Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

GOP Wages War Against Its Conservatives
GOPUSA ^ | June.28,2004 | Christopher G. Adamo

Posted on 06/30/2004 9:38:32 PM PDT by Reagan Man

Colorado Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo is in big trouble with the GOP leadership. And just what, you may be wondering, is his great sin? "Team America," a political action committee originally founded by Tancredo, worked to unseat Representative Chris Cannon, a liberal Republican from Utah, by supporting Matthew Throckmorton, his challenger in the Republican primary.

Chief among those organizations caterwauling about the actions of Tancredo is the liberal "Tuesday Group," a coalition of approximately thirty liberal Republican House members whose goal is to steer the party to the left. Hiding under the cloak of a grossly distorted rendition of Ronald Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" ("Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican"), the Tuesday Group is now expressing concern that party conservatives are finally making efforts to strike back.

Apparently, undermining the conservative agenda by abandoning the party at key junctures during the legislative process is perfectly fine with these Republican "centrists." But any discussion of such matters by conservatives, who have tired of seeing their party abandoning its principles, is strictly taboo. By such hypocritical assertions, these liberal "Trojan Horses" hope to continue dominating party politics from within.

Of course Ronald Reagan never intended for his "Eleventh Commandment" to be arbitrarily invoked as a means of allowing liberalism to spread, unchecked, within the ranks of the GOP. Rather, it was supposed to prevent the sort of backbiting and mud slinging within party ranks, which can ultimately undermine the credibility of the entire party.

House Majority leader Tom Delay, a longtime champion of conservatism, has found himself in the middle of this row. Seeking to maintain a cohesive Republican majority, he is promoting themes of "team spirit" and "comity" among party members. Delay even referenced Reagan's "Eleventh Commandment" in a meeting with Tancredo in which the Colorado Congressman was apparently warned to change his ways and endorse a unified party, or face retribution within Republican circles.

Unfortunately, such rhetoric fails to deal with the fact that it is the Republican liberals who regularly undermine party unity by voting with Democrats at critical junctures. With such people constantly placing the philosophies of liberalism ahead of traditional Republican principle, the only manner in which even a facade of "unity" can be maintained is for the entire party to shift to the left. This, of course, is precisely the strategy of the liberal Republicans.

Tancredo's major issue of concern is unchecked illegal immigration and the resulting compromise of America's borders. Hardly a miniscule "pet issue" of a fringe constituency, the immigration problem goes to the very core of maintaining America's national integrity and heritage. Little else of GOP principles or goals can be regarded as significant in any way, as long the party remains indifferent to the invasion of the nation's borders by a flood of illegal immigrants who, as soon as they are able to do so, will vote against such things. Yet, major forces within the GOP are once again actively working to insure that at best, the Republican counterpart to Democrat plans of opening the borders will only amount to a watered-down version of the very same thing.

By supporting truly conservative Republican challengers, Tancredo's PAC hopes to specifically target key players of the open borders advocacy for defeat during their respective state primaries. While it is not entirely clear whether or not Tancredo is still officially participating with the work of the PAC, his political ideology remains consistent with that of its members. Tancredo realizes that threats to the future of the nation are no less virulent when advanced by so-called "Republicans," than when spawned by their traditional advocates, the Democrats.

Tom Delay has, in the past, shown himself to be extremely principled, with the one notable exception being his support, under severe White House pressure, for an education bill that was essentially crafted by Ted Kennedy. He knows that if his party persists in its claims to uphold both high and low standards, only the low standards will prevail. Though presently striving to remain within the boundaries of party loyalty, he is surely aware that, as a principled conservative, his own future is no less threatened by the underhanded actions of the "moderates" than is Tancredo.

For Delay and Tancredo, whose differences are far outweighed by their political common ground, the most pressing matter is to maintain the party according to conservative principle rather than allowing the "centrists" to reinvent it in the image of the Democrats.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: conservatives; gop
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 321-327 next last
To: Jim Robinson
Cannon a liberal Republican?

Oooops those pesky facts keep getting in the way of some people's rants. Thanx for posting the truth, Sir.

