Whitman pushes GOP moderation

Star Ledger ^ | 04.17.06 | DEBORAH HOWLETT

[Coleus]

Former Gov. Christie Whitman believes the Republican Party is in deep trouble. The GOP, she says, is now where the Democrats were a dozen years ago in Washington when they lost control of the House for the first time in 40 years. President Bush's popularity is at a low ebb and several GOP leaders have been snared in ethics scandals.

"We're at a critical point," she said. "We're starting to see polls that look just like the polls looked to Democrats in '94." From a converted hayloft of the barn on her family estate in Oldwick, Whitman works each day on what she believes will be the salvation of her party.

She says Republicans must stop their internal bickering and adopt a broader view that allows a less conservative take on social issues such as abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research. She calls for a "new civility."

"The rhetoric is getting harsher, and we're having more divisive elections," Whitman said. "We can't just agree to disagree anymore without being disagreeable. ... People see their opponents as not just wrong, but evil."

Whitman is spreading her word of "radical moderation" and making campaign contributions to moderate candidates through a political action committee she formed last year after releasing her book, "It's My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America."

The book has just been published in paperback, giving new spark for an effort she hopes will pave the way for mavericks like Sen. John McCain of Arizona or former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to run for president in 2008. Whitman has collected $1 million for moderate Republicans in as many as 120 local elections across the nation.

[Coleus]

Armey, president of Freedom Works, a grassroots organization of fiscal conservatives, says the party has become "preoccupied by the Christian conservative agenda," which in turn has frustrated those he refers to as small-government, fiscal conservatives.

"That's a complete misconception," said Marie Tasy of New Jersey Right to Life. Tasy contends the majority of Republicans oppose abortion and considers Whitman's views too liberal.

"These people are crybabies. You can tell by the title of her book: It's like that song, 'It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To,'" Tasy said. "They can't win elections without the base of the party, and the base of the party is pro-life and conservative."

[Coleus]

Ginty Calls on Kean to Disavow Whitman Endorsement

Whitman’s Poor Fiscal Record in New Jersey Damaged the State Republican Party

Whitman’s Radical Pro-Abortion Agenda Disillusioned Major Portions of the Republican Base

Ridgewood - Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Ginty today called on his primary opponent, state senator Thomas Kean, to disavow the endorsement of Kean and his campaign by former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman. Whitman’s comments appeared in the April 17 edition of the Newark Star Ledger.

Ginty said that Whitman, the state’s governor between 1994 and 2001, “racked up a miserable record of exploding state debt, ballooning state spending, and waste, fraud and abuse tied to the EZ-Pass project and auto inspection system. She effectively laid the groundwork for a series of statewide losses for the Republican Party in later years, as the Republican base in the state became increasingly disillusioned.”

“If Tom Kean views Christie Whitman as a model of fiscal rectitude, folks ought to hold on tight to their wallets,” said Ginty. State debt under Whitman, who strangely persists in referring to herself as a “fiscal conservative” when there is no evidence to support the designation, skyrocketed from about $6 billion to over $17 billion, much of the debt caused by pension and retirement giveaways to public employees from Whitman and her friends in the state legislature.

The most egregious part of Whitman’s meager legacy remains her veto in 1997 of a state law designed to outlaw the brutal practice of partial birth abortion. Against the wishes of the then Republican majority in the state legislature, Whitman exhibited her militant “pro-abortion at all costs” ideology by vetoing the attempt to make illegal the unnecessary and diabolical procedure in which a late –term baby’s skull is punctured and its brain vacuumed out prior to removal of the rest of the body from the womb.

Ginty said, “If Tom Kean wants to reach out to the vast majority of Republicans who support the ban on partial birth abortion, he will immediately make it clear that he will, demand that Christie Whitman disavow her 1997 veto of the ban on partial birth abortion in New Jersey before she makes additional comments or public appearances on his behalf leading up to the June 6 Republican U.S. Senate primary.” Paid for by Ginty for Senate

[Torie]

Civility is perceived as enhanced when one agrees with one's views. I am not sure what Whitman really wants or expects, with her little endeavor. One would think, to get what she wants, she would need to change minds of voters in the GOP about stem cells, abortion, and gay marriage. But she really doesn't address those issues, on the merits. She just moans and groans. A more ineffectual endeavor I cannot imagine, and I agree with her on stem cells, and gay marriage, and take an inbetween position on abortion. But she is really on a ego trip here. Nothing else can explain the inanity of it all.

