1 It's not really about how often a republican votes with the democrats, but rather, what they vote with them on.

I mean, I could give a rat's ass if a republican votes with the democrats on some bill making it "national bran muffin day".  But I *do* care about it when they become all squishy and vote for things like amnesty, health care, gun-control, financial regulations etc.

2

Greg Gutfeld for president.

 

3 yes, let's all be thankful for the rino's we have instead of the libs that vote on the IMPORTANT issues the way the rino's vote anyway.....jeez.....

4 .....scott....i want my donation back......

5 The details (includes by-vote tally):

http://tinyurl.com/4gwc8xw

6 5 .....scott....i want my donation back......

Posted by: phoenixgirl at February 10, 2011 08:18 AM (eOXTH)

Me too.  And stop fucking emailing me for donations...

7

Scott Brown gets a pass because of where he resides.  He's still better than Teddy and any other corrupt liberal who would want that seat.  Doesn't mean I'm not frustrated when he votes with the Ds.

 

8 I would love to see some enterprising sort ask one of the squishes whose numbers are suddenly trending upwards why we should trust them again instead of just assuming that this is the usual ploy to get them thorough the election, to be followed by a reversion to form. 

9

Politicians involved with polys, politicians who are unprincipled and undisciplined, politicians who partake in acts of cowardice. +1. 11!

96.2% of all of them are money-grubbing lobby fodder.

10 Do you frickin idiots remember how important the Scott Brown win was?  A, it gave the R's 41 votes in the Senate (granted, too late to stop Obamacare, but they were able to hold off a lot of other crap).  B, it showed the country that a Conservative (yes, he's conservative) could win anywhere.  But he's a RINO!!! so screw him, right?

11

I am happy with Brown. It's Massachusetts people! He voted against Obamacare!

 

we knew he was going to have to vote with democrats when he came in.

 

I'm not willing to be so generous with Muffdiveski or the Maine sisters. I think we saw in the last election that we could probably get someone more conservative elected in Maine.

As far as Bennet and Hatch, sure 86 and 84 are good ratings, but not in probably the most conservative state in the union. There is no excuse for not having 100s from that state every year, not just election year.

12 Gabe are you at CPAC?

13 You know who scores an ACU rating of 100?

Logprof.

14

I think Chuck Grassly is too liberal.  In fact, he often pisses me off outright.

 

 

 

15 Scott Brown gets a pass because of where he resides.  He's still better than Teddy and any other corrupt liberal who would want that seat.  Doesn't mean I'm not frustrated when he votes with the Ds.

I honestly would not be surprised if Scott Brown switches parties at some point in the future to stave off electoral defeat.  In spite of his personal popularity and large warchest, 2012 is going to be a rough ride for him - a presidential election in a state which utterly bucked the national trend in 2010, and this time without much outside support. 

16

My Senators are 8 and 95 for 2010.

17

From what I hear, Scott Brown is fairly popular in MA.  I think he'll stay R.

 

18 It looks like they need to spread their ranges out somehow.  The scores seem too bunched up.  Maybe they should do some sort of weighting scheme wherein someone earns (or loses) more points when they sponsor a bill.  That would help to separate the political opportunists from the sincere conservatives. 

19

You know what I'd -really- love to see?  A ranking system similar to ACU but one that does -not- count votes that aren't close.  I think that a number of our RINO's seriously are infiltrators, and they burnish their conservative credentials by voting with conservatives when their vote doesn't count because we had more than enough votes anyway, but when their vote -does- count, they vote with liberals, which in effect makes absolutely no difference whether we had the RINO or a liberal in that seat.

Such an analysis would be really valuable, I think.  Heck, I'd love to find out I'm wrong.  But I don't think I am.

20 Wow!!  My "conservative Democrat" congressman got a 12.5!!!

My Senators got 5.58 and 5.26!!

I need to move.

21

Formerly red CO has two laughable boobs(D) in the Senate. The republican party in CO is broken and out of touch.  Luckily Dick Waddams is going to waddle off the stage. I'd be thrilled to have a Scott Brown over a Mark "lets all sit together and sing kumbaya" Udall(D) and the uncharitable leftard Michael Bennett(D).

22 I'll gladly donate to Brown's re-election campaign, assuming I can afford it at the time. And, were I in a redder state, I'd gladly work to primary someone with a similar ACU rating. But I'm not, and neither is Brown. Also, these are the votes on which he voted against what the ACU supported: -Financial Regulatory Overhaul Fannie/Freddie Amendment -Federal Reserve Audit -Financial Regulatory Overhaul -Food Safety -DADT Repeal -START Of those, only 1 (the Regulatory Overhaul) depended on Brown's vote. The others can be considered bones thrown to the liberal electorate of the Commonwealth. I would like to know how many pieces of progressive agenda died on the vine because there were 41 Republicans. If we count those (which I know would defeat the purpose of the rating), I'm thinking his rating might go up a bit.

23 I just wish Ms. 8 was up for reelection next year.

24 HAhahahahaAAhHHAAhHahahahahahjahahahhahahaha!!!!!!!

25

Formerly red CO has two laughable boobs(D) in the Senate. The republican party in CO is broken and out of touch.  Luckily Dick Waddams is going to waddle off the stage. I'd be thrilled to have a Scott Brown over a Mark "lets all sit together and sing kumbaya" Udall(D) and the uncharitable leftard Michael Bennett(D).

Yeah, Colorado is a major failure for the Republican party. It was a true blue state, now its red for the foreseeable future.  They really screwed up with that Maese fellow. Would it kill the party to do a background check and disseminate that information to Republicans before the primary?

26 Of those, only 1 (the Regulatory Overhaul) depended on Brown's vote. The others can be considered bones thrown to the liberal electorate of the Commonwealth.

Posted by: Chris at February 10, 2011 08:39 AM (GT1x2)

The regulatory overhaul was just a horrible vote that disappointed more than a few people who actively campaigned for him.  I'm not a Brown naysayer because he's definitely better than the ignorant scrunt Choadley but there's no good explanation for that vote unless he was promised some Mass. jobs out of it that never came to pass.

27

 Both my Senators Casey and Specter(pbuh) got the liberal tag. Speaking of Casey, I was in the car yesterday and he was running some self fellating radio advertisement touting his own accomplishments for 'cleaning up the Senate' or some such nonsense. All I could think of was the enormous waste of money to run such nonsense in rush hour time slot. I guess he's still got some campaign funds left and wants to keep his name recognition high. Bag, douche, Casey; some assembly required.

At least we have Toomey now. I really dislike Casey. I truly believe he is mentally retarded. Just listen to the man speak.

Unfortunately, I think he is going to win re-election because of his last name and riding the coat tails of Obama who will win PA.

28

Ehem...Lautenburg and the flying Menendez...I did'nt bother to look.

But at least i got me some Christie!

 

29 Can ya get extra credit for talking the talk, if your also walking the walk?

30 But at least i got me some Christie! Posted by: dananjcon at February 10, 2011 08:49 AM (pr+up) I've found that goes well with a little Sambucco

31 Scott Brown's merits as a repub in Ma are an open question.
But here's another open question, when asked for his position recently on the Fed's quantitative easing,  he responded with a thunderous Ah, I dunno, what's that.
I don't know if he's trustworthy or not, but he's definitely a fuckin' dope.

