Streetcar Line
In Defense of Principled Moderates
Snowe, right. Newt, wrong.
I’ve always respected Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. Likewise former Rep. James Leach of Iowa. And Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware. And, among Democrats, Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, former Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, and, on the left (ignoring a few instances of cheap-ish shots), Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Oh, and former Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell usually fit the bill as well.
Why? Because it seems these are people who strive(d) more often than not to be intellectually honest and consistent, in accord with identifiable principles, even when those principles are not my own.
Conservatives have every right, indeed a duty to our cause, to constructively criticize these officials when we disagree — which will no doubt be often. But we do our own cause a disservice if we blast their motives or their character when what we really have is an honest disagreement. Respectful and principled disagreements are fine; we just need to work all the harder to convince them that our side is right when they are trying to make decisions on particular issues. It’s amazing how much easier it is to get a hearing from somebody, and eventual agreement with him and support from him, if you haven’t previously blasted him (or her) to Kingdom Come.
To be clear, there are definite distinctions to be made between, on the one hand, those who hug the middle (1) out of sheer political calculation, or (2) in a failure to abide by their own stated principles, or (3) to curry favor with somebody, or (4) by dint of proverbial fingers in the wind, and, on the other hand, those far more admirable middle-roaders who actually, legitimately believe in certain things that put them somewhere towards the center of the political spectrum.
Of course, sometimes it is difficult to tell which is which. Only by dint of sustained observation can one reach an appreciation of the exceedingly small brigade of “honest moderates” — or which ones are, like South Carolina’s Sen. Lindsey Graham, mere suck-ups playing political angles. I do, though, believe that Sen. Snowe is one of the honest moderates — and, furthermore, I think conservatives need to appreciate that she never seems to insult us, or our motives, even when she is on the other side of an issue. Indeed, that’s often one way to tell a principled moderate from a Graham: The Grahams of the world, uncomfortable in their own skins, tend to lash out with cheap shots at those whose sharper principles they are abandoning.
Graciousness, by contrast, can go a long way, and graciousness in return can pay huge political dividends. Some people seem more open to reason, while others seem more open to threats or political rewards. Sen. Snowe seems to be among the former. As in the current health care debate, Sen. Snowe all the way back to her service in the House has had a tendency eventually to lay down a marker, a make-or-break requirement, well explained, that will determine which side of a close issue she will come down on. On health care, Sen. Snowe unfortunately buys into the need for more complicated government involvement to guarantee coverage for more Americans. We conservatives know she is wrong — but that is indeed what she believes. She also believes, fortunately, that there is a major distinction between government regulation of business and government actually competing with private businesses. And she believes in a certain measure of fiscal rectitude — perhaps not rectitude as conservatives understand it, yet her application of a certain sort of green-eyeshade accounting has appeared to be remarkably consistent through the years.
People like this are admirable even when they are wrong. And they are approachable by conservatives if we don’t insult them. I well remember back when Trent Lott appeared (whether rightly or wrongly) to be the clear conservative choice in a close race for Republican Whip in the Senate. Snowe herself had just moved from the House to the Senate. As it turns out, Snowe set aside ideology to consider other factors (such as Lott’s success as Whip in the House years before) — and, reportedly (the leadership votes are confidential), it was Snowe who effectively gave Lott a one-vote victory. If she can set aside ideology for conservatives, as she did in that case, conservatives should be able to respect her own political philosophy enough (even though it is a shade or two different than our own) to try to reason with her by reference to the touchstones of that political philosophy.
Likewise with a few (far too few) self-proclaimed moderates among the Democrats. Bob Kerrey, for instance, is a thoughtful (if quirky) patriot. When he was in office, he was approachable via appeals to reason. Conservatives sometimes, even often, are not enough predisposed towards reaching out for agreement rather than bashing over disagreements. This is not a matter of abandoning our own principles, but merely of recognizing the principles of others — if, and only if and as long as, those others keep their word, play things straight, and don’t stretch their hands out for special favors.
The trick is figuring out which moderates are truly moderates, and which are just wimps or hacks. The second trick is remembering to keep the disagreements cordial with the principled moderates no matter how exasperating their positions may seem to us. If we understand their principles and appeal to them, rather than writing them off as hopeless hacks, we may just win their votes — and their votes may be the very ones that make a crucial difference for the entire country.
WITH ALL THAT SAID, why all the conservative anger at Newt Gingrich for endorsing the liberal Dede Scozzafava over the Conservative Doug Hoffman in the congressional special election in New York? Isn’t Gingrich just doing what I recommend by reaching out to moderates?
Well, no. That’s not what I recommended. There’s a difference between respecting principled moderates (and being political realists), which I recommend, and absolutely embracing a left-of-moderate professional pol at the expense of, and with attacks at, a principled conservative. The latter course is the one Gingrich (and NRCC Chair Pete Sessions and most of the House GOP leadership) has chosen. There’s pro-choice — and then there’s a winner of the Margaret Sanger Award. There’s labor-friendly — and then there’s an embrace of the “card-check” effort to end secret ballots in union organizing elections. There’s outreach to nontraditional GOP ground troops — and then there’s a history of close ties to ACORN-affiliated groups (and the obvious damage that does to the current political case against ACORN and all it stands for). There’s fiscal moderation, and then there is support for the Obama stimulus, and for 190 tax hikes in New York, and so on and so forth.
And there’s also the matter of the current imperative to nurture a growing new grassroots populist/conservative movement, when weighed against a candidate anathema to the grassroots but who was chosen without a primary or open caucuses but instead by party bosses gathered in a room while being nudged by NRCC staff in Washington.
In each example above, the first option is the run-of-the-mill “moderate.” The second is Scozzafava — and it is what Gingrich has embraced, while lobbing his own attacks at Hoffman and while increasingly insulting conservatives who are understandably aghast at his decision.
Gingrich entered the Scozzafava flap with a great reservoir of conservative bona fides, for obvious and well-merited reasons. He therefore might have been forgiven by conservatives, in time, if he had made his endorsement and then let it fade away. Instead, though, he has been doubling down, becoming ever more shrill in his denunciations of conservative activists who are merely following what once was his lead — i.e., who are themselves standing on principle while all he offers in explanation of his endorsement is pure political calculation. (And misguided calculations at that, as polls and word of mouth increasingly report.)
Unlike Olympia Snowe’s admirable position on health care, Gingrich’s position is looking anything but moderate.
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
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gerald stephens| 10.29.09 @ 6:50AM
Eminently voiced.
I hope Senator Snowe appreciates the anguish we feel about the deficit and its probable corrosive effect on the future of our nation.
Admirable as healthcare reform may be, there is absolutely no equation between a corrosive deficit, vitiating the health delivery system and the Democrat/government controlled health care asylum in any form.
