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The Ruling Class Hits Christine O’Donnell

By on 9.10.10 @ 6:09AM

Conservatives gang up on Tea Party favorite as Ruling Class issue rises.

(Page 3 of 3)

The question for conservatives must always be: victory to what end? 

Codevilla illustrates in vivid fashion that for the Ruling Class the agenda is always about one thing: power. Power for itself.

Christine O’Donnell, self-evidently, could care less about this, as is true of her compatriot candidates Angle, Lee, and Miller. This was true of Ronald Reagan himself. Hence the Ruling Class reaction to him throughout his entire political career — and even, in the seventh year of his presidency, from his own Ruling Class vice president. Reagan was an “extremist,” decidedly not of the Ruling Class. What’s particularly ironic in Reagan’s case is that it would have been so utterly easy for him to just give-in. A well-established movie and television star, extremely popular, classy to the max, Reagan had but to shrug and he would have been part of the in-crowd. He never did it.

It is interesting here that part of O’Donnell’s support comes from talk radio. Talk radio itself — not to mention its individual stars — is disdained by many in the Ruling Class (though not, it must be said, at the WSJ or NRO.). When Rush or Sean or Mark push a button and say “let’s go to Sally in Peoria” — chances are high they will have on the other end of the line a card-carrying member of the Country Class. It is no secret that any of those three talk radio hosts and others, pick your favorite, are decidedly not seen as applicants for the Ruling Class.

Will Christine O’Donnell beat Mike Castle next week? The polls are closing and she may well do just that. Would her election be tough? Sure. Could she lose? Sure.

But when is a lost election really a lost election? If the conservative agenda is to move the country away from the nightmare of the Obama-era’s left-wing fanaticism, isn’t any kind of a showing by a conservative in Delaware a victory for the larger cause? In the same sense that without Goldwater there would have been no Reagan, without Buckley no Rudy Giuliani? And who, beyond the Ruling Class, says O’Donnell has to lose in the first place? What if…gasp!…she wins?

As a Pennsylvanian, it is well remembered here that liberal Republicans insisted in 1976 that Reagan was an extremist and the GOP had to go with President Castle — er — Ford. So the argument carried the day. And Ford not only lost the election itself he couldn’t even carry Pennsylvania. By 1980, voters got the drift. Not only was Reagan nominated over Bush, he carried 44 states in 1980 and 49 states in 1984 — including Pennsylvania both times. Bush, by the way, ran on Reagan’s coattails in 1988 and carried the state. In 1992, fully on his own after four years in the White House himself, he lost both the election and — yes — Pennsylvania.

Just last year, hearing the news that liberal Republican Arlen Specter had defected to the Democrats because the Christine O’Donnell of Pennsylvania — Pat Toomey — was clobbering him in GOP primary polls, South Carolina’s Senator Lindsey Graham took to the cameras to lecture conservatives that they had wronged Specter and Toomey couldn’t win. Why? Because in Pennsylvania we supposedly only elect GOP liberals. Toomey, as this is written, is leading liberal Democrat Joe Sestak by ten points.

The argument — used to justify nominating all manner of moderate Republicans at the presidential and state level from Specter on back to Reagan — is bogus. Conservatives can and have won elections in the Northeast. But more to the point: what if they lose? Is this election about having a Ruling Class candidate and member of the fraternity who’s a “good guy” (or girl) who immediately sets about continuing to build what Goldwater once described as “The Dime Store New Deal”? Or is it about moving the philosophical ball down the field as Goldwater and Buckley did, the latter who could easily have been described as an “itinerant conservative commentator and activist” to use the description applied to O’Donnell. Indeed, if conservatives had a nickel for every time Buckley was dismissed by the Ruling Class as a “conservative gadfly,” we would all be surviving Obamanomics in style.

The distinction here is important.

For the Ruling Class, as Codevilla baldly points out, the true objective is always about nothing more or less than power for the “in crowd.” Power simply for the sake of power.

And whatever else Christine O’Donnell has done in her life, being part of that “in crowd” has never been high on her list. If she’s elected, she may well be one wrecking ball of a senator — totally willing to not be part of the Ruling Class club. The prospect of a “Senator O’Donnell” utterly terrifies the Delaware Ruling Class. Not to mention some Ruling Class members who’ve never set foot in the state.

That, when you really get down to it, is what this election is really all about.

Buckle in.

There are a lot more of these Ruling Class versus Country Class elections to come.

Page:   1 23

About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (255) |

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 6:42AM

The electability argument is total nonsense. If there is only one conservative primary candidate, then that is the only acceptable vote. It is insanity to surrender before the fight begins, out of fear that we might lose the battle.

This is another reason why I am an independent conservative instead of a Republican. While Democrats look for ways to win, Republicans desperately seek some way to surrender, some way to lose.

Watching Republicans vs. Democrats is like cub scouts vs. a motorcycle gang. Watching Republican politics is also like watching a rigged prize fight in which my fighter falls to the ground, pretending to be knocked down by punches that never came close to him.

Conservatives can win anywhere, including Democratic left-wing states. Ronald Reagan proved that. Another example is in Illinois, where cap & trade RINO Kirk is just barely even with his Democratic opponent, but the solid conservative candidate for governor has a large lead. Conservatism wins, while Democrat Lite moderation loses.

How is it possible to stop the agenda of the far left by electing RINOs who agree with it?

Michael L. Hauschild| 9.10.10 @ 8:52AM

It is time to weigh in on voting for a RINO (to assure a win in a close election) and casting a ballot for the tea party conservative (to save the Republic) controversy. That there is going to be a very substantial shift in the makeup of the House and Senate is a foregone conclusion; but sadly that juxtaposition of majority and committee chairs will be negated by the “business as usual” dogma of the entrenched beltway deities. Cardinal Bohner has already released the pious puff of white smoke proclaiming he has sufficient votes to become “speaker.” There will be three classes of rulers assuming the reins of government after November 2010; there will be the decimated, defeated progressive wing of the Democrats, there will be the “survivors” of the Republican persuasion (some deemed RINOs) who feel (mistakenly) that the election was a “referendum” and simply a further refutation of entitlement; and there will be the tea party newcomers who are about to receive the shock of their lives when they realize ideals, patriotism, and love of country mean naught.
These duly elected representatives, the first in some time to actually voice the people’s concerns, will be denied party stature, they will be despised by many on both sides of the aisle and blamed for the decimated ranks of the “enlightened ones,” and the agenda they brought with them will fall on ears deafened by lobbyist money. They will be given token status, token legislation, and token say by both hierarchies “status quo” and the reversion to “House and Senate Rules” will, as before, precede what is good for the nation. The powers that be know full well that the freshman agenda will have to pass peer muster and the veto pen. Hamas, the ground zero Imam, and the AFL/CIO will have more say in policy than our newly elected representatives.
As ground shaking as this election will be, it is not enough. The only thing of substantial magnitude is the “message” that we are vigilant, we are responsive and aware of the nation’s predicament, and we know who is responsible. We cannot get rid of the problem in one cycle. Those of you that think McCain or Lindsey are offering anything but a temporary and begrudging November epiphanies have not been paying attention.
I can only speak for myself but I will never again vote for a RINO. The stealth rise of the progressive has actually accomplished more in mobilizing the country than all the Republicans from the last three administrations. These midterms may stay the tide but they will produce no significant change in direction and the only non-partisan aspect of this seesion will be more blame and shame. Your vote can only do two thing this fall, reinforce the message or reaffirm a career politician to instigate the continued destruction of our rights, expansion of our ruling class, and the crushing burden of the taxes needed to perpetuate their mischief. Rescuing the USA from within will only proceed incrementally, the message sent must be unrelenting, and we do not have the luxury of time for periodic reversals. We can only exert influence as citizens of a Republic in a very small window of time. Do not shirk your duties, nor compromise your principle; that is what got us in the dire predicament we now face.

Sheila| 9.10.10 @ 10:05AM

Well said, Sir. I, too, will use my vote (as little difference as I think it ultimately makes, my cynicism does not mean I think it is worthless) judiciously and I could not care less whether a Republican wins. I will only support conservatives. All those expecting a sudden and miraculous turn around in November are so lost in fantasy land that even Candide looks like a realist in comparison. Excellently made points about what the Senate old timers, on both sides of the aisle, will do to Freshman idealists. Tribalism + democracy + stupidity = racist idiocracy Decline and fall.

Grzmlyk| 9.10.10 @ 12:12PM

Yup - you vote for business as usual, you get business as usual. But, with a couple of exceptions, even conservative pundits will never learn.

There's only one thing that will shake the ruling class off of its perch, and that's our total collapse.

Well, they are about to get what they've been voting for over the last 60 years. The die is cast.

Tony| 9.10.10 @ 3:37PM

The ruling class wants our total collapse; it is the only way they can insure a new set of rules making them the PERMINATE ruling class. You need to read Cloward and Piven (who Progressives have repeatedly invited to the White House).

John Navratil| 9.10.10 @ 10:39AM

Mr. Hauschild,

You write: "Your vote can only do two thing this fall, reinforce the message or reaffirm a career politician to instigate the continued destruction of our rights, expansion of our ruling class, and the crushing burden of the taxes needed to perpetuate their mischief."

If this is really the choice, the republic has already fallen. Reinforcing the message is not enough and the status quo is failure.

If those freshmen cannot reverse this course it will be too late in two years.

I pray you are wrong.

Mary| 9.10.10 @ 10:44AM

I sense that you're cutting these poor pathetic Tea Partiers short. And that is just what causes some Republicans to believe the liberal clap-trap about people like Sarah Palin. Small town = small mind. That is ridiculous. These "poor, sad, idiotic" candidates and now legislators will be just fine when taking on the ruling class when they get to Washington. It is so insulting to think they won't be able to hold their own.
"and there will be the tea party newcomers who are about to receive the shock of their lives when they realize ideals, patriotism, and love of country mean naught."
Really? They're so innocent they have no idea what they're in for? You sound just like the Ruling Class that you're trying to cut down.
I am not worried about the newcomers. They're going to be hardcore badgers and they'll do the jobs they promised to do. They won't be run over by the elitist truck you think they will. Those elitists had better look out because the "innocent" Tea Partiers have a nation behind them.

flyguy| 9.10.10 @ 11:02AM

Mary, you are right on. Well said.
Semper Fi

Jim| 9.17.10 @ 5:38PM

Mary, you've done a great job expressing what I think and feel on the subject. I would much prefer a conservative candidate who is representative of the people than an unpredictable RINO who may be Republican by name, but a progressive when it comes to a vote. I cannot say with any certainty that Mike Castle would have fared any better against Chris Coons than Christine O'Donnell. Coons may have a J.D. and more resources to work with, but O'Donnell's agenda represents change a majority of Americans hunger for. The American public has had a taste of Obama's idea of fundamentally transforming America, and do not care for any part of it, especially when their voice is being ignored. I do not want someone whom the Elitists are more willing to accept in the Senate or House, rather one who will represent the people over self-serving big government interests and corruption. This is not about Democrats vs. Republicans; rather, about cleaning house and ridding those who are responsible for the mess this country is in. I am a conservative Independent given I have little trust or faith in either party. Republicans let me down far too many times for whom I hold equally responsible for bankrupting the U.S. A majority of the American people do not want a totalitarianism - an empire willing to sacrifice a free nation's sovereignty for globalization. The Obama administration has far too many radical extremists advising Obama who's convincingly proven anti-American. What president in history would have used the UN Human Rights Council as a leverage against the sovereign state of Arizona? It's beyond shameful and a clear message to the people that Obama's agenda is foreign to America.

I am a big fan of the Fox network for I never miss O'Reilly, Beck, Susteren, Hannity, or Baier, and watch others such as Judge Napolitano and Huckabee. I am equally a fan of Karl Rove and Krauthammer but recently have been disappointed by a couple of my favorite Fox guests campaigning for Chris Coons by dismissing O'Donnell with disparaging verbiage concerning her qualifications and "checkered background" directly following her amazing victory. It appeared more "establishment" politics of picking a sure winner while sacrificing principles when preferring a RINO with a progressive agenda. It does not help our cause when those such as FreedomWorks, Karl Rove and Charles Krauthammer view her unfavorably as unqualified, or assume she would not have a fighting chance at midterm election, unlike Mike Castle. Castle is no more than a progressive in elephant's clothing who not only votes with the Democrats but gives liberals what may resemble fair and balance support with his bipartisan vote; also, it does not help O'Donnell's cause, much less Republican's, when Rove and Krauthammer make clear to the American people their opinion she is unqualified to run; it is like campaigning for Harry Reid's radical left-wing "pet." Of course Democrats will focus on these experts when campaigning for the November midterm elections.

JoeJazz2000| 9.10.10 @ 12:38PM

Michael, I too have made the no-RINO pledge, and it feels great. Once you realize that the principles are more important than party, and that the net effects of a congress full of RINOs is quite the same as a congress full of Dems, it's liberating to just say no. I voted for Ford, H.W.Bush, and even Dole. When McCain was nominated, I said, "no more."

