Senator John McCain (AZ) is launching a new initiative called the National Council for a New America to help rebuild the Republican Party. Unfortunately the tentative list of participants does not include any moderates or women.
Former Republican Senator and Independent gubernatorial candidate Lincoln Chafee said that he "got a little ahead of himself" and had not intended to make an announcement for his candidacy this week.
Some Senate Democrats are angry that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) has let Senator Arlen Specter (PA) keep his seniority after he switched parties this week.
In last nights prime time address President Obama warned about the growing crisis in Pakistan, reflected on his first 100 days in office and reminded Americans to wash their hands to stop the spread of swine flu.
Republican Majority for Choice Issues Statement on Specter Switch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 703-739-8905 April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC (April 28, 2009) - Today the Republican Majority for Choice's co-Chairs, Susan Bevan and Candy Straight, and Executive Director Kellie Ferguson issued the following statement on Senator Arlen Specter's announcement to switch parties:
"Senator Specter's decision to switch from the GOP to the Democratic Party after decades as a Republican leader in Congress delivers another blow to a hemorrhaging Republican Party that continues its march away from the mainstream.
Specter is joining the more than 240,000 former Pennsylvania Republican voters who are a microcosm of voters nationally who switched last year to the Democratic Party.The vast majority of these voters were pro-choice, fiscal conservatives who believed that the Party had become too monolithic and extreme in their agenda.
If anyone in the GOP is celebrating this day, they are completely misguided.If the Party continues to be so inhospitable to anyone who does not adhere completely to their strict dogma, then they better get used to being in the minority. Without mainstream candidates the GOP will have no ability to compete in huge pockets of the country.
This is a sad day for the GOP and we cannot waste one more minute debating 'what's next'.It's clear that we will either create an agenda that attracts voters or we will sink even further into the political abyss.The GOP can - and we believe will - regain its political power once it begins to listen to the Real Republican majority that is concerned about smaller government,fiscal responsibility, our national defense and not the social agenda that has hindered our strength as a Party."
Senator Arlen Specter of PA will be running in the 2010 Pennsylvania Democratic Primary. Specter was one of the senior Republican Senators. Please look on the RMC and RRM websites for our statements as this story develops.
President Barack Obama has not yet achieved the big campaign promises he'll be judged on years from now, on health care, war, the economy and so much more. It's early, it's a colossal load and Rome wasn't built in 100 days.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta said yesterday he is focusing his eyes on a run for federal office in 2010. Guinta, a Republican, said yesterday that he'll announce exactly which office he'd like within a few weeks, but he ruled out a run for governor.
A top senator says Barack Obama's Democratic allies in Congress have sealed agreement on a budget outline for next year that endorses the president's goals of expanded health care and more money for education and clean energy.
It was only five years ago that opposition to gay marriage was so strong that Republicans explicitly turned to the issue as a way to energize conservative voters. Yet today, as the party contemplates the task of rebuilding itself, some Republicans say social issues may be turning into more of a hindrance than a help.
Republican Jim Tedisco has conceded in the NY-20 election seat as the odds became further and further stacked against him. The seat was closely watched, and the election first had a close margin of less than a handful of votes between Murphy and Tedisco. However, as the absentee ballot counting placed Murphy hundreds of votes ahead and it became clear that Tedisco would be hard-pressed to win, he gracefully bowed out.
The implications for NY-20 only last until 2010, when the next election will be underway and Republicans will make a play for the seat. However, the race was seen not only as a referendum on Obama’s policies, but also for the Republicans’ ability to recover from the steep losses of the last two election cycles of 2010. Part of Tedisco’s loss involved an inability to get the vote out in the same manner that Murphy was, even though large sums of money was poured into the race by both sides. Tedisco was also unable to convince voters that they could trust the GOP despite concerns over policies of the past Administration. The GOP leadership should head this loss as a warning that our Party must broaden our reach and bring in coalitions of voters including those more moderate views on social issues.
In an exclusive interview Friday with NY1, embattled Democrat Governor David Paterson vowed to run for governor next year and scoffed at the idea of a Republican or a Democrat beating him.
Rick Perry's media mongering has raised his campaign funds for his race against Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, but his extreme positions will likely cost him in votes.
A finish line could be in sight in the race for the 20th Congressional District. With the numbers not looking good for Republican Jim Tedisco, sources tell Capital News 9 that Tedisco could concede to Democrat Scott Murphy as soon as Friday afternoon.
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) said Thursday that he's leaning more toward running for Senate rather than another term in the House, if he decides to run for Congress again in 2010.
While serving as U.S. attorney for New Jersey , Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie authorized the tracking of people through their cell phones without first obtaining a warrant, the American Civil Liberties Union said yesterday.