32 I agree re: the overhaul. I'm willing to bet that his ACU rating will probably go down a bit in 2011, now that his vote isn't as crucial. He'll probably vote with the Democrats a few more times on legislation on which his vote won't alter the outcome. Pretty much, the opposite of what Qwinn was suggesting about other RINOs a few posts up (though I agree that he might have a valid point in redder states).

33

Quantitive easing?

No thank you, never before lunch.

 

34 One reason Colorado turned blue is that a Soros wannabe spent millions registering people, both real and imagined, that were sure-fire dem votes.  He also funded phony "civil rights" groups that go after conservatives via lawsuits and outright intimidation.  The same guy is now funding the groups attacking the Tea Partiers who are trying to clean up the voting rolls in Houston.  (Can't think of the prick's name).  Of course it didn't help that Colorado Republicans have been pretty dysfunctional at times.

35 And seriously, I will trade you Scott Brown for Dick Durbin any day........... Posted by: Mallamutt at February 10, 2011 08:55 AM (OWjjx) Unless your throwing in a few Mill and a new BMW, lose my number

36

My Congresswoman (Virginia Foxx) got a 100%. Gotta love the old broad. Gun-toting "Blue Dog" Heath Shuler got a measly 22%.  

As to the people who can't see the qualitative difference between a 75% rating and 5% rating, what can you say?

37

They really screwed up with that Maese fellow. Would it kill the party to do a background check and disseminate that information to Republicans before the primary?

Actually, Maese was the insurgent. IIRC, the establishment GOP in Colorado wanted Gale Norton to be the nominee but Maese beat her in the primary.

Sometimes to figure out why you get the representation you get, you only have to look as far as the mirror.

Oh I know he was the insurgent, but the GOP should have done a background check and let Republican voters know he was lying about his work history.

That's the downsides of insurgents, as ace has pointed out, they have not been held up to any scrutiny.

38 Scott Brown for Barbara Mikulski...straight up fair trade.  Deal?

39 I have long used the ACU ratings as a major marker, for which I sometimes get grief from a few people here.

I don't consider them an "end all" though when the ratings are not very high or very low. For example when they have a rating between 80 and 90 that to me is leaning "moderate" (or RINO if you will). You have to look at a lot of other factors in that case.

Factors like do they routinely stab the party in the back to break a filibuster, or in the opposite direction, to help the opposite side to block Republican/conservative legislation.

A prime example of that is Lindsay Graham. I don't think there is a Moron on here that does not consider him a RINO, but his ratings are usually in the 80s or low 90s.

40

Actually, Maese was the insurgent. IIRC, the establishment GOP in Colorado wanted Gale Norton to be the nominee but Maese beat her in the primary.

Sometimes to figure out why you get the representation you get, you only have to look as far as the mirror.

Posted by: Mallamutt at February 10, 2011 08:53

Mall:

Norton ran for the senate.  McGinness (sp?) ran against Maes for Guv and imploded because of some plagarism scandal.  I like Ken Buck but I suspect Norton would've run a few points better and won.  And even though people here would be calling her a RINO she'd be a million times better than that douche Bennett.

41

8--Scott Brown gets a pass because of where he resides. 

That is an often stated position on this blog, but it still drives me nuts. There are reasons why the NE US is a socialist hellhole--and one important reason is that there is no conservative opposition in those areas. The NE is RINO turf, and they don't do conservatism. Period. The voters get a choice of SOCIALISM and socialism.  That's one big reason why Philly, NY, Boston,CT, NJ etc look like they do.

RINOs are RINOs and they don't get a pass because they are from the NE.

42

19 From what I hear, Scott Brown is fairly popular in MA.  I think he'll stay R.

You may be right, but on the other hand:

1-Arlen Specterd

2-Lincoln Chafee

43 A) You have to take these ratings with a shaker of salt (e.g., McCain is a 100). 2) Scott Brown is my senator, and I'll be working my ass off to get him reelected. Am I happy with every vote he's cast? No. But ... IT'S MASSAFUCKINGCHUSSETTS!!! Look at the rest of our congressional delegation and tell me how I should be out finding the next Jim DeMint to insert into that center-right group of stalwarts like Markey, Frank and Kerry.

44

Posted by: Andy

 Do you happen to know what's going on with the Congressional redistricting in MA?

 I was up there a couple weeks ago and I forgot to look into it. We're (well, I guess the Dems are) losing one seat right? Any idea who's gonna get the short end of the stick?

45 I see that my Congresscritters once again do not fail to disappoint.

46 McCain 100???? I couldn't believe it, also 96 in 2009??

Amazing what coming on a primary and an election will do.  His lifetime of 82 tells the story, also his crossing the aisle on significant legislation tells a story all its own. We see that starting again now as the elections are over.

Also his butt-boy Lindsay is rated at 100/100 for the past two years with a lifetime of 98. I simply do not believe that. I am beginning to smell a rat here.

47 And what the Mutt said @39.

48 Grahamnesty comes in at 92? Will wonders ever cease?

49 oops, major screwup; looked at wrong line for Lindsay. That was DeMint with the 100/100 and 98.

Miss Lindsay had a 92/88 w/ lifetime 89 (which still seems kind of high)

50 I couldn't give a crap about the ACLU.

51 From what I hear, Scott Brown is fairly popular in MA.  I think he'll stay R.

I think he's in a boatload of trouble in MA.  Yes, he's popular, but he's also not running against anybody yet, and in a presidential election, the other side is going to tie him to the presidential candidate (who will be about as popular as cancer in MA), and I think it will be very effective.

With national Republican support in a special election where the Democrats fielded a terrible candidate and they didn't have the machine mobilized, Scott Brown won with 51% of the vote.  With the focus of the next election being the Presidency and MA a sure lock to go blue, Scott Brown has a big problem.

Scott Brown is light-years better than anybody else in the state, but I think he's also a politician, and if the GOP becomes a liability, I think he will drop it.

52

This rating system is flaw. It reflects final votes that were foregone conclusions. It doesn't take into account the behind the scenes issues.

McCain gets 100? Look, I know during his re-election campaign he wanted to invade mexico single handedly, but is there a better way to discern his voting record from reality?

Many of the votes these people made were against bills that were going to pass whether they voted for them or not.

For example, how many Democrats votes against Obama's healthcare bill, but then voted against repealing it?

53 It's interesting, I'm finding more and more die hard lib/dem types sounding like fiscal conservatives.  I've heard some rousing discussions about welfare lately where people say "well they should work for the money, do something for the state."  And then others say "well then isn't that taking a job away from someone who is out of work".  Regular people seem to be searching for answers trying to figure out what to do, looking for constructive answers.  I've heard a lot of "why were the wages of government employees raised so much, they should have their salaries go back to GWB levels.  Then others argue that you won't get "the best and the brightest" without offering the money.  Then others argue that "the best and the brightest" ought to be willing to work for their government for less just because they love their county.  Except to weakly argue about "whether or not the government should pay for abortions" the social issue aren't even on the radar, everyone is worrying about the economy and, when social issues are brought up, the person is trounced with "first let's make sure we have a fiscally sound economy and then you can argue about social issues".

54 Check out fucking Voinovich's ratings; his lifetime rating is worse than Murscruntski's.  Yet that stupid fuckhole Hugh "I'm an expert on Ohio" Hewitt said "Oh he's just been in office too long; he used to be a lot better".  Uh no he wasn't you ignorant cocksucker; he was a terrible governor too, never having encountered a tax increase he couldn't support.

