GOP defined by its extremists, like Dems in the ’70s
The Democratic Party struggled at the national level throughout the 1970s and ’80s — all but shut out of the White House — because it was defined by its most extreme elements: war protestors, loony peaceniks, angry black activists, crime apologists, etc. It took years of concerted effort by the Democratic Leadership Council, Bill Clinton and others to reclaim the Democrats’ reputation as reasonable and pragmatic.
The Republican Party of today is stuck in the same place, defined by Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, birthers, tea partiers and Joe Wilson. John McCain fell into the trap of being defined by the extremists when he chose former Gov. Palin to run on his ticket. She energized the base, but she scared off moderates and intellectually honest Republicans
.
Today’s big rally in Washington holds the potential for aggravating that reputation. Because TV cameras always focus on the loonies, it won’t take many handheld signs denouncing Obama as a Socialist/Muslim/Nazi or questioning his citizenship to exacerbate the GOP’s reputation as, to quote Politico, the “party of cranks.”
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90 comments Add your comment
jt
September 12th, 2009
3:52 pm
Believe what you want, but the freedom-loving people gathered in Washington today have just as much disdain for many incumbent Republicans as they have for Charlie Rangel or Barney Frank.
CALL the 100,000+ citizens in Washington any derogatory term you and Keith Olbermann can think up,
but,
you will not be able to CALL President Obama a TWO TERMER.
Free your mind Ms. Tucker. Let the Ronald show you the way. Leave behind the Chicago crew. You will feel cleaner.
Joel Edge
September 12th, 2009
4:34 pm
“war protestors, loony peaceniks, angry black activists, crime apologists, etc.” You’ve pretty much described the Democratic party of today. With some truthers thrown in the mix.
mike
September 12th, 2009
4:40 pm
What a load of crap.
Yes, Cynthia, you and the rest of the hyper-partisans in the media want to define your opponents by their most extreme members. This slimy tactic is used by mindless pundits from Limbaugh to Bookman.
You are all the same.
Charlie
September 12th, 2009
4:41 pm
Well, If mainstream is throwing billions in support to orginizations that specialize in voter fraud and offer free tax advice on pimpin’ then I guess you can call me a radical.
mike
September 12th, 2009
4:44 pm
Remeber folks, dissent is patriotic…unless you are a conservative. Then the same mindless partisans who cheered liberal protesters will demonize you.
Charlie
September 12th, 2009
4:44 pm
Actually, Cynthia, how about an article on Acorn offering free pimpin’ advice. I noticed the AJC decided to complety skip this story, so I guess you just hope it goes away. But I would like to see how you spin this one.
El Jefe
September 12th, 2009
4:52 pm
Ms. Tucker,
I must disagree with you. Since you are so far left that Ted Kennedy seems conservative compared to you, anyone right of center would fall into YOUR definition of extremist.
On the contrary, we do not want to transform America as the President has said, we do not want to erase capitalism as the President has said, we just want our country back.
To borrow from one of my unpublished letters to the editor.
Here is the deal -
For all the politicians – listen to the people, not the organized SEIU/ACORN/astroturf/phony/pre-paid protesters, and maybe get re-elected or don’t and be sure to be replaced.
Since you are now in the D.C area, in the middle of leftieville, I don’t think you can grasp this concept.
Pete
September 12th, 2009
6:23 pm
I don’t know about the comparison of today’s right-wing extremists with the Democrats of the 1970s, but I do have a comment on these teapartiers who talk about taking back the country. Sorry, the country isn’t theirs, it’s mine, and I want the healthcare problem solved. I want the economy back on track. I want these things done responsibly. If these folks want to suggest detailed, positive solutions, I’m all for it. But the hatred they are spewing is not welcome in my country.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 12th, 2009
6:48 pm
because it was defined by its most extreme elements: war protestors, loony peaceniks, angry black activists, crime apologists, etc.
Aahhh, yes, a veritable Queen Pinko self assessment.
Aaaannnnnndddddd, she thinks these things are bad??
It must be nice to be able to spin up a new reality each and every day.
chris
September 12th, 2009
7:20 pm
The Party of Extremeists? Correct me if I’m wrong, but Van Jones was a Communist and believed that white people were trying to poisin him. This idiot was appointed Czar by sombody who is friends with unrepentant terrorists. Obama sat in a racist church for 20 years. My God, you are an ignorant woman!
Tank
September 12th, 2009
8:08 pm
Hmmm….. Let me see. The Republicans are defined by extremist groups like Birthers.
So we can say that Democrats are defined by extremist groups. Like Deathers. Or maybe better yet, Murderers.
Tank
September 12th, 2009
8:10 pm
Birthers. Haters. Just sayin’.
I absolutely love the lexicon of today’s progressives.
Tank
September 12th, 2009
8:11 pm
Hey Sinthia. Buh Bye!