Gerald Stephens
Hartford CT
gerald Stephens| 10.29.09 @ 7:07AM
AND to separate the wheat from the chaff, Mr. Gingrich wants to be president. Absolutely nothing wrong with the goal or if elected the probable results of his administration.
It seems somewhat obvious to this observer that one who seeks to feed out of anyones trough, i.e., the RNC as in the case of his outright hostility to
Mr. Hoffman, will be himself evaluated on his principles at the appropriate time.
I am seriously perplexed by Newt's thought process.
Gerald Stephens
Hartford, CT
R Martin| 10.29.09 @ 8:55AM
You should not be perplexed; the answer is in your first sentence. Newt, sadly, a man who has exhibited intellect, verbal acuity and strategic thought is now contra exhibit 1 in Mr. Hillyer's fourth paragraph.
Alexis | 10.29.09 @ 12:52PM
Gingrich has blown it and if he thinks he will win the GOP nomination in 2012, he can forget that thought. Hoffman is a registered Republican and a conservative one at that. Scozzafava supports gay marriage and partial birth abortion. Newt and she should be ashamed of themselves. The GOP has booted this race.
loulou| 10.29.09 @ 12:12PM
Newt doesn't know this yet, but he will never be president. He will never live down this massive lapse of judgement.
Jim O'Brien| 10.29.09 @ 7:25AM
The Democrats are Socialists and the Republicans are Fake Capitalists. Tweedle Dum versus Tweedle Dee. The Democrats will bring us more Socialism with help from the Republicans, and when the Republicans get control of Congress and the White House again, they won't do a single thing to fix the damage done.
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 10.29.09 @ 7:51AM
Quin (Dad): Did you just yell at “us” kids here today, and tell us to play nice together? I mean seriously, we’ve only trashed the living room so far (that’s no big deal!!), and we promise that we’ll clean up the mess before dinnertime. Okay? Newt’s a big boy, and Olympia’s a big girl too, it’s just that we don’t like their new friends, Dede & HR-3200, that’s all. And if they’d only stop playing with them anymore, we’d stop picking on them, and maybe, just maybe, start liking them again too. And anyway, we didn’t start it, they did!!
Big J| 10.29.09 @ 8:13AM
Mr. Hillyer has picked up a truly insane habit. Admonish conservatives to stand for their core values, but don't scream too loudly at those who stand against them.
What gives?
As many have said here, I cannot for the life of me remember when the left has acted in such a manner. They kick and scream, throw things, grab up their toys and go home (slam the door, lock it and do what they do best - scheme on ways to increase the size and scope of the federal government).
As for Miss Snowe in Maine, maybe Quin hasn't been paying attention. She supports a "trigger" over the so called public option. Here's a clue, Mr. Hillyer: THIS IS THE PUBLIC OPTION!
Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins ought to just make it official and perform a Specter-style defection, right along with many others like Lindsey "Elections-Have-Consequences" Graham.
Sorry Quin, but this country is being strong armed by those that believe The Chicago Way is the only way (except when it comes to foreign policy).
Feel free to bring a knife to a gun fight if you wish, it's your prerogative.
As for me, I'll stick with my AR-15, all clips fully loaded. The radical communists that are dwelling in D.C. are free to take it - posthumously and with empty clips.
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.29.09 @ 10:36AM
Big J.
Well spoken!
One thought: if you keep all clips "fully loaded" you will fatigue the clip springs. (Been there done that, OOps) Leave clips one cartridge shy of full, or better yet, rotate them and empty some from time to time. (smile)
OKOK
Quin is struggling, alright? On the one hand, his article the other day was the very best summation I have read (except mine of course) about what the radicals are doing destroying our country.
At the same time, he seems to try to inject "the benefit of the doubt" to the conversation. Quite stateman like if you ask me.
But
I am sad to say I believe the time for compromise is over. We constitutionalists now must win, or watch our republic die.
Our opposition is not pulling their punches. They are in all out attack mode on so many fronts that it chills me. They are trying to win this war with words and lies, and stealth up until recently.
Every day now they are laying out their game-plans more and more openly.
So
Leave Snowe and her ilk alone. They are the Swedens in this war...nuetrals if you will.
Lets pick the Senate and House races we can win with great conservative candidates and support them to the hilt. "Interesting metaphor, that; where does a "hilt" go? Right! In a fight to the knife.
Quin, we are in the midst of a classic "religious war", in my opinion. That is, we are in a fight for the soul of our country. It is on our watch where it will be decided...right in these days.
Will we continue to be a nation founded upon life liberty and the pursuit of happiness endowed by our Creator?
Or shall we bow down to any idol, of any government?
Best regards
Liberal Reader| 10.29.09 @ 8:43PM
Big J --
Your hatred of democracy shows in your desire to use your weapons instead of your ability to reason and make good arguments.
You're a fascist, Big J. It's not what you set out to be; hell, it might not even be what you want to be; but it is what you are. Fascists thrill to the rage of not getting their way; they relish the idea of secret enemies plotting against them; and most of all, they look forward to the day when they can line their "enemies" against a wall and shoot them.
Well, fuck you, Big J.
Your post is as un-American as anything I've ever read here.
Like all people who revel in violence, you are weak and fearful. Your feeling of impotence makes you turn to a weapon; your weakness and inability to examine your own shriveled soul prevents you from hearing the voice of your conscience. You are pathetic, but like all stupid, armed hicks, you're also dangerous.
Nick| 10.29.09 @ 9:58PM
Lighten up, Francis. - Sgt. Hulka, 1981
Nyx| 10.30.09 @ 2:15AM
Wow, Libreader what a insightful and logical post!! /Sacrasm
Brilliant!! You covered all of Nancy and Harry's talking points in such a dazzling and effective manner and yet in so few words, I stand in utter awe of your elegant prose, and rapier sharp wit.
The vulgarity was a nice touch all though rather typical of most liberals when they are upset and fall back on emotional outbursts to drive a point...might want to try to work on that in the future, honestly, it's just SO "Bush Era" in this age of Obama and the shining enlightenment he's brought forth to all of us "hicks"/ Sarcasm
But back to your skeed....Lets do the left wing talking points check here ...
Fascist...Check
Un-American...Check
Dangerous....Check
Stupid....Check
Soulless....(paraphrased)
Hick....Check (Can Also be a thinly veiled term for "RACIST")
BRAVO...*Followed by the sound of one hand clapping*
Really tell me Liblreader, is it Big J who is fearful and weak..or is it you whom can take a post on the internet forum and somehow magically divine a persons intelligence and penchant to become a jack booted Fascist wishing to line you and other liberals up against a wall and shoot them....simply by reading his words on a monitor?
In short ...Pot - Meet Kettle.