Senator John Cornyn, the head of the NRSC, is out with a new interview with The Hill where he talks about his worries about not losing any more seats in the 2010 Senate Elections. Interestingly enough, a seat that seems worrisome to Cornyn is the Pennsylvania Senate seat- the same seat that real Republican is fighting off extremist Pat Toomey for in an already bitter primary. Cornyn recently sent a letter to Pennsylvania GOPers saying that he needed Specter to win in 2010, and Cornyn seems to fully realize that a Toomey victory would spell disaster for the PA GOP and the NRSC.
However, Cornyn did speak about the fresher faces challenging embattled Democrats, many of which includes more moderate Republicans like former Rep Rob Simmons, who is challenging Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). This might be a sign that the NRSC understands that moderate Republicans must be welcomed into the Party and whole-heartedly supported if they are going to not dip any further below the number of seats they hold now- and even win a few more. Finally, after two cycles of brutal losses, the Party seems to be getting it. We can only hope that extreme fundamentalists are able to see the same and pay attention to the signs of life emerging from the moderate base.
Sen. John McCain blasted President Barack Obama's global-warming plan Tuesday, saying it would hurt an already battered economy by raising energy costs for consumers and costing U.S. companies billions.
After weeks of delay by a handful of Republican opponents, the Senate voted handily on Tuesday to confirm Christopher R. Hill's nomination to be ambassador to Iraq .
The widely covered news that Republicans who were heavily involved in the 2008 elections are openly embracing our call for the GOP had to abandon the rigid social extremism gives us hope that a return to the REAL Republican agenda could actually happen. Meghan McCain, though not a seasoned politician, does speak for a growing population. She recently took on Ann Coulter in her column withThe Daily Beast, and joined Steve Schmidt, McCain 2008 campaign manager, at a gathering of the Log Cabin Republicans last week. Both McCain and Schmidt spoke out about the social extremism that grips our Party and how it is killing the GOP.
Schmidt cited the Party’s losses outside the deep Southand its inability to attract younger voters is calling for the Party to drop the extremists’ favorite issue of banning gay marriage. McCain spoke personally as a young Republican and her generation’s viewpoint of the GOP. She spoke about how her love of fashion, punk rock, and tattoos makes her stand out as a Republican- along with her viewpoints on gay marriage, which she supports. McCain said the “Old Guard” of social extremists in the GOP are scared of the future. McCain’s widely covered and passionate speech is being repeated as the voice of young Republicans everywhere, who tend to be more moderate:
“What I am talking about tonight is what it means to be a new, progressive Republican. Now, some will say I can't do that. If you aren't this and that, then you're clearly a "Republican in Name Only" -- also affectionately known as a RINO. Suggesting the notion that one can be faithful to the original core values of the GOP while open to the realities of our changing world has really hit a chord with people. And it seems to be the next, natural stage of the journey I've been traveling.
It would be easy to say my generation views politics very differently from others. Maybe we're more progressive, socially liberal, or just hate arguing in lieu of actually solving the problems at hand. But what I've learned through my experiences is that these feelings are not contained to one age group. They're the growing beliefs and desires of people of all ages, races, genders, faiths, persuasions, and political parties.
So tonight, I am proud to join you in challenging the mold and the notions of what being a Republican means. I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people's lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.
If there is one thing that gives me hope about the future of our party and the role you and the Log Cabin Republicans can play in it, it is this: There's never been a better time to speak out. People are listening. And they're more open-minded than ever before. Maybe it's because they're worried about the future. Maybe it's because they're so disenchanted with the past. It's probably a little of both.
But know this -- the moment to make a difference is now, and I am proud to share it with you.America's best days are ahead of us. And we will show our nation that we will get there together.”
While many social extremists are- as expected- condemning McCain and Schmidt for speaking out, many others are applauding their honesty. True conservatives who are fiscally responsible and socially inclusive are celebrating their statements. It’s obvious that the fight for the Party’s core is under way, and the GOP should be listening not to the social extremists who have proved that they lose with large pockets of voters; including women and younger voters. They should be working with real Republicans who champion limited government intrusion in the personal lives of Americans.
The White House rolled out its revamped office for faith-based and local charities for 60 leaders in the field last week, stressing that the office will offer a conduit to the administration but not to federal funding.
Ignoring opponents' demands that he concede, Norm Coleman told the Minnesota Supreme Court Monday that a lower court got it all wrong when it ruled that Al Franken won the 2008 U.S. Senate election.
In the first major disclosure of corruption in the $750-billion financial bailout program, federal investigators said Monday they have opened 20 criminal probes into possible securities fraud, tax violations, insider trading and other crimes.