Bernard
September 12th, 2009
8:46 pm
I just wonder where all these anti gov people were during the last 8 years in particular. waking up now when the “other guy” has the controls is way too late. Obama is just using the “tools” as his predecessor did. the groundwork Bushco laid out is now being “abused” now on you, i hear.
Gosh, the door to the barn was opened a long time before “O” got there. i was wondering when i would hear someone says something. I guess now it matters and before it was “okay”. i never ever thought it was “ever” okay.
“What goes around,” is the phrase that comes to mind.
Chris Salzmann
September 12th, 2009
8:51 pm
I’m sure most of these folks in Washington DC will return home just in time to collect their social security checks and medicare benefits. You have to hand it to some of these seniors complaining about “socialism” and government healthcare while making full use of exactly the same. Lets take these programs away from these protesting folks and their next march on Washington DC will be with begging bowls in hand.
Cynthia, I hope these folks take their marching orders from the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity. Like the last election, this will again lead them to electoral defeat. The Republican Party is growing smaller every year. In 30 years, this will be a MINORITY-MAJORITY country with WHITES being the minority. Even right now, any Republican strategist will tell you that no Republican can win the Presidency with anything less than 30%-35% of the Latino vote. With the way these folks are acting, they’ll be lucky to get 10%.
Yeah, lets see how the Grand Old WHITE Party fares in the future. As a liberal, I think that Sarah Palin was the BEST candidate they put up in a long time for VP. I’m hoping they pick Michelle Bachman from Minnesota next time.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 12th, 2009
9:39 pm
But the magnitude of the rally took the authorities by surprise, with throngs of people streaming from the White House to Capitol Hill for more than three hours.-WaPo
Tank
September 12th, 2009
9:44 pm
Chis,
Your racism and bigotry is coming through. At least those folks returning home to pick up their social security and medicare checks worked and contributed to the kitty. Better than just cranking out babies, blaming everything on “whitey” and collecting a handout.
Oops. My racism and bigotry are coming through.
Carter is a Fool
September 12th, 2009
10:04 pm
The democrats of the 70’s and 80’s were defined by extremists. They still are. The extremists are now in charge. Nancy Pelosi is no moderate, but hard core leftist hippy hack. Harry Reid is not quite as kooky, but just as much a political hack.
Obama is no moderate like Clinton. Clinton was womanizer and a proven liar, but he did very little harm as President to our economy. He did not make radical changes to the everyday lives of Americans and this is to be praised. He did make the US a laughing stock with his skirt chasing antics and the affair with a barely adult intern. It was right that he was impeached and also right that he was not removed from office, but disbarred after he left the White House.
it was defined by its most extreme elements: war protestors, loony peaceniks, angry black activists, crime apologists, etc. Look in the mirror. You are the sum of all of these characteristics.
Chris Salzmann
September 12th, 2009
10:08 pm
Tank September 12th, 2009 9:44 pm SAID: Chis, Your racism and bigotry is coming through. At least those folks returning home to pick up their social security and medicare checks worked and contributed to the kitty. Better than just cranking out babies, blaming everything on “whitey” and collecting a handout.
CHRIS SAYS: So, you assume because they’re WHITE, they all contributed into the kitty??? LOL, you’re right about your racism and bigotry. BTW, where is the Michelle Obama “Whitey” tape? We’re still waiting……………….
Now that we put that aside, lets all do away with Medicare, the biggest example of government provided health care, (”socialized medicine”). Yeah, we certainly need less government and that seems to me an example of it. Lets hear the GOP walk the walk…………
Chris Salzmann
September 12th, 2009
10:13 pm
Carter is a Fool September 12th, 2009 10:04 pm SAID: Obama is no moderate like Clinton. Clinton was womanizer and a proven liar, but he did very little harm as President to our economy.
CHRIS SAID: Hah! That’s an understatement if I ever heard one! Under Clinton, we had the fastest growing economy in decades. Record low unemployment and true wealth creation. He left Bush with a surplus and what happened??? According to economists, the current recession we’re in, started in December 2007, a full year before Obama took office. It took Reagan 3 years to recover from the Carter recession and Clinton took 2 years to recover from the Bush Sr. recession. This recession is the worst on record since the Great Depression….and under who did this recession start? We already know that, right?
The REAL GodHatesTrash, Superstar
September 12th, 2009
11:16 pm
Big crowd in DC today?
Gotta hand it to Glenn Beck. He’s like the Pied Piper of trash.
The REAL GodHatesTrash, Superstar
September 12th, 2009
11:18 pm
Beck is like the opposite of a garbage man. Everywhere he goes, trash shows up.
He’s another Pigpen.
Joe Matarotz
September 13th, 2009
12:25 am
It’s easy to pick out the slackers who don’t actually work for a living. They’re the dumba$$e$ who think the government just gives away social security. How could you expect them to know that every retiree who collects paid into their own fund every year that they worked. Better to be a retiree collecting social security than a useless piece of shirt who expects the government to provide for their lazy slack a$$.
