The Republican Party has focused considerable attention this year on resolutions like the "purity test" they are currently considering. Earlier this year, the RNC considered a resolution even more preposterous that would have rebranded Democrats the "Democrat Socialist Party" (from Politico):
A conservative faction of the Republican National Committee is urging the GOP to take a harder line against both Democrats and wayward Republicans, drafting a resolution to rename the opposition the “Democrat Socialist Party” and moving to rebuke the three Republican senators who supported the stimulus package.
In an e-mail sent Wednesday to the 168 voting members of the committee, RNC member James Bopp, Jr. accused President Obama of wanting “to restructure American society along socialist ideals.”
“The proposed resolution acknowledges that and calls upon the Democrats to be truthful and honest with the American people by renaming themselves the Democrat Socialist Party,” wrote Bopp, the Republican committeeman from Indiana. “Just as President Reagan’s identification of the Soviet Union as the ‘evil empire’ galvanized opposition to communism, we hope that the accurate depiction of the Democrats as a Socialist Party will galvanize opposition to their march to socialism.”
To his credit, RNC chairman Michael Steele did not allow that to pass, even though he agreed with the sentiment (from TalkingPointsMemo).
Has Michael Steele averted the cultural and political train-wreck that would have come from the RNC's proposed "Democrat Socialist Party" resolution? That's what CNN now reports.
RNC member David Norcross of New Jersey, who had been a sponsor of the resolution, told CNN: "The language is being changed so that the proposers and chairman Steele are on the same page." Steele had opposed this thing from the start, and had sought to avoid the spectacle -- yes, Michael Steele thought this was too goofy.
There is another unfortunate resolution making its way through the RNC, which could basically amount to being a purity test. It would deny funding and endorsements to Republican candidates who do not agree with at least 8 of 10 concepts listed in the resolution. It does not look like Steele is happy with this one either (from Baltimore Sun):
At the same time, Steele attempted to play down the controversy, which has focused media attention on a topic guaranteed to produce negative publicity: another rift between moderate and conservative Republicans.
"Litmus tests as a rule are not good, and I think everybody in the party appreciates that," Steele said in an interview. "I don't think that that is an appropriate approach for us to take down the road."
Interestingly, Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL) has claimed there are 17 socialists in Congress, although he refused to name 16 of them (Sen. Bernie Sanders is a self-avowed Democratic Socialist). This is another reason why Republicans need a mature and reasonable nominee in 2012, who will not hyperventilate about everything. Did Ronald Reagan win the presidency by calling his political opponents socialists or instituting purity tests? The Republicans are in a decent position for 2010, and possibly 2012, and should avoid unnecessary and counterproductive resolutions like these in the future.
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Comments
The Repubican Party needs to join the 21st century - Ronald Reagan was a l o n g t i m e a g o --- hose who make claim to his legacy often mangle his contributions to the party. As long as Michael Steele and Sara Palin are mentioned in the same breath with legitimate political thought the Republicans will be a distant third choice in a two party system
For the purity test why not make all candidates sign an agreement to stick to the Republican plateform. If they don't then they are not Republicans. The only leader I can see right now who totally follows the plateform is Sarah Palin and if she doesn't run I will right her name in on the ballot. No more Rhinos for me. I made that mistake last time and I will never do it again. Sarah has all the qualifications for a President and she is the "only" one I will vote for. My party is full of Rhinos as you have seen in the last 10 yrs. We need a real leader and Sarah is the only one I see who has the guts to run this country as it should be. Read her book she is just like me.
Looks like Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment--"Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican--is as dead as he is. As for the purity test, if the GOP wants to do that, they can go ahead, even if it's a bad idea. Personally, I would prefer another Contract with America. At least that was a platform of what they'd do, not what they'd oppose.
Obama is a Communist. See the proof here: www.commieblaster.com/obama/index.html
And so are 80+ Members of Congress: www.commieblaster.com/progressives/index.html
And here’s why they’re pushing Socialist Healthcare: www.commieblaster.com/healthcare/index.html
I left the GOP about ten years go, but still voted primarily Republican. I find it harder and harder to do today. I agree with Vince Lamb. The GOP does not make me hopeful or positive, they are the grumpy opposition. And every time RINOS are attacked, it makes me less likely to vote GOP. Funny how someone like me, who believes in smaller government, a large, strong military, and the free market doesn't feel welcome in the party I grew up in.
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