Posted on 09/23/2010 7:55:47 AM PDT by jessduntno
House Republicans on Wednesday night released their long-anticipated "Pledge to America" to mixed reviews from conservative commentators. Some pundits reacted favorably, calling the 21-page document an impressive step beyond the 1994 GOP "Contract with America." But others blasted the document as light on substance and short on promises to key conservative voting blocs, such as the Tea Party and social conservatives.
"Is the pledge as bold as the Contract?" write the editors of the National Review. "The answer is: The pledge is bolder. The Contract with America merely promised to hold votes on popular bills that had been bottled up during decades of Democratic control of the House. The pledge commits Republicans to working toward a broad conservative agenda that, if implemented, would make the federal government significantly smaller, Congress more accountable, and America more prosperous."
The conservative magazine goes on to call the Pledge's section on jobs "impressive" and hails the GOP for addressing social issues by promising to enact a law banning federal funding of abortion.
By contrast conservative blogger Erick Erickson of RedState.com says the Pledge pales in comparison to the Contract.
"These 21 pages tell you lots of things, some contradictory things, but mostly this: it is a serious of compromises and milquetoast rhetorical flourishes in search of unanimity among House Republicans because the House GOP does not have the fortitude to lead boldly in opposition to Barack Obama," Erickson writes. "Like a diet full of sugar, it will actually do nothing but keep making Washington fatter before we crash from the sugar high."
He contends that the pledge fixates on goals the GOP should already be working toward while ignoring meaningful, long term goals.
"There is a promise to 'immediately reduce spending' by cutting off stimulus funds. Wow. Exciting," he writes.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
It’s been forever since I’ve given a nickel to the RNC.
this is RINO poop with sprinkles.
Everything will always get mixed reviews from conservatives because there is never agreement among conservatives on any subject.
The Radcons are few in number but they oppose so many different things that they can always be counted on to disagree. If there is not Christ like purity of 100% with the individual’s thoughts, the question is rejected for lack of purity. There is only deep black, no black or gray and certainly nothing approaching white.
I agree with your intended result but this pledge is a bit fishy.
Consider how mccain magically discovered the border fence during his primary.
Pledge smacks of the “flag burning amendment” the dc insiders trot out every time they want to divide the base. (when the federal marriage amendment was up for a vote the iniders pushed to add on the useless flag burning amendment)
The conservative plan has worked.
1. eliminate RINOs in the primaries and then
2. eliminate the Democrats in the general election.
prepare the remaining rinos for elimination in the 2012 primaries.
“pledge” may have the correct content but you will forgive if we stay focuse the the non beltway plan.
Remember this “pledge” was the GOP lead by Mr. Steele master plan. They are a bit late to the party.
That’s true. Reagan wasn’t Reagan until AFTER both of his terms. None of them are. And the Contract was radical, but we’ve seen what happened to it.
the rinos eventually used it for toilet paper.
It is a step in the right direction, but it’s too long and wordy. Let’s face it for the people it needs to win over, and to not give too much away to the Democrats, it needs to be very clear and concise. There needs to be a one or two-page version, so that even the casual voter can figure it out. And it needs to have the in coming congress republicans in January sign the plan and be held accountable.
I also wonder if it would not have been better to come out with a “pledge” after the elections or when the next congress is sworn in. I wonder if the new congressmen elected in November won’t have new ideas in the direction to move so why not wait.
After The Tea Party backed candidates get into congress, everything changes.
can I use that line?
When I said there was trolling, I was referring to the messages in this specific topic, not to Free Republic in general. Surely no one would argue that this discussion is mostly full of trolls.
“Surely no one would argue that this discussion is mostly full of trolls.”
For instance?
“How about they simply keep the Pledge they make before God when they are sworn into office to uphold and defend that document?”
can I use that line?
Me too?
Sure. LOL...
It wasn’t all that well-written. You could probably come up with something a bit more pithy. :-)
The Pledge shows that the problems which the Republican Party had two years ago have been fixed. We have a real, conservative platform. We have real primaries in which RINOs are defeated. Republican politicians stopped extremist legislation like Dont Ask Dont Tell and DREAM amnesty by voting unanimously against it.
For the first time in years I feel I am a member of the Republican Party. Reagan conservatism has been reborn.
Newbie, you're quite the comedian.
It wasnt all that well-written. You could probably come up with something a bit more pithy. :-)”
Pithy? TWhat makes you think I would thay thomething pithy?
Once again, to quote EternalVigilance
How about they simply keep the Pledge they make before God when they are sworn into office to uphold and defend that document?
This is basically advocating Obamacare. If insurers can't say who they insure, then it's not insurance, it's welfare. If you're guaranteed insurance AFTER you get sick, it's not insurance.
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