William5| 10.30.09 @ 8:29PM
I liked Liberal Readers comment...but I think I liked Nick's response even more!
William5| 10.30.09 @ 8:33PM
By the way, Nyx, your reference to talking points? What, did O'Reilly and Beck run out of theirs for you?
It's the conservatives who get their talking points fed to them on a daily basis - what would your day be like if you didn't spend some time listening and watching so right-wing infotainment nutjob tell you what you want to hear? Me thinks you'd feel very small...need someone to pat ya on the back on a daily, maybe hourly, basis.
There are no liberal talking points - and there aren't any 'cos we don't feed at the trough like the right does. Inquire with Liberal Reader where his/her information comes from...you'll find many sources. What you won't find is Air America, MSNBC, or the Huffington Post.
If he/she were to ask the same question of you, well...FoxNews, Beck, 'baugh, O'Reilly.
See the difference?
Nick| 10.31.09 @ 3:16PM
William,
Thanks for the compliment, but now I must smack you down.
You are correct. I do try to get my daily dose of conservative/right-wing talking points.
I like to read something new by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison in the Federalist every once in a while. Also from Presidents Washington and Reagan. And I peruse Emmerich de Vattell's "The Law of Nations (1758).
More often I like to read something from Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II. Well most of the Popes, really. Also, right-wingers like Saints Aquinas, Augustine, and Thomas More.
Finally, I like those conservative extremists Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Saints Peter and Paul, too. Don't forget Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc.
Well you get the idea.
Nyx| 11.1.09 @ 12:05PM
William5,
You know there is this old adage about not ASS-uming things don't you?
While I couldn't actually sit here and prove it in this medium, here's something to chew on.
You asked "what would my day be like if I didn't spend time listening and watching so (sic) right-wing infotainment nutjob..."
I don't own a TV.
In fact, I don't have a lot of access to any "western" influenced media other than the internet and VOA.
I'm 8000 miles away from the US and have spent less than an entire year total in the US over the course of the past 11 years.
I don't need Fox, or Beck or anyone else for that matter to provide me with talking points, and it certainly is a falsehood that because they are putting out views that at times are close to mine, I don't have my own ideas about things.
In fact I have a quite unique perspective on the issues in the the US because I am outside the clamor of the biased media whores over there trying to pass them selves off as subject matter experts and demanding people listen to them "OR ELSE"!! I have been for years.
While I am a conservative, I am conservative only because I have studied US history, Middle Eastern history, the Soviet Union, the words of the founding fathers and the massive efforts they undertook to establish a free nation.
Not because I feed at some "trough" as you put it or because I only listen to one side of an issue.
Nice try William5 but we'll have to chalk this one up to yet another case of someone ASS-uming more than they should. Good Day.
L. Ross| 10.30.09 @ 11:01AM
Lib.
I recommend you go out and spend some time with firearms. Then you won't make such a fool of yourself. Picking on someone who likes to shoot guns is about as intelligent as picking on someone who likes to golf or to bowl.
Yes, there can be a visceral thrill of holding a powerful explosion in your hand as you fire a .357 or a .44 mag, but most of shooting (or at least shooting well) is about self control, patience, and medition. Things you libs hold near and dear to your hearts.
Go find a Republican friend. Chances are pretty good that he has a gun. Ask him to take you out so you can blast some cans. Have fun. LEARN SOMETHING. Don't be such a horse's ass.
ken (Old Texican)| 10.31.09 @ 3:06PM
Liberal filthy-mouth
I can't let this pass.
Your slander of Big J. is the wimp's way out...wimp!
You fire your "keyboard gun" most every day here, while you hide behind your computer.
Big J has put his life on the line for our republic... publicly and privately. God bless his defense of liberty.
You, on the other hand hide behind your computer and huff and puff.
We look forward to seeing you in your "brown-shirt" some day...out in public. .....wimp.
Yes, Big J. will probably be armed if you ever meet him. (Be polite, heh).
He won't shoot you though. He will simply laugh until he chokes when he sees you in person.
...And...oh yes...he is potentially dangerous...just like me and a hundred million other American patriots.
Hide yourself extremely well when it gets that bad, and after that, play pretend you were always on our side.
HaHaHaHaHaHa.....wimp.
BD57| 10.29.09 @ 8:36AM
Quin:
Well thought out and argued piece. You've drawn distinctions which make it easier to identify types, which I appreciate.
Question, though -
we know which type Specter was. When he jumped, Senator Snowe spoke words which were basically harmony to Specter's melody - how should we react to such stuff from Senator Snowe?
Because you know the MSM will ask her to repeat them whenever it wants to stir things up on our side of the aisle.
Bydand76| 10.29.09 @ 8:47AM
Mr Hillyer,
I disagree with your premise and your logic sir.
I think that moderates end up doing more damage to the Conservative agenda than what they intend to do.
While compromise is admirable, at this point in time I think that the time for meeting in the middle is over.
Rush often likes to point out that when ever bi-partisanship is bandied about it is always the Republican/Conservatives who give ground. The Liberal never seems to acknowledge anything or compromise on any given issue.
Enough is Enough. If the politicians that we elect do not OR are incapable of standing up for the PRINCIPLES that we elected them on and continue to sell us out at every opportunity then be gone with them!
I am tired of the McCains, Snowes, and Collins in the republican party. I want people who will fight for what I beleive in and not quibble at every available opportunity. The time of the profesional politician is over. I do not want moderates in the Senate OR the House. I want strong and dedicated, PRINCIPLED people who will not give an inch of ground. I want people who will fight against this onslaught of socialism and who will not say one thing yet do another.
Everytime we compromise on the grounds of seeking a common ground we lose a little bit more.
Wellstone never compromised a damn thing. Feingold is a dyed in the wool commie. He NEVER compromises a damn thing. All of these liberal maggots laugh when ever we sat compromise or bi-partisan because they know they just got their way.
Sorry Mr Hillyer. You may respect them but I am no longer in the mood for standing by and letting them assist in the handing over our country to socialist pigs.
Big J is right. Bring a knife to gun fight if you wish.
I am ready to take my country back and compromise is not in my vocabulary Sir.
Pro Libertate!
hoads| 10.29.09 @ 9:05AM
Sorry, don't agree that Snowe is principled when she voted for the Stimulus knowing full well what it was all about---a big Democrat payback coffer.
As for Newt, another disappointment and another strike against him. His sitting on the couch with Pelosi to promote global warming was a real knife in the back of conservatives.
I'm thinking the NRSC pushed this liberal on NY25 because it was a solid Republican strong hold, they felt secure that she could garner Republican votes no matter her liberal leanings and they wanted to use her to claim their tolerance and promotion of "moderates"-an attempt to shake off critics in MSM who try to paint the Republicans as the "angry white guys". They weren't expecting this backlash and they are figuring out they seriously miscalculated. Even if Hoffman loses, I hope the NRSC will always be looking over their shoulder from here on out.