Rudy Giuliani went on the attack against Gov. Paterson and his fellow Democratic leaders Monday night, saying they should be "ashamed" about New York 's failing economy.
It's a bit early to be predicting winners and losers for the 2010 elections. But with lots of polls already out and fundraising figures being monitored daily, we thought it would be a good time to post our inaugural list of the top five Senate seats that are most vulnerable to switching parties in 2010.
With all the ballots counted (except for those that have been laid aside because of objections), Scott Murphy (D) finished with a 273-vote lead of Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R). They will now go to court to decide if any rejected ballots will be counted.
Florida Republican Party Jim Greer chairman confirmed to the blog "The Buzz" that he's thinking of running against Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-NewSmyrnaBeach, in 2010.
Rep. Dean Heller ducked questions about possible bids for U.S. senator or governor in 2010, telling reporters on Friday a re-election bid is his "plan today."
The Saratoga County Board of Elections finished counting ballots Wednesday, but absentee voters in the county a stronghold for Jim Tedisco did not give the Republican enough of a boost to lift him above Democrat Scott Murphy in the entire 10-county district.
30 years ago, Republicans made a deal with the devil when they got in bed with the religious right. Social conservatives, with their immoral and reckless war on drugs, draconian policies on women's reproductive health, and anti-intellectual, anti-science positions, have dragged the Republican Party into the mud of despair and confusion.
In a report for federal campaign officials, Sen. David Vitter says he has more than $2.5 million in his campaign war chest. Vitter, a Republican, is up for re-election next year and has so far drawn no announced opposition -- either in the Republican primary or the general election.
Pat Toomey, the former head of the extremist Club for Growth, announced this morning on his new campaign Web site that he would again challenge incumbent Arlen Specter for the Republican nomination. Mr. Specter fought off a challenge from Mr. Toomey, a former congressman, in 2004.
His approval ratings may be sky high, but if Charlie Crist runs for the U.S. Senate, he still could face a serious primary challenge from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
State election law officials are questioning the campaign of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Lonegan for stuffing dollar bills in mailings to grab the attention of donors, the candidate said yesterday.
New news has come out ofMinnesotalate last night on theMinnesotacourt decision that would help decide who will be seated as MN Senator. The court decided to throw out former Senator Norm Coleman (R)’s argument against the recount results that gave Democrat Al Franken the lead. The judges declared that the elections were held fairly and accurately, and that Franken had indeed won the election. Coleman‘s attorney has said they are filing the appeal, and he has ten days to do so before the state could seat Al Franken as Senator.
Republican Sharron Angle, a former assemblywoman from Reno, is exploring the prospect of running against U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010.
Republican Rob Portman, a former congressman from Cincinnati, told The Dispatch on Friday that he has collected more than $1.7 million since his first fundraising event just five weeks ago.
In a move almost certain to fuel fresh speculation about his national ambitions, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Friday that he has agreed to write a book for a conservative publishing house about his life and policy ideas.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta told the New Hampshire Sunday News that he will announce by the end of the month which office he will seek. He says he's been asked to run for governor, Congress and the Senate.
State Senate President Peter Groff is poised to resign his legislative seat and take a job with President Barack Obama's administration, according to multiple sources.
California is moving quickly to pump $415 million in federal stimulus money into upgrading job training and placement services at employment centers around the state, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan was irate when he accused the Justice Department of "hiding the ball" after its lawyers did not produce a document that undercut a key witness in the case of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (R).
A coalition of liberal groups are waging a broad national campaign to build pressure on conservative Democrats and centrist Republicans who may not support President Obama’s vision for healthcare reform.
Former Republican New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Bob Smith is back at it. After mulling his future for a few months, he's announced he is a candidate for the Florida Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez.
President Barack Obama plans to request new funding from Congress for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he risks a backlash from antiwar lawmakers.
The special election to replace former Congressman and now Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in Illinois’s 5th District has wrapped up with Democrat Mike Quigley winning over 70% of the vote. The 5th District race had been hotly contested in the Democratic Primary, and as the Blageojevich scandal broke, many wondered if the GOP would be able to make inroads into heavily Democratic districts due to the scandal. However, it appears that no such inroads were made in this election. The remaining votes are split between Republican Rosanna Pulido and Green Party nominee Matt Reichel.This is a Democrat-safe district, and it has not been nearly as competitive as the New York 20th race to replace now Senator Kristen Gillibrand. That race is waiting on military absentee ballots and is still neck to neck.
Gov. Sarah Palin plans to raise money for the re-election campaign of Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and hopes to end speculation she might challenge Murkowski in the primary for the U.S. Senate next year.
Republican Norm Coleman’s dwindling chances of reclaiming his U.S. Senate seat largely depend on a broad reading of the Supreme Court’s Bush v. Gore decision, a ruling the court itself said should be applied sparingly.
