Rinos

[TCassidy]

Talking about Reagan's past without talking about his very significant change toward conservatism is absurd.

Well, let's see.

As "CONSERVATIVE" REPUBLICAN Governor Reagan was pro-gay-rights. He vigorously opposed the 1978 Briggs initiative (Proposition 6), which would have banned homosexuals from teaching in public schools. (He was Governor from 1967-1975)

He was pro-abortion. Six months into his term as "CONSERVATIVE" REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, he signed the Therapeutic Abortion Act, which led to a rise in abortions in California from 518 a year to an average of 100,000 during his last two years in office.

As "CONSERVATIVE" REPUBLICAN Governor of California, signed into law one of the worst gun control laws in the country, the Mulford Act.

He was pro-tax. He raised taxes more than $1 billion during his term as "CONSERVATIVE" REPUBLICAN governor.

He was pro-illegal immigration. He signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act while "CONSERVATIVE" REPUBLICAN president, which led to a rise in illegal immigration.

Facts are such pesky things!

 

[TCassidy]

As is mischaracterizing Robert Taft as a leader of the moderate wing of the Republican party.

The self-styled "moderates" were not the centrist majority. They were the social progressives. Taft was a social progressive.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

One needs to be careful of making sure of which Robert Taft is being discussed. There are three. The Taft family of Ohio makes the Kennedys and Clintons look like pikers in the political dynasty game. Here are the three

• Robert A. Taft (1889-1953), he of whom TCassidy and I speak.
• Robert Taft, Jr. (1917-1993)
• Bob Taft (1942-)

As is mischaracterizing Robert Taft as a leader of the moderate wing of the Republican party.

 

[TCassidy]

Robert A. Taft (1889-1953), he of whom TCassidy and I speak.

Yes. Author of the famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 which greatly restricts the power of labor unions, and remains the law of the land today. (And he had such a vast knowledge of parliamentary procedure that he managed to get both houses of congress to over-ride President Truman's veto!)

And, again, this points out the contradictions in Taft's politics. He opposed labor unions which were the power of socialism personified, yet Senator Kenneth S. Wherry discerned a "touch of socialism" in Taft, while his Ohio colleague Senator John Bricker speculated that perhaps the "socialists have gotten to Bob Taft." He also supported public housing programs which were the darlings of the socialist left. He also supported Federal aid to the states to fund public schools, another socialist left idea.

He advocated a strong national defense but opposed the United States entry into WWII.

He was an enigma. Some have described him as a proto-libertarian, about 50 years ahead of his time. There may be some truth to that assessment.

 

[Jerome]

Collin Peterson of Minnesota might qualify if the bar is lowered a bit.

Only Utah's Jim Matheson and Peterson voted with House Republicans more often than not in the 112th Congress, 41% and 47% Party Unity Scores, respectively. They went up to 51% and 57% in the 113th.

http://voteview.com/Party_Unity.htm

In the Senate, Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska voted with Republicans more often than not in the 109th Congress (41% Party Unity Score).

All a far cry from Congressman Jim Traficant (9% Party Unity Score in his last partial term) and Senator Zell Miller (6% Party Unity Score in the 108th Congress).

 

[Rob_BW]

Lol, I hadn't thought about Traficant in a while.

 

[The American Dream]

Are you using c2010 as your standard? Or are you using the issues then current in 1974, 1964, and 1952?

I use the issues in the then current year. McCain and Romney are certainly RINOs. I really do not know what to call the Bushes except finished. In fact, if JFK could have run against the Republican nominee, he would be to the right of everyone of them since Reagan.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

It comes down to which Republican Party are you using as your standard. Please explain how Ford, Rockefeller, Robert Taft (b 1889) were RINOs in their day.

I use the issues in the then current year. McCain and Romney are certainly RINOs. I really do not know what to call the Bushes except finished. In fact, if JFK could have run against the Republican nominee, he would be to the right of everyone of them since Reagan.