Free Republic

WASHINGTON – It was a big election night for Republicans overall. But their lone disappointment – the loss of a New York congressional seat in a crossfire between moderates and conservatives – could portend struggles next year for GOP leaders. Channeling the Tea Party-inspired energy is a particular headache for Dallas Rep. Pete Sessions, whose costly effort to keep the New York seat was a casualty of the civil war. "There's a huge revolt going on in the country against the political establishment," said former Virginia congressman Tom Davis, who once held the challenging political job that Sessions now has...

Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk penned a memo to Republican poobah Fred Malek hoping to secure an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Senate candidacy, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Fix. After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on "Oprah", Kirk writes that "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?" Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something "quick and decisive" from Palin about the...

"The grass roots of the conservative movement just claimed a scalp before anyone even voted," said Republican strategist Mark McKinnon, a former senior adviser to President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). "The conservative movement is alive, well, kicking hindquarters and taking names. And if you don't measure up, look out."

In an unusual alliance fostered by their alma mater, the top aides to 2008 presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are joining forces to build a new political center at the University of Delaware. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe and McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt are working to develop the university's first Center for Political Communication, a coup for the Blue Hens, who also count Vice President Joe Biden among their alumni. ---SNIP--- The two have been instrumental in the development of the Center for Political Communication, which will combine several academic disciplines—political science, communication, visual communication, marketing, sociology,...

Kirk slams Bright Start, but not Giannoulias For weeks, Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias have tried to play over the heads of their opponents in the Feb. 2 primary election for the U.S. Senate, attacking each other rather than engaging the opponents within their own parties.But at a downtown Chicago news conference today, Kirk addressed a controversy involving Giannoulias’ stewardship as state treasurer of the Bright Start college savings program—and appeared to take Giannoulias’ side. [This is an excert from the original article. To see the article in its entirity, click the link the source page]

Meg Whitman, the 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate already on the defensive for her embarrassingly poor voting record, once endorsed and actively supported Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, one of the most proudly liberal politicians in California. Whitman not only endorsed Boxer and donated the maximum $4,000 to the junior California senator's 2004 re-election campaign, but the former eBay CEO also served on an exclusive committee of Technology Leaders for Boxer in her re-election battle against Republican California Secretary of State Bill Jones, according to election records obtained by The Chronicle. Whitman, in a 2003 Boxer campaign statement, spoke strongly on Boxer's...

(snip) But former Republican Rep. Tom Davis, who used to run the House Republican campaign operation, added a few more to the mix today in a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal. Asked who he viewed as 2012 contenders, the Virginia Republican replied: “I don’t think it’s anybody out there right now that’s running around, to be honest.” Palin, he said, is too divisive. “I think as a candidate she probably hurts,” he said, adding to a chorus of Republicans recently dispelling a presidential bid for the former Alaska governor. Romney is too spent. “In a sense he’s the...

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is taking the opposite route of most defeated presidential candidates: rather than quickly bow out of national politics, McCain is working to become a transformative force in the Republican Party, Politico reported Friday. Concerned about the GOP's direction, McCain has been recruiting and raising money for candidates who share his pragmatic center-right style. McCain has been a particularly generous advisor to Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who he encouraged to run for Senate and threw a $500,000 fundraiser to support.

Fresh from a humbling loss in last year’s presidential election, Sen. John McCain is working behind-the-scenes to reshape the Republican Party in his own center-right image. McCain is recruiting candidates, raising money for them and hitting the campaign trail on their behalf. He’s taken sides in competitive House, Senate and gubernatorial primaries and introduced his preferred candidates to his top donors. When the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy created a vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts, McCain went so far as to solicit former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling to run for the seat. It’s all part of an approach...

Sen John McCain has taken an active role in recruiting center-right candidates to run for office in 2010. From the Politico Fresh from a humbling loss in last year’s presidential election, Sen. John McCain is working behind-the-scenes to reshape the Republican Party in his own center-right image.

Democrats aren't the only ones worried about the 2010 midterms. Conservatives have been watching RINO's from on high and don't like what they have seen. Cross-hairs have been brought to bear.