55 >> Do you happen to know what's going on with the Congressional redistricting in MA?

Pretty quiet right now. Lots of people thought Frank would retire, but he said NFW to that a week or so ago.

But don't you worry. The best statisticians from MIT and Harvard are on the case re-gerrymandering the districts.

56 We're just pissing into the surf. Conservatism has little or no representation in the hallowed halls of Congress.

57 LOL, it took some playing around but I was finally able to get a copy of the tables and post them in word such that I could do a State by State column select and get average for the State:

The average rating for all the State of CA in 2010 was 33.9

SC was 70.9 thanks to a zero from out 1 commie.

ME was 32, but only because the ME sisters skyrocketed to 64! They smell a primary coming.

58 Heh, Snarlen Arlen got a zero.  Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.

59 MIKE CASTLE [DELAWARE]

2010 38.00
2009 56.00
Life 51.69


Ah, the sweet freedom to vote as your heart truly desires -- once you've been primaried out....

60 "We're just pissing into the surf." Your persepective on that really depends on where you are standing

61 >> there's no good explanation for that vote unless he was promised some Mass. jobs out of it that never came to pass.

Brown's explanation (for his FinReg vote) is that the crap that was going to be inserted into the bill to buy enough votes to pass it would have made it worse ... and he believed they would have ultimately gotten one of these votes in exchange for his.

Among his constituency, this gets lost in the wash, and he kept a bad bill from being worse. Works for me.

62 A prime example of that is Lindsay Graham. I don't think there is a Moron on here that does not consider him a RINO, but his ratings are usually in the 80s or low 90s.
Posted by: Vic
---------
So, the ACU ratings are for shit then, right?  Graham got a score of 92 for 2010, but he's not conservative enough for you???

63 They are all RINOS!!!!!

64 I think he's in a boatload of trouble in MA.  Yes, he's popular, but he's also not running against anybody yet, and in a presidential election, the other side is going to tie him to the presidential candidate (who will be about as popular as cancer in MA), and I think it will be very effective.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk
-----------------

How  popular is Romney in MA these days?  Would Romney at the top of th GOP ticket make a difference?

65 Graham's not conservative enough for me and I'm pretty sure I'm left of Vic. 

66 So, the ACU ratings are for shit then, right?  Graham got a score of 92 for 2010, but he's not conservative enough for you???

Did you even bother to read what I wrote???

Go back and try again.

67 I think it's clear the ACU ratings need to be tweaked with some sort of weighting scheme.  Grahamnesty's shameless behavior on immigration should push him down below 50 all on its own. 

68 Among his constituency, this gets lost in the wash, and he kept a bad bill from being worse. Works for me.

Posted by: Andy at February 10, 2011 09:39 AM (5Rurq)

Not for me.  Sorry but a bad bill is a bad bill and saying that an unknown is worse is taking a huge leap imo.  I'm not anti-Brown because I realize the narrow line he has to walk but he's not perfect and deserved to be called out on this instance.

69 >> So, the ACU ratings are for shit then, right?  Graham got a score of 92 for 2010, but he's not conservative enough for you???

No one who would vote my way on everything else but then turn around and beat the drum for comprehensive immigration reform (while calling people who disagree racists in the process, BTW) is conservative enough for me.

They don't call him Lindsey Grahamnesty for nothing.

70 Graham's not conservative enough for me and I'm pretty sure I'm left of Vic. 
Posted by: Y-not
-------
Everyone here is to the left of Vic..

My point, however, (perhaps poorly made) is that these ratings really don't tell a lot..

71 Dickless Durbin is a perfect 0.

72 Your persepective on that really depends on where you are standing

Let's hear it. I'm kind of a glass-half-empty type.

73

Everyone here is to the left of Vic.

Ahem.

74 Here's a funny thing.  Leahy (0) is lower than Sanders (4). 

I hate Leahy. 

75 What you disagree with me? You must be a RINO!!! I know this because I worked in a nuclear plant and they were all RINOS!!!!!!! Who's that? Sorry I roughy I heard a RINO. Wait there it goes again.

76 >> Sorry but a bad bill is a bad bill and saying that an unknown is worse is taking a huge leap imo.

It wasn't an unknown to Brown. He saw the behind-the-scenes work in action with his own eyes.

Laws and sausages ...

77 I think it's clear the ACU ratings need to be tweaked with some sort of weighting scheme.

They have their own methods and I don't fault them for that. They are ahead of most of the curve on the ratings, but as I originally said they are NOT an "end all".

You must pay attention to more than just the ratings because people like McCain and Graham game the system. They trade votes, they count votes, and they try to make sure they get on the right side because they know the base watches these places like the ACU.

There are a few issues that to me place any Republican squarely in the RINO category regardless of anything else. For example, support for the House Crap and Trade bill or anything like it to me places them in the DIABLO category. Gun control and amnesty are two other heavy hitters.

Crossing Party lines on important legislation to thwart the desires of the Party are another one that hits both McCain and Graham.

Voting for liberal SCOTUS nominations are another.

You have to watch them and do research.

78 Who cares?-- It is leadership that matters not some stupid ACU score that tallies votes on the limited set of issues that our Senators bring up.

And everyone's ACU score needs to have a context.  I'm no Brown fan, but Scott Brown's score of 74 in Mass (where there are no other Republicans in Congressman) is a hell of a lot better than Bennett's or Hatch's long-term record in Utah.

79 So how does ACU rank something like the Patriot Act?  Is that a "conservative" law or a "liberal" one?  Seems like a lot of the problems may fall in how they assess the bills upon which the congress critters are voting. 

80

So the media spin today is that "Jim Webb is a moderate. The far right is running out the "moderates" which is bad-bad."

Webb has a 13

Warner (oh so moderate) has an 8

I'm really sick of the constant lies. Expecting more, bigger, and more outrageous. Instead of high-speed trains we just need to use unicorns. Let's invest.

81 Webb has a 13

I was raising hell about that the other day on one of Ace's threads. How is it that a 13 is a moderate when if he was a Republican and had a rating of 87 the same people would call him "pretty conservative" or the MFM would call him a "far right conservative".

82
I was raising hell about that the other day on one of Ace's threads. How is it that a 13 is a moderate when if he was a Republican and had a rating of 87 the same people would call him "pretty conservative" or the MFM would call him a "far right conservative".

Posted by: Vic at February 10, 2011 09:58 AM (M9Ie6)

Moderate democrats are basically a myth. The difference between a Pelosi Democrat and an "independent", "moderate", "middle of the road" Democrat is that the latter asks for a bribe before voting for national socialist policies while the former votes for them with gusto.

83 Posted by: Y-not at February 10, 2011 09:43 AM (pW2o

Commie! Off with her head!

84 So how does ACU rank something like the Patriot Act?  Is that a "conservative" law or a "liberal" one?  Seems like a lot of the problems may fall in how they assess the bills upon which the congress critters are voting.

Posted by: Y-not




If you click on How We Pick the Votes, they list the votes used and criteria.

85 So how does ACU rank something like the Patriot Act?

I checked. It was passed by wide margin in both Houses of congress. It was truly a bipartisan bill.

The ACU did not score it for either the House or the Senate.

