Posted on 09/06/2010 7:10:48 AM PDT by Brices Crossroads
Here's supposed wisdom from someone named Professor Bainbridge.
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2010/09/so-what-if-mike-castle-is-a-rino.html
I'm sure he's accomplished at something beyond securing tenure and blogging. But his rambling post doesn't seem all that impressive, does it?
So, now if you oppose a 40 year career liberal Republican in the Delaware Republican primary, at a time when the nation is rising up against the extremism of the Obama administration and particularly his government run health care law, you are a "purist." Allahpundit over at Hotair, linking to like-minded bloggers here and there, argues, among other things, that he thought Beck was wrong when Beck said he'd rather have seen Obama as president than McCain. This is off the mark. I criticized Beck for the same thing. But comparing a conservative challenge to a liberal in a Republican primary to Obama v. McCain in a general election is incoherent. And what Bainbridge, Allahpundit, and the rest don't get is that if the Republicans do not deliver after this election, or at least make a strong effort to contain what Obama has done, 2012 could be a disaster for those of us who believe in constitutional republicanism, not to mention those of us who want a strong and vibrant GOP. So consumed are they with reaching that 51 Republican majority that they don't consider the consequences of such a majority where a handful of its members can hold sway over the bulk of them -- a la Gang of 14, etc., etc. Castle has already announced he will oppose the repeal of Obamacare. Obamacare, as we know, is the most aggressive domestic assault on liberty and the individual in modern times. Bainbridge, et al, need not fear a lack of liberal, moderate, maverick Republicans post-November. There will be plenty -- Snowe, Collins, Graham, Lugar, McCain, and so forth. Purity will not be a problem. Resolve will.
As for this "purity" straw man, conservatives do not agree on all issues. Look at the Supreme Court, where Thomas and Scalia, while agreeing on much, do not agree at all times. This issue is how you perceive your role as a public official and how you intend to carry out your constitutional duties. Castle's approach, while said to be moderate, is actually quite radical. He rejects the Constitution's limits on the federal government and believes the continued expansion of governmental power is inevitable -- which it certainly will be if he is successful and we are not.
It's also interesting that most of the bloggers who support Castle were largely silent during the earlier primaries, where conservatives where challenging establishment candidates from Nevada to Alaska. They didn't take sides as they are for Castle. And they have not contributed much to the conservative ascendency. They're skeptical of it and the Tea Party movement, of which they have little in common. They don't really want to shake up Washington, at least not too much. They enjoy the game of politics, they spend lots of time lamenting big government, they get a kick out of linking to this story or that story, but in fact they are pretty comfortable with the way things are. In the face of hostile, fundamental change, they find misplaced prudence in undercutting the Burkean reformers.
"And what Bainbridge, Allahpundit, and the rest don't get is that if the Republicans do not deliver after this election, or at least make a strong effort to contain what Obama has done, 2012 could be a disaster for those of us who believe in constitutional republicanism, not to mention those of us who want a strong and vibrant GOP."
Hey, if O’Donnell wins, then we have Senator Coons come November. If Mark Levin is cool with that, then he’s not a conservative fellowtraveller.
Ping!
This is correct.
Sounds like you are "cool" with a Senator Castle.
No, that is wrong.
Allapundit has no credibility. He slams Palin and touts Romney and RINOs. I’m going with Levin, here.
Dan Gaffney WGMD Listen to O'Donnell Interview HERE
Erick Erickson -RedState Pulling the Plug in Delaware
John Fund WSJ Christine O'Donnell is No Joe Miller
Rasssmussen Election 2010: Delaware Senate
Gov. Chris Christie Christie Endorses Castle
Matt Lewis Politics Daily O'Donnell Sued Conservative Group for Gender Discrimination
Powerline Blog The Delaware Conundrum
Ace of Spades Stay Classy Christine
Politico O'Donnell backer makes sex charge in Delaware race
Tom Ross DE GOP "She should not be elected dogcatcher"
David Keegan former staffer “Once I and others found out about her personal financial crises and her degree, we left,”
Mark Levin should have done his homework on O'Donnell.
“Hey, if O’Donnell wins, then we have Senator Coons come November.”
Correction...If O’Donnell wins, we MIGHT have Sen Coons in November. If she loses, we WILL have Sen. Coons in November. The only question then will be whether he will be inside or outside the GOP caucus.
“If Mark Levin is cool with that, then he’s not a conservative fellowtraveller.”
LOL. That statement marks you as delusional.
Castle will vote for cap & tax with Reid in the lame duck session.
Are you “cool” with *that*?
Sit down and shut up. You utter morons.
You cannot hold O'Donnell up as a “great candidate” when she is running against Biden in 2008 and then go all in for trash talk against her now.
Castle is a Democrat in everything but name. Even if Castle were to win, he will vote more with Harry Reid then he will with Jim Demint. This is one race it would be better to lose then to spend all our time electing Castle only to have him pull a Jeffords on us in Jan 2011. Your choice here are O'Donnell or a Progressive, there is no other option.
Oh, look. You know how to copy and paste Castle’s smear machine talking points! You’re very clever.
No you should your homework instead of just mindlessly accepting the smear job paid for by the NRC.
Sit down and shut up. You utter morons.
You cannot hold O'Donnell up as a “great candidate” when she is running against Biden in 2008 and then go all in for trash talk against her now.
Castle is a Democrat in everything but name. Even if Castle were to win, he will vote more with Harry Reid then he will with Jim Demint. This is one race it would be better to lose then to spend all our time electing Castle only to have him pull a Jeffords on us in Jan 2011. Your choice here are O'Donnell or a Progressive, there is no other option.
Ditto, rintense.
Hey, Mac. Go shill for Castle elsewhere. Drive-bys such as that don’t work her. Try Rightosphere. Or better still, DU
Well written, Brices Crossroads!
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