WP:GOP's Woes Even Imperil the Centrists

[cal04]

Moderate Republicans such as Rep. Charles Bass (N.H.) are already an endangered species in Congress. The gathering political storm could push them much closer to extinction.

In 2004, Bass won reelection by 20 points, beating Paul Hodes, a Democratic lawyer and guitarist who dubbed his long-shot campaign the "Rock and Roll Back the Deficit Tour." This year, it's a different story. A University of New Hampshire survey released Thursday showed Hodes with a lead of 45 percent to 37 percent, with 14 percent undecided; the poll had a five-percentage-point margin of error.

Touring a start-up technology firm here, the six-term Republican looked anxious and a little weary. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had just increased its investment in New Hampshire's 2nd District to $1.1 million and had bought ad time in the pricey Boston media market.

"I am the same candidate I was two years ago, four years ago, six years ago," Bass told business leaders who had gathered at the plant. "I know my constituents, and they know me." But, Bass conceded, it is "a terrible year to be running for reelection."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/03/AR2006110301508.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Moderate Republicans?

No such thing nowadays. Even the "Dems" are far, far, far to the RIGHT of Eisenhower.

[The Magistrate]

2. Northeastern 'Moderate" Republicans, Ma'am

Must be sent the way of the dodo. It is very much to our advantage to strip the Republican Party of all but the hard core religious reactionaries, for the people of our country will react strenuously against them when they have no shred of cover by more respectable and responsible types. Further, they are easy targets, well within our reach.

[enough]

3. Some myth-making here, I think.

snip>

Moderate Republican House members such as Bass, Christopher Shays of Connecticut, and Jim Gerlach and Michael G. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania often side with Democrats on environmental, social and budget issues. On the rare occasion when a vote fails in the House, they are usually the culprits. Ditto for internal dissent. After then-Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) was indicted on campaign finance charges in Texas, Bass helped launch a petition drive to replace the powerful House majority leader. DeLay gave up his post a few days afterward and later resigned from Congress.

snip>



I don't know about the others, but as far as Jim Gerlach is concerned, this is a crock. He may vote with Democrats occasionally in situations where his vote won't change the outcome, but I don't think there's ever been a case he was responsible for defeating a Republican vote in the House. Somebody correct me please, if I'm wrong.

[Totally Committed]

4. A myth to be busted: There are NO "moderate" Republicans....

None, whatsoever. If they have voted to enable the current administration (and we all know that have), they have lost their "moderate" status forever, imo.

This is now a Party of EXTREMISTS. Period.

TC