RINOs Heading for Extinction?

By: Lowell
Published On: 3/21/2007 8:17:45 AM

Maybe not extinction, but RINOs, aka "moderate Republicans" like Russ Potts, John Chichester, and Charlie Hawkins, are certainly an endangered species these days.  And, as Eileen Levandoski notes at VB Dems, this is sad ("Boo hoo").  In response to the question, "Do we have Dems to replace them?", Eileen writes, "The answer is a resounding YES!!!" 

I hope you're right, Eileen, because the potential alternative is that right-wing Republicans take the seats of the retired moderate Republicans.  This would not only guarantee partisan warfare the next 2 years in Richmond, it would also harm our state by turning the Republican Party in a dangerous direction. 

In the meantime, let's do whatever we can to make sure that we pick up the seats we SHOULD pick up (or at least have a good chance at picking up) - Chap Petersen vs. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Janet Oleszek vs. Ken Kookinelli, George Barker or Greg Gallligan vs. Jay O'Brien, Ralph Northam vs. Nick Rerras, Albert Pollard vs. whoever the GOP nominates.  You can support many of these candidates with a click of a button right here.  Thanks, and Go Dems!

Comments



Good News for Democratic Party (PM - 3/21/2007 8:53:01 AM)
Having been a middle of the road Republican for many years, I think the remaining moderate Republicans will leave or have already left the party, as I did.  (Also, as I got older I became more empathetic, and now see that some of my market oriented approaches to problems work well in theory, but as one of my old econ teachers said -- "in the long run, we are dead.")

If the GOP continues to harass its remaining moderates, it will suffer greatly.  The key to national success is to capture the broad middle.  If the GOP runs Rudy in 2008, it may be able to stave off disaster.  If it goes with a Romney or Brownback -- I think you'll see a landslide -- and I just gotta say this -- of Biblical proportions.



I'm so glad you came over PM! (Dianne - 3/21/2007 10:37:55 AM)
From reading your posts, I would never have known that you always hadn't been Dem. 

And you've correctly identified what Democrats are about: empathy.  We're all here on earth together....let's make it easier for those less fortunate.



Well, thank you (PM - 3/21/2007 10:48:50 AM)
I was a Republican for about 10 years -- maybe 1978-88?  But I always was a social liberal.  I was once introduced at a party by the host as "and here's my only Republican friend . . .".

So I was in denial perhaps. 



Party Switchers (Susan P. - 3/21/2007 12:54:49 PM)
This is what my 77 year old mother-in-law, a lifelong Republican, said before she passed away 3 years ago: "I didn't leave the Republican party, the Republican party left me."  She was appalled by their vitriol, their reliance on lies and propaganda, and their departure from longheld "Republican" values.  My husband's 86 year old aunt, also a (former) lifelong Republican, has also switched parties.  She's a New Yorker, and does not appreciate their neglect and even animosity toward NYC after 9/11.  Many, many people are just looking for moderate candidates with common sense -- they will vote for the party that runs those candidates.


(Ghost of A.L. Philpott - 3/21/2007 9:33:11 AM)
Sadly, it may not be worth it to nominate any Dem to run in Charles Hawkins' district...


Newport News (Newport News Dem - 3/21/2007 11:29:08 AM)
Delegates Hamilton and Oder and Senator Williams all have the persona of being "moderates", or Republicans with whom you can do business.

They are "good" for Newport News and therefore have no challengers...at this time.



Clarify (Newport News Dem - 3/21/2007 11:31:14 AM)
The good for Newport News is the perception in the business and civic community, not a statement on my part!!!


In Chichester's district (CADeminVA - 3/21/2007 2:05:52 PM)
We could be heading for a Republican civil war. Russ Moulton (1st District GOP chair) wants a convention so John Van Hoy can be nominated without a fight. Other Republicans want a primary (see link), probably so Dan Chichester has a chance.

With Al Pollard in the race for the Democrats, a GOP range war can only be a good thing for us.

http://www.frederick...



Resounding YES in the 28th (elevandoski - 3/21/2007 6:13:03 PM)
Sorry, hate to correct you Lowell.  As good as that sounds that we Dems in all three, I actually wrote a resounding YES in just the 28th, unfortunately the answer is a dampening "probably not" when it comes to Potts. BUT!!! As James E. Martin reminds us, we have a great candidate in Steve Heretick whether or not Sen. Quayle is put out to pasture or is tolerated by his buddies and pals in the GOP for another year.  Here's Steve's ActBlue link... https://secure.actbl...