Should Republicans Have a Purity Test for Candidates?

Should the RNC exclude politicians who don't match the party's platform?

By U.S. News Staff

November 24, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Some members of the Republican National Committee want to implement a purity test to make sure their candidates live up to the party's platform. They are considering a 10-point test—which includes affirmations like, "We support the retention of the Defense of Marriage Act" or "We support market-based healthcare reform and oppose Obama-style government-run healthcare"—with candidates who do fail on more than two issues getting denied party funds. Critics wonder whether any successful Republicans, including Ronald Reagan himself, would even pass the test. What do you think? Should the RNC have a litmus test for their candidates? Take our poll and post your thoughts below.

Should the Republican National Committee Have a Purity Test for Candidates?



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Previously: Should the FCC Regulate Web Fair Play?

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The RNC (and the DNC) are drunk on politics - in the worst sense of the word. They have no perspective. When they impose litmus tests, their parties lose.

But the rank & file SHOULD impose litmus tests. They're called PRIMARIES and CAUCUSES.

Tim Deaton of GA 10:22PM November 30, 2009

As a member of the GOP myself, I'd like to see a test - a test to make sure our candidates are not morons. At least that would give us a good starting point, and a leg up on a number of Dems.

Brad of TX 2:45PM November 30, 2009

When we moved to Colorado in 1995, the GOP was riding high, holding the governorship, both U.S. Senate seats and a majority of the State Senate seats. The situation in 2009 is the exact opposite.

While Republicans at the national level have certainly done their part to repel and sicken Colorado voters, folks like State Sen. David Schultheis (R) of Colorado Springs have helped tremendously. This is the guy who recently compared President Obama to the 9/11 hijackers. Earlier this year he voted against mandatory HIV testing for pregnant women, not for any defensible reason like privacy concerns or even cost-benefit questions.

No, he fretted this would encourage sexual promiscuity and didn't want the Legislature to "remove the negative consequences that take place from poor behavior and unacceptable behavior." Or to paraphrase: "Better dead babies than live hussies."

Mandy Cat of CO 11:04AM November 30, 2009

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