What is you take antiguv?

[NormsRevenge]

Republicans must stop their internal bickering and adopt a broader view that allows a less conservative take on social issues such as abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research. She calls for a "new civility."

---

'new civility' .. aka New Majority

Lib Lite

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

From a converted hayloft of the barn on her family estate in Oldwick, Whitman works each day on what she believes will be the salvation of her party.

A to-the-manner-born RINO tells conservatives to get in the back of the bus.

[EagleUSA]

How about some good old fashioned CONSERVATISM?? and forget the "moderation". We need hard action and fighting leadership...no, I have not been drinking...

[Williams]

There is no reason to believe that any bedrock conservative principle is undermining support for republicans. Republicans won all the recent elections with a conservative agenda. You have a failure of republican leadership to some degree, but it is a failure to stand up for what the party is supposed to believe in.

Let's face it, liberal kooks like Hagel, Spector, Collins, etc., have made a horse's ass out of the republican senate. It is their liberal cop outs that have unnerved people.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

to-the-manor born, that is.

[TBP]

Headline should read Whitman Pushes GOP Liberalism, Support for RINOs.

[Torie]

She seems to vote GOP voters to vote for candidates with whom they don't agree on her pet issues, just to be civil. That seems, well, unrealistic. Frankly, she is very vague as to what she wants. She reminds me of those kvetching generals about Rumsfeld. I want specifics, damn it!

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Tasy said. "They can't win elections without the base of the party, and the base of the party is pro-life and conservative."

Probably all that needs to be said about the Cristine Todd Witlesses, Lincoln Chafees, and Christopher Shays who have been hitching a free ride on our backs for these last twenty years.

[xrp]

Thanks Christie -- for summing up what the Republican Party IS ALREADY DOING! They've drifted so far LEFT, there is NO room for conservatism in the Republican Party anymore, save a select group of Congressmen/women.

[ClaireSolt]

I read her book, and she seemed petulant to me.

[Mike Darancette]

It was Conservatism and a clear picture of what was to be done that propelled to GOP to victory in '94 not to downplay what a bunch a Liberal crap the RATS had to offer.

[Dilbert56]

What was so funny was her book coming out just as the Republican party held the White House and gained seats in both houses. She's like Jimmy Carter or the ACLU;
whatever they say to do,

do the opposite.

[claudiustg]

--- Frankly, she is very vague as to what she wants. ---

She wants liberal stuff: gay marriage, amnesty for illegals, abortion on demand for teenagers, time table for withdrawal military policy.

[sionnsar]

She calls for a "new civility." pandering cave-in.

[Pukin Dog]

The only thing that has ever made me nervous about our President, is his friendship with Whitman. She and the other RINOs are really feeling their oats right now, salivating over returning to the minority, where they will have more power as swing voters.

If Bush is rope-a-doping again, I think he's holding back this time a little bit too long. I hope the cards he is holding are aces.

[Lancey Howard]

I remember being so proud of Whitman when she knocked off Florio. I was working in Trenton at the time (actually, Mercer County) and I remember listening to John and Ken on the radio every day and following the whole "Hands Across New Jersey" demonstration to protest Florio's massive tax hikes. Those were great times for New Jersey, and you got the impression there was hope for the place (LOL, so much for that notion!).

Whitman's two terms as governor came and went, but it seems that all that happened was that New Jersey's infamous education mafia was able to tighten its grip on the state to the point where the place is now utterly hopeless. What a shame. Oh well....

It certainly comes as no surprise that Whitman has now turned out to be a disgrace to her former party and an enemy of the nation.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Try Lib HEAVY. One of the worst RINO Governors in history.

[sionnsar]

ACLU...whatever they say to do, do the opposite.

A good generalization, but even the ACLU gets it right from time to time. Let's apply a bit more thought than that to the issues...

[Torie]

But her organization seems more about GOP process, rather than substance. If it was about substance, she would be pushing the merits of her ideas, not complaining about not being loved enough vis a vis process.

[Pukin Dog]

A dead tree could have beaten Florio that year.

