American Mainstream Is Looking More Like Republican Mainstream
By Mary Kate Cary, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Is what's going on in New York's 23rd Congressional District a GOP civil war or not? If you ask me, it's not.
The media and their friends on the left, including White House adviser Valerie Jarrett on ABC News, are doing their best to turn Dede Scozzafava's withdrawal from the race and endorsement of her Democratic opponent into another example of Republican feuding over "litmus tests." They just can't help themselves. In fact, Jarrett calls Republicans "more and more extreme," yet it's the liberals who have worked themselves into a hissy fit of angry rhetoric. Take a look at Frank Rich's column in today's New York Times—far more extreme than anything being said on the right: "The riotous and bloody national GOP civil war" has devolved into a "wacky paranoid cult" that is "re-enacting Stalinism in full purge mode." It's not the people on the right—the ones who've been "outed" as moderates, supposedly—who are calling each other Stalinists. Ironically, it's the left who are upset about the Republican base.
Maybe it's because they can see what's happening. Democrats can read the polls: Independent swing voters are moving toward the right, and the Republican base. The wide American mainstream is broadening to include fiscal conservatives—yes, some of whom have all sorts of opinions on social issues—but they are united in their concern about the growing size and scope of government. Wasn't that the lesson of August's tea parties—that people of all stripes are concerned about massive government growth? Isn't that what's really threatening the left?
None of the Republicans in tomorrow's races in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey has said much about abortion or gay rights. Instead, they've all been talking about the economy, jobs, and healthcare. Rich Lowry has a great analysis of the Virginia race and why Bob McDonnell's strategy is working:
"While tough on Deeds, McDonnell has stayed upbeat, both substantively and in tone. He has unleashed a flurry of policy proposals. Focusing on the pocketbook issues of jobs, transportation, and education, his ideas emphasize regulatory reform, competition, and private-public partnerships. They are conservative but pragmatic, meant to appeal to non-ideological voters. According to polls, McDonnell is beating Deeds on taxes, economic development, education, transportation—and even 'issues of special concern to women.'"
In New York, Scozzafava's record of raising taxes as an assemblywoman was attacked not only by Republicans but by ads paid for by the Democratic Party—because even Democrats are realizing (too late) that more taxes right now are not going to sell with independents. Being opposed to raising taxes is not an ultra-right litmus test. That's mainstream Republican Party, and increasingly, it's mainstream American.
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Reader Comments
Type casting
All these sub-groups some people have. Nonsense.
I am a Conservative. There are Republicans and Democrats who vote simular as I. All do not have exact beliefs I do. Fine...
Have found few Liberal views I like. I add obama's agenda to this list.
Conservatives vs Republicans
The leaders of the Republican party which supported Dede Scozzafaua can no longer differentiate themselves from the Democratic party. So, what's the point in voting for Republican candidates if they vote like Democrats. If Republicans want the support of Conservatives and Independents in the next election cycle they need to clearly separate themselves from the liberal agenda of the Democratic party. The overriding issues will be JOBS and the out of control spending of the federal government...not the social issues like abortion or gay marriage. The Republican leader's "Big Tent" concept is a Democratic plan to get Republicans to vote like Democrats and to label Conservatives as extremists forcing them out of the Republican party...so far it's working.
Oldster offers wisdom of years to young punk
Wake up oldsters / g50 of IL wrote: If you are simultaneously citing: 1. the deficit / debt / unfunded USFG liabilities (100+ trillion) and 2. the health care bill costing a lot... Then you DO NOT have the slightest idea what this health care reform effort is about.
To which I reply: You have much to learn "young one". You are spewing UBER left rhetoric. Yes, we all know that the bulge in the population defined as the baby boomers threaten to bankrupt the system. However, it was the UBER left that created that system by putting those programs in place to begin with; programs that they then proceeded to RUN INTO THE GROUND!!! Keep drinking that cool-aide youngster!
You claim, with a distinct air of self serving, smug superiority I might add, if I don't support the Obama healthcare fix that, ipso facto, therefore I must support the status quo. Not only is that not true, I submit to you that it is OBAMA that supports the status quo. Or, did I miss the part in the proposed healthcare legislation he supports that addresses tort reform? I also don't recall seeing any discussion that transforms the "pay per transaction" healthcare system that currently exists to an outcome based approach! Please correct me if I missed those things. I did take note of the fact that the proposed legislation would allow ONLY The Federal Government to sell THEIR insurance across state lines. However, again, I must have missed the part in the legislation where the private insurance carriers are given the same advantage. Did I miss that? I know my eyes are so much older than yours. Perhaps you would be kind enough to point it out to an old man.
I was particularly disappointed when you wrote: "is there any part of America your generation won't ruin?"
I must say you are one sad piece of work to resort to inciting generational warfare. I won't even dignify the other hate filled vomit you spewed just above that closing remark with a response. I think most can see you for what you are.
I do take note of the fact that, as baby boomers, there are one whole HELLUVA LOT more of US then there are of you! This gives me great comfort as I look forward to the next election cycle.
WAY TO GO NEW JERSEY and VIRGINIA!!!
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