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According to The New York Times, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has developed an ingenious method of determining the "purity' of GOP politicians. Invoking the wisdom of Ronald Reagan whom, according to the resolution, once said “that someone who agreed with him 8 out of 10 times was his friend, not his opponent,” the RNC is circulating a memo that provides a ten-point litmus test that can be applied to candidates in order to determine their eligibility for RNC support.
Any Republican candidate who breaks with the party on three or more of these issues in votes cast, public statements made or answering a questionnaire would be penalized by being denied party funds or the party endorsement. The ten points in the "Resolution on Reagan's Unity Principle for Support of Candidates" are:
- We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama’s “stimulus” bill.
- We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run health care.
- We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation.
- We support workers’ right to secret ballot by opposing card check.
- We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants.
- We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges.
- We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat.
- We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act.
- We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion.
- We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership.
It is ironic to note some who would have failed the test. George W. Bush would have failed and been deemed ineligible for support from the Republican National Committee. He increased the size of government, ran enormous deficits, endorsed cap and trade, allowed North Korea and Iran to become more serious security threats, rejected the right's line on immigration and had guns seized in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) of Maine would also fail this test and be made ineligible for support from her own party because she voted for health care reform, the stimulus and amnesty for immigrants.
The most notable Republican that would have failed, ironically, is Ronald Reagan. Reagan presided over the biggest increase in government spending and the deficit before Bush, he increased the size of government, he increased taxes, he supported amnesty for illegal immigrants, he withdrew troops from Beirut, he sold weapons to Iran, he opposed California's anti-gay marriage proposition six, and he signed the Brady bill which placed restrictions on gun ownership.
As Keith Olbermann said on Countdown yesterday, "Welcome back to the Democratic party, sir."
While moving further to the right and becoming more conservative, GOP leaders seem to fail to recognize that voters rejected them because of their conservative policies, not in spite of them.
Comments
The GOP is on a death spiral not seen since the Whigs. I know today's Republicans don't learn from history, but it was this kind of adherence to party 'purity' and quibbling over nothing that doomed the Whigs, creating the Republican Party in its wake. (Lincoln was a Whig originally.)
The Beltway Conventional Wisdom is that, based on election trends, the GOP will gain seats in Congress in 2010, but I'm not so sure. While the Dems have more problems than I care to list, at least they are usually appealing to reason; the GOP has pretty much abandoned that approach, along with any hope of bringing in independent voters. The 20-25 percent who reliably vote GOP is not enough to get them elected to national offices.
The loss of uber-conservative Doug Hoffman in NY's 23rd should have been a hint that going further to the right is not a winner, but, like the Whigs, they refuse to learn from their mistakes.
What's that horrible crashing sound? It's Palin-Dobbs in 2012. ;)
Actually the loss had nothing to do with policies and everything to do with George Bush. It's funny that even with the wreck that Bush left, the GOP STILL had a large amount of the vote, and more have come out of the woodwork since then. You know who else would reject this horrible plan? Ron Paul, the greatest conservative idealist in our government. He would be opposed to 6,7, and 8, as it is not our place to police the world but to trade with the world. You libs need to get a reality check and realize that the conservatives of 2012 are going to be different than the ones of the past decade. We reject the democrat and republican ideals, and substitute them with our founders ideas. It is what will prevail.
It should be called 10 reasons why I left the GOP!!!!
That list of rules list was written by (1) a 15 year girl who has listened to her parent shout at the news too many times. (2) Adolph Hitlers ghost, or (3) A fox news bot. It looks like they think they are going to recreate Nazi Germany for us after 2012. Time to get the hell outa here. And if your gay, don't register your relationship with anyone or any government entity. This is scary stuff from goosestepping meat heads.
