I would like you to tell me who your favorite Republican Senators are. Can you name a republican who stood for the American people? Someone with the drive and conviction to get things done in Washington? Someone who did not obstruct a democrat presidents agenda? Someone like our sides beloved Ted Kennedy, who worked tirelessly for the people. Someone like Rep. Alan Grayson who doesn't cower, who also stands and loudly speaks for the American people.
Can you??
I promise to listen and not judge your reply. I promise to respect your opinion about Republican Senators...
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20 comments:
I've always respected John McCain.
McCain never fell prey to the reality-denial that has gripped the right in recent years. He accepts evolution and the reality of anthropogenic global warming. During his run for President in 2008 his ideas for dealing with global warming were, I thought, more imaginative and intelligent than most of what was being discussed on the left.
He is currently advancing a proposal (along with Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington) to re-instate the Glass-Steagall regulations on banking, which would correct part of the de-regulated laissez-faire free-for-all imposed by Republicans in the 1990s which led to the recent recession.
Back in August he was booed by a conservative crowd for asking them to respect Obama as President and insisting that Obama is "sincere in his beliefs" despite a difference in philosophies with conservatism.
Obviously I disagree with McCain about many things, but he's a rational person and a worthy representative of an opposing viewpoint. Morons like Limbaugh have called for him to be drummed out of the Republican party, and a far-right crackpot is now planning to run against him for his Senate seat. But he's actually the kind of person conservatism needs more of if it is ever to wrest itself out of the grip of the fundies and teabaggers and become a rational political faction again.
I think you have to go back a ways.. Maybe Bob Dole, or Jack Kemp.. Those would be my best guess.. and it would have been maybe Carter.. or even LBJ..
I heard that Infidel, the far-rightie planning to run against McCain. This is just the beginning of what the far-right extremists are wanting to do, I don't get it at all. Why do they want to destroy their party by replacing moderates with extremists? What-ever, bring it on!!
There are some qualities I can admire in McCain, but his personal life leaves alot to be desired, he's pretty much a pig.
Annette I like your choice of Jack Kemp, not so sure about Dole.
The fact that one has to go so far back in Republican party leadership history, makes Sues point.
I see no one in today's Republican leadership, that fits your question Sue.
In the past: Earl Warren, Nelson Rockefeller, Everitt Dirksen and Lowell Weiker (who lost to Lieberman).
Dole was so-so but a hell of a lot better than his wife. Mixed about Kemp - husband was kind of close to him, so that raises red flags. Neither particularly "outstanding."
On a scale of 1 to 10, Id give McCain about a four. This is why (from a comment I posted on LAOT):
I remember McCain being cited by his own colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his involvement in the Keating 5 debacle. He was chastised for using bad judgement.
He has a rep as a maverick but I've never felt that way. I've always thought he was more impulsive - a shoot from the hip kind of person and, frankly, a man of very poor judgement.
Yes, Letterman made a big deal out of McCain canceling his appearance because the economy had "cratered" and he had to fly to DC to fix it. Even some of his Republican colleagues commented - quietly - that he didn't do a thing but muddy the waters.
So, in a nutshell, I don't think there's even one these days.
Good question, Sue.
Sue ~ I reject the implication that because Republican senators are opposed to President Obama's agenda, that they are merely trying to "obstruct" a Democrat for the sake of obstructing. There are many good conservatives who are trying their best to stand for the American people by opposing the run-away borrowing, the socialization of health care, the apologizing for Americans overseas, the interference by a bloated government in the free market system (which is the best system in the world), and the obscene taxation that will be implemented once the "Obama Doctrine" is rushed through Congress. The Senators that I have problems with are those from the east coast who are basically liberals, but call themselves Republicans (Snow & Collins and then, of course, there was good old Arlin Specter, the one who finally admitted he was a liberal and changed his party...good riddance!!)
You assume that in order for a Republican to be doing what is best for Americans, he must fall in lock step with Barack Obama...I completely disagree with you.
Frodo would like to offer Senator Saxby Chambliss of Moultrie, Georgia, Aka Senatuh Simply Useless of Moldy, Jawjuh to anybody dumb enough to take him. He is the one who compared thrice-amputee Max Cleland to Osama bin Laden in a campaign commercial, and who noted that a "bad knee" kept him from serving his country. He has been there for every corrupt enterprise in Georgia, and has consistently voted against everything for every organization that failed to submit campaign contributions into his account. Lisa, he is all yours--you deserve him. Sue is right, these guys suck!