Lu D.| 10.29.09 @ 9:10AM
I am sick of these so called moderates. I am not saying that every one has to vote 100% the same way all the time, but there are core values that there should be considered safe. Any thing that gives Government more control of our lifes and pocket books is out of the question. Taking of an innocent life is another. Anything that violates the Tenneth amendment also. I will not ever give one dime to the RNC or any Congessional Committee again. I will give the few dollars I can spare to Conservatives like Hoffman Rubio and others. Keep making excues Mr. Hillyer.
Bram| 10.29.09 @ 9:16AM
I don't believe Senator Snowe is betraying her party over principle. It is simple barter politics. In return for selling us out, Maine will be showered with federal money to prop up their failed tax and spend anti-business policies.
I hope conservative primary challangers graciously debate and defeat both Snowe and Collins on the issues next time around.
AceInTX| 10.29.09 @ 9:30AM
Cute: "It's amazing how much easier it is to get a hearing from somebody, and eventual agreement with him and support from him, if you haven't previously blasted him (or her) to Kingdom Come."
Tell that the the Republican Main Street Partnership and all the liberal groups out there that are out there attacking "Right Wing Republicans" every single day
astorian| 10.29.09 @ 10:17AM
The big questions ares always:
1) "Is this the best we can do?"
2) "Are we, at least, getting half a loaf?"
In a state like Maine, Olympia Snowe may very well be the best Senator that conservatives can hope for. If that's the case, it MIGHT be very foolish to support the candidacy of a principled conservative who is doomed to failure. If Olympia Snowe votes with our side 40% of the time, we may have to hold our noses and support her, because the alternative is much worse.
But there are liberal Republicans who aren't even with us 40% of the time. Dede Scozzafava looks like one of them.
We may have to settle for half a loaf, sometimes. We shouldn't settle for crumbs.
Doctor Right| 10.29.09 @ 10:49AM
Sorry, but I'm tired of "settling". These are desperate times, and they call for drastic measures.
The RINOs must be put on notice: You are either with us, or you are against us...Period. If that means a few moderate/lib Repubics jump ship, we're better off for it.
2010 will be a watershed election, even moreso than '94. The groundswell of anger at this administration and this congress dwarfs any anger that was directed at Clinton in '94. Look for lots of well-known Lib legislators to join the ranms of the unemployed in November 2010. Joining them will be MANY so-called "Blue-Dog" Dems who lack neither the stomach nor the character to go against their Party.
This means that we must seize the moment, and avoid at all costs replacing these people with "moderate" RINO-Repubics. If that means we gain a few less seats in 2010, so be it. The realistic goal in 2010 is to destroy Pelosi and Reid's filibuster-proof majority; obviously, we shoot for more, but we need to be realistic.
2012 will be the Dem's Waterloo. We MUST nominate a hard-core Conservative candidate who can enunciate sound conservative principles. If we do that, we will send Obama back to Chicago.
One step at a time, with a plan, and a purpose: Defeat socialism by electing Conservatives.
And to those who say we must be "cautious", and that we need voices of "moderation", I say: You're a complete fool.
Pelosi and Reid aren't worried about "moderation". They are ramking through a hard-left agenda that no one really wants but their oligarchical clique. Once back in charge, we need to take a lesson from them, and be prepared to ram-home our own agenda with complete disregard for what the media or the opposition party will say.
This will take men and women with real "stones", not squishy, weak-kneed "moderates". If we elect the latter, and not the former, our Party and our country will be doomed.
Big Leo| 10.29.09 @ 1:54PM
I lived in Maine for thirty years and was very active in the Republican Party. I have met Snowe and spoken with her any number of times. As a conservative, I disagree with her often. However, she is conservative on about half or more of the issues. Her opponents in the election have always been far more liberal than her. There are simply not enough conservative voters in Maine to elect a conservative senator. I wish there were. In the absence of that majority and in the belief that half a conservative is better than a 100% liberal, there is no current alternative to Snowe or Collins.
If you wish, you might mount a challenge in the primary with a conservative candidate. In the rare event that candidate was chosen, you will lose the election and add another Dem to the Senate. The Dems need your help to do that. Don't give it to them.
Crusader| 10.29.09 @ 10:25AM
I stopped reading about the time he was talking about respecting Russ Feingold. That same 1st Amendment-hating co-author (with RINO McCain) of the McCain-Feingold incumbent protection act.
We have a long way to go if alleged "conservative" websites are pushing freedom-hating libtards as respectable. No more "compromise" for me thanks, especially not when it comes to my freedom.
COnservative Bob| 10.29.09 @ 10:41AM
Olympia may be a wonderful person, Newt seems to be an intelligent speaker I would love to sit in his history or political science class.
I am sorry but they are both wrong. How do you respect the differences of those whose votes give victory to our adversaries? When the votes are counted, the legislation signed, the leviathan expanded and your liberty reduced how does it matter that the one who served you up was principled? Am I taxed any less does the loss of freedom sting any less?
Mr. Hilliyer I enjoy your articles but you are wrong.
I think you have missed completely the problem which you list in your article but fail to identify. All of those mentioned have been in Washington for ever. They are part of the ruling/political class. They have more in common with each other than they do with us. They have been there so long that they can actually see value in the nuance of differences. While they delight in their enlightened shades of gray the whole of our freedoms have been sold down the river.
I understand the difference between the soft spoken well articulated disagreement but at the end of the day how much comfort can one draw from the fact that the chains that bind were placed on my neck and the necks of my grand children by a betrayer that was genteel well mannered and soft spoken?
This struggle has become life and death, as relates to healthcare in particular we are at a tipping point. If it is passed the republic will be lost as well as the majority of our constitutional protections.
I too will not bring a knife to a gun fight. They mean to take my freedom whether by courteous principled disagreement of brutal force; I will not surrender it cheaply.
Mr. Hillyer in all due respect I must ask has the length of your observations of these various types not clouded your vision by close proximity and interaction?
Quin| 10.29.09 @ 11:02AM
Sorry, people. Again, some of you misread me. The world contains moderates. In a state like Maine, a moderate is much better than a liberal, from a conservative standpoint. Some moderates (not many of them) are moderate in principle, not through weakness. We need their votes in order to win. Yes, as one commenter put it, they are like Switzerland. What's the use of criticizing Switzerland? The point of the column is to offer a way to cull the "honest" moderates from the larger number of weak or hack ones. Having done so, we are in MUCH stronger position to blast away at the hacks. If you follow the thread of my argument -- which is discursive in style, by design, rather than a typical journalistic "put the lead up front" type of piece -- you see that in the end I am laying out the case for why it is SO legitimate to reject the Scozzafavas of the world and to be angry at the Gingriches who endorse her. The point of the column is to set the stage for an even more effective conservative stance AGAINST the "moderate" hacks.