Actually the loss had nothing to do with policies and everything to do with George Bush. It's funny that even with the wreck that Bush left, the GOP STILL had a large amount of the vote, and more have come out of the woodwork since then. You know who else would reject this horrible plan? Ron Paul, the greatest conservative idealist in our government. He would be opposed to 6,7, and 8, as it is not our place to police the world but to trade with the world. You libs need to get a reality check and realize that the conservatives of 2012 are going to be different than the ones of the past decade. We reject the democrat and republican ideals, and substitute them with our founders ideas. It is what will prevail.
The DCN is on a death spiral not seen since powdered wigs. I know today's Democrats don't learn, but it was this kind of adherence to 'puberty' and quibbling over nothing that doomed the wigs, creating an awesome pub party in its wake. (Lincoln wore a wig originally.)
Beltwise, based on election trends, GOB Bluth will win a seat in Congress in 2010, but I'm not so sure. While the Sitwells have more problems than I care to list, at least they are usually appealing to reason; GOB has pretty much abandoned that approach, along with any hope of bringing in independent voters. The 20-25 percent who reliably vote GOB is not enough to get him elected to national offices.
The loss of NYE's 23rd could have been a hint that going further in depth is not a winner when it comes to televised science, but, like the wigs, they refuse to learn from their mistakes.
What's that horrible crashing sound? Seriously, I have to stop typing now and go check.
I hope everyone is okay.
The DCN is on a death spiral not seen since powdered wigs. I know today's Democrats don't learn, but it was this kind of adherence to 'puberty' and quibbling over nothing that doomed the wigs, creating an awesome pub party in its wake. (Lincoln wore a wig originally.)
Beltwise, based on election trends, GOB Bluth will win a seat in Congress in 2010, but I'm not so sure. While the Sitwells have more problems than I care to list, at least they are usually appealing to reason; GOB has pretty much abandoned that approach, along with any hope of bringing in independent voters. The 20-25 percent who reliably vote GOB is not enough to get him elected to national offices.
The loss of NYE's 23rd could have been a hint that going further in depth is not a winner when it comes to televised science, but, like the wigs, they refuse to learn from their mistakes.
What's that horrible crashing sound? Seriously, I have to stop typing now and go check.
I hope everyone is okay.
Their litmus test of sorts, just goes to show that they have a serious disease......No brain disease... I hear it's quite catchy among Republicans these days. Really, what are we back in grade school with a set of rules to be able to be in a party. Check yes or no! Mostly they just like to hear themselves talk! When will they ever learn!
The GOP just does not get it. There party is shrinking rapidly and they want to push more people out? LOL
I love it they will finally get what they deserve.... extinction
oh and Kevbo: your dreaming fella!
Am I the only one to notice that seven of the 10 include 'oppose' or 'opposing' in them?
Seems that GOP is really trying to live up to that accusation they are the 'No' Party.
I fully endorse the Republican party plan to do this. 40 more years of Democratic leadership sounds good to me.
@ RS J.Anes: Hey, that's almost clever. And look at the funny by using my name with and extra period and capital A. It would be better if it made some sense, but it's a cut above the usual illiterate mush expelled by you righties.
Wow...this looks like fun and comedy in the making. Where do the the GOP candidates report for their test? Are they allowed to study? Who is going to track the candidates' scores and determine the undesirables? Can they change answers after taking the initial test? What happens when they perform the classic Republican tactic and DO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD OR WOULDN'T DO? Does only their test count or is it based upon their actions? Is there a separate test for the one (or two) GOP candidates that are not white? Does FOX anchors and Conservative radio and TV hosts have to take the test? Do they get a badge or ribbon for passing the test? Do they have to go to political re-education camp if they fail? Are they going to do the test on those malfunctioning voting machines that helped them steal two elections? My guess is that they can get an autographed copy of Sarah's Going Rogue book for the Newsmax deal of $4.97 if they pass on the first try.
LOL, Bruce. I think the GOP candidates also should have random drug testing, as well as frequent injections of sodium pentathol. Of course, if GOP candidates were subjected to truth serum, there would shortly be no RNC to test them, so I doubt they'd sign on to that latter item.
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