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 12:43PM

Boehner, McConnell and other ruling class Republicans have got to go. I don't think they're educable.

SEG| 9.10.10 @ 5:21PM

Loulou.. you are correct! Most of them have to go. Boehner is starting to show his true colors, McConnell has shown his a while ago. We need more Eric Cantors, Jim DeMints and Paul Ryans. They know what needs to be done, they know if will be painful, but are willing to take it on to correct the road we are now heading down.

David| 9.10.10 @ 1:31PM

Fantastic post Michael. I think what's coming is really a repudiation of an entire generation of politicians and the regime they've created. And perhaps it actually started in 2006, with the blowback to the bipartisan immigration bill, and the subsequent clean-out of the Republican majority. Don't forget how D's got their majority: Through Rahm's stealthy promotion of "conservative" Dems in Republican districts. Don't forget also that O ran largely as a change agent, with his ideology and policy prescriptions largely invisible to the general population due to the media blackout.

David| 9.10.10 @ 1:31PM

Fantastic post Michael. I think what's coming is really a repudiation of an entire generation of politicians and the regime they've created. And perhaps it actually started in 2006, with the blowback to the bipartisan immigration bill, and the subsequent clean-out of the Republican majority. Don't forget how D's got their majority: Through Rahm's stealthy promotion of "conservative" Dems in Republican districts. Don't forget also that O ran largely as a change agent, with his ideology and policy prescriptions largely invisible to the general population due to the media blackout.

Bob350 | 9.12.10 @ 9:56AM

I don't believe that anyone expects the newly elected conservatives ,Senators or Reps, to have much impact as far as committies and legislation are concerned. Where these people will have influence is in the passing of further progressive (Socialist) laws and bills.
We have already heard from Trent Lott that these people will have to be co-opted on arrival. We must be sure that when we elect the conservative that they are of a character that cannot be coopted as the saying goes.
We cannot expect to overcome almost 100 years of Progressivism (Socialism) in one election. This election is just the beginning or at least I pray that it is.
Christene O'Donnell is the conservative in the race and therefore I will support and vote for her. She has run against two very entrenched liberal politicans here in Delaware and has lost. This was at the behest of the Republican Party I might add. The same Republician Party that now is trashing her.
Chris Coons, the Democratic Nominee for the November Senate race was to be nothing but a sacraficial lamb for Castle. Now he will have a real race on his hands if O'Donnell wins the primary.I am pretty sure that when the entire state gets a load of Coons he will be defeated pretty badly in the Senate Race.
We must start somewhere and Sept 14,2010, the primary date in Delaware, is a good a place to start as any. For us here in Delaware anyway.
I never thought I would say this but I believe that the future of the country is riding on this years elections.
Failure is not an option.

Paleo-Ossa| 9.10.10 @ 11:20AM

Siegfried X, I agree with everything you say except one significant item -- by being an "independent conservative" in our defacto two party system you give up what is really the political power an individual has; participation in the early party caucus where the candidates are actually selected and where the individual voter has a significan say against the Party Machine. To be effective in American politics activists must get involved at the caucus level very early in the campaign season.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 11:55AM

I do participate in the Republican primary. What I mean by being independent is that I vote for third-party conservatives instead of RINOs. I always vote for conservative Republicans, but not RINO Republicans.

O'Donnell is an airheaded liar| 9.10.10 @ 11:29AM

How is it possible to stop the far left agenda when you are permanently in the minority?

Castle voted against the stimulus and Obamacare. That is the best you are going to get from an ultra-liberal state. Deal with it.

YouAreLyingLyingLying| 9.10.10 @ 11:57AM

Do some research. More people identify themselves as conservatives than liberals. We are the majority. There is no such thing as unelectable.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 1:50PM

Castle captures 71% of the GOP vote, while O'Donnell earns 63% support among voters in her own party. While Coons is backed by 70% of Democrats against O'Donnell, he earns the vote from just 55% of Democratic voters when matched against Castle. Voters not affiliated with either major party prefer Castle over Coons but favor the Democrat if O'Donnell is his opponent.

Jack Bauer| 9.11.10 @ 11:31AM

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 1:50PM

Oh, they've had the Senate race and Coons won. Gosh, must have missed that.

What's that? You're only repeating some poll you read some time some where.

Amazing.

Here's a question. If Castle is leading O'Donnell by such a wide margin, isn't the rest of your post superfluous.

Here's another question. If BOTH candidates are taking substantial votes from the Democrat candidate, what's the difference?

Maybe CASTLE lose conservatives. Whereas O'Donnell MAXIMIZES the Rep vote.

Maybe maybe maybe.

Dawn| 9.12.10 @ 10:30AM

Unfortunately, she could capture 100% of the Republican vote in Delaware and still lose. I'd rather have Castle who votes my way 75% of the time than Coons who will tote the Obama agenda. O'Donnell is unelectable in a statewide race, unless of course only about 20% of the Democats show up on election day. There are just some places in this country where you have to be a moderate Republican to win. Right now Republicans only hold 2 statewide offices, both because they are longtime office holders who appeal to Democrats. Dem's in Delaware have had 2 looks at Christine O'Donnell and haven't liked what they've seen and that was when the Dem's didn't take her seriously, if she beat Castle, they will turn out in huge numbers to beat her and therefore any other gains we Del. Repubs might make in other seats in local or statewide races will be wiped out. The only one who will win is Christine O'Donnell who will be a giant killer to Tea Party people, maybe she can make a nice living being that.

The Quadfather| 9.12.10 @ 1:28PM

How do you know a true conservative can't win if you never run one? And if you win with a RINO, what exactly have you won?

Dawn| 9.13.10 @ 6:18PM

The only true conservative to win in Delaware was Pete du Pont, and Christine O'Donnell is no Pete du Pont.
2nd question: if you win with a RINO, just maybe you win a majority. Castle is fiscally conservative if not socially conservative, that's good enough.

Uncle Mark| 9.13.10 @ 8:39PM

Actually we did. She was the candidate in 2008. She ran against Biden and was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters.

Nunya| 9.10.10 @ 11:57AM

Excellent point.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 1:56PM

"In 2008 they broke into my home. They vandalized my home. They wrote nasty notes on my front door, on my front porch. They jeopardized my safety. They did the same thing to our campaign office. They broke into our campaign office. They vandalized our campaign office. They stole files. My campaign signs that had my picture—they put a spear in my mouth poked out my eyes, and cut out the part of my heart, and wrote nasty names all over those campaign signs."

These are O'Donnell's own words. Are you willing to take them at face value? She is the one making accusations, but - against whom? Who is this elusive "they"? Vandalism, breaking and entering are crimes, even in the State of Delaware. Does she have the police reports to support her claim? What's important here is the context in which she is recalling these purported events. It is her way of her explaining, not her "technically legal" residence, but her for real super secret residence whose address she cannot disclose. Because questions have arisen as to why campaign funds are being used to pay the rent on her 'technically legal" residence.

Jack Bauer| 9.11.10 @ 11:34AM

I'd take her at her word over YOUR word any day, You sound like a lying leftist troll.

Mike Giles| 9.11.10 @ 12:27PM

Didn't the son of some Democratic party type, get caught slashing the tires of a republican candidate's headquarters? Out in the Midwest IIRC.

As for the GOP, weren't they the knuckleheads who supported Scuzzy, up in NY - who then turned around and told people to vote for the Dem? And isn't "ruling class" Murkowski now trying for a write in, after losing her primary. The only thing RINO's are interested in, is power and perks.

Alan Brooks| 9.10.10 @ 5:38PM

"If there is only one conservative primary candidate, then that is the only acceptable vote."

Even if the candidate is someone like Mark Sanford?

Quartermaster| 9.10.10 @ 6:47PM

Conservative generally repudiate slugs, unlike the Dimocrats. Sanford's political career is over. A Kennedy can commit adultery with impunity, and keep going like it never took place. Gingrich's political career is most likely over. I doubt he could get elected to dog catcher these days. Biden can plagiarize and lie about it and keep going like it never happened.

Now,as you were saying Mr. Brooks?

salina| 9.11.10 @ 11:18PM

The principle point made by Mr. Lord is correct that we cannot allow the establishment to tell us who is electable and acceptable or we will never get anywhere. However, if we are honest we can see O'Donnell is personally a flake - not because she is too conservative but that she is personally a flake. She is like Hayworth in that she is unfit for office. We should have recruited real conservative with a solid background to run against Castle. O'Donnell is a dog that will not hunt. Meanwhile, we have a good shot at getting a real conservative elected to the Senate in New Hampshire but we are wasting time and money fighting over O'Donnell.

Jack Bauer| 9.12.10 @ 7:03AM

"We should have recruited real conservative... yeah yeah, blah blah.."

The bass-ackwards method of politics.

Point is, Castle is UNFIT for office to most conservatives.

So you have a choice between the RINO who is unfit for office and the conservative who you say is "unfit".

Why would you still choose the RINO?

jim| 9.15.10 @ 1:08AM

YES! Out with the bums, and in with the fresh young ideas!!!. GOP watch out- not only are we going to defeat the Donkeys, were are coming after YOU JACKASSES TOO!!!

Kitty| 9.10.10 @ 6:48AM

"The Ruling Class" is on the same slippery slope as the Democrats due to their let-them-eat-cake contempt for the "Country Class."

Liberty Kudos| 9.10.10 @ 8:52AM

You are right on! Thank you for inspiring a strong stance for true conservatism in the primaries. Wisconsin's is this Tuesday and our GOP establishment has pre-picked our US Senator candidate to challenge Feingold, while the constitutionalist who will make a real difference for us in DC has an uphill battle. GO DAVE WESTLAKE!!

In WI-08 the same situation exists, where the establishment (Young Guns) identified a business man who does not even reside in our district and who was lobbyist in DC supporting amnesty through a national roofing association! The candidate to watch Tuesday is Terri McCormick who has stood up to political elite and even wrote a book about it! She is the liberty candidate and preferred choice by many tea party groups who have vetted the candidates most thoroughly. GO TERRI MC CORMICK! Wisconsin's Primary Election Tuesday Sept 14.

Deborah D | 9.10.10 @ 6:49AM

Thanks for this, Mr. Lord. I get so tired of the thinking that this or that state or its people are too far left to elect a conservative. Says who? If she wins the nomination, she'll rise or fall on her own by talking about what's important in this election to all Americans (and dare I say it -- all Delawarians). That is freedom, free markets, the law and the future of our country and our children's place in it. I say, "go, Christine." She's what Sarah Palin would call a Mama Grizzly. Let's get behind these tough women who aren't the go-along-to get-along RINOs of the Republican Party because we need them to kick some butt once in D.C. This is no time for the same-old same-old, reach-across-the-aisle betrayal of the country. This is a time for revolution, and if it doesn't come at the ballot box, where and when will it come? I shudder to think.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 1:59PM

DE was considered a slam-dunk pickup when Castle got in, such a likely flip that Beau Biden, for whom the seat was being held, shocked everyone by ultimately deciding not to get into the race at all. I am not pleased at the thought that the future of the country could now be dependent on a lady who thinks that time-traveling RINOs are literally hiding in the bushes of the house she bought with campaign contributions.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 9.10.10 @ 2:51PM

Please join the Democrats & be done with it sir. You've made it clear you would rather elect the same people who put us in the mess we're in just for the sake of a useless majority which will be sabotaged at every vote by RINOs like Castle. Your line of thinking makes you part of the problem, not part of the solution. With RINO voters to shoot conservatism in the foot who needs leftists?!

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 7:12PM

Spoken like a true liberal RINO, Possum Dearie.

michigander_sandusky| 9.10.10 @ 6:59AM

Great article! Compromise and political expediencies are what have gotten us in this mess. Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead!

D| 9.10.10 @ 7:02AM

I live in Wilmington, Delaware and confess that I am still doing a little back-and-forth on this race, but that was a dam good article.

The point about Castle waiting until now to get into a Seante race is spot on. The truth is that Castle winning the Senate seat is "The Delaware Way" of holding it for the Veep's son, Beau Biden.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:01PM

Then why did Beau Biden drop out when former Governor and House representative Castle got in?

ggoblue| 9.10.10 @ 7:32AM

heres where you go to send her some money...country class money....

http://christine2010.com/

John Navratil| 9.10.10 @ 10:54AM

I just sent her some money. By some polls she is within 2% of Castle. The primary is on Tuesday.

InLineFour| 9.10.10 @ 12:44PM

Me, too. Wish I had read a column like Mr. Lord's earlier, to motivate me to donate earlier.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:04PM

By a poll conducted by the Tea Party Express, who is under investigation by the FEC, who have placed contributors who have donated in response to solicitations from the PAC in jeopardy of exceeding their own personal contribution limits under Federal law.

Rob Stubbs| 9.10.10 @ 2:46PM

And who filed the complaint the Delaware GOP who prefer their "Establishment Candidate" . Funny They file a complaint against the organization that is helping the candidate they don't like and don't want in office. I am sure that is a perfectly innocent coincidence and not Hard Ball Political Payback for daring to continue to fight.