NEWS | POLITICS Michael Steele Withdraws Support for Mark Kirk's Senate Bid Kirk's changing positions on a "cap and trade" environmental bill are inspiring angry boos from some fellow Republicans Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago First Published: Sep 24, 2009 1:48 PM CD By ANDREW GREINER Updated 3:54 PM CDT, Thu, Sep 24, 2009 Michael Steele has been responsible for some monumental gaffes since he took the reins of the Republican National Committee. Perhaps he’s trying to avoid another error by supporting a flip-flopper. The RNC Chairman has reportedly withdrawn his sole endorsement for Illinois Representative Mark Kirk...

(snip) Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, told Reuters that it was vital for Republican candidates in 2010 to "not just talk about our principles but hold true to them.""We're a party that doesn't believe in spending money we don't have. And Republicans that can show that they have been fiscally conservative will stand in stark contrast to the extraordinary deficits and forecasts of even greater deficits that are coming from the Democrats," said Romney, who ran for president last year and lost the party's nomination to John McCain. (snip)

It's time for the Illinois GOP to request that Mark Kirk bow out of the U.S. Senate race. U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's bid to obtain the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Roland Burris in 2010 has, to put it mildly, got off to a rocky start. The 10th District Republican has come under fire, not only from social conservatives, but from fiscal conservatives as well. Kirk's votes on abortion, gun rights and radical environmentalism is contrary to the state and national Republican Party Platforms. Kirk was never going to receive support from pro-family Republicans,...

In the movie “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington,” the Montana Governor has a difficult time trying to pick a US Senate to appoint. He tries flipping a coin to decide. The coin lands upon its side. Picking a Senate nominee may seem like that for Republicans. The last two election cycles have not been kind to the GOP. Not only did the party lose its clear majority, but it seems in danger of losing its ability to filibuster legislation. And the 2010 cycle may not be kind to the GOP, either, given the electoral map and the need to defend...

Anyone who follows BJG is probably aware that I detest RINOs more than just about anything else in the world. In many ways, I loathe RINOs even more than Democrats. Democrats are somewhat honest about their agenda – to turn our nation into a socialist third world cesspool. RINOs supposedly are on our side but usually end up stabbing us in the back and assisting Democrats in turning the United States into a socialist third world cesspool. The Stimulus passed because of Collins, Snowe and Specter. Cap and Trade made it through the House only because eight RINOs voted for...

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe has shown throughout her career that when it comes to voting, it's her principles and constituents that guide her, not her party. Sen. Olympia Snowe has received overwhelming support from her constituents in past elections. Those principles, analysts note, are guiding her to find a compromise on health care reform currently stalemated in Congress. Jennifer Duffy, who follows the Senate for the Cook Political Report, said Snowe's independent streak is "not new behavior for her." "I think they [Republicans] also realize that the only reason that the state of Maine has two Republican senators at all...

Sen. John McCain has endorsed Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk (R-10th) in his run for the U.S. Senate.

(snip) “The people of Illinois deserve a senator who will restore honest government, strengthen our national security, fight for veterans and bring fiscal discipline to Washington,” McCain, an Arizona senator, said in a statement. “Mark Kirk has my strongest endorsement.”(snip)

Below, release from Kirk.... McCain to Endorse Kirk at Veterans Gathering in Glenview McCain: "The people of Illinois deserve a Senator who will restore honest government, strengthen our national security, fight for veterans and bring fiscal discipline to Washington. Mark Kirk has my strongest endorsement." Who: Congressman Mark Kirk Senator John McCain When: 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 Where: Glenview Park Center, Lakeview A Room 2400 Chestnut Ave. Glenview, IL What: Senator John McCain will endorse Congressman Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate at a veterans gathering in Glenview on Sunday afternoon. Kirk, an early supporter of McCain's presidential bid during...

Posted: July 28, 2009 MARK KIRK • THE DEMOCRAT Mark Kirk voted NO on troop surge in Iraq. Mark Kirk voted NO on allowing school prayer. Mark Kirk voted YES on raising CAFE standards. Mark Kirk voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling and development in ANWR. Mark Kirk co-sponsored signing on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here was Mark Kirk back in 2008 weighing in on John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as running mate: "I would have picked someone different." And when asked whether he thought Palin could step into the job, Kirk said, "Quite frankly, I don't know." In 2009, Chicago...