Ronald Reagan would have understood and approved.
Big J| 10.29.09 @ 11:21AM
Quin,
Thanks for reading and responding to our comments. It is commendable that an author takes enough pride in his article to gather feedback.
You cannot blame me and other posters here for "misunderstanding" your argument. You have written several articles recently regarding "civility" and "getting along" with the other side in order to win (basically, a lose the battle, win the war theory). This started happening about the time ordinary citizens were showing up at town halls and voicing their opposition to the out of control congress critters trying to overtake 1/6 of our economy. Your advice? Remain calm and civil.
Hogwash!
The premise is false. The more we give, the more they take. Just look where compromise has gotten us. The hungry liberal lion feasting on the remains of this once great nation.
Frankly, these moderate sellouts that you tout as necessary to our victory can plant a big wet one on my backside. I've had it with the mushy middle, "blue dog" moderates (remember, a blue dog democrat is still a democrat - and a dog to boot).
The time for compromise is over (has been for some time now). Do the right thing our lose your job. That's it. Period.
That's the way a business is run, that's how the government is (should be) run.
Now THAT'S a theory Ronald Reagan would have understood and approved of.
Tim| 10.29.09 @ 11:54AM
"Is there a chance that Newt could bend?"
"Not a one my ersatz friend!"
"But the party's all cracked and broken!"
'Forget it Quin, the mob has spoken!"
"Monorail, monorail, MONORAIL!"
http://listen.grooveshark.com/.....y=monorail
R Martin| 10.29.09 @ 11:57AM
Q, your piece is well written and structured, and I think most of us understand your point. However, the trick is culling the honest moderates from the weak or the hacks, and that becomes subjective. Case in point, your example of Mike Castle. That he has not lost an election in Delaware is more proof that he is good at what he does than evidence he is an honest moderate. Delaware is a bit like Illinois in that the population center of Wilmington is big city liberal, while the thinly populated south is fairly conservative. Getting support from both factions probably does require some political moderation.
BUT, and here comes the cold water, Castle supported the leftists with his yea vote on Cap and Trade, and that alone is disqualifying among conservatives and even eyebrow raising among moderates. Cap and Trade is a hideous bureaucracy expanding idea, virtually unworkable and a thinly disguised massive tax increase. I wrote to Castle asking him to justify his vote but received a reply with little more than platitudes. If he wins the Senate seat here I fear his name and Specter's will often be used in the same sentence.
Oldefarte| 10.29.09 @ 11:25AM
You're correct in denouncing any attempt to purge the Republican Party of non-conservative; but I disagree partly with your reasoning/philosophy. The party is conservative-bent, nationally; but includes states/regions [and their congressmen] that are moderatate and/or liberal [ie Maine]. In Newt's case, he has tended to drift towards being a moderate since leaving the Senate; and that I think is due to [possibly] his current marriage/wife's influence [lately it's Clarista this and that]. Snowe get's a pass since she represents Maine, and all/most Yankees are liberal, or at best, moderate politically. There is absolutely no excuse for Graham's moderate philosophy while representating South Carolina, a conservative state of which there can be no doubt. The main focus with any Republican [or Democrat for that matter] is WHAT STATE/REGION do they represent; and are they truly representating the population of same [or are they in political bed with Pilosi, Reid, Schumer, etc; all for political gain/purposes?]. These politicians that are sent to DC forget WHO elected them and who they owe their votes to. It's a sin of the highest order for someone such as Blanche Lincoln of ARKANSAS to vote in occordance with the liberal Democratic Party's leadership--------the people/voters of Arkansas should tar and feather Lincoln for becoming brainwashed. Republicans will always have moderate/liberal members due to the states/regions involved [ie Maine]; but the party as a whole is/should always be truly conservative [and should resist any drifting of elected Republicans to play footsie with liberals in DC]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul from SA| 10.29.09 @ 11:26AM
Quin, thanks for constrasting between Newt and Snowe. You're right; I've never seen Snowe attack conservatives. When Newt attacked me the other day, that was it.
Newt however, has lost his bearing, and will not ever recover from this betrayal. There is a real disconnect between the conservative people of the U.S.A. and the Republican leaders, whomever they are.
I cannot and will not be associated with a political party with people like Newt, Snowe, McCain, Graham, Noonan, Brooks, etc. in it. I think this disconnect will prevent Republicans from making the most of the 2010 elections.
Frank Natoli| 10.29.09 @ 11:54AM
Hillyer does a nice job of articulating being principled versus unprincipled, but although he suggests that such a difference may be useful, I can't help thinking it's like being shot by someone who hates you for "X" versus someone who just wants you dead. Does it really matter?
And as for Newt, he telegraphed the "new" Newt when he sat on that bench in front of the White House with Pelosi for the green energy advertisement. I realized at that moment that he was gone. The Scozzafava matter is perfectly consistent with paling around with Pelosi. It's like a scene from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". It's not the Newt of 1994.
Person of Choler| 10.29.09 @ 11:59AM
I wouldn't so much mind it that Gingrich et al. bring a knife to a gun fight. What annoys me is that they think it sufficient to bring only a copy of Emily Post's "Etiquette"
Douglas| 10.29.09 @ 12:29PM
Do you really think liberals are going to listen to good solid logical debate? Do you think they will be civil? Does history not provide plenty of evidence to the contrary? We are fighting using Marquis of Queensbury rules and they are fighting like junkyard dogs.
james wilson| 10.29.09 @ 12:34PM
And this is a choice, why? Snowe needs to join Spectre, and Gingrich needs to go away, but the little man cannot imagine himself irrelevant even for a moment.
Joe| 10.29.09 @ 12:51PM
I appreciate your points. However, I have to disagree, not about Olympia for now. But Bush tried this for 6 years. And where did this get us. Nowhere. Our side became more like their side.
And by the way, this is not the first time Newt has left the reservation to reach out to a liberal. Please don't forget he imbrace Hillary and parts of her health care. She just bit his hand off later.
Finally, the other side, the dark side (liberal/Progressive/Socialist) did the opposite you are recommending for 6 years and it seem to work. So we should do a little more of this to the Socialist at least to get the moderates to see we mean business. I think these principal moderates join the Socialist mostly out of fear.
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.29.09 @ 1:15PM
Quinn:
SWEDEN SWEDEN. (not Switzerland, smile)
My point was that you should quit screwing around with the margins...or marginals.
We got a war to fight these days. Let's quit nit picking around the margins. This ain't Little League Baseball, darn it!
You guys here have a unique microphone to gather the "troops" to win this fight.
Ronald Reagan would NOT approve!!!!!
