Well, it seems like that anyway. A friend shared this link about how some on the far right basically want us moderates to leave the party now that they've taken over. Since we don't share their far right views, we might as well join the Dems. It already seems like some have decided to give up the fight. Listen to Jim Scarantino, head of the group Mainstream2004:
"There is no future for moderate and progressive Republicans in the Republican Party," said Jim Scarantino, president of the centrist GOP group Mainstream 2004. "The far right wing and the fanatics have seized control."
Mr. Scarantino isn't sure where his brand of Republican politics fits into the GOP.
With all due respect to Mr. Scarantino, I don't think that our future is a dead end unless we decide it to be. If we want to believe that the Religious Right has won, then by all means lets slink away and leave the party.
The sad thing is that Mainstream 2004, Scarantino's group, just recently launched and instead of working on getting the party back towards the center, basically endorsed John Kerry for President as if that alone would change things.
I have to believe that there is a future and I believe that because of the action I see in groups like Log Cabin and Republicans for Environmental Protection. They are interested in reforming the party and know that it takes a long time to do that. They are investing in the long view and not short-term fixes. I am reminded of a letter that was sent to Andrew Sullivan. It conlcudes:
"It took the conservatives 20 years to build a strong national base, and they did it one precinct at a time. From what I've seen this week, we liberals don’t have the stomach for it. When we hit a tough patch, we whine and walk away from the battle. I'm just disgusted by my fellow liberals."
I'm disgusted at my fellow moderates. It did take a long time for conservatives to get where they are in the party. Conservatives are at least patient. We moderates duck out the moment that things get rough. We don't have much stomach for the battle.
I'm going to be very frank: the Republican party was never hijacked by the Religious Right. They took it over fair and square, precinct by precinct. We moderates never really gave a damn for the party and never challenged them and then we whine about how right wing the party has become. Well, we never did a damn thing to stop them. And when it gets uncomfortable, we run like cowards instead of standing and fighting. If we believe that the GOP stands for values like equality and the environment, then why aren't we fighting for them? If we are so distressed that the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower has lost its way, why aren't we working to represent the values that they brought to this party?
Why can't moderates exhibit the same kind of devotion, show the same commitment to their values as the far right does to theirs? Why can't we have the balls to stand up for our beliefs?
If Mr. Scarantino and others want to leave the party then, fine. But know that you are only benefiting the far right which wants us to do that. In the end, that will not further the cause of justice, it will only be seen as trying to save our own skin.
If that's not cowardice, I don't know what is.
Posted by Dennis at November 15, 2004 10:55 PMNow that I get to thinking, why not be conservative. Market forces rule!
So what that the earth might be heating up. No coral reefs leading to no fish means more American beef sold. My utility bills go down in the winter. Flooded costal areas mean new construction spurring economic activity, and profit!
So what that we are accumulating hopeless national debt. That is problem for kids in grade school and interferes with my profit!
So what that our civil liberties are eroded. Anyone that does not agree with the republican party needs to be locked up as it interferes with my profits!
I henceforth dedicate myself to leave a burning, smoldering shell of a planet. I have no lineage. Why should I care? Screw tomorrow! More profit today!
I for one disagree with all of you. Why would you classify yourself as a republican then undermine every core value they were built to represent? Why not just join the democrats and whine in a corner about how everything is the Republican's fault and how they fought dirtily to get where they are? I am disgusted at who i share the ranks of a republican with, a title I used to proudly show, now not as much considering the cowards who have joined my party. What is so wrong with being religious; since when has believing in God and the ever virgin been a prosecutable crime? Many people have said on here that they switched parties to show they don't agree with the republican party, and by swtiching they are sending a messsage to the leadership. Well I think its good you have switched if you dont want to have any part in the Republican party. There is nothing extremely right wing about the republicans. If you have such a problem with us why dont you go party with the gay, welfare, and abortionist that populate the democrat party? I will end with this, the republican party has room for any wanting to join and support their values and views. Dennis, how can you support the church, and preach of love when you show hatred towards anyone slightly right wing, catholic, or prolife? This blog is purely semi-republicans, bush bashers, and religion haters.
Posted by: Lauren at January 18, 2006 02:18 PMI've switched parties and don't feel the slightest guilt about it. I refuse to support the far right with my time, money or by letting them boast of high membership numbers.
It may of taken 20 years for the far right to worm their way in, but now in charge I doubt they will ever give up. You can bet they will fight hard and dirty to hold onto the reins until the last moment. To these people the party is just a tool to promote a vision of faith.
When enough republicans get to the point of walking out the wack-jobs will be left not only out of power, but standing in a virtually empty parking lot.
If anything, we should be encouraging more people (moderates, democrats, independents) to join the party. Flood it with people who will counter the religious right and vote against its agenda. Overwhelmingly tilt the primaries towards guys like Specter and McCain and yes, even Schwarzenneger. Forget about sending messages and warnings and wake-up calls. The best way to win a war is silently, through stealth and superior tactics, not through a brazen frontal assault. Get moderates and independent thinkers elected in small races, medium races, and build up towards the big important races. Focus on results, not bold statements.
The religious right did exactly that for a long time. Now they're overplaying their hand and going for the frontal assault. They're crowing about sending a message and making statements. Time for us to adopt their tactics and focus on what's really important.
Posted by: Mark Kittel at November 17, 2004 01:05 PMIf we leave the party, then they win. We have two options. Either form a new party that will capture the moderate republicans and democrats or fight for our party. I prefer to fight for my party.
Posted by: Bob Faust at November 16, 2004 09:55 AMI'm still a Republican, Pedro and I louldy say that I don't approve of such hateful actions. The Religious Right doesn't give a damn if I leave the party. They want me to. I don't fit their views and they are more than happy to have me leave. The only message I send to the party is that I'm willing to give up and let them win, which is what they want. That's hardly a winning strategy.
Posted by: Dennis at November 16, 2004 12:14 AMDennis, you can't blame people for changing parties. I did. People feel that by remaining registered Republicans they are sending a message that they approve of the party. By switching, you send a message. You tell the leadership of the party that you want no part of them.
Posted by: Pedro A. Romanach at November 15, 2004 11:39 PM