He is one of the most liberal members of the United States House of Representatives. He is a staunch defender of abortion rights and he recently voted for the largest tax increase in American history--Cap and Trade. Who am I talking about? U.S. Representative Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois' 10th Congressional District. Earlier this month, Kirk threw his hat into the ring, seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Oh, and one more thing...Kirk will never win the seat currently held by Roland Burris who was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the office vacated by...

If the GOP was smart, they would go with someone like Governor Linda Lingle (R), of Hawaii to challenge Obama in 2012. She's one tough lady. She's really smart, very level-headed, pro-business, fiscally conservative, and yet she supports women's issues, and she's also a social moderate. George W. Bush LOVED her. Interestingly, she's also Jewish (from Missouri), and was married, although now she's divorced. She would please conservatives AND moderate Republicans, plus she's got the Jewish vote and I know she would appeal to minorities, since she totally understands and relates to minorities, having presided over one of the most...

In the wake of last week's landmark passage of the House climate bill, conservatives have focused their fury on the handful of Republicans who voted in favor of the sweeping legislation. The eight Republicans are Mark Kirk of Illinois; Mike Castle of Delaware; Mary Bono Mack of California; Dave Reichert of Washington; John McHugh of New York; and Frank LoBiondo, Leonard Lance and Chris Smith of New Jersey. Rush Limbaugh on his radio show yesterday accused the eight of voting for the bill sponsored by Democrats Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts because of Wall Street's influence...

The Republican Party certainly does require a "Big Tent" -- the kind of tent we sometimes see covering a house infested with termites. Unless conservatives can rid the GOP of Democrats hiding out in their midst, the Republican Party can never recover. Liberals are sapping the GOP's strength from within. It now seems that a looming divorce within the GOP has grown inevitable. Unless the Republican Party returns to its conservative principles, a number of conservatives will go on strike. They feel it is no longer acceptable for conservatives to do most of the hard work of winning elections, while...

For those writing Republican centrism’s obituary after Arlen Specter’s party switch, holster your quills. In fact, if the next few weeks go well for the GOP, it might pave the way for a whole new chapter in the left flank of the right-leaning party. The month of May will be huge, recruiting-wise, for Senate Republicans, with decisions expected from several big-name candidates, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, Rep. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and possibly Rep. Mike Castle (Del.). All would instantly be formidable — with Crist and Castle favored at the outset — and all are...

A group of prominent Republicans today announced the launch of the National Council for a New America, a group of “congressional leaders gathering the expertise of national leaders and doers” to “engage with and empower the American people.” Members of the group said they don’t view it as a “rebranding” effort, but any collective effort to re-engage the American people with the party will be viewed as such. “This is not a quote re-branding effort, this is an effort to include as many Americans as possible” to come up with “concrete solutions for our country and our future,” Arizona GOP...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican Main Street Partnership, the largest organization of elected centrists, recently spotlighted Maine Senator Olympia Snowe. "Snowe has long been a leader for centrist Republicans in Washington," said former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), President and CEO of Main Street. "Snowe's commitment to delivering results to her constituents, and her pragmatic approach to government, have made her one of the most effective members of the U.S. Senate, regardless of which party controls the Congress." "It is clear that Senator Snowe takes public service and the duty of governing seriously. Main Street is lucky to count Senator...

It's bad enough that American taxpayers have to bail out the privately owned, tax-exempt Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac. But it's truly outrageous that tax dollars will also go to groups involved in voter fraud and illegal immigration. The small print in the $42 billion bailout passed by Congress and signed by Bush requires those two government-sponsored mortgage giants to deposit 4.2 percent of all new mortgages they underwrite into the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Here's the catch. The Trust Fund - the largest expansion of federal housing assistance since LBJ's Great Society - is required to make grants...

You can find the full roll call vote on HR 1586, tax cheat Charlie Rangel’s ass-covering, after-the-fact AIG bonus tax here. I have broken out the 85 Republicans (led by GOP Minority Whip Eric Cantor) who voted with Rangel and the Democrat demagogues.