86 And off with my sock!

87 Anyone who thinks there's some essential difference between Liza Moocokeski and a democrat is a damned fool.

88 Moderate democrats are basically a myth.

Yes, I have always said that. It has been true now since the 70s.

89 There is no way in hell Brown is switching parties.  Yes, he'll have a very tough race in 2012 and he might lose.  But at least he has a decent chance.  If he switched and had to run in a dem primary, he would have ZERO chance of winning.  If you think you don't like his 74 ACU rating, imagine how MAssachussetts Dems must feel about it.  Other than the occassional pro-life vote every member of the delegation is all 0s year in and year out.

90 The voters get a choice of SOCIALISM and socialism.

I live in NY. This year we got the choice of Rick Lazio, who served in the Contract With America Congress but lost to Hillary in her Senate race, and we got Crazy Carl Paladino. There were plenty of idiots who went to the mat for a man with no shot at winning in NY after his racist, sexist and homophobic comments, his past heavily Democrat contributions (paying for playing) and a mess of personal problems, like his temper and a lovechild. "No matter, Lazio would lose," they said. Sarah Palin tweeted to congratulate him for dropping out. But we had a viable candidate to run against Cuomo, who turned out to be more conservative than many Republicans, including Scott Brown.

91 How  popular is Romney in MA these days?  Would Romney at the top of th GOP ticket make a difference?

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 10, 2011 09:43 AM (f9c2L)

No. Romney isn't particularly popular in MA anymore. Brown is doomed in 2012 baring a complete meltdown in the Democrat party - something on the order of a bruising primary fight. Remember MA just voted in the architect of the mortgage meltdown (Frank) over one of the founders of one of the highest tech companies in MA (Beilat) and it wasn't even all that close.

Which makes Brown's betrayals all the more damning.

92

" Other than the occassional pro-life vote every member of the delegation is all 0s year in and year out."

 

Looking at the Massachusetts column totally filled with Zeroes until you get down to Brown's name and see a "74" is fun. It must drive the Libs (as if they ever look at ACU ratings) crazy. They consider those votes their birthright.

93

'Markuntsky'

heh

94 Brown had some disappointing votes in 2010, and particularly in that final lame *uck session where he crossed over to help the Dems, but he also held the line on some votes where a Dem would not have.

I still am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt while we wait and see how 2011 goes, particularly with the budget mess. To me that one will be a make or break this year.

For 2010 he was still better than the ME sisters even though they increased by 20 points.

95 Got the list into Excel and sorted.


Senators with scores of perfect:

100 - 12
0 - 29 [!]

96 regular folks seem to know how their peeps voted on obamacare and it seems that is what matters, no matter what they've voted on..  And, more and more people are angry at those who voted for it.  People are starting for figure out it is front loaded with good stuff and then the bad stuff kicks in.  They think that is sneaky.

97 Babs and Dianne were both 0 in 2009.  Dianne "went across the aisle" to score an 8 last year.  CA is boned.

My Congressman, Bilbray, scored an 88 in 2009 and an 85 in 2010.  Looks like Brian still wants to be Mavericky.  Maybe its time to primary him out.

98 I'm sure there's a flaw with a system that tries to quantify individuals' voting records based on their votes cast on bills whose qualitative rankings of ideology are based on voting patterns.  Perhaps another cup of coffee will help. 

99 Maybe they should change the ACU Rating to the Sheep Index rating. 

100 @110
... because it's based on party purity more than ideology. 

101 OK, time to take the Christmas tree down.  _{*snif, snif*}  'Later morons!

102 Brown's 74 was good enough to make him the 35th most conservative senator.  Near the bottom of the Republicans, but still far ahead of the Democrat pack.

103 OT:  Rumors say King Abdula is dead from a coronary. 

104 OK, time to take the Christmas tree down.

In Feb????? Its bad luck to leave it up past New Year's day.

105

Warner and Webb also never both voted with the acu position on the same bill, almost like they coordinated! Also neither bothered to show up for the debt limit increase.

I don't want to hear about "moderate" democrats. Blanche Lincoln appears to have been the most moderate dem out there followed by Feingold.

So bull.

I think there needs to be an algorithm that takes this a step farther. Each state gets a rating on number of elected democrat or republican congressmen, governor, and legislator. Then use the conservatism or liberalness of the state to help determine how libtard or conservative the senator is. For example, Brown is fairly conservative for Massachusettes. F-ing Warner and Webb are way libtard for Virginia.

106 114 OT:  Rumors say King Abdula is dead from a coronary. 

Posted by: tangonine at February 10, 2011 10:16 AM (x3YFz)

Last night I posted a link to the source of this and asked if it was reputable as a source.  I didn't even dare say the rumor.  Everyone advised that the 48 hour rule and other sources should be waited for..

107

Its bad luck to leave it up past New Year's day.

The rule here seems to be to take decorations down in mid-January so that you can put up the Mardi Gras stuff.

108 115 OK, time to take the Christmas tree down.

In Feb????? Its bad luck to leave it up past New Year's day.

Posted by: Vic at February 10, 2011 10:17 AM (M9Ie6)

Nah, the Italians leave it up past Jan6, the Epiphany.

109 99 Moderate democrats are basically a myth.

Yes, I have always said that. It has been true now since the 70s.

Posted by: Vic at February 10, 2011 10:04 AM (M9Ie6)

I was screaming that at the car radio this morning. My poor children. Well, at least the trauma will make a definate impression.

110 Average ACU rating of the 2010 Senate - 42, rounded up.

111

46 some dope - well you're free to ignore political reality.

 

112 I wonder about the ACU's scoring system sometimes: which votes do they choose to count and which do they choose to ignore?  Is it possible they could score a (big-govt "Republican") vote as anti-conservative -- e.g. Medicare Part D? Or would the Medicare expansion, since it was supported by the Republican Pres and Congressional leadership, count as a "conservative" vote? Or -- in order to avoid embarassment -- would they simple ignore that particular vote?

Finally, given what we've learned about the ACU (Keene extorting FedEx for $2M in exchange for support in the FedEx-vs-UPS unionization controversy, then flipping to support UPS when FedEx refused to pay up), Grover Norquist's outsized influence on the ACU (given Norquist's cozying up to muslim extremists -- goto jihadwatch.org, danielpipes.org, or atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com and search for his name), and the latest GOProud controvery (according to Barron, GOProud's fearless leader, anyone who disagrees with his position on DADT, gay marriage, etc is a "nasty bigot". That's the same kind of "argument" posited by the left -- and not surprising from a man whose previous job was "Director of Republican Outreach for Planned Parenthood")....

I wonder if ACU is even "conservative" any more -- and is simply "republican", having gone all big-tent and everything. Maybe we need a new organization to compute conservative ratings.

113 There is no way in hell Brown is switching parties.

Brown has been quite cozy with the Democrats since coming to DC. His talk of being a "Scott Brown Republican" is bullshit, and should give Republicans pause. He has a book coming out, though, so maybe he's thinking of running for President. The ego is strong in his one. "I said I was going down there to be a Scott Brown Republican, not someone who works for Harry Reid—or Mitch McConnell!"

So, as soon as Scott Brown got to DC, which phone call did he take first? The Democrats were pushing a $13 billion payroll-tax exemption for employers willing to hire unemployed workers. The Republicans wanted to filibuster. Harry Reid lacked the votes to break through the logjam, so he called Scott Brown. But Brown shocked Washington—and many of his fans—by announcing that he'd support the measure. His explanation? "I'm not from around here. I'm from Massachusetts." Four other Republicans quickly followed Brown's lead, and the jobs bill passed with votes to spare.

