Governor Barbour Calls for GOP, Tea Party Unity
In today's Wall Street Journal, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour celebrates the Tea Party-Republican coalition that has united around first principles -- jobs, the economy, spending, taxes, debt, and deficits -- to oppose the statist agenda. Had the Tea Party vote split off from the GOP in favor of a third party, Governor Barbour argues, we'd have lost our shot at putting an end to the leftist grip on government. Similarly, if establishment Republicans decide to ignore primary results in favor of splitting the right-of-center vote we will diminish our gains in November.
Below, the Governor with some tough words for the Lisa Murkowski and Charlie Crist breed of Republican:
Republican and tea party voters united means Mr. Obama defeated. As a former Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman and the current chairman of the Republican Governors' Association (RGA), I urge Republicans not to help the left wing split our vote.
When the Republican voters of a state choose a party nominee in an open process like a primary, we Republican leaders must support the nominee. During my tenures as chairman of the RNC and RGA, neither organization endorsed candidates in primaries. That's because the party's role is to abide by the decisions of the Republican primary voters. We have no right whatsoever to substitute our will or judgment for that of the voters.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski lost the GOP primary in Alaska to Joe Miller. Now she's launched a write-in campaign to get re-elected. There is no excuse for this campaign, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was right to demand her resignation from the GOP leadership.
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Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Governor Barbour Calls for GOP, Tea Party Unity
Bravo Haley! It's reassuring to have seasoned, smart, and competent men like him taking charge.
The GOP originally was a Tea Party of its time, founded on a populist platform favoring the curtailment and slow elimination of slavery; nominating the maverick, "inexperienced" oddball Lincoln, "Fine mind, but such a hick... no social polish or manners to speak of... thin and shrill voice.... and those firebrand Abolitionists he brings with him.... The man's unelectable", so they said in 1860.
The Tea Party is the best thing to happen for the GOP and the nation in 160 years. I don't see any reason the modern party can't clean its house and integrate us Partiers.
There's an old saying, "Comes the hour, comes the man". We have reason to hope greatness will return to us.
May '10
Re: Governor Barbour Calls for GOP, Tea Party Unity
Governor Barbour has got it right. I hope that Rove, Krauthammer, and Murphy take the Governor's words to heart and respect the will of the voters.
May '10
Re: Governor Barbour Calls for GOP, Tea Party Unity
As others have said, Governor Barbour sounds exactly the right note. Successful governors are the best voices in this party. They know how to make things happen.
Though, reading River's mention of Lincoln, I feel obligated to point out that Abe was notoriously "squishy" on the abolition issue, which the abolitionists new and grieved over. But they went with him because he was the most "electable" man they had available. And he was ultimately elected when his opponents split three ways. That election looks much more clear from a great distance. Up close its a mess.
Aug '10
Re: Governor Barbour Calls for GOP, Tea Party Unity
G.A. Dean:
..., reading River's mention of Lincoln, I feel obligated to point out that Abe was notoriously "squishy" on the abolition issue, which the abolitionists new and grieved over. But they went with him because he was the most "electable" man they had available...
You're right, Lincoln's public stance on slavery was squishy. Early on he said:
"If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it...."
But he lost the election of 1858 against Douglas because of this:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.
I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
It will become all one thing or all the other.
Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it... or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States -- North as well as South."
He passionately hated the institution of slavery.