Regarding communists, he had one single "philosophy"... "We Win...They Lose".
The only difference these days is that the communists now control OUR government and "News media". Take Reagan's words and actions in that regard...and you are up to speed.
Help us design and deploy our own Strategic Defense Initiative. (Star-Wars Defense). Thank you
J.C.Eaton| 10.29.09 @ 1:32PM
Dear Quin, I am not smarting from the little smack-down you administered to me and my like-minded ilk the other day. I think you are a thoughtful, decent, and pretty bright fellow with a bit too much Hamlet in your blood. Once in a while, one has to lay a Col. Travis line in the dirt and fight it out. Libs don't give anything away that they place any value on. Hence, Sen. Feingold will, and to the best pf my knowledge never has, ever met an abortion bill he won't get behind. He chin musics the Constitution but doesn't let it get in the way of the lib agenda in ANY meaningful way. And he's probably the most honest of the "mods" you named. But in the final analysis, does it matter? You will never get anything that smacks of conservatism from any of these specimens. And how a person votes tells me all I need to know about character. By the way, despite the smack-down, I still believe the former Speaker is gutless. Best,
Pete, Angry White Guy | 10.29.09 @ 1:42PM
Snowe, and her ilk, appear to be helping to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Louis Jenkins| 10.29.09 @ 1:48PM
So a man has a job at (insert any job name here), but at night he’s a B & E expert, stealing the hard earned possessions of others whom, he reasons, have plenty and can do without some of those extras. He pays his taxes from his day job and, from all outwardly appearances, supports his family of three with a legal income. He is polite, attends a local place of worship, and even attends PTA meetings. Without the extra income his family would be living in less fortunate circumstances. They definitely benefit from the ill begotten loot. Is he a principled taxpayer and family man, or a criminal? Do you approve of him for his daylight activities, or is he to be condemned for taking what he has not earned? What’s more, you are aware of his dual life. What would be your opinion?
Alan Brooks| 10.29.09 @ 3:37PM
"What’s more, you are aware of his dual life. What would be your opinion? "
Good point, great one. The day job, night criminal.
But many dualisms exist: just for one, the otherwise real Christian who buys magazines and DVDs that concern T & A, and not B & E.
Roy| 11.1.09 @ 4:43AM
That doesn't make somebody a "dualist" but a sinner. Christians have never claimed not to be sinners.
shoey| 10.29.09 @ 1:50PM
i'll listen to anyone who isn't a marxist/globalist a-hole.
trouble is 90% of all of them (pols) fit that description.
Alan Brooks| 10.29.09 @ 3:39PM
libertarians ARE globalists, they want maximum free trade, which eventually midwifes globalism.
And time erodes gratitude faster than values.
Real American| 10.29.09 @ 2:27PM
Well put, but you have to wonder why anyone (like Snowe) comfortable with government run health care would call themselves a Republican in the first place.
CA Independent| 10.29.09 @ 2:55PM
Mr. Hillyer,
Some nice sentiments when looked at with pure objectivity in an ideal world. I agree with with you, but disagree on senator Snowe.
I think she has recognized the backlash her vote has brought from her constituents and is now merely attempting to appear thoughtful in moving vocally away from single payer.
When the chips out down (vote time), I have every confidence she, like Lindsey Graham will work against the wishes of the people.
The Republican party has helped neuter itself by greasing the skids for politically abitious types with no real substance or depth, only the goal of staying in power and feeling like they are "accomplishing something".
The only problem is they are accomplishing the death of America as a first world nation.
Perhaps your intent was to help Snowe "see the light", but watch her run left again on Cap n Trade & healthcare. Like many, I believe she has already been bought & paid for by the administration.
Dole, Bush, McCain, Newt, Graham & Boehner had a great run at helping to vastly expand the nanny state & big brother like intrusions that will also accelerate in the years to come now that the Dems has essestially taken over the gov. workforce, unions, and schools.
All the while the Republican party sat by like the gutless fools they have become.
Alan Brooks| 10.29.09 @ 3:30PM
There is only hope for science, or at least pure science, and in spiritual escapism.
"ours... lies in escaping"
Sir Thomas Moore.
Look, for every decent person you empower,you empower one Chas Manson and nine Joe Buttafuocos.
Why can't you all grasp such? Unless you are pretending you don't know it is all a game, albeit a necessary one.
Pingback| 10.29.09 @ 4:02PM
The American Spectator Defends Olympia Snowe | Pine Tree Politics links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
jr| 10.29.09 @ 4:40PM
BigJ said it: "Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins ...make it official and perform a Specter-style defection, ..along with ..like Lindsey "Elections-Have-Consequences" Graham. Heaping praise on this kind of human beings begs the question as to what is a "Republican" and why the hell have I been voting for them? "I voted for it before I voted against it" is a phrase that is pretty ugly and it fits those "moderates." McCain crossing the aisle to join with crackpots like Kennedy and Feingold to pass liberal legislation is sick! Exactly what do they believe it, other than themselves? And why is the fat doughboy Gingrich still hanging around? If he thinks that Republicans are going to vote for him again, think differently.
Jim Anderson| 10.29.09 @ 4:43PM
Principled moderate? What the hell kind of oxymoron is that? The principled moderate is one who believes there are no principles that cannot be compromised. These are the people who would show up as Nanny's at Omaha Beach to announce, "Boys! Boys! Look! Your world views both have merit. Let's sit down and talk this over."
Jim Anderson
anderson.james@att.net
Simon Templar| 10.29.09 @ 5:09PM
CA independent states, "Dole, Bush, McCain, Newt, Graham & Boehner had a great run at helping to vastly expand the nanny state & big brother like intrusions that will also accelerate in the years to come now that the Dems has essestially taken over the gov. workforce, unions, and schools."
The simple truth. Thank you. We have essentially been moderating for over a century now and have basically lost the republic...lost the war of ideas that began with our conservative founding fathers who believed in this wonderful and truly revoltionary concept of democratic republicanism, limited government, and free markets. If you have any doubt listen to Reagan's speech, "A time to choose" that has been passed around this week that took place at the TV Goldwater Election show in 1964. Quin..its time to choose.choose and do not apologize to anyone or feel it necessary to moderate your views or play nice with those who would rather sell this country out than stand for something that might cost them reelection. Every issue we are grappling with now including the delusional liberal mentality.. we wer dealing with over 30 yeras ago. The same old arguments..the same old left wing rhetoric and propagnada..nothing learned despite the total obvious EVIDENCE of thier failed ideology. Now, stop with the graciousness and manners and start telling the truth no matter if it hurts someone's feelings or hidden agendas. Too much is at stake and we have run out of time..this is it Quin...that day HAS arrived.