John Navratil| 9.10.10 @ 2:48PM

My, my, that's bad! Isn't the FEC supposed to investigate? We'll know what they find when the announce it, but show me a campaign without an FEC investigation. Meanwhile I stand here and wring my hands.

Jonathan| 9.11.10 @ 6:15PM

Actually, Possum Dearie, the poll that shows O'Donnell to be within two points was a rasmussen poll of likely voters.

Joel Raupe | 9.10.10 @ 7:33AM

When a restaurant's patrons become dissatisfied, even outraged, with the service, why would they want to buy the same hamburger on the other side of the street?

Doug| 9.11.10 @ 10:57PM

Or a cheese sandwich made by a chef from the same family?

Lesse, Buy from RINO Statist or Liberal Statist? Same family of knuckleheads.

Big Tony| 9.10.10 @ 7:37AM

It's sad to see the WSJ devolve into the same elitist rag they complain other news papers to be. I stop paying for a subscription because I increasingly saw them become more and more arrogant, clueless and out of touch.

Steve| 9.10.10 @ 7:49AM

+++++ Big Tony!

The news portion of the WSJ was always tilted left, and sadly, the editorial pages are now adrift as well. Haven't bought a copy in years.

Tim*| 9.10.10 @ 7:39AM

Purge The Republican Party Of The Perennial RINO-CINO Entitled Ruling Elite.

We Tea Party Rebels Support Christine O'Donnell .
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates In Delaware .

Rise Up For The September 14th Delaware Republican Primary .

Take Down Little SpecterBoy Castle .

SC Mike| 9.10.10 @ 7:41AM

While O'Donnell may not be the perfect candidate, with her on the ticket Republicans would be in far better shape than the Dems find themselves with Alvin Greene in South Carolina.

This is no time for caution, for a prevent-defense, but a time for boldness and time to stick to conservative principles.

If we want more conservatives in the Senate, we’ve got to select them in the primaries.

emo| 9.10.10 @ 3:55PM

Ok so we agree that O'Donnell wont get 20% of the vote on Nov 2nd..she might actually double what Alvin Green gets and still lose a humiliating race

martin j smith| 9.10.10 @ 7:55AM

I think the issue of a "ruling class" is exactly what connects both Republican and Democrat Parties. When you read or hear the Washington minded Rep[ublicans disparage Sarah Palin you really wonder what Party they are really in. Same issue for the likes of john McC, Lindsay G, the sisters of Maine and so forth. Caslte included. Thus a feeling of what is the use. So, forcing new blood and new ideas is a good thing and so its like treating these elities as if they are no different from democrat Lefties-Is that what they intend ?
If not say so if yes-let em have it from both barrels.

Melvin| 9.10.10 @ 8:00AM

"There are a lot more of these Ruling Class versus Country Class elections to come." This is never going to end, it will be a perpetual struggle as long as the United States exists as a functioning and thriving Republic.
It is clear now that Conservatives to have to fight a two front war fighting both the Democrats and Liberal/Progressive/Moderate Republicans.
Conservatives will either have to decide to fight for total victory or be locked in a perpetual struggle with LPMR's.
Reagan was as close to total victory as Conservatives could get, but Conservatives in the euphoria of the moment didn't see the seething hatred that LPMR's aka Republican Country Club Blue Bloods had for the man.
The LPMR's made a blood pact amongst themselves to completely destroy everything that Reagan Conservatism created. Furthermore they would absolutely prohibit any future Conservative candidate from even getting close to a Republican Primary, let alone winning one.
Conservatives must never again ever lay down their rifles and take their packs off again. We did after Reagan and it allowed the ascendancy of Barrack Obama to put this Nation on the Precipice of Fascism.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 8:32AM

Yes. Rule or be ruled. Either we run the party or the RINOs do.

breakn70| 9.10.10 @ 9:00AM

Gave up on the Journal's editorial page during the immigration debate. Gave up on NRO when they endorsed John McCain. Am not currently surprised that both support Castle. Both have jumped the shark. Too nuanced for their own good.
To me conservatism is easy; common sense.

Carol| 9.10.10 @ 8:12AM

WSJ and Jonah Goldberg rooting for RINOs?

Wow - I thought at least Goldberg was conservative.

I'm sick and tired of the Ruling Class. 535 "rulers" get to decide the fate of the American people.

Screw the Ruling Class and vote for conservatives.

Go Christine - afterall the biggest 3 names in the country and their followers support you: Rush, Sean and Mark.

emo| 9.10.10 @ 3:56PM

Jonah Goldberg says he supports the most conservative candidate who can win.

Quartermaster| 9.10.10 @ 6:55PM

Which means Goldberg is willing to lose from the start.

I have long thought Goldberg was an idiot. His silly, and deeply embarrassing, argument with the Paleos pretty much demonstrated his non-existent intellectual credentials.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 9:04PM

Yes. Goldberg seems to be a typical neo-con, someone who passionately wants war with Islam, but is a closet Democrat on the other issues. He seems very empty-headed.

Bob in Western NY| 9.10.10 @ 8:14AM

Don't know much about O'Donnell. I suspect that the "Ruling Class" theory could easily become overworked. Still, it is important to have a candidate who represents the people.

Last week, this woman sat at a light in front of me with a homemade sign in her back window. It read: "It's 'We The People,' not I, the president."

One can never be certain that Miller, Angle, et al. will truely represent the people through the years. But, they have their feet on the ground now. So, lets hope they get elected. Lets hope they keep their feet on the ground. And, in the end, these people don't own those seats. The Senate seat from MA was never "The Kennedy Seat" in any manner that one could associate to true democracy.

Finally, if you wish to look to a model, look to Chis Christie in NJ. He did everything one supposedly should not do to get elected: he told the citizens what he intended to do in plain language. After election, he is doing everything one supposedly should not do while in office: he's doing what he campaigned on and doing so in plain language.

Here's the message for this election: "look at that photo of your tiny daugher or granddaughter. Do you want her future to be servitute to pay Obama's debt? A vote for me is a vote for her future in prosperity."

Curly Smith| 9.10.10 @ 8:19AM

I think that we've become confused about what the two major parties represent. They've somehow convinced us that they're superhuman with no petty wants or desires and that they sacrifice all for our sakes. Well, they're actually the same as Wal-Mart, they sell a product - the candidate.

The GOP has figured out that historically we'd buy anything that said "Republican". It's like Coke vs. New Coke. I bought Coke (the drink, not the powder) because I didn't like Pepsi. Coca Cola decided to reformulate and make something that tasted as close to Pepsi as possible without being Pepsi, and along came New Coke. They owned the Coke market and wanted to capture the Pepsi market. The people revolted and it was a major fiasco for Coca Cola.

We, on the other hand, will buy any candidate that the Republicans put on the shelf. We don't want the candidate but we're deathly afraid that we'll lose the shelf space to an even worse product. We tell the GOP that we want better candidates but they look at the register and find that we're buying large quantities of a product that we say we don't want. So, they do what any business would do, they manufacture more of what we're buying.

If we keep voting for RINOs then the GOP will keep running RINOs. The GOP's business is winning elections. How many votes did McCain get in 2008? Doesn't that validate the GOP business model? He stunk as a candidate and we lined up in droves to vote for him.

George True| 9.10.10 @ 2:34PM

Curly: So what do you suggest that we Arizona residents do on Nov 2nd? 1)Hold our nose and vote for McCain, 2)Vote for the Democrat, 3)Vote for a write-in or also-ran who doesn't have a snowball's chance, or 4) Stay home and don't vote at all.

I voted for McCain's conservative challenger in the primary, but HE LOST. McCain, with all his Rino baggage, is still a better alternative than the Democrat, who would vote in lockstep for the entire Obama agenda. And in recent years, the American Conservative Union has given McCain ratings of 70-90% (one year they rated him 61, but that was quite a few years ago).

We had this discussion the other day. How do you "teach a lesson" to the GOP establishment by allowing Democrats to get elected in the general election?? Believe me, the ruling class Republicans are being taught a lesson as we speak. The RNC was lamenting the fact that their fundraising this year was not very successful. Even they are smart enough to deduce that people are just giving their money directly to the candidates they like and just cutting the RNC, RNSC, and RNCC out of the loop altogether.

Your heart is in the right place, but your strategy of voting for the Dem over the Rino in the general election or just not voting al all is, in my humble opinion, sheer folly. No offense meant.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 2:48PM

I would vote for a third-party Republican rather than McCain. It's really very simple, that I never vote for anyone besides a conservative.

It is definitely possible that whichever conservative I vote for, in whichever party, may be behind in the polls and they may lose. But I am my own man and don't let other people and polls control my vote, so that doesn't matter. I always vote for the best candidate, and if other people outvote me, that's the way democracy works.

Like I voted Constitution Party for president instead of McCain in 2008. Some would claim that I helped elect Obama, but that's nonsense. I voted against Obama. The reason why Obama won was because more people voted against him. If everyone had voted with me, we'd have a conservative president now, not Obama or RINO McCain.

We don't need to wait 30 years to have a conservative president and congress. We could do it in 3 elections, if everyone voted conservative.

The reason why we have RINOs is because people vote for them.

The reason why we have Democrats is because people vote for them.

Having a conservative government is simple: vote for them.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 2:51PM

Above should say:

I voted against Obama. The reason why Obama won was because more people voted FOR him...

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 2:53PM

Also, it should begin:

I would vote for a third-party CONSERVATIVE rather than McCain.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 9.10.10 @ 3:05PM

Siegfried X, I want to thank you for showing me I'm not the only one who thinks & votes the way I do. Reading your post described me perfectly. RINOs won't go away until so-called conservatives stop voting for them. Take care & GOD bless!

George True| 9.10.10 @ 3:36PM

Guys, you make some good points, and I agree with your argument in principle and in theory. But the reality is something much different. In races where there is a third party conservative running who has a real shot, even if an underdog, I say by all means vote for him or her. We are seeing a number of races shaping up right now where a conservative 'outsider' who wasn't given much of a chance is now pulling even or even leading.

But such is not the case here in Arizona and in a number of other races around the country. To my knowledge, there is no third party conservative running against McCain. There is simply McCain, the Democrat, and the perennial Libertarian candidate. And I would vote for the Libertarian if he had any real shot at all, even a long shot, but he doesn't. He will get, at most, 2-3 percent of the vote. As it so happens, McCain is leading the Dem by multiple double digits, so he has it locked up.

But in other states where it is a close race, by voting for the third party candidate who has no realistic chance over the Rino, you are just handing the election to the Democrat, which is a catastrophe for everyone.

If we get enough of a core group of firebrands elected, they will stiffen the spines of the Rino's. If the Rino's will not go along, then they can be marginalized in various ways. Then we have another chance to vote them out in the primary two years from now. Yes, we are stuck with a Rino senator for six long years before we have another shot at him. But that beats to hell being stuck with a lockstep Obama agenda Democrat for those same six long years.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 3:51PM

The margin of victory can matter too. It can effect future elections. If everyone votes for the RINO, then the Republican establishment knows they can get away with it, so they'll rig the rules and use their power to discourage conservatives from running next time. That way, they figure, they'll get all the conservative vote, plus some Democrats, by having a RINO candidate.

Also some Republican voters will say "Well, the RINO won last time, which means that they are the only ones electable in that blue state, which means I'll only vote for RINOs in the primary".

But if there is a large third-party conservative vote, and especially if the RINO loses because of it, then the Republican party knows that it is paying a price for running the RINO. Like in my state's polls there is over 5% Libertarian, voting against the Republican Senate RINO.

So if this RINO loses or has 5% Libertarian & Constitution vote against him, then next time the Republican leadership might say "We need a normal Republican, not a RINO".

But really this is the Republican Party's problem not mine. If they don't run conservative candidates, then I'll vote against them EVERY TIME. If the rest of the country overrules me and votes RINO or Democratic, then that's democracy.

Nancy in NC| 9.10.10 @ 5:40PM

What's wrong with the people in Az? I sent JD Hayworth a few bucks because I know he's the better guy, and conservative to boot. Does McCain buy the votes or what?

Until voters stop thinking about their own personal wallet or circumstances, and begin considering the welfare of the WHOLE country and Constitution, we are doomed. Bringing home the bacon needs to mean you're going to lose your job.
Earmarks and behind closed door deals (corruption) is the disease of Washington. It will never end until the voters demand a different result. Or maybe it's too late.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 3:32PM

Here is the corrected version:

I would vote for a third-party conservative rather than McCain. It's really very simple, that I never vote for anyone besides a conservative.

It is definitely possible that whichever conservative I vote for, Republican or third-party, may be behind in the polls and they may lose. But I am my own man and don't let other people and polls control my vote, so that doesn't matter. I always vote for the best candidate, and if other people outvote me, that's the way democracy works.

Like I voted Constitution Party for president instead of McCain in 2008. Some would claim that I helped elect Obama, but that's nonsense. I voted AGAINST Obama. The reason why Obama won was because other people voted FOR him. If everyone had voted with me, we'd have a conservative president now, not Obama or RINO McCain.

We don't need to wait 30 years to have a conservative president and congress. We could do it in 3 elections, if everyone voted conservative.