Brown was the third vote to repeal DADT. Even Mitt Romney opposed the START treaty, and Brown voted for that POS, too.

When the first Democratic drafts of the financial reform bill appeared over the summer, Brown was quick to make his disapproval known—while also hinting that he'd be "open" to compromise. The Democrats bit, and to secure his support they eagerly sanded off some sharp edges that had been irking big Brown campaign donors like MassMutual and State Street Bank. The bill passed with precisely 60 votes. As a bonus, Brown padded his sizable $7 million reelection war chest with $140,000 from banks and bankers—roughly 400 percent more than the average senator received from the financial industry during the same three-week negotiating period.

Get ready to get fucked by this sellout again, as you're trying to repeal Obamacare. You will want to know why he considers Massachusetts's version of "Obamacare" to be a "superlative" program—and why he's partnered with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon to introduce a bill allowing individual states to opt out of the new national health-care law as long as they create their own plan to provide universal coverage.

114 "Markuntsky"... ROFL!!!11!!

115 Average ACU rating of the 2010 Senate - 42, rounded up.

No wonder we are boned.

116 2 It's not really about how often a republican votes with the democrats, but rather, what they vote with them on.

I mean, I could give a rat's ass if a republican votes with the democrats on some bill making it "national bran muffin day".  But I *do* care about it when they become all squishy and vote for things like amnesty, health care, gun-control, financial regulations etc.

Posted by: GMan at February 10, 2011 08:11 AM (sxq57)

^^^This

Lindsey Graham also shows up as 'pretty conservative', as does John McCain. I think we all know that is imply not true, unless your idea of centrist is 'Stalin'.

117 I wonder about the ACU's scoring system sometimes: which votes do they choose to count and which do they choose to ignore?

There is no need to "wonder". They have a link on the ratings page that tells you which votes they are counting.

118 You guys found someone like Sean Biellat to take out Barney Frank, and the old queen was getting nervous there for a while. There is a bounty on Scott Brown's head; seriously, some people hate him enough that they are organized to take him out. You just need a good primary challenger. It happened to Crist and Specter. Don't settle for damaged goods.

119

The old democratic machines and their attendant corruption did an excellent job on the hordes of immigrants pouring into the NE at the turn of the century. They wanted to be taken care of because they had come from places where the lord had seen (badly) to their needs. They had no idea that this country had been founded on NOT being serfs. They were all steps from the castle. They've never recovered. Or at least that's the reason places like Mass and vermont went from puritan self actualizing rock ribbed conservative to libtard.

The NW? I haven't figured that one out yet.

120 Nah, the Italians leave it up past Jan6, the Epiphany.

Good thing I am Scotch/Irish )not to be confused with Scots-Irish) Mother's side Irish (Dublin Wing) Father's side Scotch but don't know which area.

121 Ben, yes, I'm at CPAC.  Assy wifi though, so we'll see how much posting I do.

122 Vic is sightly to the left of me. I'd still run through Hell with a handgun to rescue him.  (Quiet drum roll and cymbal crash.)

123

Posted by: William J. Clinton at February 10, 2011 10:27 AM (PqLK/)

Nice catch, and it is sexist. Is that how Malor endears himself to the morons around here, so they forget he's for open borders and gay marriage? Straight out of the Maverick's playbook.

124 I'd still run through Hell with a handgun to rescue him.  (Quiet drum roll and cymbal crash.)

LOL, I can't imagine being to the left of anyone but thanks for the (potential) rescue.

125 No wonder we are boned.
Posted by: Vic


Actually, this is why we're boned, very very boned:

Median ACU rating of the 2010 Senate - 17

The median is the middle value, half the members are above that value and half below.

126 Assy wifi though, so we'll see how much posting I do.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at February 10, 2011 10:31 AM (OdQQk)

LOL, we need OBama's high speed trains and his great WiFi project!

127

Our senate our congress our president are far below a -F rating i say 4 Ds a F and a H their defenetly not worth beming american citizens anymore

128 So your ACU rating goes down if your pro gay but CPAC allows a conservative pro gay organization.

129

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane

 

The bottom line is that if Brown loses (in a primary or the general) his slot on the ACU chart will be filled with a zero for at least 6 years (more likely 18 or 24 years, knowing the MA electorate).

130 All right. YouÂ’re talking out your ass, Vic, okay? Because--because the Vatican extended the removal of house lights until two weeks after the Epiphany--two weeks after the Epiphany.

131 Vic -- yes, the ACU lists which votes they count.  But they do NOT list all the thousands of votes each session that they do NOT count.  It'd be real easy to hide votes that might hurt non-conservative Republicans...simply by not counting them, and you'd never know. It's also real easy to pump up the ratings of those same RINOs...by including a bunch of easy, noncontroversial votes for padding, although that's harder to hide.

In addition, all votes count the same.  So, a vote against some 2-bit budget item counts the same as voting for (or against) McCain's comprehensive immigration act. Are they really comparable in effect on the country? Equally "conservative" in import?

We know McCain and Graham -- and probably a lot of other congresscritters -- game the system. I suspect the ACU is cooperating with them, making it EASY to do so.  That is...unhelpful for the conservative cause.

132

http://tinyurl.com/4d4hc9d

They didn't rank them on National Pineapple Day. They ranked the senate on the following:

 

1. TARP Elimination 2. Debt Limit Increase/Spending Cuts 3. Becker Nomination 4. Earmark Moratorium 5. D.C. School Choice. 6. Health Care Bill Repeal 7. Health Care and Immigration Status 8. Health Care Reconciliation 9. Financial Regulatory Overhaul/Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 10. Federal Reserve Audit 11. FHA Mortgage Rates Revisions/Down Payment Requirement 12. Financial Regulatory Overhaul 13. Rescissions and Federal Salary Freeze 14. U.S.-Mexico Border Fence 15. Greenhouse Gas Regulation 16. Estate Tax Repeal 17. Arizona Immigration Law 18. Kagan Nomination 19. Union Elections 20. Campaign Finance Disclosure 21. Spending Reductions 22. Food Safety 23. Immigration Policy Revisions (DREAM Act) 24. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy Repeal 25. New START Nuclear Arms Treaty

133 Oh snap, just turned on the TV and apparently Mubarak is about to step down. Could be an interesting day.

134 Mubarak is about to step down.

Fuck.

... his slot on the ACU chart will be filled with a zero for at least 6 years ...

That's what he wants you to believe. Speaking of Sean Bielat, did Brown campaign for him?

135 Satan steps down in favor of Beezebub.

136 >> The bottom line is that if Brown loses (in a primary or the general) his slot on the ACU chart will be filled with a zero for at least 6 years (more likely 18 or 24 years, knowing the MA electorate).

Bingo!

Again, Scott Brown is the ONLY Republican member of the MA congressional delegation. The same electorate that gave him a narrow margin of victory in a "perfect storm" (special election, weakest opponent imaginable, voters complacent the D would keep the seat, etc.) kept the detestable Teddy Kennedy in DC until he croaked and keep voting for the fucking imbecile we have as our other senator.

But by all means, let's primary his ass right out of here.

137 >> Speaking of Sean Bielat, did Brown campaign for him?

Yes

138 5 .....scott....i want my donation back......