Republicans' 2008 election losses have spawned a spate of self-reflection. Was it just President Bush and the economy? Was it too much religion or ineffective candidates? Was opposition to immigration reform the death knell with minorities, or did Republicans fail to explain tried and true conservative principles? The theoretical argument rages among media elites and Beltway insiders, but the impact of Republicans' declining fortunes is more vivid--and the test of their ability to battle back more concrete--just a few miles south of Washington D.C. in the suburbs of Northern Virginia. Tom Davis spent 14 years on Fairfax County's board of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and John McCain (R-Arizona) today issued the following statement regarding the executive order put forth by President Obama calling for the closure of the prison at Guantanamo: “We support President Obama’s decision to close the prison at Guantanamo, reaffirm America’s adherence to the Geneva Conventions, and begin a process that will, we hope, lead to the resolution of all cases of Guantanamo detainees,” said Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator John McCain. “The executive orders issued today constitute an important step in the right direction but leave several major issues unaddressed.” “Numerous...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain is imploring his Republican colleagues to drop partisan demands and let the popular president get to work. The Arizona Republican made his first comments on the Senate floor since his rival, President Barack Obama, was sworn into office. He said the nation has come together in a way that it has not for some time. McCain was speaking in defense of Hillary Rodham Clinton's appointment as the next secretary of State. Senate leaders had planned to confirm her by unanimous consent on Tuesday, but Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn objected because of concerns raised...

Time for a revolt? Yes, it is. It is actually long past due for one, and now is the time to start. "The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." Thomas Jefferson All over the country Republicans have been losing elections, from here in New York to the National elections. Why? Simple, they have lost their way and have strayed so far from their base no one wants to support them or vote...

In the movie "Friday," Smokey (played by Chris Tucker) and Craig (played by rapper Ice Cube) are routinely harassed by Debo (played by Tommy Lister, Jr.) Debo takes their jewelry and their money throughout the movie, before Craig finally stands up to him and kicks his behind. There are parallels to the movie and to today's Republican Party, but unfortunately there won't be a heroic ending, just a never-ending loop of bumbling Republicans bending over and doing whatever the Dems want, sort of like a Laurel and Hardy short. Here we have in Minnesota, Norm Coleman is getting the rug...

Congress has so few moderate Republicans that at least in the Senate they could squeeze into a Volkswagen Beetle. Their ranks have dwindled in recent elections. Those who remain in politics have been marginalized by their own party, which has inexorably veered to the right over the last generation. But this beleaguered minority has an opportunity to wield outsized influence on what President-elect Barack Obama can accomplish in Congress.

CNN reporting that Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood is going to be named the Transportation Secretary by President-Elect Obama.

Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) is in discussions with the Obama administration to take a Cabinet-level post — most likely secretary of the Department of Transportation, according to knowledgeable GOP sources. When reached on his cell phone, LaHood said only that Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s incoming chief of staff, had contacted him last night. He would not discuss the details of the conversation. “It’s probably not a good idea to discuss this at this moment,” LaHood said. But one GOP source said that LaHood was engaged in talks with Emanuel about the Transportation secretary position, and the Obama transition...

United States Representative Jim Gerlach tells 69 News he is considering a run for governor of Pennsylvania. Gerlach says he's been approached by members of the Republican Party about entering the race. He says he'll make up his mind about whether to run in the upcoming weeks. The next election for governor is in 2010. Gerlach was recently elected to a fourth term in Congress, representing parts of Berks, Chester, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties. Gerlach has also served in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Attorney General Tom Corbett and former U.S. attorney in Philadelphia Patrick Meehan have also been mentioned...

Whitman and the other GOP leaders who have made post-election stabs at social and religious conservatives had better start minding their manners. Whatever happened to the "Big Tent"? The Republican Party may find itself hemorrhaging its most zealous constituency....