Outgoing agriculture commissioner Charles Bronson confirms to bloggers that he's seriously looking at running for governor if Charlie Crist runs for Senate.
A congressional ethics board has launched a preliminary inquiry into U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), related to President Obama's vacant Senate seat and the corruption investigation of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Gov. Charlie Crist stoked the coals of speculation Friday night at the black caucus dinner when he shook a few hands and said something not-so-cryptic to Democratic leader and Congressional candidate Al Lawson of Tallahassee.
Virginia Republicans took the extraordinary step of dumping extremist Chairman Jeff Frederick on Saturday, hoping to put an end to a tumultuous, 10-month period marked by missteps, controversy and defeat at the polls.
Officially, Rudy Giuliani says he won't decide until the fall whether to run for governor next year. Unofficially, his schedule reveals a man who's keeping his options open - very open.
Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman is no longer denying the FBI has contacted him in its inquiry into allegations that a longtime friend and benefactor tried to funnel $100,000 his way via his wife's employer.
A familiar figure in New York politics who has evaded the spotlight for almost a decade surfaced in Buffalo on Saturday as he explores a possible Republican campaign for governor.
As voting machines are re-canvassed, Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco has picked up 37 votes, evaporating Democrat Scott Murphy's lead in the race to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in Congress, according to county election.
Conservatives on the 168-member Republican National Committee are pressing a reluctant RNC Chairman Michael S. Steele to call a party meeting that would focus criticism on President Obama's stimulus package and its backers -- including three Republican senators who voted for it.
Gov. Sarah Palin and the head of the Alaska Republican Party said Thursday that Sen. Mark Begich should give his Senate seat up to a special election now that prosecutors have abandoned their case against Ted Stevens.
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet raised $1.37 million in the first three months of 2009, a record for a Colorado Senate candidate in an off-year before an election.
There's a great opportunity to tell the Republican National Committee what you think -- We need all mainstream Republicans to respond ASAP!
Real Republicans from across the country have received a new survey from the Republican National Committee. The RNC is requesting opinions about the national agenda and future GOP priorities. Not surprisingly, a focus on 'morality' issues and a 'pro-life' agenda are included heavily in this survey.
As mainstream Republicans, we support an inclusive GOP that does NOT focus on divisive issues. We want the Party to get back to business and back to our core principles as the champion of personal freedom and limited government intrusion.
The RNC needs to hear from REAL Republicans like you about the harm their divisive social tactics and the exclusionary Platform has done to the GOP.This is the time to make your voice heard - let's get the message through to Chairman Michael Steele and the rest of the RNC.Clickhereto fill out the survey.
Please read the responses below and feel free to use them or customize them for your response to the survey.
For question 3:
"What are the weaknesses of the Republican Party?"
Possible "other" answers
Emphasis on divisive social wedge issues
Pandering to the social extreme of the Party
Exclusionary tactics that drive away moderates
For question 6:
"What can the Republican Party do to earn and maintain your trust?"
Possible answers
The tactic of using divisive and private wedge social issues such as abortion is driving away voters. Women and moderate Republicans are not drawn to this incendiary and exclusionary tactic, and I feel that it violates the tenets of the GOP.
Be more inclusive and welcoming to socially moderate, fiscal conservatives. 240,000 voters switched from the GOP to the Democratize Party just last year in the very key swing state of Pennsylvania. The vast majority of them said they were pro-choice and thought the Party was too controlled by the religious right. We have to stop pandering.
Concentrate on small government and fiscal conservatism, not issues like abortion. This clearly isn't working- let's drop the extremism and bring back small government, personal responsibility, and fiscal conservatism- the real strengths of the GOP.
I'm a Republican because I want my rights protected and government kept out of my private business and decisions. I am saddened to see that the Republican Party has become so extreme on social issues that I cannot support it any further. For the Party to truly earn my vote and trust back, it must show a more inclusionary face and bring back the Big Tent.
Again, RMC strongly encourages each and every one of our members to make their voices heard.Now is the time to act: fill out the surveynow.
RealRepublicanMajority.org is working to bring the GOP’s agenda back to the center and promote common sense values. The Real Republican Majority promotes tolerance, not bigotry. We want the GOP to focus on the longstanding beliefs in sound fiscal policy, smaller government, lower taxes, a growing economy and individual liberty. We believe that these traditional goals should be first and foremost in the GOP. Unlike the 'my way or the highway' tactics of social extremists we know that there is often room for compromise and common ground on issues of disagreement. It is time to promote the big tent, protect personal freedom and ensure that the GOP reflects the beliefs of the Real Republican Majority NOT pander to the demands of a hostile and vocal minority.