The reason why we have RINOs is because people vote for them.

The reason why we have Democrats is because people vote for them.

The way to have a conservative government is simple: vote for them.

Curly Smith| 9.10.10 @ 5:26PM

George, I'd vote McCain and give the GOP one last chance. There are no other viable short-term options. I'd also stay active with the Tea Party groups and put pressure on McCain at every opportunity.

But, I also don't think McCain is really a liberal or a committed RINO. His ideology is entirely "please like me" (of course that largely makes him a RINO). He donned the RINO suit to get to the Presidency. In the 90's, he fought against Conservatives to get the media to like him and Conservatives crushed him in 2000; in 2008, he went soft on Obama to get the Democrats to like him and he failed rather spectacularly. Maybe, just maybe, he's figured out that the only group that will stand behind him is Conservatives - provided he follows the right agenda. And after the ObamaCare "debate" you know that he's po'd at Obama.

I fully understand why you think voting a Dem instead of a RINO is sheer folly but if the party won't discipline members who go off the reservation then it falls to us to discipline the party. We've allowed a RINO minority to set the agenda for decades and that must stop. I understand the fear of voting out the bad because you may get something worse; but, if you don't remove the bad then you'll never get anything better. And, ideally, the new committee chairs will decide that they would really like to stay in the majority. If they know that they'll pay a price for the misdeeds of their colleagues then we don't have to do anything.

Ultimately, I'm willing to give the GOP a pass until they take over in January. I have hopes that they've changed. But, realistically, I suspect that they'll destroy themselves in a pork-laden frenzy by March and by May you'll see 3rd party candidates emerging in every state. It's even money whether the GOP will be a viable party in 2012.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 9.10.10 @ 8:19AM

A couple of days ago I got zinged for stating that no one in Washington was interested in cutting spending.

The refrain I got was that I was in error because John Boehner had called for a spending cut back to 2008 levels.

Well, let's look at some facts.

Current federal tax revenues have fallen to levels collected in 2004. All this while federal spending continues to escalate as if it's 2020.

The most important thing to note is that the level of revenue earned in 2004 sits in a trough between the stock market bubble that built up into 2000 and the housing bubble that peaked in 2007. Those bubbles both boosted federal tax receipts – but still were quickly overwhelmed by escalating government spending. If you were to eliminate the two bubbles, the revenues of 2004 – and today – would sync up well with the longer-term trend.

Per household spending by state, local and the federal government has more then doubled since 1965 rising from 17,440 to 47,000 per household.

For the President and the ruling class to continue to talk about raising taxes by ending the Bush tax cuts, without addressing the calamity the ruling class has created is deceitful and dangerous.

The call for a freeze in spending to 2008 levels came from Jerry Lewis, the Ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee and it's a suggestion that only a member of the ruling class could have made because revenues have tanked to 2004 levels.

In short, there is no call for austerity inside the beltway.

And believe this, if there isn't a freeze on federal salaries, a cut back in the size of federal agencies and a reduction in spending, we are simply in the eye of the storm, with bad news to come even the ruling class won't be able to handle.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 8:30AM

We should know within a year what the Republican Party really stands for. By then the presidential campaign will be in full swing. The party leadership including the Congress will decide the agenda, which will become the platform of establishment candidates like Romney and Haley Barbour.

R Martin| 9.10.10 @ 8:55AM

I wish those of us on the right would stop referring to the left's plan to "end the Bush tax cuts" and instead call it "restoring the Clinton tax increases". Because that's what it is.

Curly Smith| 9.10.10 @ 9:59AM

With Boehner's proposal you see why blindly supporting the GOP is futile. The GOP lost its majorities for the spending levels in 2004 and 2005. So along comes Boehner saying "we'll cut spending to a level well above what was already an unacceptably high level and you'll love us". And many here will say "yeah, spending is much too high but it would have been even higher with the Democrats!". That's like saying the GOP will shoot you but the Democrats will shoot, stab and poison you, so let the GOP shoot you!

See John Boehner and the rest of the GOP starring in "Clueless on the Potomac". Come early, it may have a very short run.

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 11:11AM

Bravo, Mr. O'Stalin!

Lewis is another RINO snake, just like Castle.

It was RINO's like Jerry Lewis, Bud Shuster, Ray LaHood, Tom Davis, Mike Caslte, and Chris Shays who wrecked the revolution of '94.

If Boehner allows people like Lewis to head commitees, like Newt did in '95, he will need to be primaried in 2012. End seniority now!

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 1:28PM

Congress should cut discretionary spending and freeze federal workers' pay, the top Senate Republican on budget issues urged.

Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.), the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, said that Congress should cut discretionary spending by 2 percent over the next five years, along with a three-year freeze on cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal employees.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 9.10.10 @ 3:24PM

Yeah, I saw that this morning. That's one Senator whom I believe is sincere. Let's see how many in the ruling class embrace it.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 9:00PM

GOP Congressman Westmoreland talked today about a government shutdown to cut spending.

Which shows they have begun thinking about the obvious constitutional problem, based on current election projections, that a Republican House would need to compromise with a Democratic Senate and a Marxist president in order to pass a budget.

And that's just the first hurdle. Really, considering the difficulty of cutting spending there's no way to realistically project the cuts until the actual legislators and president negotiate it. Any party which tries to cut spending alone will likely be ripped to ribbons politically, and will have their cuts reversed by the next congress.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 9.11.10 @ 6:55AM

Remember this phrase, "Eye of the storm." That's where we are right now. Without freezes in federal salaries, hiring and reduction in the size of many federal agencies we will be hit by the back side of the financial hurricane. Then everyone will be jumping on board, afraid to lose their status in the ruling class.

Siegfried X| 9.11.10 @ 3:39PM

Also, House Republicans are in a one year earmark moratorium. It is true that earmarks aren't a huge portion of the budget, but this is a significant political move. It takes courage for one house of one party to give up a political weapon in election year.

Siegfried X| 9.11.10 @ 5:15PM

I also recommend the just-released book, "Young Guns" by Paul Ryan, etc. It is 200 pages of detailed small government conservatism by three Republican Congressmen. They freely and repeatedly admit that the 2006 Republican congress lost its way by spending too much.

A skeptic could argue that they are lying -- but even being able to state the problem is more than the old bull leadership like Boehner and O'Connell will do.

Chalkdust| 9.10.10 @ 8:38AM

Thanks Mr. Lord.
Article like yours help to shine a light into dusty corners and reveal just how destructive RINO like Bush the elder can be. Thanks to the Tea Party patriots, conservatives won't have to hold our noses or stay home when it comes time to elect the next president. Beware of RINO hiding behind the WSJ banner.

Louis Jenkins| 9.10.10 @ 8:57AM

Yes, the ruling Republicans want to dust the Tea Party candidate. What else is new? Rome wasn't built in a day, keep working, keeping pounding. Not every candidate will win, but we can put a fly in their ointment with enough candidates who want to do the right thing. There will always be RINOs.

Tim McDonald| 9.10.10 @ 8:58AM

If the Republicans think we are going to give them a majority so they can go right back to the way they were doing things in 2006, they need to think again. If we are going to have Democrats in office, let them have a D after their name and they can take responsibility for their mess.

I am looking for real conservatives, who will control spending and the size of government. Otherwise, the Dems can keep control of Congress.

Jude| 9.10.10 @ 9:00AM

Look, I loathe the Ruling Class as much as any of you, but the fact is that the WSJ and NRO and Goldberg etc. have strongly supported some huge insurgencies, including Lee in Utah, including Rubio in Florida, and most recently including Miller in Alaska.

The problem with O'Donnell, frankly, is that she has done and said some real Fruit Loops things. This article would have been more compelling if it had honestly grappled with her huge flaws.

Christine O'Donnell, you're no Marco Rubio.

R Martin| 9.10.10 @ 9:47AM

I, too, would like to see a stronger candidate, but I'm still going to vote for O'Donnell Tuesday. Remember, Hillary Clinton's first elected office was U.S. Senator, and now she rewards her voters with the good judgment to send the rancid imam Rauf overseas to represent the United States. And don't forget that the entire Democrat Party thought their best candidates to lead the country in 2004 were John Kerry and John Edwards. Kerry/Edwards/Clinton haven't just done "Fruit Loop things", they are Fruit Loops. Good Grief, next to these people Christine O'Donnell looks wonderful.

Chalkdust| 9.10.10 @ 12:41PM

Well said R Martin.
Let's not forget that Hillary just loosed the hounds of hell from the UN to investigate Arizona's SB 1070.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:09PM

Actually, O'Donnell looks nuts next to these people. Hillary was rightly ridiculed for her Tuzla fantasy. Edwards was called a hypocrite when the Enquirer finally broke his baby mama drama. Alvin Greene would be more on par with the criminal craziness we're dealing with here. She has financial problems and works in media; it's entirely possible she's a paid spoiler in this race.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 9.10.10 @ 3:15PM

Speaking of Froot Loops, you're so quick to raise the white flag how do we know you aren't a paid troll with the garbage you've been floating here today?

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 11:14AM

Jude,

Don't simply assert.
Give us actual quotes of the "real Froot Loops things" Miss O'Donnell has "done and said."

Otherwise, take back your libelous statement.

Bilwick| 9.10.10 @ 12:33PM

Yes, I'm curious about the alleged "Fruit Loops" statements as well. Usually statements of that nature translate as "dissenting from The Hive," or "threatens the Plantation."

steve purtell| 9.10.10 @ 12:45PM

She lied when she said she beat Biden in two counties; she lied on her financial disclosure form; she took many years to settle a debt with her college. I'm almost always for the more conservative choice, but we don't want somebody who will embarass the conservative movement.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:11PM

She lied about the debt even. O'Donnell said she had a degree, but then she said she owed money. It turns out she needed credits, as well. She only corrected it when she was called out, as with all her crazy stories.

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 7:06PM

You desperate housewives keep repeating the same three supposed "lies," or is it "crimes?"
I can't keep track.

I've watched Miss O'Donnell for over a dozen years on political t.v. shows. She is a highly informed Christian conservative.

Castle is a stinking liberal, who voted against the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms.

steve purtell| 9.10.10 @ 12:45PM

She lied when she said she beat Biden in two counties; she lied on her financial disclosure form; she took many years to settle a debt with her college. I'm almost always for the more conservative choice, but we don't want somebody who will embarass the conservative movement.

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 1:38PM

Jude: You lie! Obviously you do not loathe the Ruling Class. Delaware is no Florida.

Tom Osterman | 9.10.10 @ 10:46PM

If the choice is between a Fruit Loop and a RINO, take a chance on the Fruit Loop, because the RINO will take your vote and sell you out for his place at the table. And the fewer RINOs in Congress, the better.

Just because you can't get a Rubio, you shouldn't settle for a Cristle.

Havoc| 9.10.10 @ 9:01AM

Bravo! I feel increasingly disappointed with NRO as time goes by. It its clearly taking the 'ruling class' perspective on many issues.

alwyr| 9.10.10 @ 9:03AM

WTF??? "Delaware GOP Files FEC Complaint Against O’Donnell".

I've read the article (in Roll Call - see below) and have NO idea for the basis for this suit - except to smack down the Tea Party Express

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 9:22AM

Yes, it is all out war by the RINO leadership against the Tea Party. They are trying to stop each and every Tea Party ad.

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 1:40PM

It's kind of like the DOJ declaring war on Arizona.

They don't understand yet and STILL have not heard us.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:13PM

The FEC is nonpolitical. Either your books are in order, or they're not. This is not the first time she has run afoul of campaign contribution laws, either.

Mike Giles| 9.11.10 @ 12:44PM

Is the Delaware GOP stupid enough to believe the Tea Party will support the eventual GOP candidate after their Dirty tricks? Or perhaps it's more important to them to keep the "country folk" in their "place".

Selfcenter| 9.10.10 @ 9:04AM

This contest is a lot bigger than Christine vs Castle. It is a battle between the old guard looser Republicans that have inbred with the Democrats vs this new upstart class of Republican that think beyond personal aggrandizement and is focused on the good of the country as a whole, and led to this goal by the roadmap of the Constitution. This is an epic struggle to accomplish a new paradigm.

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:16PM

It's a battle for the Senate majority, and I wish more people understood that. Care about SCOTUS and all judicial appointments? Care about repealing Obama care? Castle sponsored that legislation. Republicans will control committees. If you care about stopping the Democrat agenda, vote for the best candidate to win in DE. That would be Mike Castle.

emo| 9.10.10 @ 3:59PM

If that is indeed the battle, you should have chosen a different battle to wage against the Ruling Class because O'Donnell will never be Sen from DE.

Stan Redmond| 9.10.10 @ 9:14AM

Screw the RINOs and screw the republicans for backing them. I don't give a hoot'n holler if a liberal has a D or an R beside their name. They don't belong in DC. Liberalism is no better if it's bipartisan. Look at the Maine gruesome twosome. They are electible republicans but vote with the liberal establishment on most everything. Castle's people and the republican party in Delaware have been absolutely shameful. One can't help but smell the disdain for the voters and the aspiring politicians coming from the republicans establishment in that state. GO O'DONNELL

Possum Dearie| 9.10.10 @ 2:18PM

Alot of people forget what Harry Reid did in 07-08 to Bush. There were no recess appointments because Reid kept the Senate from "recessing" using pro forma sessions. Well payback is a bitch and McConnell can do the same thing.