[Coleus]

Governor Christine Whitman (R-NJ)

In 1994 Whitman became an overnight national cause celebre when she carried her anti-tax message to an improbable, victory over liberal, pro-tax incumbent Jim Florio. She delivered the 30 percent income tax cut on schedule and without running up big deficits. The Whitman tax cut was an unmitigated success: the economy rebounded nicely and the tax cut critics were confounded when the budget remained balanced. It’s a wonderful success story; if only that was the end of the story!

Since the middle of her first term, Whitman has reversed fiscal course. After barely winning re-election, Whitman has supported a seemingly endless barrage of new taxes: a 40 cent a pack increase in cigarette taxes, a 67 percent increase in the gas tax (that even the Democrats in the legislature wouldn't support), a $3-a-day increase in the car rental fee, an increase in motor vehicle fees, and loads of new debt-financed spending. The budget has exploded under Whitman recently (in 1998 it rose by 8.3 percent) and she has irritated fiscal conservatives in the state for her support for new bond initiatives, her refusal to help push school choice for parents, and her lost interest in tax cutting in a state with a still highly uncompetitive tax system. Whitman started strong but has moved further to the left every year and appears to govern as a tax slayer only as a last resort.

Whitman, Heading for EPA, Leaves Fiscal Mess
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2000/12/25/222843.shtml

N.J. bypasses voters on rail funding
http://www.southjerseynews.com/lightrail/m042301b.htm

What A Bunch Of Phonies!
http://www.oceancountypolitics.com/inhouse/2004/07_10_04_State_Bonds_Hypocrisy.html

[Torie]

There are two wings to the party. Both need each other, even if it is a sometimes abusive enabling relationship. Having said that, Whitman does seem to be a rather air brained arrogant b-itch. She just doesn't know how to win friends and influence people. It can be done.

[CBart95]

Good Lord!

"From a converted hayloft of the barn on her family estate in Oldwick, Whitman works each day on what she believes will be the salvation of her party."

And any moment Martha Stewart will glide in and pronounce that it's a "Good Thing".

Saints Preserve Us!

This babe's going up against the likes of Hitlery Klintoon?

[Aussie Dasher]

Some people will NEVER learn...

[Lancey Howard]

It was actually a fairly close race. I contend to this day that what put Whitman over the top was the "runny egg" controversy. Some socialist in Florio's administration decided that runny eggs (eggs not fully cooked) could potentially cause food poisoning and they were outlawed by decree in all New Jersey eating establishments! Eggs over easy and Caesar salad were declared illegal!! (This is not a joke.)

Florio was slow to respond to this action by one of his own minions but he finally came out and said what everybody already knew - - the policy was ridiculous and unenforceable on its face. But this controversy erupted during the campaign season and the damage was done.

[Lancey Howard]

It was in 1993, not 1994, that Whitman knocked off Florio, and she won by only 26,000 votes.

[SuziQ]

This is the same thing she was saying before the elections of 2000 and 2004. She is of the Republican ilk that thinks all of the GOP's problems should be laid at the feet of the radical right wing Moral Majority Republicans. At least, that's what she's been reading in all the 'acceptable' publications. ;o)

[technomage]

Supposed moderation, or 'moving to the middle' is what has taken the Republican party to where it is at now: adrift, lost, cowardly.

Push the CONSERVATIVE agenda. Conservatism will win almost all the time.

The Congressional Republicans are more worried about getting face time on TV, getting invited to the most exclusive DC parties, then the true conservative agenda.

[EternalVigilance]

Whenever someone claims to be "a fiscal conservative, but..."...watch your wallet.

[Rodney King]

If she was a strong supporter of tax cuts and less government, I would be happy to excuse my disagreement with her on "social issues". The problem is that was have seen time and time again that "moderate" Republicans are really just democrats.

[kylaka]

Sorry Pukin Dog. The dead in NJ vote early and often, but they've never been known to vote for one of their own. That the race between Whitman and Florio was so close (25,000 votes), merely speaks to the sorry state of affairs in NJ. I've been much amused lately reading letters to the editor in the local papers from democrats who are just devistated that Corzine seems to have lied to them about raising taxes during the recent campaign for governor. Matter of fact, some seem outraged that Corzine would lie about such things.

I used to think people had short memories, but then it occurred to me that ten year olds didn't pay much attention to the Governor Florio years, way back when they were ten years old. Now they vote, and Corzine gets to recycle the same old shit yet again. They are just devistated that Corzine lied to them.