Posted by: phoenixgirl at February 10, 2011 08:18 AM (eOXTH)

 

Right.  And, the people in Hell want ice water.  Bwahahahahahahaha!!!

139 If Teddy was alive and comatose he would still be D-MA.

140

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane

 

I've lived in MA for 90% of my life. It's not what he "wants to me believe". it's the reality of MA politics. We haven't had a Republican Senator since the Seventies. Kennedy served for 40 years and Kerry is now creeping up on 30. You don't have to like it, but that's how it is.

141 It's also real easy to pump up the ratings of those same RINOs...by including a bunch of easy, noncontroversial votes for padding, although that's harder to hide.

I have found they generally chose fairly well. I may chose some differently but their are not out to lunch.

As I said, they are a good indicator, but nothing replaces staying up with how the polls are doing day to day.

However all of this may be, consider this; the average American voter doesn't even check the ACU or evcen sites like "on the issues". They watch the nightly news from the MFM and the pols own ads.

Most vote on "tradition". If they grew up as a Dem, they vote Dem.

142 I'm not thrilled with Brown BUT I do understand where he has to be. For example, Webb, with a score of 13 isn't running. I worry that the Northern Va tards will elect Tim "The Eyebrow" Kaine in his place. While Kaine can't be much worse than Webb, he's so retarded that he will be making national news spouting his far lefty nonsense and raising funds for Odouchebag. I have to hope that the recent elections of McDonnell and Webb's obvious fear are precient.

143

Ehem...Lautenburg and the flying Menendez...I did'nt bother to look.

But at least i got me some Christie!

 

Posted by: dananjcon at February 10, 2011 08:49 AM (pr+up)

Yeah...Mikulski and Ben Cardin.  I did look both a hair above 5.

But at least I got me some O'Malle...never mind

I still need to move.

144 >> It's not what he "wants to me believe". it's the reality of MA politics.

See, e.g, Deval Patrick, two-term governor.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the MA electorate.

145 Fox: Kyl to Announce Retirement From Senate

Will we get another McCain????

146 The tea party found Scott Brown once, and he betrayed them, not once but on several occasions. They can find somebody else, but they're running out of time. Sure, he has $7 million and a new book that he can use to collect money from lobbyists. But even Ron Paul can raise $8 million in a day. The tea party can find the right candidate to take Scott Brown out.

147

You know, I did a quick count of the sentiments in this thread:

Number of posts suggesting "Let's primary Brown":  1

Number of posts by people hysterically denouncing the suggestion of primarying Brown (most long before anyone actually suggested it):  I stopped counting at 6

Number of people who senselessly scream "RINO!" for no good reason:  0.

Number of posts mocking people as constantly and senselessly screaming RINO!:  Stopped counting at 15

You know, those of you who wants us to put up with RINOs would probably be a lot more convincing if you weren't such flaming douchebags.

 

148 >> The tea party can find the right candidate to take Scott Brown out.

They didn't "find Scott Brown" until he was already running for the seat.

But I don't dispute the fact that they can find someone to take him out. They'll just give the seat to the Dems in the process.

149 Look, there is no reason your Republican Senator should be voting the way Harry Reid tells them to. Period. That was the point I was making.

150

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane

He betrayed the Tea Party? Oh please. The Tea Party doesn't own the man.

151 Biggest "Come to Jesus" moves, shifting rightward in 2010 from where they were in 2009:

Lincoln 22
Pryor 21
COLLINS 16
SNOWE 16
HATCH 12

Biggest moves the other direction:

Casey -12
JOHANNS -15
Warner Mark -16
Lieberman -16
Specter -20


Johanns going off the reservation is interesting. Of course, he just got elected in 2008, so maybe he's hoping we forget by 2014.

152 I don't like these ratings because they don't take into account that some votes are way more important than other ones. Scott Brown may be barely more conservative than Liar Mutardske in the ratings, but he's not prone to backstab us when we need him most like she is. He picks his dissenting issues wisely so that he stays electable in MA, but doesn't kneecap important votes. To Lena, kneecapping us is considered a bonus.

153

Warner Mark -16

Grrrrrrr. No coverage either. Guess he's trying to get an appointment to something. It's stupid because without a huge continental shift Va likes to hold onto it's senators forever.

154 He betrayed the Tea Party? Oh please. The Tea Party doesn't own the man.

No one said they owned him. But they can support whomever they please. In early January, Republican activist Scott Wheeler announced that his PAC, which invested $95,000 in Brown's 2010 campaign, will "do everything possible to see that [he] is defeated by a primary opponent when he faces reelection in 2012 because there is no difference between him and a Democrat." That's certainly within his rights.

155 Of course it's witthin his rights, but if Wheeler is dumb enough to think that Brown = Kerry, then he's got no shot at winning (and a tenuous grip on reality).

156 but he's not prone to backstab us when we need him most like she is.

But he is. On DADT, START, the finreg bill, on extending unemployment and now on repealing Obamacare, the single task he was elected to do.

157 but if Wheeler is dumb enough to think that Brown = Kerry

He's got at least $95,000 to play around with. He can't be that dumb.

158 It's hard to feel like an insurgent in Alabama. 

All our Republican Reps were in the 90's, as were both our Senators.

The two Democrats Reps lost in November and one of them was in the 50's, the other was running for Governor and missed almost every vote.

159 >> He's got at least $95,000 to play around with. He can't be that dumb.

Other people's money.

Meanwhile, Martha Coakley would hove voted against me EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.

160 Brown can raise 95k in a day.

Brown has $7 million. Six more Wheelers, and he's got problems. It's doable and worthwhile.

161 I should note that Alabama's Congressional delegation would be 100% Republican were it not for the fact that the 7th District is a VRA carved Majority-Minority district intended to elect a Black Democrat.

162 Meanwhile, Martha Coakley...

... would not be running against Brown in a Republican primary. She would have voted with the Dems on the DREAM Act, the only time Scott Brown distinguished himself from a Democrat. That bill was rejected, anyway.

163 Oh, and he voted against Kagan after it was safe to do so.

164 Well then bring on my new Democrat senator.

165

"It's doable and worthwhile" for the Democrats, who are no doubt giddy at the prospect of MA Republicans knocking off Brown for them.

 

166 Is there anyone in the moron horde who actually lives in MA that thinks we should primary Brown?

167

You know, those of you who wants us to put up with RINOs would probably be a lot more convincing if you weren't such flaming douchebags.

All RINOs are relative.

Scott Brown? It's Commiechussetts, probably the best we can do. RINO OK.

Lindsay Gramnesty? In South Carolina, we can easily do better. RINO not OK.

168 ... who are no doubt giddy at the prospect of MA Republicans knocking off Brown for them.

Why would they be happy about a Republican who actually voted with his party replacing a stooge they can buy off so easily? There is no point having a Republican in MA, if he votes with the Democrats.

169

Why would they be happy about a Republican who actually voted with his party replacing a stooge they can buy off so easily?

This asumes the better Republican can win. As th Sharron Angle debacle showed, that ain't necessarily so. And need I mention the Delaware disaster?

170

 There is no point having a Republican in MA, if he votes with the Democrats.

He votes with the Repubs three-quarters of the time, which is probably more conservative than a lot of his MA supporters like but he does it anyway. His constituents are not Tea Partiers from Texas, they are blue collar workers in MA who have probably voted Dem in 95% of the elections they've participated in.