Remember a man by the name of Dr. Donald Berwick? He wouldn't have a job today if Republicans had the Senate.

Roy| 9.13.10 @ 5:18AM

Actually the gruesome twosome vote Republican 67% of the time.

Danny Boy| 9.10.10 @ 9:16AM

If I were a DE resident, I'd probably vote for O'Donnell. That being said, I don't think the US Senate is an entry level political position. One of the benefits that Sharon Angle has is that she actually got elected to the state senate in NV. In Indiana, my home state, we had a former US Senator with a lifetime ACU rating of about 90 becing accused of being a RINO. Really?

Being smart does not necessitate abandoning one's conservative principles. We conservatives need to be involved in the entire political process at all levels of government. Run for city council, then serve a term in the state house and state senate - then we'll be ready for Congress and the US Senate.

John Navratil| 9.10.10 @ 11:12AM

Danny Boy,

No time left! Besides, what you are asking for are career politicians.

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 1:42PM

Can't you get rid of Lugar, the quintessential career politician?

Don't you understand that not being a career politician is a PLUS for O'Donnell?

Nunya| 9.10.10 @ 2:30PM

I am reminded of a conversation I had with my father many years ago, about a conversation he had with a professor. They were discussing "straight ticket" voting, and the professor told him that voting the straight ticket is precisely what he should do--because, if he was a responsible citizen he would be involved with the party of his choice and would be working to put his people into office.

I wonder how many of us are actually doing that?

Truth is, I belive that the VAST majority of voters in this country have no clue about who they are voting for, or what they stand for, it's simply because of a "D" or an "R" after their name.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 9:19AM

Yesterday RINO Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) said he has committed to helping Democrats pass a package of small-business incentives if an amendment is considered on the floor.

All the other Republicans oppose Obama's Small Business Stimulus package, but now it is guaranteed to pass because one single RINO supports it. That's the thing which can never be forgotten, that even a handful of RINOs can pass a socialist bill, even if all the other Republican oppose it. Just like a few RINOs gave Obama the votes to pass the original Stimulus and the Wall Street Bill.

Shivan| 9.10.10 @ 9:23AM

In 2012, about 23 of 34 seats up for re-election are Demagogue Party. The GOP can easily get its majority then. In 2010, priority should be electing conservatives to the Senate. If we fall short of a majority, too bad; but, the 3-4 genuine conservatives that are elected would be more effective in thwarting the ruling class than a dozen Olympia Snowes.

emo| 9.10.10 @ 4:01PM

Except in 2012 there will be probably at least 2 GOP seats that are lost....MA and NV. There arent too many Dem seats in danger in 2012 even with such a large number to defend.

dude| 9.10.10 @ 9:24AM

Very nice, very nice. The republicans (and I'm sure democrats) have been doing this for years and it was the cause for me of voting all democrat one year. The excoriated Ross Perot with all of the vitriol that you typically see from the left. The republican party does not have a lifetime committment from myself or anyone else.

It has become painfully obvious that the true "two americas" are the public sector versus the private.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 9:30AM

Go to any democratic website and they will be talking about "primarying out" their own moderate party members. Republicans are just beginning to catch up to the Democrats in that area.

Primaries are a normal part of the election process, specifically allowed by law, so I don't understand why any voter would punish a party for using them.

Anyone who wants only a single choice on the ballot can move to a dictatorship.

AMENBRO| 9.10.10 @ 9:30AM

THANK GOD & GREYHOUND, when the likes of the LINDSEY Republican & their wannabe neocon budddies, are gone no matter what their mantle is. FINANCIAL REFORM, those votes really cemented the fact they could give a large bowel movement about anyone but themselves. Bonyer all of em got go eventually. As the ALLMAN BROTHER's tune goes," Someday BABY, you ain't gonna trouble PO Me, any more".

HERBERT got on my last nerve early after the Kuwaitee war. I am sick of holding my nose & holding my breath to vote for people that could give a shit about me & what I believe. We will force feed you people REAL AMERICANA whether you like it or not.

Petronius| 9.10.10 @ 9:34AM

No reprise of my previous rants about RINO's today.
I'm sure we've all seen the musical 1776. I watch it every 4th of July. The pivotal action involves the delegates of Delaware and Pennsylvania. Judge Wilson garners unwanted attention from Hancock for his sheepish behavior many times. But the other one, who's name I cannot remember no matter how many times I watch this film, is the worthless little fop from Delaware who warms his chair and doubtless dreams of receiving a Peerage from King George, blind to the fact that His Majesty has given all Colonial subjects the back of His hand.
The only thing that mattered to both was acceptance by those above them. We Conservatives are despised by the RINO's because we want to ascend the social and political food chain on OUR terms as strict Constitutionalists, and have the desire to build OUR own aristocracy instead of joining theirs. And they had better take heed. Foreign threats to our security are quickly multiplying and accelerating, yet this government is going to gut defense in the face of those threats.
Let them. When they reach our homes we will fight; but only for ourselves and families, not the beltway pharisees.

Nunya| 9.10.10 @ 2:35PM

Well said.

SenatorMark4 | 9.10.10 @ 9:44AM

VERY nice! This is exactly what is happening with the Ruling Class. They don't like new ideas and don't have any other than power to themselves. This election has shown them to be reluctant to embrace the grassroots but that is displacing them in the precincts and county conventions. By 2012 it will be complete.

Redstateboy| 9.10.10 @ 9:53AM

Remember it was Castle-like "Republicans" Collins, Snow and Specter that got Hussein his Trillion Dollar Porkulus Bill Passed.

Adam| 9.10.10 @ 11:28AM

and REMEMBER the Mike Castle voted AGAINST the Obama Stimulus. He also voted NO on Obamacare.

Tennwriter| 9.10.10 @ 12:38PM

Not enough.

jgreene| 9.10.10 @ 9:54AM

Aren't we all just sick of liberal Republicans? I wish I could vote for Ms. O'Donnell. The best I can do is send her a small donation as I have for seven other Conservative Republicans running in the primaries.

Go Christine! Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. America is calling all Patriots to arms.

CopyKatnj| 9.10.10 @ 9:55AM

The "Ruling Class" primary candidate for governor of NJ was/is Chris Christie while the "Country Class" candidate was Steve Lonegan. I supported Lonegan to the point of a write in on election day. The locals whined over and over that Lonegan would not win because he was too conservative. Christie won and it is very obvious that NJ really needs Lonegan since many of his proposals are being considered by ... Gov. Christie. Christie is now enjoying a 51% approval rating in his first year. It does not bode well for him in my opinion.

Margie| 9.10.10 @ 5:48PM

CK~ I wanted Lonegan to win, too. But I was surprised that even Christie won because he's a Republican and NJ doesn't like Repubs. NJ finally got so sick of Corzine they finally relented and voted for a Repub. Maybe now that they've seen that a Republican can mean business they will warm up to Lonegan. But as we've seen with Bret Schundler, the Repub Ruling Classers snuffed him out of the race. You can only pray that Lonegan will be received by the voters. Well, we're no longer in NJ, but best wishes!

Redstateboy| 9.10.10 @ 9:56AM

I think it sad watching the cynical Republican Establishment trying to co-opt the Tea Party movement and make it their own.. They Don't get it anymore that Hussien, Pelosi and Reid do!

Bilwick| 9.10.10 @ 10:01AM

I assume T. Coddington Van Voorhees VIII* is supporting Castle.

Speaking of Buckley's mayoral run, I recall "liberal" columnist Pete Hamill denouncing Buckley at the time as "Castle Irish," a term, according to Hamill, that referred to those Irish (mostly upper-class) who hobnobbed, collaborated with, or curried the favor of Ireland's English rulers. These Castle Irish sound like the equivalent of today's "ObamaCons" or "Dinner-Party Conservatives:" David Brooks, David Frum, the aforemention Mr. Van Voorhees, et al. (or as I call them, after Brooks and Frum, "Uncle Daves"--polite, deferential, "house" conservatives who never threaten the Plantation). Maybe Buckley's NRO heirs are now "Castle Conservatives."

*http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/t-coddington-van-voorhees-vii/

J Rob| 9.10.10 @ 10:02AM

Sorry, but one of the responsibilities of a citizen when voting is to exercise some degree of judgment as well as ideology. "I like her attitude! I agree with her on this/that issue!" is childlike, just like all those who got caught up in Obamamania.

This is a Senate seat to fill, to represent all the citizens of Delaware. Sending a half-baked character to the Senate in a fit of enthusiasm could easily backfire, assuming she can even win the general election, which is doubtful. Look at some of the crazy uncles in the House, while their votes go the party line, they show up in the news in the most unflattering way after saying something stupid. The whole Republican caucus gets tarred with their outbursts, and the conservative cause is not advanced.

Tea party candidates are useful in many races, but I don't trust them for their tea party associations any more than I trust party-backed candidates for their establishment ties. Good judgment is required to evaluate every candidate.

I would rather be represented by Mike Castle than Christine O'Donnell based upon what I have seen of the two of them so far.

Bilwick| 9.10.10 @ 10:09AM

" . . .one of the responsibilities of a citizen when voting is to exercise some degree of judgment as well as ideology. 'I like her attitude! I agree with her on this/that issue!' is childlike . . ."

So, then, following your "logic," the mark of the mature voter would be, "I don't like this candidate, and disagree with her --so I'm going to vote with her"? Odd. Sound like the mark of a dunce or masochist to me.

Bilwick| 9.10.10 @ 10:11AM

Erratum: I meant "vote for her," obviously.

bio mom| 9.10.10 @ 10:42AM

This is silly. This woman is silly. Reagan had bonafides, experience, a record he built. She has done absolutely NOTHING. Miller in Alaska was a military officer and is a lawyer. O'Donnell is ????? can't even find a current real job or one in the past. She could, if truly serious about making a difference, run for the congressional seat. Instead she goes off 3 times now to get into the United States Senate. I am a conservative. But our desire for an upsurge will require credible candidates, not gadflys. The quickest way to fall back down again is to jump on the bandwagon of any crackpot who calls themselves a "true citizen conservative" but had never done anything real to prove it. Besides, every Senate seat is precious this year where we are so close to winning it again. Let's not stupidly waste this seat on someone who has not earned it.

Albert| 9.10.10 @ 11:09AM

Then again, we have a President with an even thinner resume, and most of that is faked or bought. I would rather vote for a candidate who is running to actually improve things as opposed to a candidate like Castle who only wants the job. We have had decades of Country Club Republicans like Bush and Castle who, like Ancient Roman Senators, enjoy elected office for its status and perks. Roman patricians were still electing consuls 300 years after Odoacer sacked the Eternal City. (The Venerable Bede mentions such elections in his writings). Such consuls had no real power, but they enjoyed the familial prestige of consular status. That is, they enjoyed being part of the "Ruling Class" as it were. The Ruling Class is not here to DO anything. They are here to BE something. I'll vote for someone who wants to do something (something GOOD, that is) as opposed to someone who wants to be something.

Adam| 9.10.10 @ 11:30AM

AMEN!

aware| 9.10.10 @ 1:04PM

The other day an employee said he would vote for Palin cause "she looked GOOD". At first I was shocked, then I was mocking, but after considering what the current system of "informed voters" gives us........what the Hell, why not just a beauty contest! Or a high jump contest!
It couldn't possibly give worse results than what we get now.

Margie| 9.10.10 @ 5:51PM

Hi aware! Heh, true. And if Sarah can bring them in on looks alone, so be it!

Thomas Lutz| 9.10.10 @ 10:49AM

"... Ms. O'Donnell has a history of financial troubles and recently told the Weekly Standard her home and office were vandalized, though she hadn't reported it to police. She recently accused a conservative local talk radio host that he had been "paid off" by Mr. Castle's supporters after he asked her tough questions."

If these allegations are true, would Jeffrey Lord care? Mr. Lord's reflexive allegiance to those he deems members of the "country class" is no better than members of the "ruling class" choosing their own. Mr. Lord is so enthused with ideological vapors that he can't see Ms. O'Donnell for what she is. A kook.

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 11:28AM

Only liberals consider Miss O'Donnell a "kook."

Go away, political hack!

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 12:46PM

A kook?

I heard Christine O'Donnell on Laura Ingraham and Mark Levine. She didn't sound like a kook to me. Maybe she didn't go to Columbia or Harvard but I'd vote for her over the RINO Castle any day.

aware| 9.10.10 @ 1:08PM

A kook? Has she called for the end of the Fed or something? Advocated sound money? Called for a reduction in the Monster State? Something along those "kooky" lines?
Give us clue.