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

In the election against Jim Florio that year, Christie Todd Whitman had the support of the Howard Stern radio show. He inspired young people to vote for her whom would otherwise likely not visit the polls or even be interested in the election process. She named a bathroom on Route 295 in his honor to express her gratitude.

She is a RINO of the worst degree and was a horrible governor. She ruined the reputation of two decent and honorable NJ State Troopers named Hogan and Kenna with that outrageous "racial profiling" pandering PC nonsense. Christie, for the good of the Republican party, please shut your mouth and live quietly on your fancy estate.

~ Blue Jays ~

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The graveyards of political campaigns are littered with dead Republicans who veered to the Left because they wanted liberal media adoration.

"Moderate" is just a euphemism fabricated by the DNC/MSM to brainwash Republicans into thinking that they'll get more support if they move to the "middle."

[holyscroller]

"From a converted hayloft of the barn on her family estate in Oldwick, Whitman works each day on what she believes will be the salvation of her party."

The thing Christie's best at shoveling is what's on the barn floor, not in the loft. Do us a favor Christie, leave the party.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Unfortunately, where New Jersey GOP is concerned, Conservatives are to be neither seen nor heard (except, of course, they must support the Country-Club set or they are just those wingnut "purists"). Whitman had a remarkable opportunity, with an obscenely hugh (sic) GOP majority, to remake NJ for the better, and establish a long-lasting party majority. By the time she and her slimy little predecessor was done, the NJ GOP caucus (now smaller than it was after Watergate) can caucus in a restroom (phone booth would be a bit much right now, I give it about 3 more election cycles before that happens).

If nothing else, she helped give us one of the worst, most parasitic State Supreme Courts in the nation, filling it with her hacks and cronies who managed to pervert state law and give the thumbs-up to the Torricelli/Lousycorpse switcheroo. Hey, and who says Democrats have a lock on appointing bad courts ? Thanks, Chrissie, hun. You and your "party" can go take a long walk off a short Cape May pier.

[Blue Jays]

Hi EEE-

The worst thing a conservative candidate can do is switch horses in the middle of a river. It alienates the conservative base and the liberals won't vote for the "new" candidate anyway.

~ Blue Jays ~

[fieldmarshaldj]

Smile for the camera, Chrissie, while you pad down the "negroes."

[hosepipe]

[ Former Gov. Christie Whitman(R) believes the Republican Party is in deep trouble. ]

Can't we all just get along?...
Only if you're a RINO.. i.e. stealth democrat, traitor..

The Mass Importation of proto democrats across the Mexican Border(and other places) is suicidal to the republican party..

Christie must think all/most republicans are oblivious, sadly, many are..
You know like Christie.. But not all RINOs are oblivious some are democrat shills ON PURPOSE.. Mclaim, Spectre, Chafee, and a boatload of others..

Is Bush a malefactor like McLaim?....... probably..

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What the GOP needs to do is redefine conservatism as being "moderate" and "centrist" in itself.

Conservatism is a winning message which has been proven time and time again. Why some Republicans want to be liberal and yet remain members of the GOP is beyond me.

[kylaka]

You may be interested to know that those rest areas in 295 are now closed, and boarded up, courtesy of Governor McGreevey. I find that amusing on several levels. Payback is payback, pure and simple. Those rest areas were also well known meeting areas for local gays. So it seems McGreevey had to make some choices.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Why some Republicans want to be liberal and yet remain members of the GOP is beyond me."

Easy answer. Most are arrogant wealthy elites, they don't want to join the party with all those dark-colored people in it. I'll be the first time Chrissie ever touched a Black person was when she felt up the perp in my pic above.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Well said! I noticed that too.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Christie Whitman was, ism and always be, a lefty at heart, she personifies the word RINO.

[John Geyer]

I view myself no better then the cleaning ladies and the janitors, they just had different opportunities and career choices then myself. I doubt that the up-stuck country-clubbers think the same.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I guarantee you those cleaning ladies and janitors have a higher ethical and moral standard and far better values than the Chrissie Whitmans of the world. Another reason why the Whitman's hate "those" people.

I'm reminded of the old slogan from the '50s about Adlai Stevenson -- "Vote for Adlai, He's better than you are." Of course, he never sanctioned those buttons, but it's always what the RINO Country-Club set is thinking regarding their candidates and the electorate... we're better than you, and don't you forget it.

[lowbridge]

no, I have not been drinking...

Why not? Are you drunk or something? ;-)