171 Is there anyone in the moron horde who actually lives in MA that thinks we should primary Brown?

There are 23 vulnerable Senate seats held by Democrats up for reelection in 2012. Republicans still hold a 9 point advantage on the generic congressional ballot and made historic gains in state house races that determine redistricting. Meanwhile, Scott Brown has partnered with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon to introduce a bill allowing individual states to opt out of the new national health-care law as long as they create their own plan to provide universal coverage. So, fuck Scott Brown. You don't need his Democratic vote in Massachusetts, and if they really want a Democrat, let them elect one.

172

He votes with the Repubs three-quarters of the time, which is probably more conservative than a lot of his MA supporters like but he does it anyway. His constituents are not Tea Partiers from Texas, they are blue collar workers in MA who have probably voted Dem in 95% of the elections they've participated in.

Bingo! This is Commiechussetts. When was the last time they had a GOP senator? After Communist stooges like Kennedy (nuclear "freeze") and Dodd (Sandinistas)?

Lisa Murkuntski, Lindsay Grahamnesty, and John McLame, on the other hand....

173 Pennsylvania is as blue as Massachusetts, and they got rid of Specter. Snowe should go, too. When they turn on you for the big votes, it's time to go, and it doesn't matter where they live. Their defections encourage other moderates when you could hold the party line, then you complain about the whole party.

174

Pennsylvania is as blue as Massachusetts, and they got rid of Specter.

They also got rid of Santorum....

175 Scott Brown? It's Commiechussetts, probably the best we can do. RINO OK.

Meh, the problem is the man has no principles, and he's not even particularly smart about his sellouts. He swore not to advance the leftist agenda in the Senate before the budget issue and then proceeded to advance the leftist agenda in the Senate before the budget issue.

Further, even if he is a die hard supporter of DADT repeal, he couldn't have forced Obama to give up something for his vote. In fact, he could have simply said, and should have, that the American people just rejected this slate of legislators, now is not the time for them to fundamentally remake the military and then brought the bill up in the new congress.

He didn't. In fact he decided that not only was it good to stab the military in the back, but to do it for free. And ironically, the people who cared about DADT repeal weren't going to vote for him anyway...

176

When was the last time they had a GOP senator?

 

Ed Brooks, maybe?  I still remember (fondly) Jack E. Robinson's quixotic campaign against Kennedy back in the day. Good times.

 

 

177 To those that want to get rid of Brown: There's only so much time, money, and effort that can be spent on elections. Is going after Brown the best use of those resources? Are the no other politicians that would be a more profitable investment? None that are in a more conservative state or have more liberal records?

178

"He didn't. In fact he decided that not only was it good to stab the military in the back, but to do it for free. And ironically, the people who cared about DADT repeal weren't going to vote for him anyway..."

 

Did you follow the campaign at all? Brown is a lifelong National Gurdsman who always wanted the repeal of DADT, as did a majority of his constituents. But he somehow lacks principles because he didn't wheedle a bribe before doing what he said he would and what he felt was right?

179 >> Pennsylvania is as blue as Massachusetts

Ummm, no.

Just curious ... where do you live?

180 If you really want to take out Murkowski or McCain, you'll need to do better than Joe Miller or JD Hayworth. The time to recruit primary challengers is now, or about two years before the election. Would I support just anyone over Scott Brown? Yes. But if I really wanted to keep that seat Republican, I would look for a strong primary challenger.

181 Just curious ... where do you live?

I thought you looked new.

182 New?

Read the sidebar much?

183 PA is not as Blue as MA.  PA has Pittsburgh and Philly with red between while MA has blue with blue and blue in between.

184 Is going after Brown the best use of those resources?

Some people seem to think so, and I agree with them. Others who donated to Brown before would no do so again. I think it's better to nip the evil in the bud, remove it before it metastasizes, otherwise you have an entrenched John McCain or Lindsay Graham who has built up a solid network and doesn't care whether you like them or not.

185

If you really want to take out Murkowski or McCain, you'll need to do better than Joe Miller or JD Hayworth. The time to recruit primary challengers is now, or about two years before the election. Would I support just anyone over Scott Brown? Yes. But if I really wanted to keep that seat Republican, I would look for a strong primary challenger.

A very good point. The RINO slayer must be Ready For Prime Time. In some states, however, like AZ, AK and SC, the "not ready for prime time candidate" won't cost the GOP the seat. In DE, NV, MA....that's another matter. A Not Ready For Prime Time candidate can do real damage there.

I admit it is a tough call.

186 I always said from the very beginning that NV was not a Republican gimme. There are simply too many transplanted CA liberals there. Throw in the fact that there are only two population centers; Reno and Vegas and both are run by the unions and that spells Dem all the way.

Angle didn't lose that election because she was a "bad" candidate or because she was too conservative. She lost because the Union GOTV machine was out in full force.

We here, for the most part, were depending far too much on that "enthusiasm gap" that did not materialize.

187 Arizona is following Colorado and Nevada over to the Democrats. Texas is not even that sure a bet. You can never take anything for granted, including the South. Demography is always changing.

188

Arizona is following Colorado and Nevada over to the Democrats. Texas is not even that sure a bet. You can never take anything for granted, including the South. Demography is always changing.

You can thank the Hispandering fools in the GOP for that.....

189 She lost because the Union GOTV machine was out in full force.

Well, yeah. Reid was the former Clark County gaming commissioner and called in some favors. You can't let it get within 5 points, especially against a Democratic Senate Majority Leader. But I thought Angle was infinitely better than O'Donnell or Miller.

190 You can thank the Hispandering fools in the GOP for that.....

There's plenty of old people moving to the Sun Belt and the South to thank instead. But the fastest growing demographic in the US is Hispanics.

191

Did you follow the campaign at all? Brown is a lifelong National Gurdsman who always wanted the repeal of DADT, as did a majority of his constituents. But he somehow lacks principles because he didn't wheedle a bribe before doing what he said he would and what he felt was right?

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 10, 2011 11:55 AM (xMT+4)

He voluntarily pledged to not support the leftist agenda before the budget was resolved, then prioritized DADT repeal ahead of the budget...so yeah, he's unprincipled. And his campaign was run against Obamacare, not on DADT repeal.

So yes, unprincipled and foolish on his sellouts about covers it.

192 Is going after Brown the best use of those resources?

The success of Lee and yes, O'Donnell, in taking out more liberal Republicans in the primaries is a large part of the reason that a number of Republican squishes found a bit more spine this year.

So, while we should be trying to elect the most viable conservative candidate, we also have to balance that against the fact that if we don't punish treason we will only encourage it. Between the media and the bureaucracy there is a lot of pressure leftward on these squishes, and remember they are squishes because they don't have a conservative ideological backbone to being with.

So how do we conservatives try to provide some balancing counterweight? We have to occasionally knock off a RINO to let the others know there are consequences.

It is a target rich environment, but Brown certainly isn't a bad choice because as has been pointed out he will almost certainly lose the general election and even in selling out he hasn't been overly smart...

193

If you can't see the difference between having a 75% Conservative Republican in the Seante as opposed to Barney Frank, then there's nothing to say.