81 posted on 07/01/2004 12:32:19 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

Thanks for that info!

I'd seen comments advocating "Reagan's 11th Commandment" that just struck me as fishy. Your post helps clear the air.


82 posted on 07/01/2004 12:37:17 AM PDT by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man
'thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican'

The words are clear to all except lawyers. You argue like a Supreme Court Justice about the words "shall not be infringed."

83 posted on 07/01/2004 12:47:31 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: shanscom
Tancredo working with the Buchanans and their cabal is not exactly something I can support.

Tancredo is my congressman. I know him. He's a rock solid republican conservative and, unlike Buchanan, a strong supporter of America's WOT and Israel's right to exist and defend itself. He refuses to bring home bacon to his district because it is pork. He is someone you ought to want in congress as well as a bunch more like him.

He disagrees with the administration on Immigration. That doesn't make him a nut like Buchanan, even though he agrees with Buchanan on this issue. Buchanan, like a broken clock, is right occasionally. Tancredo is solid conservative all of the time.

The heart and soul of the party will be set in primaries. I think it's perfectly OK to support conservatives in primaries even if it pisses President Bush off. I mean, I support Bush and will work hard for his reelection, but he isn't exactly the dream date for a conservative.

84 posted on 07/01/2004 12:53:29 AM PDT by ModelBreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Once-Ler
It's way past high time some people got theor facts straight about the Republican Party and what it stands for.

1. Bush completely supports racial preferences. It was the White House counsel, an AA appointee named Alberto Gonzales, who ordered the Justice Dept. to narrow theor argument in the Grutter case so that O'Connor could enshrine racial preferences in the constitution. O'Connor was one of Reagan's greatest mistakes. She is an intellectual midget who was nothing more than a party apparatchik in the AZ Republican Party. Being a female to boot, it was a great two-fer: Payoff for the support of the AZ Party, and a sop to the feminists who were busy agitating for a female justice. To top it off, when asked about the Grutter decision, which is the moral equivalent of the Dred Scott decision since white Americans are enshrined as being 'less equal' than others, President Bush's only responese was to parrot a Marxist slogan: "Diversity is our strength!"

2. GW Bush is indeed only marginally better than Kerry on defense. He has continued Clinton's policies of a) allowing women in poistions very cole to combat; b) the "don't ask - don't tell facade for allowing gay infiltration of the military; c) refused to expand the numbers (as mentioned); d) continued Clinton's racial preference scheme, which replaced the previous truly color-blind system that had worked admirably since the Truman adminstration; e) selling off our military technology to the Chinese - smart bombs are now made in China.

3. Second Amendment. GW Bush has expicitly stated that he will sign a renewed Assaut Weapons ban. There has been a steady erosion of the second amendment. Judges have made ourtrageously unconstitutional decisions regarding this issue and Republicans - the plaid-pants Country Club types who own and operate the party - could care less.

4. Abortion. It's fascinating to see how many pro-lifers fell for the sham partial-birth abortion law and pledged their loyalty to Dubya. The Imperial Supreme Court has already decided that partial birth abortion is part of the constitution, even if equal protection of the law isn't (some of us being more equal than others). The law was a sop to pro-lifers to buy their votes - nothing more. It's already been struck down by a Marxist judge, and will certainly be decalred unconstitutional by a host of others. The one thing GWB could have done to truly influence the courts was to support Pat Toomey's challenge to the abominable leftist RINO pro-abortionist Areln Specter, who will be in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee should the Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Specter will make sure that no pro-life judge is seated. Bush campaigned for Specter against the unabashedly pro-life Toomey. There's no excuse. As with defense, Bush is at best only marginally better than Kerry. At least Kerry is honest about hos support of abortion.

Oh, and lest we forget: GWB had nothing but effusive praise for Bill Clinton, a President who actually betrayed the country to a hostile foreign power by selling sensitive military technology which has enabled them to delpoy missiles capable of vaporizing American cities. Not only has Dubya left numerous of the Clinton un-dead walking the halls of Federal agencies (Norman Mineta being as shining example), he refuses to prosecute the numerous crimes of the criminal Clinton gang. Even worse, the Bush Justice Dept. has been spending our tac dollars to defend the criminal activities of the Clintons against lawsuits. Again, there's no excuse.