Jeff Perren | 10.29.09 @ 5:13PM
Quin,
Some of your readers appear to be struggling with making the distinction between "advocating being a moderate" and "advocating respect for well-meaning moderates." Others are opposed to respect for moderates by virtue of the fact that they are moderate. Myself, I'm not a moderate and don't advocate that position for anyone. But I recognize degrees of destructive behavior, well-meant or deliberate.
The underlying premise of your argument is sound; it's morally wise to distinguish between honest errors of knowledge and immorality, and it can be difficult to know which is true for any given person. I'm not sure Sen. Snowe is the best example to illustrate it, however. Her letter threatening the oil companies over global warming research put her past the pale for me.
What's interesting, here, is how you are a much better example of what you're trying to persuade others to consider. Though many of your positions would be considered "extreme" (I prefer to think of them as "consistent"), you're being chastised for giving the benefit of the doubt in some cases, which a few of your readers seem unwilling to give to you.
I attribute that in most cases to their honestly having had their patience exhausted after blow by blow from Progressives over the past year. (Or, more accurately, over the past 40 years.) That would put even the most patient on edge. They also, wrongly I think, sense a whiff of compromise, something they're understandably tender about after the McCain debacle (not to mention a hundred other examples). They recognize the need for a full court press if we're to have any freedom left in a few years time and disagree about the best game plan.
I think your game plan is superior, but I can understand the frustration of those who disagree. Complex stuff and no one — so far as I've seen — knows exactly how best to get us where we want to go. You've done as good a job as anyone could of trying to make the right distinctions; the rest is up to the mind of each reader.
There's a question you don't raise, though, that's essential. Just what are the principles of those principled moderates? Some of them ain't too pretty, since they're virtually indistinguishable from those of the Progressives. Whether they adopt them honestly, out of error, or out of more base motives, the results will be the same to the rest of us.
Anyway, here's one reader who's pretty happy you're in the game.
Simon Templar| 10.29.09 @ 5:18PM
Please forgive me of any misspellings..stand firm Quin..please do not take my comments the wrong way..your a good writer... I sense that you do love this country.
JimE| 10.29.09 @ 6:59PM
Quin, can't wait for your next installment of " how to appease". The road to Zimbabwe was paved with ideas such as yours.
Robert Rosencrans| 10.29.09 @ 7:02PM
I can only wonder what type of political insanity inspires these types of articles that state we should respect the likes of Olympia Snowe. Quin Hillyer claims she has principles and pray tell, what are they? They are to cave in at every wrong turn, insisting on big government, and the allegedly erstwhile conservative voice tells you it's OK, and you should admire it.
It seems to me if you mix Mr. Hillyer's thought process with two tons of horse crap, you would have two tons of mixed up horse crap, good for fertilizing a garden but not much good for steering a political course or stabilizing a political movement.
If Mr. Hillyer is to be believed, then the Republicans should close up shop, and start a party called Moderates or the Bipartisan Party.
I will never accept as a precept the notion or nonsense that calling for bigger government is standing up for principles. The concept is so ridiculous I would label this article as humor, but in actuality, this is the type of thinking that drives Washington on, complete and utter nonsense fueled by complete idiocy.
Let me quote Einstein here. "If you do the same thing every day and expect different results, that's the definition of insanity."
Robert Rosencrans| 10.29.09 @ 7:02PM
I can only wonder what type of political insanity inspires these types of articles that state we should respect the likes of Olympia Snowe. Quin Hillyer claims she has principles and pray tell, what are they? They are to cave in at every wrong turn, insisting on big government, and the allegedly erstwhile conservative voice tells you it's OK, and you should admire it.
It seems to me if you mix Mr. Hillyer's thought process with two tons of horse crap, you would have two tons of mixed up horse crap, good for fertilizing a garden but not much good for steering a political course or stabilizing a political movement.
If Mr. Hillyer is to be believed, then the Republicans should close up shop, and start a party called Moderates or the Bipartisan Party.
I will never accept as a precept the notion or nonsense that calling for bigger government is standing up for principles. The concept is so ridiculous I would label this article as humor, but in actuality, this is the type of thinking that drives Washington on, complete and utter nonsense fueled by complete idiocy.
Let me quote Einstein here. "If you do the same thing every day and expect different results, that's the definition of insanity."
PCP Smoker| 10.29.09 @ 7:19PM
More garbage from Quin: "I think conservatives need to appreciate that she never seems to insult us, or our motives, even when she is on the other side of an issue. "
She insults me by running as a "New England fiscal conservative" and then voting for a series of stimuli that will bankrupt the nation.
To paraphrase Churchill: "Some New Englander...some fiscal conservative".
Bottom line: She needs to go, Graham needs to go, Gingrich is a phony, and the creep Quin needs to go join Frum's New Perversity
Pingback| 10.29.09 @ 8:29PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : In Defense of Principled Moderates [ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Tish | 10.29.09 @ 8:53PM
I take Quinn's point, but Sen. Snowe's relentless search for compromise and endless moderation generally results in her accepting a few moderate crumbs in return for her vote for insane spending, like the stimulus. Moderation is not a virtue if it results in vice.
John II| 10.29.09 @ 9:58PM
The stimulus, yes--but also the global warming fantasy. That's what tears it for me. Over the past ten years, in a research methods class I teach, I have assigned that topic (by lot) to five very bright students. Every one of them, after several weeks of research, concluded that the whole issue was a scam. And now the evidence is so overwhelming that the environmentalist fanatics have changed their language slightly: it's no longer "global warming"; it's "climate change." And it's still blamed, without a shred of scientific evidence, on human activity.
Who's advising Snowe and Gingrich and McCain? And why are they so amenable to such shabby advice? What kind of game are they playing when they promote transparent nonsense to the potential detriment of the commonweal?
Quin, you don't really explain why you regard Snowe as an acceptable moderate when she promotes policies based on lies. At the very least, she strikes me as precisely the kind of "moderate" you disapprove of.
As I keep saying to the prim liberal bloggers on this site, what the hell are you talking about?
Mary Louise| 10.29.09 @ 9:30PM
Ross Perot: “patient’s bleedin’ arterially, Larry.” Remember that interview with Larry King? Ross really tapped into the disgust of a decent sized chunk of the electorate.
I finally wrote my check to Hoffman. I was hemming and hawing for a couple of reasons. I didn’t have much of a chance to listen to Rush today, but I did catch his plug of Brookhiser’s book, and his NRO entry explaining a little about how the conservative party works. And Brookhiser is a NYSer to the core, besides being a smart guy, so he swayed me.
Democrats and liberals who are looking to consolidate power want to divide us. More than that, they’re looking to foment fratricide. From their point of view a kind of Cain vs. Cain match. We have to deny them that. First of all because we’re brothers and sisters, and secondly because allowing that to occur will provide years of unimpeded rule for them. Today Rush did some gathering. That’s very good and he should do more of it.
