Another RINO Takes the Exit
Written by Sam on November 21st, 2007The unexpected retirement of Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) marks the latest in an exodus of moderate Republicans that is pushing the caucus in a rightward direction and could potentially cripple the party’s chances of winning back seats in swing districts next year.Of the 17 Republican House members to announce their retirements this year — Ferguson joined the club on Monday — eight have built reputations on Capitol Hill as centrists willing to work with Democrats to get legislation passed. Political observers warn that those are exactly the type of candidates the GOP needs to regain its congressional majority.
First of all, good riddance to Ferguson, another RINO I am happy to see walk out the door. We need Republicans that will stand for limited government, lower taxes, and traditional American values, not squishes who blow which ever way the wind is.
I love how these political commentators in the media always cry doom and gloom for the Republican Party every time we lose a Democrat lite from our ranks. As far as I am concerned the party can only get better the more of them that leave. Sure, there are some instances where we need a more leftward leaning Republican in order to win a particular state or district. Maine is a good example of that, but we should never sacrifice the basic values of the party when we don’t have to, and most of the time, we don’t have to. I don’t see Ferguson’s seat an exception.
The writers of this piece, however, contradict themselves:
Davis said moderates were increasingly frustrated about their ability to make a difference in the current partisan age. “And they have to fight even harder to hold onto these seats,” he said.
In 2006, moderate House Republicans took the brunt of the Democratic congressional landslide. Former GOP Reps. Nancy Johnson (Conn.), Rob Simmons (Conn.), Gil Gutknecht (Minn.), and Charlie Bass (N.H.) all were ousted by Democratic challengers.
They tell us how vital the “moderates” are, yet show us how they got slaughtered in last year’s election. So which is it?
21
PM
I’m not sure if Gil Gutknecht is a RINO, he supported some limited government ideas, against amnesty… although he may be somewhat a critic of the Iraq mission.
Tim Walz is much much much worse.
22
AM
On Ferguson, you simply don’t know what you’re talking about. Not that I expected anything better than dressed-up demagoguery from this site anyway.