The Republican Party is owned and operated by Corporatist apparatchiks who care nothing about the issues that religious people and other social conservatives care about. There have been 120 documented incidents of the Mexican Army crossing the border in the last decade. As someone mentioned, the open-borders Jihadis at the Wall Street Journal flatly advocate the abolition of the United States as an independent political entity by diisoving its borders. Illegal aliens are now allowed to vote (suppoesedly only in local elections - hahaha), sit in juries, receive in-state tuition, welfare (free medical care, housing, food stamps), obtain driver's licenses, open bank accounts, etc., etc. As others have mentioned, Bush's amnesty plan to legalize ethe lawless basically would allow any foreign national to underbid an American worker for their job. To top it all off, the Imperial Supreme Court declared this week that enemby combatants - foreign nationals captured in persuing armed action gainst the United States - are entitled to the constitutional protections that normally would only apply to citizens, Any expression of outrage over such a lawless re-write of the Constitution? Does that oath the President and others take really mean anything? I guess it's just a formaility now - nothing more.

Kerry and Bush are not substantively different on any issue of importance to bona-fide conservatives. It's a sad state of affairs. Bush has the edge only insofar that he is less honest about his liberalism than Kerry.

85 posted on 07/01/2004 12:53:37 AM PDT by Bogolyubski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski

Excellent rant bump!


86 posted on 07/01/2004 12:58:54 AM PDT by UnChained
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: unsycophant
I find Team America's rhetoric offensive and misleading. I hope I'm not the only Republican who does.

You are not. The organization is a joke.

87 posted on 07/01/2004 1:02:09 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Rightwing Conspiratr1
The Party is pissed that their negotiatied and handpicked committee candidate faces opposition in a primary?!!

An incumbent Congressman?

By the way, Chris Cannon is also one of the most conservative members in Congress, and one that stuck his neck out during the impeachment, so whoever wrote this article calling him a liberal is either an idiot or a liar.

88 posted on 07/01/2004 1:09:59 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man

One issue, however, does not a liberal make, so the article you posted are trumpeting is, in fact, a lie.

I suppose that if his challenger agreed with you on immigration, but supports partial-birth abortions, same-sex marriage, tax increases, increased regulations, etc., you'd champion him as a conservative hero by the way you are talking.


89 posted on 07/01/2004 1:15:21 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski
GW Bush is indeed only marginally better than Kerry on defense.

You are a fool.

The Republican Party is owned and operated by Corporatist apparatchiks who care nothing about the issues that religious people and other social conservatives care about.

I'm sorry...you're a 'rats...and you're long winded.

90 posted on 07/01/2004 1:19:00 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Once-Ler
Sorry Dude, not all of us are willing to toe the party-line. I'm afraid abortion, gun rights, taxes and defense are just not enough anymore. Not that they are not important, but there are many other freedoms that we are loosing daily to the left leaning politics in this country that are more important. Those loses you may not feel today, but are the preliminary steps to you loosing your gun rights, paying higher taxes, and witnessing abortions on the new reality show, "Let's Have an Abortion".

The GOP ain't all that strong on those issues either. - See California - Then wait and see what happens when the "Assault Weapons" ban renewal comes up this fall.

With the Republicans in charge, in fact with anyone incharge, as they mostly go unchecked anyways, your freedoms you hope to protect by voting GOP every 4-8 years aren't going to be around much longer.

91 posted on 07/01/2004 1:19:31 AM PDT by CBF ('' .... behind every blade of grass.'')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man
Big tent only goes so far. When Ronald Reagan was appealing to Democrats back in 1980 and 1984, he was appealing to conservative Democrats, not liberal Democrats.

Actually FDR wasn't who I would call a Conservative Democrat. He's no hero of mine, he championed modern day "depend on governement" welfare, and brainwashed people in believing that "government is for the little guy, corporations are for the wealthy". Those Democrats Reagan appealed to were FDR Democrats, not Conservative Democrats. Call them for who they are.