Albert| 9.10.10 @ 10:54AM

After defeating Bush the elder in the 1980 primaries, Reagan picked Bush as his running mate. As I understand it he picked Bush to help counterbalance the "extreme conservative" label in more liberal states. Reagan could have gone with Jack Kemp. And after reading above Bush's remark to Gorbachev, it was a poor decision not to. But then we conservatives suspected this in 1980, preferring Kemp to Bush by a wide margin. One can only dream of how things would have worked out had Reagan picked Kemp, and had Kemp succeeded Reagan instead of Bush. ["Imagine there's no Clinton, I wonder if you can..."] All the gains by Reagan, and I do NOT mean electoral gains, that is mere politics, I mean economic gains, societal gains, gains in respect from foreign powers, the collapse of the Evil Empire, all this, was pissed away by the Bush-Clinton-Bush team, and now Obama is here to finish us off. Imagine a President Jack Kemp to CONTINUE Reagan's successes, not compromise them in to oblivion. The Constitution prohibits titles of nobility, but it is clear this "Ruling Class" fancies itself a class of nobility, and the operating dictum of this class is "nobless oblige". Another name for the "ruling class" might be the "arrogant class," for arrogance is what truly defines such people. A wise man once said that the only way to look at a politician is DOWN. George H.W. Bush is my inferior, not my lord, and he can kiss my.....

David Williams| 9.10.10 @ 11:28AM

Sp0t on and, yes, I often Imagine. No question H.W. did not deserve to succeed Reagan and for that we got the Clintons, then and now as far as the eye can see. George W. is an honorable man but deficient in so many respects as president. For his sins we got Obama and a congress loaded with Democrats. There are lots of really bad candidates and politicians out there, and it's hard to find a good one. Going with someone who is at least a real conservative is never a bad choice.

Albert| 9.12.10 @ 11:17AM

"You may say I'm a Dreamer,
But it's not beyond the pale.
I hope someday you'll join us,
to put Bill and Hillary in Jail!"
:-)

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 12:48PM

In my opinion, both Bushes have done just as much damage to our country as Clinton and Obama.

Evil ruling class RINOs.
No more Bushes. And that includes Jeb's son, P. Bush.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 6:47PM

Yes, the second Bush and McCain, along with a spineless Republican congress, destroyed the Republican Party. I haven't felt like I had a political party since the end of the Gingrich speakership in 1998.

The 21st century ruling class Republican politicians are nothing like the Reagan Republicans that I grew up with.

Derek Leaberry| 9.10.10 @ 11:09AM

The easiest way for conservatives to choose between Mike Castle and Christine O'Donnell is to focus on the abortion question. Miss O'Donnell is against the murder of the unborn. Congressman Castle believes that the murder of the unborn is a Constitutional right making the congressman a barbarian. Thus, Christine O'Donnell is the only choice in Delaware for conservatives.

Margie| 9.10.10 @ 5:54PM

Bravo! You just did an excellent campaign ad for her.

Cheers, as they say!

richard40| 9.10.10 @ 11:21AM

I hear everybody calling Castle a RHINO, but have seen no actual proof. What actual positions has he taken that indicate he is not a real conservative? Abortion, who gives a hoot. I'm looking for proof that he is not conservative on fiscal, spending, taxes, and size of government issues. If abortion is the only difference, I'll take Castle, since he has more experience, having actually governed as a governor, and is obviously better prepared.

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 11:41AM

Richard40,

Here is all you need to know about Castle: He's a stinking liberal. Thus making him a RINO.

He is pro-abortion. He is against the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms. He is for Cap-n-Tax. He believes in the false theory of "Peak Oil," because he is like algore, trying to get even more rich by selling carbon credits.

Also, he is 71 years old. He has been on the public dole for 40 years, because he is a professional politician. He needs to be retired.

Is that enough proof for you, Richard?

loulou| 9.10.10 @ 12:49PM

Thank you, Nick. Well said.
Castle is a Bobdole and a McCain all rolled into one.

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 6:50PM

Your welcome, Loulou.

Hopefully, unlike Dole and McLame, Castle won't win his primary!

RCV| 9.14.10 @ 10:10PM

He didn't, Nick, and now we Democrats have a chance to win that seat, which would have not been possible with Castle running. We're delighted!

Kelly| 9.10.10 @ 5:07PM

We'll avoid the social issues (pro-abortion, pro gay marriage, is OK with taking "God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance.) Here's Castle's voting record.

#Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
# Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
# Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
Voted YES on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
# Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
# Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
# Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
# Voted YES on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
# Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
# Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)
# Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
# Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
# Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
# Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
# Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
# Voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
# Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
# Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
# Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
# Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
# Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
# Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
# Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
# Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
# Voted YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
# Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
# Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
# Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
# Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
# Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
# $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record

http://www.ontheissues.org/house/michael_castle.htm

Nick| 9.10.10 @ 6:56PM

Excellent post, Kelly.

Thanks for doing the research I was too lazy to do. Retire Castle now!

Kelly| 9.10.10 @ 9:51PM

Thanks, Nick. People want proof...it's really easy to find out there. That voting record (and I only posted part of it, admittedly the most damning...but that's enough for me) speaks for itself, I believe.

RCV| 9.13.10 @ 2:57PM

I genuinely wish her well in the primary. It's the only hope the Democrats have of contesting that seat in November.

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 11:22AM

This is embarassing nonsense, Mr. Lord. The only issue on which the movement conservative "Ruling Class" (which certainly includes Rush, Hannity and Mark Levin) require unquestioning obedience is support for idiotic and unconservative nation-building exercises in the Middle East.

Otherwise, they're all Big Tent people - the cable and radio talkers emphatically included.

The Delaware question isn't "40 DeMints vs 60 Grahams", It's the choice between (A) 40 DeMints plus 20 Grahams on the one hand, versus (B) 40 DeMints against 60 Obama Dems on the other hand. You don't have to be a RINO to believe that choice (A) leads to better results.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 12:11PM

Someday we will have 100 DeMints

Nancy in NC| 9.10.10 @ 5:51PM

Now that would be heaven!

Margie| 9.10.10 @ 5:57PM

Baloney, Simon. Your definition of the Ruling Class is twisted if you include Rush, Sean & Levin!

Loser.

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 6:49PM

Sorry if the truth hurts, Margie. But Rush, Sean and Levin each have a helluva lot more money, power and influence than Mike Castle or any of his supporters.

The radio clowns ARE the Establishment. Deal with it.

Margie| 9.10.10 @ 7:05PM

You're nuts.

Fuzzy Curmudgeon| 9.11.10 @ 8:22AM

The only reason you say that, Simon, is because liberals can't find an audience on radio no matter how hard they try.

Speak of the truth hurting.

Al Adab| 9.10.10 @ 11:28AM

We seem to still have a problem with definitions. The GOP is (are) RINOS. or better still the RINOs are the GOP. It is only when the Conservative Movement preponderates that the party enjoys success. That is a hard pill for the "country club" Republicans to swallow but no less true for the fact. The GOP failed the movement following the 2000 election when they began a rapid increase of spending and regulation under the Republican President who failed in his turn to stop them with his veto. Actually, he agreed with their agenda and actions. No Conservative he. Never forget that Bush 41 opposed Reagan and his policies in 1980. "Mainstream" Republicans are no friends to Conservatives. Still, there is no other vehicle by which the Movement can influence American politics than through the GOP. Time to retake the party of our choice.

Rebel Without A Pause| 9.10.10 @ 11:38AM

I am from Georgia but I contributed to the Christine O'Donnell campaign several weeks ago. I too will only vote for conservative candidates. There must be a change in Washington. GO CHRISTINE!

aware| 9.10.10 @ 1:14PM

That's what you have to do if you live here, since we don't have that opportunity in OUR(GA) Senate race, or governor race. Sure won't be any "conservative" candidates to pick here.

Lois C| 9.10.10 @ 11:48AM

The ruling class must be overthrown! I pray we will get a good start on in this November but we must keep in mind this is only the start and this fight must be persued to the end.

The next step that must be taken is the dismantling of the structure that allows the ruling class to exist. To that end we must impose term limits, repeal the 17th amendment and give the states back their rightful place in Washington by the appointment of their Senators by state legisture. Then we must eliminate the lifetime full pension and medical benefits awarded to those elected to Congress. There is no private sector worker anywhere that gets a pension at 100% of salary and fully paid medical for life after any length of time and they get it after only one term, that is outrageous and needs to be stopped immediately!

We the people must accept a modicum of responsiblity for the current state of affairs, we have been asleep at the wheel for the last 100 years and allowed this situation to develop. I believe the progressives have woken up Nixons "sleeping giant" and are about to get a big surprise. America is has no room for Marxists and Socialists and their demonic policies, those forms of government have NEVER worked in the past, are currently not working anywhere in the world and will not work for America.

FastEddie| 9.10.10 @ 11:54AM

One of the subterfuges the MSM perpetuates is the lumping together of Democrats with conservative Republicans in their "disapprove" number for particular Republican politicians. The high disapproval numbers for Bush weren't all Democrats and "moderate independents." They included a substantial number of the Country Class for whom Bush's policies were too compromising and, yes, liberal. We could talk about the general revulsion at the neocon-ization of the party on many levels, but that's a different discussion.

The fact remains that Ronnie was the last national leader from whom the Country Class got more than a primary campaign feint. Yet, like Charlie Brown, we keep Hoping for Change by trusting in those who would privately rather we just shut up and go home. Publicly they argue that we can't win. We need to answer, "Si se pueda!" - "Yes, we can!"

Let's put THEM out of OUR party. Unless they want to stay (where are they going to go?). But they will have to shut up and go home.

matthew s harrison| 9.10.10 @ 12:02PM

I am starting to believe the conspiracy theorists that the NWO is a big part of the agenda for both the DNC and RNC, and all this smoke and mirror B.S. that we watch daily is just that-smoke and mirrors.
RINOs don't belong in the RNC, yet, the leadership of the party courts and coddles them. Boehner is a bully-and not a conservative. The whole party is batty-which is why most of us have disavowed membership.
At least with Tea Party candidates, we know they are there because they love America and want to save it-which is a lot more than I can say for the likes of Castle, Graham, McCain(just to name the most egregious RINOs).
What is needed is a coup of the RNC, and a coup at the WH-real conservatives to drive this country forward, instead of back to the stone age, which is where these RINOs are helping Barry Soetoro take us in a big, big hurry!

John McG| 9.10.10 @ 12:10PM

"Yet, we are likely to go for people like Joe Miller in Alaska and the dreaded Sharron Angle in Nevada, and we are going to get clobbered, or at least not win as thumpingly as expected."

This disappointing assessment was made by none other than R. Emmett Tyrrell in his column yesterday (http://spectator.org/archives/2010/09/09/i-like-tony-blair). Et tu, Brute?

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 12:14PM

Tyrrell was quoting what the left wing says so that he could attack it. It wasn't what he himself believes. He wrote: "The left is always lecturing us conservatives on moderation. It would do us good, they say. "

John McG| 9.10.10 @ 3:32PM

Thanks. I misread the statement, thinking he was now making his own observation, not continuing the line of Liberal "thought."

Aaron Durst| 9.10.10 @ 12:19PM

It is not about the Senate majority. People who oppose Obamacare and large parts of the Obama agenda need either a veto proof majority in both houses or need to control the Presidency and have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate and a simple majority in the house to begin rolling back the Obama agenda. Those who are supporting Christine O'Donnel are saying that in spite of the fact that it will be very hard to get either a filibuster proof majority or a veto proof majority in the Senate it is more important to have a conservative canidate from Delaware who very well may lose the general election than to have a blue state Republican canidate in Delaware who will probably win the general election. It is a risk that just is not worth taking, and is strategically stupid.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 12:26PM

Most of ObamaCare passed by the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process, and it can be repealed in the same way, with only a majority needed. There are also opportunities to defund parts of it, or take it apart piece by piece.

Smirking Weasel| 9.10.10 @ 12:22PM

Why, yes any breathing actual conservative and or American would detest the two propagandists for globalism and universalism noted in the opening sentence-not to forget the Witless Standard(and far too often, this site as well).

jcp370| 9.10.10 @ 12:23PM

Thank you for this! The cool kids at NRO have been gagging me all week as they've congratulated themselves for being so smart & patting each other on the back. Ace & HotAir too.

Mike Castle supported DISCLOSE. He voted for Crap & Tax & doesn't support repealing Obamacare. Can't you just see him yukking it up with Obama's next Supreme Court nominee should he get one?

I don't live in Delaware; I live 25 minutes away in suburban Philadelphia. Most of my neighbors & many of my friends have moved there over the past 10 -15 years. The Wilmington suburbs increasingly mirror the Philadelphia suburbs. We are not talking the SF Bay area; the Great Awakening is taking hold in Delaware too. Christine has a shot.

Conan the Grammarian| 9.10.10 @ 12:35PM

"Christine O'Donnell, self-evidently, could care less about this, as is true . . . "

This should read " . . . could NOT care less . . . "

Back to the article, in my state I voted for the non-rulling class candidates for state auditor and for the US Senate. Both lost, but I feel better for it.

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 12:36PM

Who really thinks that bloggers at NRO are the "Ruling Class" while megamillionaire entertainers like Rush, Hannity and Mark Levin represent the honest, grass roots conservative? That's just nuts.