We have to learn how to maintain tension, how to not grow rigid and frigid and dogmatic. Especially right now, I think we should move aggressively against any tendency to implode.
Everyone has a little bit of the fascist in him, and the sooner one admits that the easier maintaining tension becomes.
I believe in invective. But it has to be used intelligently and even sparingly for it to retain its power. Hot polemic usually only persuades those already persuaded. The Reformation shows that plainly, I think. We need smart saints because disorder is our implacable foe right now.
Many conservatives, alongside liberals, have benefited from government. From collecting unemployment, taking Pell grants and student loans. Government isn’t a dirty word and when it begins to roll off our tongues and lips with regard for what it can do properly we’ll be better able to take our opponents on, based on where we sit, right here, right now.
The democrats weren’t out of the box 10 minutes before flinging money at hair-brained, cotton-headed pieties. We should be able to take advantage of that kind of stupidity.
Oh, and the Steely Dan song? That’s Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter on oh, so sexy republican guitar.
John II| 10.29.09 @ 10:07PM
Mary Louise: you remind me . . . well, you remind me of my wife, so everything you say is preternaturally good sense. But regarding your penultimate paragraph, the term isn't "hair-brained" (although it MIGHT be, come to think of it); the correct term is "harebrained."
Keep posting.
Mary Louise| 10.30.09 @ 3:07AM
John,
It's 3 a.m. The error woke me from a sound sleep. I was just getting ready to write hair-brained should be harebrained except I would have hyphenated it, so I'm glad you beat me to it.
You keep posting, so I can keep learning.
Contessa_Mia| 10.30.09 @ 1:59PM
I am glad I am not the only one who picks up on these grammar and word use things. Mine was in para-2, strive to strive(d) where actually they strove (past) or have striven, or were striving... http://www.helloworld.com.es/english/quick reference/verbs/EnglishVerbs/strive.htm Laughing to myself, but I may actually like "hair-brained" as an alternative to hare-brained. It brings to mind a brain of moldy hairy type, gray-blue and fertile ground for something putrid! All in all, it is a much more intense image than behaving in some hare-like way!
I went to school in "nearly" Snowe/Collins country, way back when. Schools on the ME/NH border had a respect for words and their proper usage. Spelling was not negotiable, and some verbs were irregular, and that was ok. I had a fit, here in warmonger women senator country, Maine's opposite, when my son came home, back in the nineties, and told me his teachers said they could use "inventive spelling." I hated a so-called teacher saying it was OK te teach a bad habit because it would right itself later. I am glad to see others paying attention, and also accepting criticism in a civil manner. Thanks so much to you and John II both!
darcy| 10.30.09 @ 12:21AM
Project Vote Smart statistics for Olympia Snowe:
ABORTION:
2008 NARAL Pro- Choice America gives O. Snowe 100%
2008 Senator Snowe supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 93%
2007-2008 Senator Snowe supported the interests of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association 100%.
2007-2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to National Right to Life Committee's position, Senator Snowe received a rating of 14.
Taxes and Spending:
Budget, Spending and Taxes
2008 Americans for Fair Taxation considered how each congressional representative stood on the FairTax, illustrated with +3 as a sponsorship, +2 as a co-sponsorship, +1 as support, 0 as does not support, and -1 as against. In 2008, the actions of Senator Snowe is represented by 0.
2008 In 2008 National Taxpayers Union gave Senator Snowe a rating of F.
2007-2008 Senator Snowe supported the interests of the National Tax Limitation Committee 43 percent in 2007-2008.
2007 In 2007 Americans for Tax Reform gave Senator Snowe a grade of 35.
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to FreedomWorks's position, Senator Snowe received a rating of 8.
2007 In 2007 National Taxpayers Union gave Senator Snowe a grade of D.
------------
The above statistics represent a tiny sampling of Sen. Snowe's "grades" according to various entities. For anyone to get a real feel for Sen. Snowe's political leanings, you'll have to check out her complete record on Project Vote Smart and then if you have the time you can examine her voting record.
To Quin: I agree with your assessment of Gingrich and Graham -- but what I don't understand is why pols like Snowe think of themselves as Republicans? Wouldn't they be more at home in the Democratic Party?
Etiquette Man| 10.30.09 @ 8:32AM
After Quin's marvelous and inspiring "red-meat" piece last week, I wondered how long it would be before the inevitable return to "middle-of-the-road-but-slightly-right-of-center-business-as-usual."
Didn't take long.
bluecollarbytes| 10.30.09 @ 8:42AM
Big Leo, good to remember that Snowe represents her supporters. I gained some new respect for Snowe after hearing her explanation for a no-vote on the health scare. At least she's not an Arlan Spector (himself a perfect example of why automatically supporting the 'safe' party incumbent contortionist over conservative challengers is foolish,...Newt).
arlo price| 10.31.09 @ 8:34PM
In this one act, Gingrich brought into clear focus for the GOP hierarchy exactly what the American electorate is sick and tired of, namely 'for the good of the party' instead of 'FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY'. And like a true politician, he refuses to admit that he was in error and jumps to lay the blame elsewhere.
We the people, want our elected officials to be STATESMEN/WOMEN upholding and promoting the founding principles and precepts as defined by our Constitution.
We the people are not the least bit interested in politicians, as defined by any dictionary, whose sole purpose is the promotion of their career. The fact that the word 'politician' has become an acceptable term applicable to the majority of elected officials is contemptible.
Roy| 11.1.09 @ 4:55AM
I really hate the idea that being "pro-choice", meaning supporting the status quo, in which millions of babies are arbitrarily vivisected per year due to a tyrannical act of raw judicial power, is a "moderate" position. "Moderate" would mean, maybe, returning the issue to the states and supporting abortion through the first trimester. I still wouldn't like it, but that would be "moderate". The status quo is a NARAL leftist's wet dream.
On Feingold, he's always struck me as a bit smarmy, and the aura of sanctity that surrounds him is largely due to the unremitting adoration of the media. I still haven't forgotten his first election back in '92, I think, when he won a 3 way Democrat primary by accusing his two opponents of being rich and "campaigning negatively". This last charge is so infantile that my respect for anyone making it instantly goes into the toilet, as does my respect for anyone paying attention to it. It goes without saying, therefore, that this tactic elicited daily hagiographies from the Milwaukee Journal et al. Any Republican who did the exact same thing would be treated as a sanctimonious phony by the media. I see Feingold as extremely sanctimonious, though not a complete phony.
He is of course a far-leftist, meaning a thoroughgoing pro-abort, pro-surrender, pro-any and all big government Democrat.
However: I liked a news story about him that said that any time he gets a gift from a lobbyist, it goes on a table in his hallway.
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