kill their future. They identify with the First Family not Rush Limbaugh.

1
SandyH on November 3, 2009 at 09:36 AM

The Repug base will not forgive Charlie Crist's hug of Obama ! They would rather have seen him spit in his eye, than show any type of bipartisianism.

2
PamB on November 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM

It's kind of a well known fact that for years the GOP has embarked on a path of cannabalism. Either a certain candidate marches lock step with party policy, or they're out on their butt. I believe it signals a departure from not only acceptance of moderate candidates, but a departure from reality and decency. Perhaps this is the frustration from getting thrashed in the 08 election. But who really knows? I have a number of freinds teling me that if they backed more moderate candidates like Richard Nixon or Dwight Eisenhauer, they would probably vote for them. After all Nixon gave us the Environmental Protection agency. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and wage and price freezes. That would be considered treason by the limbaugh beck and hannity bunch today. {Notice I didn't capitalize their names}teeeehhheeee.

3
unionist on November 5, 2009 at 02:59 PM


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