Catherine| 9.10.10 @ 1:13PM

Yawn.

Any more talking points for you to parrot, Simon?

keyboard jockey | 9.10.10 @ 12:51PM

The old guard doesn't want to give over - they pretend this is another time when they were relevant.

Meghan McCain today On Imus In The Morning. The GOP has a Public Relations Problem. “Video”

Meghan McCain: Same Sex marriage is inevitable and the Republican Party would do better to embrace everyone “Big Tent”

http://youhavetobethistalltogo.....tions.html

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 12:54PM

If there really is a Ruling Class among conservatives and Republicans, that class believes two things:

(1) social conservatism is slightly embarassing and needs to be downplayed or even discarded.

(2). Everybody has to support The War against fill-in-the-blank with name of your favorite minor league dictator or potential threat to Israel.

There's nothing conservative about either of these positions. Both have been imposed on middle America by Beltway gatekeepers.

But I don't think that's the conflict going on in the Delaware Senate race, because the radio and TV yappers who support O'Donnell are every bit as much part of the Ruling Class as the National Review bloggers.

Catherine| 9.10.10 @ 1:11PM

You're repeating yourself, Simon.

Rush, Hannity, et al are NOT part of the Ruling Class. They're journalists, not politicians.

Oranges and apples.

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 1:26PM

Oh, and the bloggers at NRO and the Wall Street Journal editors are politicians, not journalists? Nice try, Catherine.

Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 9.10.10 @ 3:39PM

Were you born a blithering idiot or did you work hard to reach your level of idiocy? I hear Arianna Huffington calling Simon. Go & join her over at her loony bin please.

emo| 9.10.10 @ 4:04PM

ahhh...the country class isnt anti-Israel. Do not confuse the Country Class with Paleo con Paulites

Simon| 9.10.10 @ 6:55PM

I'm not anti-Israel. But our interests aren't the same as theirs.

You can't support trillion dollar nation-building exercises in the Middle East and call yourself a "conservative".

Apparently that makes me a "Paulite" or RINO or a Huffington Post idiot leftist. The world is so nice and simple when you take your daily instructions from Hannity and Levin

Roy| 9.13.10 @ 5:35AM

That's just trying to shoehorn things into everything-revolves-around-your-own-preferred-issues.

While isolationism vs. interventionism is an issue it is currently pretty peripheral. The conflict going on right now is between a guy so "moderate" as to be borderline liberal and a conservative who has done many embarassing things. The issues involved are mostly fiscal, because that is where Obama is running us off a cliff.

You could say he is doing the same with "social issues", but the courts are in the driver's seat on that, so people don't blame the president as much.

It is complete nonsensicality to say that Jim Geraghty is acting out of some type of desire to be accepted by the "Ruling Class". He's been huge on Rubio for ages. But he's a nuts and bolts politics type of guy and extremely susceptible to the "electability" argument.

Some people are making a long-term case; maybe it's true that without Goldwater there would be no Reagan, but Goldwater's getting his butt as soundly kicked as he did may also have been the reason it took 16 years to get Reagan. Say O'Donnell wins the primary and gets her butt kicked. Think the next R candidate will be more conservative?

TheLastBrainLeft| 9.10.10 @ 1:08PM

I am getting sick and tired of this crap. O'Donnell is a nutcase who doesn't deserve to be elected dogcatcher. Our ruling class seems to be doing what conservative activists won't: listening to Delaware Republicans.

Catherine| 9.10.10 @ 1:09PM

I knew this article could not have been written by Quin Hillyer.

TheLastBrainLeft| 9.10.10 @ 1:10PM

Castle voted against the 2009 stimulus (Porkulus) and Obamacare. Anyone think Coons will be as accommodating to conservatives?

MotherDelaware| 9.10.10 @ 1:21PM

What a bunch of hooey, this is not a "ruling class" issue. Christine O'Donnell lied about being a college graduate in 2006 and 2008 and would still be lying if she wasn't caught. She lied in local radio last week, and when she was caught, she accused the host of being on Castle's payroll.

I'll take Castle and his votes FOR the Bush Tax Cuts and AGAINST the stimulus and Obamacare over a liar any day of the week. But apparently I'm the exception.

Conservatism is obviously dying if the only way candidates can win is by lying. The rhyme is unintentional.

Doctor Right| 9.10.10 @ 1:44PM

Thanks, Mrs. Castle!

Now please tell your nit-wit son to eat his milk and cookies, and go to bed.

Paul Zummo| 9.10.10 @ 2:36PM

Yet another intelligent rebuttal from the O'Donnell at all costs crowd.

Paul Zummo| 9.10.10 @ 2:36PM

Yet another intelligent rebuttal from the O'Donnell at all costs crowd.

rrpjr| 9.10.10 @ 1:33PM

"Christine O'Donnell, you're no Marco Rubio."

I don't care. I don't care about her peccadillos. I'm an adult -- I accept imperfection. California democrats unhesitatingly re-elect Barbara Boxer term after term, yet we cringe over an O'Donnell? What wusses we are.

We need to send a message to the Castles of our world and their peers and sponsors. No more. We'll take an O'Donnell over any of you. (And I'll even take a democrat!) We need to be clear where we stand and let the voters decide. The RINO movement -- that immoderate, over-eager acquiescance to the prerogatives of the liberal state -- is a poison in our party (and nation) which has directly led to the decline and demoralization of both.

Anyway, no none who supported the DISCLOSE Act -- as Castle did -- should ever be accepted within a self-respecting republican party. Period.

Doctor Right| 9.10.10 @ 1:43PM

Pity the poor Ruling Class in Delaware, and elsewhere. They don't know that whether or not O'Donnell wins, their days are numbered.

If O'Donnell wins, their influence will shrink exponentially.

And if O'Donnell loses, and another Liberal Republican is voted in by the Ruling Class GOP establishment...

...Then it's "Good-Bye, GOP!", and millions of others will be following me out the damned door.

The Republican Party will be substantially weakened.

But so will the Democrats. Because joining Conservatives in this exodus from "the elites" will be the millions of Reagan-Democrats out there who see no reason to vote for another Country-Club, Ruling Class Republican (Gingrich, Romney, etc) for President, but who might - might! - be willing to lock arms to form a 3rd Party dedicated to strengthening our nation and our economy.

The Republicans will be the Party of the Blue-Bloods.

The Democrats will be the Party of the extreme left fringe.

And this 3rd Party might be able to make a go at it.

Let me be clear: I don't advocate a 3rd Party. But I will no longer be played for a fool by the G.O.P. elites.

These jack-offs have screwed with us for too long.

If they don't get the message soon, they're about to become extinct.

And like the Dodos they are, they don't even notice it.

Tina Ferrer| 9.10.10 @ 1:52PM

This is nonsense. The establishment GOP needs to go and some, not all will in November. Hey GOP, there are a whole new set of rules we are now demanding and that is transparency and honesty. Thus far you fail with crap like this. The GOP is putting leverage on a majority just like the Democrats and they're gonna get burned as well they should. Vote Conservative, not Rino as Arizona did with McCain. They lost my support because of it. Nothing else matters other than our representatives to know they work for us, non negotiable.

Rich Rostrom| 9.10.10 @ 2:02PM

I am tired of all these people who say O'Donnell can't be elected. They said the same thing about Scott Brown in Massachusetts, but the Tea Party showed them and we all celebrated.

Brown was just like O'Donnell - except for being a successful lawyer, an ANG Lt. Col., a 12-year veteran of the state legislature, and a moderate whose voting record in the Senate has been similar to Castle's in the House.

O'Donnell is good at repeating conservative points, but she's a flake. I'm not happy with Castle, but at worst he'll be in for one term. Coons is 37; he could be in for 30 years.

Even if O'Donnell wins by some miracle, she'll almost certainly be an embarrassment in office and will lose the seat in 2016. Think Carole Moseley-Braun. Like Mosely-Braun, she's in politics to make a living, and she's very hungry.

I could be wrong (I hope) but I dobt it.

Oh, and let's see if she does what she did in 2006 - lose the primary and then run as a write-in candidate.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 3:02PM

"Even if O'Donnell wins by some miracle, she'll almost certainly be an embarrassment in office and will lose the seat in 2016."

She might die of old age in 50 or 60 years -- is that a reason not to vote for her now?

Nick| 9.11.10 @ 11:11AM

Mr. Rostrom,

By comparing her to the crook Mosley-Braun and calling her a flake, you show that you know nothing about Miss O'Donnell.

Sapwolf| 9.10.10 @ 2:07PM

We don't need to put a leftist like Castle in the Senate with an R by his name to get to the 51 needed to control the Senate.

We can get to ten this election without having to stoop so so so so LOW.

We will get 8+ seats anyway and for sure get control with right of center candidates by 2012 when twice as many Dem seats are up for re-election.

Go Christine, bring down the Rino and add another notch for the Tea Party Movement and for the Reformation of the Republican Party to a Common-Sense Constitutional Conservative party of prudence.

noneofyourbusiness| 9.10.10 @ 3:29PM

Methinks that when the teaparty crowd realizes that -- even when they get some of their folks elected, and the Republicans control Congress -- at some point reality needs to be faced and a revolution is not imminent, and nothing much changes -- or god forbid that they too have come to believe that they are entitled to their entitlements -- some of them who remain pure at heart might wish to consider second amendment remedies to deal with their own leadership.

Cheers!

Sir Napsalot| 9.10.10 @ 2:56PM

Nicely spelled out, Sir.

This just show you that, in order for the Ruling Class to stay in power – There have to be people willingly deliver the power up to the Ruling Class.

Hence we have the Ruling Class themselves, and the toadies, the hanger-ons, to get some crumbs from the RC. That people not quite the RC (in-crowd) themselves, but willing to help bring down others upstart Country Class.

You can’t have it both ways.

StuMacd| 9.10.10 @ 3:05PM

Prime example of why the Republican party I joined in 1979 to vote for Reagan, is now flat-lined. I no longer consider myself a Republican, because they have lost their willingness to lead. Last time they had the chance to lead, they were successful in outspending Ted Kennedy. Obama's passed them all, but, to his credit, at least he told us what he was going to do and stuck to it. Only wish the Reps would have done the same thing in-terms of doing what they say they would do and not increasing entitlements... Plain and simple, term limits are the solution to ending the ruling political class. Power corrupts both D&R and makes these people only care about doing what it takes to be reelected.

Oldpuppymax| 9.10.10 @ 3:15PM

For decades conservatives have been conned into the notion that the perpetual re-election of a super RINO is infinitely preferable to the ascension of a democrat. We have therefore been treated to the likes of Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Arlen Specter, Chuck Hagel, Juan McCain, Lindsey Grahamnesty and a host of elitist sell-outs, traitors and "bipartisan" members of the ruling class. And yet today there is no shortage of spineless weasels, intent upon the maintenance of this pathetic and treacherous flock of big government shills. Anyone not remember Newt Gingrich gleefully endorsing Didi Scozzafava in New York, a "republican" member of congress arguably more liberal than her democrat opponent!! It's time to do away with the noting that a body of Specters will make for anything but a phony majority.

bladyblah| 9.10.10 @ 3:29PM

Castle is just asking for it ... he is being totally exposed, even to Delawareans ... I think its exciting! The treatment of O'Donnell makes conservatives want to push harder. RINOS are desperate! We need a new Congress in Nov. and we just might get one ... VOTE!

nj in fl| 9.10.10 @ 3:45PM

For further edification of Codevilla's important essay/book, consider a volume that proceeded it by half a generation: The Revolt of the Elites, by Christopher Lasch.

This is the very same author who wrote The Culture of Narcissicism, so influential on the Peanut Farmer back during the malaise days.

A much different book, written in the twilight of Lasch's life as he succumbed to cancer, Revolt is a masterwork of insight into our present condition from a waning liberal, whereas Codevilla approaches from the more traditonal conservative viewpoint. Lasch's critique emphasizes the international dimension of the Ruling Class probem, which serves in our time to bedevil an adequate, or even actual, response in the 9/11 war.

One can only be heartened by the avalance of recognition accorded Codevilla from this brilliant, accessible piece. His views on the 9/11 war are equally as accessible and should be just as influential. We'd be in a much better place.

But then, there's that Ruling Class problem again.

Calfed| 9.10.10 @ 3:45PM

Oh God! Not another "We really win when we lose" argument.

This is emblematic of the "electability doesn't matter" argument:

"But when is a lost election really a lost election? If the conservative agenda is to move the country away from the nightmare of the Obama-era's left-wing fanaticism, isn't any kind of a showing by a conservative in Delaware a victory for the larger cause?"

This kind of fuzzy thinking is exactly what we don't need right now. Tell me Jeff--how does NOT electing a Republican help the country "move the country away from the nightmare of the Obama-era's left-wing fanaticism"?

The truth of the matter is that the only way to ""move the country away from the nightmare of the Obama-era's left-wing fanaticism" is to WIN.