92 posted on 07/01/2004 1:19:41 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (John Kerry: An old creep, with gray hair, trying to look like he's 30 years old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski
The one thing GWB could have done to truly influence the courts was to support Pat Toomey's challenge to the abominable leftist RINO pro-abortionist Areln Specter, who will be in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee should the Republicans maintain control of the Senate.

Pat Toomey couldn't get 50% of the Republican vote. How could he possible win centrist and liberal votes? Did I mention you're an idiot?

93 posted on 07/01/2004 1:22:48 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski
The Republican Party is owned and operated by Corporatist apparatchiks who care nothing about the issues that religious people and other social conservatives care about.

You've been drinking too much of that Naderite kool-aid.

94 posted on 07/01/2004 1:22:55 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (John Kerry: An old creep, with gray hair, trying to look like he's 30 years old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski
GW Bush is indeed only marginally better than Kerry on defense.

Overwhelmingly ridiculous.

Forgive me for not reading through all of your prose, but if it was as assinine as that tidbit there's really no need to. You are either grossly uninformed or very dishonest.

95 posted on 07/01/2004 1:26:22 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Bogolyubski
As someone mentioned, the open-borders Jihadis at the Wall Street Journal flatly advocate the abolition of the United States as an independent political entity by diisoving its borders.

Commie libs at the Wall Street Journal again. You are a joke.

96 posted on 07/01/2004 1:26:22 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: CBF
I'm afraid abortion, gun rights, taxes and defense are just not enough anymore.

You want it all and you want it now. Good luck with the dope smoking Libretarians or the other loser 3rd parties. I'll keep on voting for Republicans.

With the Republicans in charge, in fact with anyone incharge, as they mostly go unchecked anyways, your freedoms you hope to protect by voting GOP every 4-8 years aren't going to be around much longer.

I guess I ain't willing to throw in the towel yet quitter. I have children that deserve a better America. You might be better off joining the 'rats. They think America sucks too.

97 posted on 07/01/2004 1:31:51 AM PDT by Once-Ler (Proud Republican. and Bushbot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Cannon a liberal Republican?

Can't you see? His lifetime conservative rating is a whole point lower than Tancredo's.

Marilyn Musgrave better look out--she could be the next target. Her rating is also a measely 96.

98 posted on 07/01/2004 1:32:30 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: CBF
there are many other freedoms that we are loosing daily to the left leaning politics in this country that are more important.

Aside from removing God from the Pledge, and crosses from city emblems, name one freedom being taken away from you specifically by the left.

99 posted on 07/01/2004 1:37:01 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (John Kerry: An old creep, with gray hair, trying to look like he's 30 years old.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: GvMeLbty; Once-Ler
You have the Brady Bill confused with the "assault weapon" ban.

On November 24, 1993, Dole assured conservatives that they could go home for Thanksgiving and that he would stay to oversee the mundane duties of adjourning for the holiday. When the conservatives were gone, he, Mitchel and one other scumbag liberal passed the Brady Bill.

Here's what Sen. Dole had to say about his actions:

I know the Gun Owners of America, another group, have a little different view. They are blaming me for the Brady bill that passed because I sat there with the majority leader and everybody else had gone home, and we made an arrangement. We let that bill pass. I was picketed, and they called me a traitor, and everything else . . . because that happened. (Source: Congressional Record, August 23, 1994, p. S 12363.)

On November 19, 1993, Bob Dole voted for the Feinstein "assault weapon" ban on more than 180 semi-auto firearms. Moreover, less than two weeks earlier Dole had brokered an agreement which prevented a filibuster on the Feinstein amendment from ever taking place. (Source: Congressional Record, November 10, 1993, p. S15584-5.)

In January, 1994, Bob Dole urged the President -- on nationwide T.V. -- to support the Senate version of the crime bill that contained the Feinstein gun ban. (Source: Dole's rebuttal to Clinton's State of the Union Address, reprinted in the The Washington Post, 1/26/94.)
100 posted on 07/01/2004 3:04:34 AM PDT by SUSSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 321-327 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson