The GOP Should Recall the Tradition of Moderate Republican Governors Like Linwood Holton

race in 1960?

Justin of CA: "attaching the straw man argument of race in 1960"

I don't understand this reference. Please explain (with something more detailed than "whatever.")

Jim the veteran

Very well put

Chris from AZ you're right on the money, you addressed the serious flaws in Mashek's comments on republicans need to become 'progressive' (whatever that means) in Virginia. Jim "the veteran" seems to be ignoring your argument and attaching the the straw man argument of race in 1960. Two things that have nothing to do with each other. Furthermore, as a resident of California I can assure you this state is in no danger of moving any closer to traditionally conservative ideology despite having conservative (liberal) republican (democrat) Governor (entertainer) Schwarzenegger (Kennedy) in office for two (one-and-a-half)terms.

Iraq and liberals

Chris, that's one way to look at it. And I could say, Bush refuses to come to terms with the need to have a clear idea of when it's time to leave Iraq--except today's headlines indicate the Maliki government has forced Bush to do just that. And sending Undersecretary of State Nick Burns to talk with the Iranians is another example of "coming to terms" with Barack Obama, who was derided when he said he would talk with the Iranians.

My guess is that you see Obama "come to terms" with the military success of the surge during his visit to the Middle East. But his--and Mashek's--reservations about the lasting political success of the surge seems to me valid.

My further guess is that McCain, if he wins, will continue to talk about "winning" in Iraq even as he faces the reality of getting out with only a garrison force remaining; and Obama, if he wins, will continue to talk about leaving Iraq even as he faces the reality that he'll have to stay, at least with a garrison force, as long as it takes to win a stable departure. What do you think?

jim, I'm not commenting on the fact that Holton decided to stand up to segregation. I'm glad he did because I am a beneficiary of it. But you miss my point. This isn't 1964. This is 2008, 40 years later. Virginia is changing it's beliefs because lots of liberals are moving into the state (most are probably employed in D.C., which is heavily liberal). This is a good thing, however, it need not be that conservatives sacrifice their principles of small government, individual responsibility, and personal freedom. By the by, why is it that when some Republicans are open to liberal views, they viewed as "moderate", but when some Democrats do the same they are viewed as "traitors" (Joe Lieberman comes to mind)?

As for the Iraq War, you're writing in a thread where the author has not recognized the success of the surge, or, rather, he recognizes the success, but thinks it is much more a temporary lull in violence more than anything. Also, Barack Obama refuses to come to terms with the success of the surge, even though he opined it would not work.

Linwood Holton

Chris, take a deep breath and think about Linwood Holton. Would you have sent your kids to segregated schools in a state where "interposition" was the policy and the state officials were bitter-enders? Is it betraying principles to stand up to the rednecks? In fact, the people of Virginia decided it was gutsy, and they elected Holton governor. It;s about courage and vision, not conservative or liberal principles.

By the way, who told you it's liberals, or "progressives" who think Iraq is an ongoing disaster despite some progress?

Jim the veteran, New York

So what? When California starts becoming more conservative, should liberals and Democrats there start listening and change their views?

Arizona has a Democratic governor, California a Republican governor. Does this really mean politics are starting to change? Virginia changing is fine, but it doesn't mean people have to betray their principles just to make you so-called "progressives" happy. Why don't you change your position on the Iraq War, now that it is turning around?