Facts are really funny things.. Let's look at Arlen Specter's History..
Specter started life as a Democrat and stayed that was until 1965, when he was in a tough battle for DA in Philadelphia. He then had to register as a Republican in order to defeat and win election against the Democratic candidate.
Now, due to the fact the Conservatives are running Toomey against him in the Primary and he figured he couldn't beat him as a Republican, he decided to go back to being a Democrat.. He still has some Conservative views.. such as crime, gun control and national security. But he also has some liberal leaning views on abortion rights, immigration and the environment.
So actually he is just going back to his roots.. not switching..
And nowhere did anyone say anything about a GOPer having to "fall in lock step with Barack Obama." you are just trying to make things up to throw a wrench in the conversation..
This is the problem with trying to have a conversation and a civil discussion with a conservative.. Some of them have to twist words and try to make things up out of whole cloth.
As for McCain.. I respectfully disagree with you Infidel.. he is a cheat and has always been.. he cheated his way through the Naval Academy, barely graduating, he cheated his way through flight school.. he cheated his way through the Viet Nam War.. and he has cheated his way through the Senate and only because of his name and his wife's money has he been able to stay out of prison and able to hold his head up.
He was behind the entire movement to start the "palling around with terrorist attacks" on then Sen. Obama and ran one of the nastiest campaigns on record for President.
Also remember he introduced us to the idiot that is the former governor of Alaska.. I refuse to use her name.. because I don't want to invite any further trouble here.. anyone who would put that on the ticket and a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.. deserves nothing but scorn in my book.
Tom, I agree with the present Senate being empty of republicans with empathy for America and her people. Thanks Leslie and thanks for your expert facts...
Linda I just wanted you to name a senator who stands for the people, someone who works tirelessly to help America in general, not specifically Obama. I want you to tell me who from your party can stand with Kennedy and Grayson. Also can you name a conservative who stood up AGAINST the Bush run-away train? Remember his presidency and how all his policies got us where we are today?
OMG, Frodo, Chambliss the shameless, what a dispicable human being! He's your least favorite, did you have a favorite you want to share with us??
Annette I agree, never did I nor anyone here say anything about Obama and locksteppin' anything!
I hear ya, that unnamed woman shall remain unnamed.....
Frodo: J Boehner got out of serving because of a bad back. Now he's an avid golfer. I used to be one of those and it can be hell on your back.
Annette: Couldn't agree more about McCain. He may have defended Obama in front of the cameras, big deal, but I can bet that he was egging on the VP candidate in private - sort of like the nice cop/tough cop routine. And she's so stupid she went along with it.
This is a woman whom even David Brooks has called stupid and of no substance. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a switch). This is an empty headed, inexperienced Barbie who was selected by McCain after only a one hour interview.
Annette: "anyone who would put that on the ticket and a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.. deserves nothing but scorn in my book." Not only did it show poor judgement, it demonstrated his penchant for making snap judgements and callous decisions for political gain pure and simple. It had nothing to do with being a maverick.
The guy is 72. Obviously he didn't give a rat's ass about what would happen to the country if he died and that bimbo became president. BTW, in that one hour interview, the Gov and Cindy went off by themselves to chat for about half the time.
If body language can say anything, during the campaign every time McCain tried to kiss his wife on the mouth she'd turn her head to the side (look at the videos). Interestingly Cindy refuses to live in DC and stays in AZ.
I look at that guy's eyes and I don't like what I see. I'm not talking about his cheek - just his eyes. He reminds me of a rodent.
So, Infidel - who I agree with most of the time - I guess you can see I don't like or respect the guy. Maybe that should have been a -4.
Linda: You assume that in order for a Republican to be doing what is best for Americans, he must fall in lock step with Barack Obama...
No, we don't assume that. I can speak only for myself, but I don't demand that conservatives agree with us about everything -- if they did, they'd be liberals, not conservatives at all. See my first comment about McCain. There is a difference between a rational person with an opposing political viewpoint and someone who spouts crackpot stuff like the Earth is 6,000 years old and AGW is a myth and Obama was born in Kenya. A healthy democracy needs an opposition -- we need two parties that a sane person could vote for.
