May 19, 2004

Giving Moderate Republicans a Backbone

What is the defintion of a moderate Republican? Who are we, really? The Centrist Policy Network has a wonderful article on how moderates in Washington need to better define themselves against the far-right. One of the idea the article talks about is coming up with a Moderate GOP budget in the same way that the "Blue Dog" Conservative Democrats do. I think this makes great sense. What if the moderates and disgruntled conservatives meet at the beginning of every year and devise a phantom budget and then work towards that when the President issues his budget. Then moderates, would have a clear defined, document that tells people what they stand for.

I hope that the dwindling band of moderates in Washington are listening.

Posted by Dennis at May 19, 2004 12:52 AM
Comments

noo

Posted by: search gay at January 28, 2005 12:05 PM

Now here's another good look at just how the Bush campaign is operating.

http://www.progressive.org/mcwatch04/mc051904.html

We really aren't wanted, I guess.

Posted by: Mark Kittel at May 21, 2004 11:21 AM

Nicole,

That's a good point, plus Dean is better as a supporting player and not a main player at this stage. But, if (and when) Kerry wins, I'd expect to see Dean in a cabinet post.

Posted by: Mark Kittel at May 21, 2004 11:08 AM

I've heard Dean say that he thought it would be a bad idea for Kerry to pick him because they are both from New England. Kerry needs someone from another part of the country to help with the electoral college (Edwards for the South or Gephardt for the Midwest, etc).

Posted by: Nicole at May 21, 2004 10:24 AM

As a telecom policy wonk, I'm a huge fan of McCain's. I think he'd be an interesting VP choice for Kerry, but he won't break with party lines.

There's a draft Dean Web site up to try and get Dean consideration for the ticket. He's fiscally responsible, and doesn't have the 20 years of partisan votes to justify like Kerry and Gephardt would be forced to do. http://www.draftdeanforvp.org/

Dean's sharp-witted and an independent-thinker. I think he'd bring a lot to the presidential race.

Posted by: West Angelino at May 21, 2004 03:58 AM

They're dissing my boy McCain here. Hastert deflects criticisms leveled by McCain about fiscal responsibility during a period of much-needed defense spending by bringing up the wounded soldiers of our current wars. Considering that McCain himself was wounded in service to this country seems neglectful by Hastert and the other GOP leaders (most of whom never worried about getting blown up in foxholes), and who are overlooking the fact that McCain has made and is still making a valid point that we can't spend billions of dollars on defense and military needs and not expect our populace to equal such sacrifices here at home (meaning, yes dammit, taxes have to be raised! If you want to spin it, you can always call it 'patriotic war revenue' and guilt-trip the greedheads who don't pay their fair share!).

Posted by: Paul Wartenberg at May 20, 2004 03:22 PM

Have you read the article about Hastert taking a swing at John McCain? See: http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/19/mccain.hastert/index.html

I hope the moderate Republican will rally behind this and help the moderate Democrats get Bush and his cronies out of office.

Posted by: cynic at May 20, 2004 02:31 PM

The Centrist Policy Network is an interesting site Dennis, thanks for pointing it out.

I'm disappointed though in that they seem to be pushing the social security "reform" advanced by Graham, Kolbe and Stenholm.

While I agree that Kerry and Bush don't have good solutions, I'm not too thrilled with those either.

Posted by: dorsano at May 19, 2004 01:53 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?