I agree with Karen.

Could you provide just 2-3 principles you think all Republicans should embrace and then explain how, say, Scott Brown doesn't fit the bill?

You express disdain for "moderate Republicans," Franco, but how do you define your terms? Was Dwight Eisenhower a moderate Republican? How about Gerald Ford or George H.W. Bush?

Well, yes, Scott, that's kind of the point. Conservatives who call Republican X a RINO for not doing Y open themselves up to all sorts of inconsistencies.

Point taken, Karen. ;-) Thanks for posting! Happy to retire the term RINO in favor of GROWNUP

Thanks for posting, Duane! Interesting take on Palin 'growing up in front of our eyes.' Hadn't thought of it that way before.

I don't get it -- being a RINO makes you unpopular in Republican circles. Why would popularity be their aim?

OK! I can live with that. ;-) Misunderstood where you were coming from, sorry again

I suppose McCain, Lugar, Pawlenty, and Romney are all RINOs, then, for supporting cap and trade at various times?

My apologies, Tabula Rasa, for the insult. Some thoughts:

1. There are any number of Republican politicians who are guilty of saying stupid things, but we tend to give them a free pass: Newt Gingrich's absolutely laughable flip-flop on Libya, for instance, or Peter King's misguided support for the IRA's terrorist activity. This is to say nothing of the childish antics of Sarah Palin and her acolytes. Only Republicans who are suspected of being evil moderates or alleged RINOs are assailed.

2. I happen to think Graham is wrong on Libya and probably wrong on immigration, but the man has a 100% rating from NRLC and Americans for Tax Reform, and National Journal -- the same rankings upon which we depended for our attacks on "the most liberal senator" -- says he's the 24th most conservative. How on earth is he a RINO?

[Ed.'s Note: Comment redacted]

It's a big country out there, pal, and if Lindsey Graham isn't conservative enough for us, then we will NEVER be in a position to truly govern.

What's "grown-up" about proposing a budget that you know the Senate won't accept?

What's the point of all this? No way it passes the Democrat Senate.

Would the same people who blame the Koran burner also blame a scantily-clad coed who gets drunk and sexually assaulted at a frat party?

Visiting Libya is hardly a crime. Condi Rice went in 2008 as an honored guest. 

Clearly you have a man-crush on Heritage. I just don't want to be rude.