194

If you can't see the difference between having a 75% Conservative Republican in the Seante as opposed to Barney Frank, then there's nothing to say.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 10, 2011 12:34 PM (xMT+4)

Perhaps a better formulation - is it better to have a Congress full of 2009 era Grahams/Snowes/Specters or a slightly smaller group of individuals who feel compelled to vote as conservatives on the important legislation? 

The question is far larger then merely one candidate in one election. And as conservatives we often make the mistake of viewing this issue far too simply. Too simply vote for the lesser of two evils every time got us Barack Obama and a far leftwing Democrat supermajority in the Congress...

195

Wrong 18-1, this is about a single Senate seat in MA and whether we want it held by a Moderate Republican or a Hyper-Liberal Democrat. I prefer the former. 

 

196

Wrong 18-1, this is about a single Senate seat in MA and whether we want it held by a Moderate Republican or a Hyper-Liberal Democrat. I prefer the former. 

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 10, 2011 12:44 PM (xMT+4)

Incorrect. The evidence shows that removing some RINOs improves the voting habits of those that remain, and that rewarding them moves the whole of the Republican party to the Left.

197

Oh for crying out loud, you really think there'll be a valuable lesson for national Republicans if a Democrat wins in MA? You can keep the lesson, I'll take the Senate seat.

198

Oh for crying out loud, you really think there'll be a valuable lesson for national Republicans if a Democrat wins in MA? You can keep the lesson, I'll take the Senate seat.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 10, 2011 12:52 PM (xMT+4)

So, to be clear - you'd rather have a Senate seat in MA held by someone who will vote with the hard left when it matters in most, though certainly not all, cases and a series of RINOs that feel no pressure to vote conservative over a slightly smaller number of RINOs that will vote conservative when it matters as they fear for their electoral possibilities and a Republican party that feels it has to embrace conservative principles?

199 It is a target rich environment, but Brown certainly isn't a bad choice because as has been pointed out he will almost certainly lose the general election and even in selling out he hasn't been overly smart...

I agree, although I like Castle. Cap and trade wasn't a dealbreaker for me, since he had sponsored legislation in the House to overturn Obamacare and cap and trade was not likely to come up for a vote anytime soon, especially if Republicans managed to take the Senate, which was doable at one point. But of all the arguments against Castle, that made the most sense. However, with filling Obama and Biden's seats, both would have been nice. House, Senate, both the President and veep's former seats... we'd have better candidates in the 2012 primaries, for sure.

200

I prefer that we have a Republican in the Senate over Ted Kennedy's mini-me. Superimposing all sorts of meaningless "pressures" and "feelings" onto Brown's candidacy is just navel gazing.

 

201 You're in Delaware? Ahhh, that explains it.

I tried to avoid those circular firing squad threads.

202 Cap and trade wasn't a dealbreaker for me,.....

Obviously you never read the House bill that passed. That bill should be a deal breaker for anyone who is not a hard core communist who believes the country should be run as an absolute dictatorship by a communist oligarchy.

And no, that statement is not exaggeration or hype.

203 happy new year.

204 Scott Brown flipping to the Democrats is absurd, he'd have the same fate as Arlen Spector since he isn't "progressive" enough for the Democrats here.  There is no such thing as a "Moderate Democrat" in Massachusetts, they are all happily Far Left.

205 I tried to avoid those circular firing squad threads.

I'm in Brooklyn, and I've been commenting here since 2007.

206 I prefer that we have a Republican in the Senate over Ted Kennedy's mini-me.

Scott Brown isn't much of a Republican. Get him out, and if you can't find a better Republican, then let a Democrat have his seat. There's plenty more new Republicans who would happily support the party line in other blue states or in red ones. 23 seats held by weak Democrats this year. Swimmer's been dead for a while, so Brown has to run on his own shitty record.

207 >> I'm in Brooklyn, and I've been commenting here since 2007.

Oh. I recognize the name, just never knew the location.

>> Scott Brown isn't much of a Republican. Get him out, and if you can't find a better Republican, then let a Democrat have his seat.

Thanks for the free advice.

208

Tattoo, that's your whole point, right? Kick Scott Brown out so you can feel good about yourself while the country gets fucked over by the Lib who takes his place.

Just slap the "Barney Frank for Senate" sticker on your car and be done with it.

209 Kick Scott Brown out so you can feel good about yourself while the country gets fucked over by the Lib who takes his place.

If Brown's vote were, say the 41st to block Obsamacare, then no. But that's yesterday's news. Now he has cozied up to the Democrats, and Republicans need to make principled votes that Scott Brown is unwilling to make.

Oh. I recognize the name, just never knew the location.

Probably because, like your Senator, you avoid the big fights :O

210 Nah. Just that it was meaningless until you started telling me who I should vote for. And now it is again.

211 I'm just spreading the good word, in case some conservatives who donated money to Scott Brown before were deluded enough to think he was worth a continuing investment.

212

Gotta love being lectured on how Republicans should run in Blue States by a guy who has Chuck Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand as his Senators. Take care of your own mess first and your "advice" might carry a bit of weight.

213

Scott Brown is going to become a Democrat now, after he is 10 for 10 running as an underdog Republican. If he wanted the easy way out, he would have switched a long time ago. You dont get to the top being a Republican in Massachusetts. The squishes go Democrat.

Idiot Douchebags.

214

Scott Brown for the record:

- He came out against any gun control after the Arizona shootings (He didnt have to)

- He came out to support Jan Brewer and SB1070 (He didnt have to)

- He voted against DREAM Act, and has been a stalwart against amnesty

- He voted against DISCLOSE Act, and opposes any restrictions on conservative speech

- He supports extendng Bush tax cuts

- He was the DECISIVE vote to kill omnibus spending bill

- He never asked for an earmark and opposes all earmarks

- Voted against Elena Kagan

- Opposes Cap and Trade, and was one of the reasons the vote never cam to the floor in 2010

- Vocal opponent of civilian trials for terrorists, supports GITMO.

- Voted to repeal ObamaCare

... on and on and on, He is just like Teddy Kennedy. He is just like MArtha Coakley. There is no difference if we just elect a Democrat. Listen to me I am a blockhead like Mark Levin!!!

 

 

215 Mike Castle scored a........38 That a half baked Alaska[Murky].

216 It would be nice if the GOP actually ran electable candidates in NY, but I have nothing to do with that. There is a small percentage of morons who supported and would support Giuliani for Senate or Governor, but he wouldn't even run against the Gillibrand Twins after losing to Hillary. Our mess in NY is yours, since he tends to run for President and leave the GOP a mess here. Shit, Rudy endorsed Bloomberg as a Republican, and these are "moderates." They look like Birchers compared to Scott Brown. Local politics effect the whole nation, just like everyone had a say in whether there would be a mosque at Ground Zero, a matter that was decided by the Bloomberg's office. It matters to many Americans outside of MA whether Scott Brown gets reelected, because he has been a key vote on more Democratic issues than Republican. The only times you could tell the difference between him and Democrats was on Kagan and the failed DREAM Act. Now, Scott Brown is working with a Democrat on a bill that makes sure every state gets MassCare. No, thanks. Start looking for a good primary challenger. NY didn't do too bad in the House races. DioGuardi might have benefited from some of O'Donnell's money. Trying to recruit strong candidates is something we are doing better than Massachusetts right now, who seem content to be sold out by their Senator.

217 Our imperial congress our imperial senate and our tyranical emporer the all time worst of the worst why else did a lot of those senators and congress critters get replaced and OBAMA  still sucks big time