To my Conservative Friends: In selecting his cabinet and staff, I have constantly hear the pundits say "President-elect Obama is going to the middle and will govern as a centrist or a moderate"... Yuck!!! I'd rather he be a unabashed liberal... This moderate stuff really ticks me off.... What is a "moderate" or an "independent"???? It sounds good right?? You can tell people that you are "open to all sides of the argument" and you "aren't tied to any ideology or person". You "look at the issue or candidate and decide on a case by case basis of what or...

I have Been seeing so much Post Mortem on the Decline of the Republican Party. Our POST ELECTION First Task was to Identify the ROOT PROBLEM...we agree that it was the RINO Philosophy. Next Since we will have to go out and replace these RINOS with people of true Conservative Principles . Now It is time to identify those RINO's who are Elected to Office be it Federal, State, County and City elected Officials. Appointed, Judicial, The RINO's in Media,Radio Talkers TV, Cable, Print, and Blogs... We need to Identify the RINO talking heads who POP up everywhere when a...

One of the big winners last week wasn't on any ballot: George Soros. He has some very well-placed friends in the forthcoming power structure in America. The Capital Research Center highlights a 2004 letter on Rep. Barney Frank's website offering support for Soros in the face of "McCarthyite attacks that have been made on you by some American politicians, including colleagues of ours, who have gone far beyond the reasonable bounds of civil discourse in their efforts to discredit you." The signatories include some very prominent names these days: Representatives Frank, Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut), James McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Howard Berman (D-California),...

Now what? The Republican Party -- nationally and in Pennsylvania -- lies in tatters. Having lost the White House to Barack Obama, suffered historic losses in congressional elections, been almost shut out in statewide races and experienced further erosion in the state House, there is no doubt the GOP has hit rock bottom. It is, most significantly, a loss for so-called moderate Republicanism. Party moderates have opined time and again that a more middle-of-the-road presidential candidate could win Pennsylvania. McCain was touted as that candidate. It was a double-digit trouncing.

I know this view is not popular here, but we need to have an honest discussion after what happened last night. There has been many calls to throw 'RINOs' out of the party. Yesterday's results, however, show that we cannot do that. Like it or not, conservatism is a word with many meanings: social, economic, libertarian, 'patriotic' conservatism, etc. Recently, it's obvious that whatever coalition that Reagan put together has fallen apart. Dubya, ran as a conservative,managed to bring all factions together, but as a president, he gave privilege to one or two factions, and left the others cold. Sarah...

Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, locked in an increasingly tight and bitter election contest with Democrat Al Franken, said Friday that his campaign would halt negative advertising in a race recently dominated by it. Coleman, a Republican, said the unstable economy demands that the race focus on issues. He said he would also ask independent groups advertising on his behalf to pull negative ads, although by law they are not required to do so. "I decided I was not all that interested in returning to Washington for another six years based on the judgment of voters that I was not as...

With the deluge of threads being posted, and slated to increase greatly as the election heats up, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE .. especially if it's a news/breaking thread ... add the appropriate keywords to your posting form. So, if someone's looking for the latest string of "Obama" or "Sarah Palin" articles, let's say, they just click on that particular keyword at the top of the page, and those articles containing the keyword will come up chronologically. Thank you! Popular keyword options at the top of the main page: ~~~~ *110th *2008 *2008polls *ayers *bailout *barackobama *biden *bo *democrat *democrats *demron *economy...

Wayne Gilchrest, the nine-term Republican congressman who represents Maryland's Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel County, has had it, and he's ready to talk. He's had it with his own party, which he says "has become more narrow, more self-serving, more centered around 'I want, I want, I want.' " He's finished with his party's presidential candidate, John McCain, who Gilchrest says "recites memorized pieces of information in a narrow way, whereas Barack Obama is constantly evaluating information, using his judgment. One guy just recites what's in front of him, and the other has initiative and reason and prudence...

***EXPRESS YOUR ANGER*** FREEP These 65 Republican Congressmen These Republicans need to hear from you and the best way to do it ... is by phone. "The House of Representatives is currently experiencing an extraordinarily high amount of email traffic. The Write Your Representative function is therefore intermittently available. While we realize communicating to your Members of Congress is critical, we suggest attempting to do so at a later time, when demand is not so high. System engineers are working to resolve this issue and we appreciate your patience." Most of their e-mails are backed up since the start...