All the wishful thinking in the world is not going to change that

dadfly| 9.13.10 @ 2:24AM

sounds like the repetition of the neo-statist's, end justifies the means (win at any cost) thinking and political strategy that has not only destroyed the republican brand, but allowed the incremental undermining of conservatism (and therefore the republic) for the last 90 years. that strategy is what has, at bottom, enabled the ruling-class to hang on by painting conservatives as hypocrites. so i'll paraphrase another who defined insanity as the repetition of the same action, over and over again, expecting a different outcome. but i guess you'd call him a "fuzzy" thinker, too. i think it's at least a good characterization of "liberal" thinking, myself.

memo| 9.10.10 @ 4:07PM

None of the Pro-Odonnell factions here, in all these posts have made the case she can be elected on Nov. The pro-Odonnell faction seems to only want to win against the Ruling Class in the primary, and to hell with the General Election. Defeating Castle and electing Coons is good enough for the know-nothings. BTW I support Millers, Angle and Rubio.

eagles4ever| 9.10.10 @ 4:20PM

Memo to memo:

I think you missed the whole point of the article, and most of the posts above.

memo| 9.10.10 @ 5:04PM

Clearly the point isnt winning

eagles4ever| 9.10.10 @ 6:36PM

I believe that was the point -- at least not if it means sacrificing principle.

PCP Smoker| 9.10.10 @ 7:38PM

The "know-nothings"
And what the fuck are you asshole?
You support them because they won already. Typical bitch ass getting behind the winner but not willing to lift a finger to make sure conservatives win.
Kill yourself you fuck

Don L| 9.11.10 @ 9:47AM

Your political instincts are commendable but your unecessary crudeness just destroys your position. I suggest that you clean it up and you might then convince people that you have a well thought out position to consider.

NJK| 9.10.10 @ 4:29PM

I think I'll go donate to her again. Wow, would it feel good to kick the "ruling class," in the butt again.

Calfed| 9.10.10 @ 4:46PM

"Wow, would it feel good to kick the "ruling class," in the butt again."...

And it's a twofer--you are kicking yourself in the butt at the same time. Good job, NJK!

jrjr| 9.10.10 @ 4:53PM

Excellent article and days ago when I read the original article by Codevilla I had to re-read it for fear that I was dreaming the stuff. I am sure that the WSJ, NRO, and others who fit in the "old" traditional mold of conservative, probably believe that the Tea Partiers and others were certainly not talking about them. "They" are the ones who believe that the Republican stalwarts like Graham and Boehner (of the ruling class) are the electable type. Boehner was pretty silent - giving responses to the Demos and Obama - rather than being out in front of the deluge of Democrat votes. Now that Boehner sees the opportunity to be Speaker, he is becoming forceful.

DG in GA| 9.10.10 @ 5:49PM

The "Ruling Class" of the Republican Party is why we ended up with that RINO McCain in 2008. The "Ruling Class" supported Romney, who was never going to get widespread support throughout America. But he sure did please the Country Club Republicans, who, I hear, want to run him AGAIN in 2012! Don't these people ever learn?

I don't know anything about this race in Delaware except that the people of Delaware must be real idiots to have elected a buffoon like Joe Biden all these years. (Isn't there ANYONE intelligent in that entire state who is willing to run for public office?) What I DO know is that the Republican Ruling Class had better wake up and smell the TEA PARTY or we will be stuck with Obama until 2016.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.10.10 @ 5:51PM

Well,
Now we know why so many rape victims never report having been raped.

Go with God, Christine. Some of us admire your courage in confronting your rapists....win or lose.

Let's elect the rapists to office. Yeah, that's the smart thing to do.

J.C.Eaton| 9.10.10 @ 6:27PM

These libels of Ms. O'Donnell are a hoot."Don't vote for her because she"s s--t nuts." What the Devil is Reid, Pelosi, Hoyer, Murtha,Boxer, DiFi, Hillary,Obey, Rangel, Jackson-Lee,Nadler, any Kennedy,Biden, et. etc. ad nauseum ad infinitum? What rollicking buffoonery!

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 6:50PM

Exactly. It's the old double standard where the media say that everything a particular Republican does is sinister and crazy, while they ignore Democrats doing even worse.

Bob Grant| 9.10.10 @ 7:29PM

Add Franken, Watters, Conyers...

...I have no problem supporting a tea party candidate to a Senate or Congressional seat. After all, the only "crazy" act they could possibly commit is to vote on legislation.

...I would have more reservations voting for tea party candidates to an executive office. I would have to look at that candidate individually to determine leadership abilities.

This is why I have reservations with Sarah.

My preference would be for congress to be loaded with tea party members and a conservative Washington insider for president. How about Haley Barbour.

Siegfried X| 9.10.10 @ 8:15PM

I think Haley is mostly likely to be the nominee. He and Romney are the establishment candidates.

Leaving the issues out of it, and just considering political skill, Haley _IS_ the "smartest person in the room". On issues he is probably more moderate than I'd like, but what the GOP needs now is a smart insider to fix the mechanics of the party, and to pull it together.

Tim*| 9.11.10 @ 2:20PM

There's Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana , Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana and The Tea Party Kingmaker Senator Jim DeMint Of South Carolina .

noneofyourbusiness| 9.10.10 @ 6:42PM

And let's not forget the whole of the Republican leadership and its wannabees who are part of the "Ruling Class" too. Anyone who listens to vain Artificial Light (Sunny Boy) John Boehner for more than a minute and doesn't realize he is part of the problem is part of the problem.

Cheers!

Don't forget to exercise your second amendment rights on them too when they fail to deliver the revolution and become very comfortable with all of their additional perks of power.

Cheers!

Tim*| 9.10.10 @ 7:05PM

The liberal Americans for Democratic Action last year rated Castle the most liberal Republican in the House, voting the group's views 55 percent of the time.

This is why We ,Tea Party Rebels support Christine O'Donnell .

The Delaware Republican Primary is September 14th .

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

Rise Up !

PCP Smoker| 9.10.10 @ 7:34PM

Here is the great, intellectual response from Geharty, or whatever his name is: "In what must be the stupidest article in the history of the American Spectator..."

Yep, that's it.
See, this is the equivalent of the liberal's "conservative X is a racist, sexist, homophone, and ISLAMOPHOBE" -- yes, radical Islamists are victims now.

The funny aspect of this incident is that otherwise respectable conservatives are mentally masturbating for a neo-statist like Castle! Who and what is next, a campaign to draft Arlen Sphincter?

Keep giving them hell

kingsmill| 9.10.10 @ 9:39PM

Paul Gigot at WSJ editorial board is not reliable.

Greg Coates| 9.11.10 @ 1:17AM

I renounce allegiance to all RINO Republicans and the liberalism for which they stand, no more McCains, no more Arnolds, no more Grahams. I pledge to only vote for true Conservative Tea Party candidates that I can feel good about voting for. I promise to have that respect for my vote that I refuse to cast it for someone I will be unhappy governing me and my fellow country-men. I want tough border security now with all illegal aliens sent home, across the board tax cuts generating increased revenue with which to cut the deficit, I want an end to all government give-away programs, bailouts, stimulus bills etc. etc. etc. I will not vote for any candidate who does not put American citizens first in his/her considerations.

Mark Fay| 9.11.10 @ 8:32AM

Bravo and brilliant! Love to see the squealing at NRO and soon to come from Gigot at WSJ; why not let the empty chair Frank write the response, Paul?

The magazne that turned my mind around long before Rush when I was a student at IU in 1979 is turning the minds of all on our side who say winning the seat is not enough. Winning the argument, our country, our economic might and our beloved freedom back is.

Bravo Bob! Bravo Jeffrey! Bravo Angelo! Bravo all at the Americna Specator!

Don L| 9.11.10 @ 9:37AM

The GOP is but a charade of the old psych movie -The Three Faces of Eve; neither of which has anything to offer to the good of America. Its day in the sun is over with and unfortunately, we are about to see if democracy itself is over with. We have reached that critical point in the game of survival and we seem to choose self-destruction every time.
Strange that all of this has come with the public rejection of God (He who gives us our rights) and the battle seems to have been reduced to which manner of fiscal government will save us; fiscal responsibility and the marketplace or progressivism -neither of which seems to include God - like a Lamberghini without an engine.

Yat907| 9.11.10 @ 1:56PM

Interesting opinion piece and right on target. BUT, until the Country Class gets involved and STAYS involved at the local level the Elite Class will continue remain in power.

The elite ruling class is a tidy little club. Protective and benevolent to those that have made the grade. To be sure there are those members of the "club" that have the entitlement mentality; they arrived by virtue of cash, connections, or just plain dumb luck. There are those that are legacy - Kennedy, Murkowski, etc. Then there are those who gutted out the initiation process at the party level. They got involved with the local party apparatus, paid dues, suffered the indignities of embarrassing losses.

Once in the "club" the group think kicks in and the protection of the club becomes the prime directive. Enter the upstarts: the independent and tea party candidates. The elites look upon them with disdain because they haven't endured the rights of passage which is the common bond of the club.

The country class awoke to find a pre-fascist regime in the guise of Barack Obama. They have no real understanding of how he got there nor why the people that they elected to represent them aren't standing up to oppose him and his policies. They suddenly find religion. Sarah Palin, or Michelle Bachman, or Joe Miller are raised as their champions, equipped, and sent off to sly the dragon. Noble yes, but ultimately a futile gesture. Without organized party support the gallant warriors will simply be enveloped by the elite ruling class - and elite class wannabes- and either find ways to ingratiate themselves the power structure through compromise or simple killed off and left to rot as impotent has beens.

It is their game my friends and unless we recognize and act -not just this November or the next- and take back the party and start building from the ground up, we as a nation are destined to remain subjects, not free men.

Renrul63| 9.12.10 @ 5:02PM

I've come late to this article, but I'd like to point out one thing that I've not seen mentioned: The economy is in terrible shape and it may not be significantly better in two years. In fact, as many of you are sure to know, we would need record levels of job creation to simply gain back the jobs that have been lost in the past 2-3 years, let alone provide for natural increase and immigration. I don't see that kind of job growth any where on the horizon. No matter who is elected, the economy can not be fixed in just two years. We have structural problems that may take a decade or more to work out. Our educational system alone would take dramatic change and a generation to show widespread results.

My point is that if there has ever been a time to vote your convictions rather than to vote for the lessor of two evils it is NOW! So what if a few real conservatives don't win? If RINO's become the majority this election they will own all the difficulties to come over the next two years. I've seen articles already that say Obama is "helpless" due to Republican obstruction. "Helpless" with control of both houses - they are already shifting the blame for continued hardtimes to Republicans. It may be far better to vote for real conservatives even if they lose and keep RINO's from winning, than to have more RINO's further taint the Republican party. Perhaps by 2012 and two more years of no/low job growth the electorate will be ready to send in enough true conservatives to Congress and the WH to really turn this ship of state around.

I've played the game of "lessor of two evils" long enough. I'm going to vote my conscience from now own.

bellagrazi| 9.12.10 @ 5:29PM

I have to admit that I was doubtful of Christine O'Donnell until Sarah Palin endorsed her. I'd heard so many strange things about her. But I totally trust in Gov. Palin's judgment. I hope she comes out on top in Tuesday's primary. I have a feeling if she wins that she will be swept up in the wave election in Nov. All the better for the Country Class conservatives among us.

shukov| 9.12.10 @ 10:13PM

Don't stop now-- Jim Demint 2012

Tim*| 9.12.10 @ 11:51PM

The Tea Party Kingmaker South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint in 2012 .

Answers1| 9.13.10 @ 4:15AM

...all in on the Country Class.

Twain| 9.13.10 @ 11:03AM

My experience shows that most pols are slightly askew. Nevertheless,while economizing is good,economizing on truth is not. Ms.ODonnell seems to be a little cavalier about her biography which I think bars her from office. If she's untruthful now, what will she be later?

Bo Darville| 9.13.10 @ 1:24PM

Makes you wonder if the Democrat Party isn't funding the Tea Party Express. It's their best chance at keeping 50 in the Senate.

PT| 9.13.10 @ 2:38PM

We tried it their way in 2000 through 2004. electing RINOs for congress (and president I might add). The result: no real permanent change, and hence the turnout of 2006. This time will be different. Hot or cold, spit the lukewarm out.

Lucius| 9.13.10 @ 9:02PM

I know Christine O'Donnell from having worked with her for a few months in 2000. I found her to be very nice and very personable, but very immature. The "errors" and embarrassing details uncovered by the reports are consistent with the Christine that I knew.

I liked Chrisine and I thought of her as a friend. The last time I saw her was at CPAC in 2003; I took her up to a party being held by David Keane at the end of the convention. However, I feel that her immaturity and her need to make up for her lack of serious accomplishments would cause her to continue to commit embarrassing gaffes. If nominated, she would make mistakes that would turn off Democrats and Independent voters. If elected, she would become an embarrassment to the party and to elected officials.

Does anyone remember Enid Greene-Waldholzt, a one term congresswoman from Oklahoma elected in 1994? Her two years were filled with embarrassing scandals and she did not run for re-election. Christine is the same kind of person and would meet the same end if elected.

Joanna | 6.6.11 @ 5:48AM

I agree with most of these comments too.
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