Will conservatives inherit the wind?
I understand conservatives wanting to primary Republicans in Congress who are RINOs who vote with the opposition, especially if said RINOs come from states where there is a decent possibility of a more conservative option being elected.
Maine’s Susan Collins, for example, would come under the first definition (a RINO extraordinaire), but not in the least under the second (a state where there’s the possibility of someone more conservative winning). Primary her and you’ve lost a sometime-Republican seat and ended up with a Democratic one that will help further the Democratic majority.
But Congressman Steve Stockman primarying someone like John Cornyn of Texas? Or Milton Wolfe against Pat Roberts of Kansas? They both seem to be counterproductive and destructive wastes of time, money, and effort. Like DrewM at Ace’s, I think the following are the circumstances under which primary challenges make sense:
So who should be the focus of targeted primary challenges?
For me it’s three basic things:
1. A lukewarm voting record
2. A record of vocal opposition to conservatives, especially when coupled with a history of “reaching across the aisle”.
3. A record of abandoning our side on key votes.
There’s a lot of understandable and justified anger at Republicans in Congress. But the danger is that it will work to the detriment of electing more conservative candidates and will end up—as it sometimes did in 2012—furthering the election of more liberals. In and of itself, anger doesn’t tend to enhance people’s judgment, although it can fuel their energy. Conservatives need to channel their anger in ways that don’t hurt their own cause.
[NOTE: The title of this post is taken from Proverbs 11:29, “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.”]
Hate to say this, Neo, but it has to be said: they don’t call us the “Stupid Party” for nothing. It is well earned. The lost Senate election in DE still haunts me.
I believe the more literal translation to that proverb is, “”He that doth not troubleth his own RINOS shall break the wind.””
Thank you. I’ll be here all week.
I will say that part of the problem with the entrenched politicians in DC is just that: they are entrenched. Putting the fear of the electorate into them every few years seems like a good idea. So that they’ll keep that employee/employer relationship straight. Far too many lifers in DC have that relationship completely backwards.
“[NOTE: The title of this post is taken from Proverbs 11:29, “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.”]”
And as a corollary, Hosea 8:7 . . .
“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:”
“Far too many lifers in DC have that relationship completely backwards.”
Indeed. The wavering, wishy-washy ones should be challenged in the primaries. It is a strong message to wake up and fly right or get the hell out of DC. Snow for example might find ‘true religion’ and cease enabling the agendas of people like Schumer, Durbin, and Reid.
I have sworn an oath that I will support whoever goes against John Cornyn in the primaries – or whomever looks likeliest to have a chance against him.
Very likely he will then return to Washington in the same office he has adorned for lo these many years, but I hope that it will be by a narrow margin and he will have the scare of his life in just scraping ahead.
Sgt. Mom,
Long may you keep allegiance to your oath. I too refuse to support RINOs. I will vote for 3rd party candidates and continue to reload before I vote for RINOs. That said, my concept of RINO may differ from your concept.
Sgt. Mom,
We put the fear of God into John McCain a few years back, and he assured us that “he got it.”
That lasted for about one year, and then he forgot all the promises he made.
Cornyn will be exactly the same.
After a certain amount of time, D.C. insiders either believe they can snooker the rubes back home or they get kicked out. There’s not much in between.
Voting for a “sure thing” like an incumbent doesn’t make sense if they never fight the left. In that case, these people are worse than useless, as they are occupying a spot for someone who WILL fight.
Primarying a RINO, at least a severe RINO, from the right, even if the seat is lost, can be a lesson. How bad is it if a RINO loses to a dem? What’s the objective difference?
Point is to make a point to the republican establishment to run somebody further right.
Like to see republicans in seats, but I am angrier with RINO sellouts than with dems who can be expected to do that stuff.
The problem starts with DC. Get rid of DC, and you get rid of the source of the corruption. Instead of trying to stomp on every RINO roach that comes out, get rid of the spawning center and that should make for more effective pest control.
Richard…
The issue is who organizes the Senate.
Even RINOs help — immensely towards getting Reid out of control.
NEVER forget that.
Gaining the majority — after the nuclear option — is HUGE.
QED
That’s why Collins has to be given a pass.
Likewise, Scott Brown was a fantastic improvement over Warren or Kennedy, even though he’s a certifiable RINO…
He spent almost his entire life as a registered Democrat.
His election caused the 0-care statue to become hopelessly twisted — as Reid and Pelosi could no longer scoot the measure through the Senate with 60 votes.
To smooth the waters as much as possible, the best plan is the status quo. It works so well after all. All you challengers–tea party or otherwise–roll over and go back to sleep. The McCains and Collinses have your back.
ErisGuy:
What’s your point? No one here is saying that. Whom are you satirizing, exactly? Why create a strawman?
1. Brand differentiation – it is necessary to proactively define what the Republican party is about. RINOs muddy that definition, and add static with internecine attacks. And speaking with one voice on major matters (size and role of government vs. the individual, Constitutional fidelity) is part of projecting a clear brand.
2. Losing these seats to the Dems has little net impact on the policies that get passed – but has an ENORMOUS impact on the GOP establishment, which loses a bunch of committee sinecures and a local powerbase with every old boy/girl who is out. The internecine battle is intrinsic to a 2-party process, and necessary right now to revive the party.
Ben David:
Losing those seats has an enormous impact on the policies that get passed. Are you kidding me?
Just because you’re not happy with Republicans doesn’t mean they would have passed Obamacare, for example.