People like McCain and Frum just have a political philosophy opposed to mine. Beck and Limbaugh and Palin are crackpots. There's a difference.
Annette & Leslie: I actually don't know much about McCain's personal life. I don't generally pay much attention to such things, unless it's about a politician who has been one of the holier-than-thou morality-preaching types -- in those cases, it's the hypocrisy I like to see being taken down when they get caught in an airport restroom or playing around in Argentina. So you may be right about that. As for choosing Palin, that was a political move aimed at winning over a Republican base which disliked him as too moderate. Yes, it was a bad idea. But I do think that on balance he's much better than most Republicans in high office these days.
Infidel: "I do think that on balance he's much better than most Republicans in high office these days."
I think "these days" is the key. But I've been watching him for a lot of years and he hasn't given me any reason to feel very comfortable with him. The "shoot from the hip" tendency bothers me a lot. But, I certainly respect your opinion and I always like to hear it because, unlike me, you are always so calm and well reasoned.
Can I just say, with some aprehension, even tho he's not a senator I would add Joe Scarborough to my list of reasonable conservatives whom I would be comfortable if he held a leadership position. Afterall, Hillary Clinton is his girlfriend, so he can't be that bad! LOL
Go easy on me...:-)))
Ron Paul.
Although he once was Libertarian he is currently Republican. I don't agree with his position on abolishing the Fed or going back to the gold standard but I'm totally on board with his foreign policy positions.
He's an honest man and not a lot of that in either party.
Sue, I won't even comment on the Joke of the Morning.. he who has never explained the dead waman in his office.. he of the many affairs and of the leaving of office due to a huge scandal about to break but blamed it on his child so he could skate off and not lose his cred... I won't comment. if you think he is so good.. he only calls Hillary his girl friend because he thinks it gives him credibility... that's it..
Annette I know all that plus Hillary as his girlfriend is a joke, but still, compared to the extreme right wingers, Joe does not come across as scary and a total wacko like Palin and her ilk.
Oso, anybody lisa likes I can't bring myself to like. Tha's all I gotta say about Ron Paul
Sue,
I didn't know Lisa liked him. I may have to reconsider.
Seriously, I think with Paul people tend to cherry pick what they like of his policy. I don't know why that is because most politicians are judged on the entirety of their position rather than piece parts.
DL Hughley interviewed Paul, asked him about his foreign policy if he was president. RP said he'd end the empire and bring all our troops home, our military would only be used to defend American interests.
RP said he'd cut off aid to Israel so they'd have to make peace with their neighbors instead of bombing them,adding that was the reason so many people hate us. Cause we drop bombs on them instead of trading with them.
Hughley jaw had dropped and he was almost speechles. He finally said "I can't believe you're a Republican. you make more sense than any politician I've ever heard".
Foreign policy. Domestic, he's an Austrian school guy which pretty much means go back to the 17th century. Which is probably the part Lisa likes cause he wants to do away with the IRS.
Oso you make a good argument on why we should like Ron Paul. I didn't see that interview but my jaw woulda dropped too! I really like what he says on foreign policy, Hmmmmmm....interesting!
Sue,
Here's a YouTube with DL and RP.Paul starts talking foreign policy around 6:40.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk5LUhAZxek
The Israel comment wasn't on this tube but I've heard RP say that before, we need to cut Israel off-as well as everybody else.And he's said many times people in other nations hate us cause we drop bombs on them.
IMO the reason a lot of teabaggers like RP are economic.He wants to do away with the income tax. I don't know the figures but I do know us working and poor people don't pay much income tax, payroll tax is what we are paying. So cutting income tax helps the wealthy more than us. Teabaggers-mostly working class/retired folks-don't understand that fact.
RP also wants to do away with the Fed and has also spoken approving about the gold standard I believe. Austrian school type stuff, no social safety net. Small govt.So this is the part which appeals to the teabaggers.
I guess I supported RP as a one issue thing-I see the war as so obscene that it eclipses all other issues. I picture people dying cause of our policy and it sickens me.
For some reason the teabaggers seem to gloss the "end the empire" stuff. I suspect because the people who give them their opinions, Beck et al, don't pass it on for whatever reasons.
Sorry to be so long winded.
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