Whitman says in new book that catering to GOP's far-right wing will hurt party

WCBS880 ^

[Sub-Driver]

Whitman says in new book that catering to GOP's far-right wing will hurt party Friday December 17, 2004 By DONNA DE LA CRUZ Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) Former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman writes in her upcoming book that if the far-right wing of the Republican Party continues to be a major influence with the GOP, the party will be seriously harmed.

Whitman, who served as Environmental Protection Agency administrator for President Bush from 2001 until May 2003, also says in the book that she was often at odds with the White House on issues such as setting caps on air pollutants, controls on power plant emissions and the debate over global warming. Her tenure was marred by conservatives who felt she was too moderate.

She also writes about some of the issues she faced as New Jersey's governor from 1994 to 2001, particularly the racial profiling of motorists by state police.

But the premise of Whitman's book ``It's My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America,'' is on how moderate Republicans must regain control of the party. The right-wing of the party has claimed credit for Bush's re-election.

``A clear and present danger Republicans face today is that the party will now move so far to the right that it ends up alienating centrist voters and marginalizing itself,'' Whitman writes in the book, obtained Friday by The Associated Press. The book is slated to be released by The Penguin Press in late January.

[mainepatsfan]

I wonder who she supported in 1976? Ford or Reagan? Hmmm.

[GLDNGUN]

IN OTHER WORDS, Whitman is saying if the Republicans continue to do what has been proven to be successful, they won't be successful. And if they try to moderate, which has always been UNsuccessful, then they will be successful. Must be something in the New Jersey water supply.

It certainly wasn't moderates who just won the election for W. Sheesh. The moderates are a drag on the party if anything. They should be thanking us for pulling their dead weight. Them telling the conservatives how to win would be like the pedestrian Indianapolis Colt defensive players telling Peyton Manning and the record-setting offense how to score points. NOTE TO MODERATES: Sit down, shut up, and enjoy the free ride. If we want advice on how to lose an election, you'll be the first to know.

[BigSkyFreeper]

There's a third reason, she governed largely a blue state.

[randog]

If the "far right" is in control of the WH and Congress then I'd really hate to see the federal budget when the moderates take over.

[mainepatsfan]

Even funnier how that original right wing cowboy Reagan won two landslides.

[GOP_Raider]

[demkicker]

The only good she's ever given Bush is Barney. Period!

[dr_who_2]

I don't care.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The GOP won't accomplish anything if hand-wringers like her are fretting at every move. It's Republicans like her that drag down the party stifling momentum.

[RBroadfoot]

Is this the same Christie Todd Whitman that opposed a ban on partial birth abortion? Yeah, she's in a great position to advise Republicans.

[mainepatsfan]

My point is she's part of that Northeastern country club GOP that did everything in their power to make sure Reagan never got the GOP nomination.

[MamaLucci]

And I'm sure that all 5 of the people that buy her book agree with her.....................

[onyx]

I am interested (sort of) to know
her definition of the "right wing" of the GOP.

[NMR Guy]

Well, I'm not sure how the "far right wing" has been an influence in the Republican party. What has President Bush done that is "far right wing"?

Sometimes I think this is just a game: How many people can be made to believe that anything that is not quite as socialist/internationalist/anti-religious as the Democratic party is "far right".

If that's far right, then I will proudly be so, and more.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I think Zell Miller would fall under the category of "right wing" in her eyes.

[Alberta's Child]

This from a governor who was so far to the left that she made Barney Frank look like Ronald Reagan.

I hope nobody here buys this moron's book even if they find it on a discount rack for $0.99.

[muawiyah]

Whitman who?

This is some tired stuff.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Political has-beens always know what the Republicans are doing wrong.

[hosepipe]

[ WASHINGTON (AP) Former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman writes in her upcoming book that if the far-right wing of the Republican Party continues to be a major influence with the GOP, the party will be seriously harmed. ]

However she could be 100 percent WRONG... as usual..

[Major Matt Mason]

But the premise of Whitman's book ``It's My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America,'' is on how moderate Republicans must regain control of the party. The right-wing of the party has claimed credit for Bush's re-election.

Yes, and we will be in the minority in no time once the spineless moderates take over. And most moderates will be perfectly OK with that, since they mostly agree with Democrats, anyway.

Ms. Whitman is a pol from the sclerotic Northeast (where I live, sadly). It is only a matter of time before that section of the country is totally irrelevant, since most of the population that gives a damn is leaving in droves.