And, Cynthis, dear girl, you have the intellect of a raisin, which is nothing more than a dried up grape.
Carter is a Fool
September 13th, 2009
7:47 am
Chris Salzmann said Under Clinton, we had the fastest growing economy in decades. Record low unemployment and true wealth creation. This was thanks to a Republican Congress and the groundwork laid by Reagan. Clinton did nothing to mess up this progress. He did nothing to contribute to it either. Clinton was too busy with other blue dress items.
Our current economic problems stem from Barney Frank (worthless Communist) who continually blocked reform for Freddie and Fannie. You cannot loan money to people who have no ability to pay it back and expect things to be fine. Bush has a part in this because of the spending on the war. However, the root of this goes to the Democratic Congress and the blind idea that everyone should own a house regardless if they can afford a house. This policy began under Clinton and spiraled out of control.
It is easy to see that the majority of our current mess is traced back to the Democratic Socialist Party who has such wonderful representatives as Barney and Charles Rangel (tax cheat) and Queen Hippy Nancy.
Beretverde
September 13th, 2009
7:49 am
I guess I’m an “Extremist” as well because I want lower taxes, a smaller more efficient government, and protection from radical Muslims who preach “Death to America?” I also LOVE my Health Insurance. With my insurance and my wife’s insurance we are extremely happy with our two plans. By the way we both work and EARNED our insurance benefits. No luck involved, just hard work. Wow!
Thanks for the information and profiling Cynthia. I always thought of myself being part of mainstream America and at times a part of the “silent majority.” Oh yeah… I’m a veteran of our Armed Services so I am now a “Disgruntled Veteran” who must be watched by Homeland Security as a threat to our country.
The labeling by the liberal media elite is sickening. Yes, if you can call me an “extremist” I will call you what you are- MISGUIDED!
Carter is a Fool
September 13th, 2009
7:51 am
Beretverde at 7:49 — Good post.
Rand
September 13th, 2009
8:20 am
The Democratic Party CONTINUES TO BE defined by its COMMON elements, POLICIES, AND POLITICS: war protestors, loony peaceniks, angry black activists, crime apologists, TAX EVADERS, STRIVE TO PENALIZE SUCESS AND REWARD FAILURE, MASTERS OF RED-DEFINING TERMS, US APOLOGISTS, (AND DID WE MENTION ANGRY BLACK, ACTIVISTS), ETC…
REMEMBER THE DEFINITION OF A DEMOCRAT – One who believes in social equality or discounts distinctions in rank.
rightwing troll
September 13th, 2009
8:26 am
Trolls are angry today… Too bad none of them actually DO anything to better our country. Unless you consider endlessly trolling, and ranting about liberals, DOing something…
Question
September 13th, 2009
8:33 am
Ms. Tucker – I remain curious why neither you nor Mr. Bookman have posted your positions and an Oped piece on your extreme elements (though they appear to be more common elements), e.g., Charles Rangel, Van Jones, the Atlanta black agenda memo, ACORN, the Black Panther voter event, Reid calling Bush a liar, etc…
(My apologies in advance if you have in fact raised these subject and I’ve missed them)
Rev Al Sharptongue
September 13th, 2009
8:44 am
I think we have nothing to fear from the tea party types. they lost the last election less than a year ago, most Americans do not beleive that foolishness.
These are the same people who called Obama a muslim and that he went to a madrassa before the election. these are the birthers. These people are in the minority.
Their little protest in Washington drew about 60,000 people most of the White conservative looking types.
They cannot accept the fact that America has changed an it is multi cultural. This burns them up, they yearn for the days of old. Hence their preoccupation with the constitution which at one point considered Blacks 3/5’s human. It did not allow minorities or women to vote. It was a racist document.
As the demographics of this country change the tea parties become more and more fringe.
They want their country back, but from whom?
Bush gave us the patriot act and unwarranted phone tapping, and an illegal war. Yet the tea baggers supported this.
They are some the most unamerican people around. As Thomas Jefferson said “Patriotism is the last refuge for scoundrels”. These people hide behind their love for america to spew hatred and lies. they are bitter,angry and insecure.
They are a dying breed of crankpots, racists, and uneducated bigots.
Real
September 13th, 2009
8:46 am
You all continue to attack and criticize the messenger(s) while ignoring the messages — stop the spending and skyrocketing deficit, why the constant rush of ill-prepared, defined, and understood legislation through Congress, how will we cover the inevitable costs of your health care reform plan (what are the details of the plan?), STRONG concerns about this Adminstration’s continued quest for UNBRIDLED POWER, etc…
Rev Al Sharptongue
September 13th, 2009
8:54 am
real..
If you read or listen Obama and others have stated how they plan to pay for it. they also state what is in and is not in the plan.
yet you tea baggers will say its a lie or continue to say the same things over and over like death panels, and covering illegals that are not true.
It’s a shame when a person has to lie to make their case. makes me wonder if their point is really valid. and one thing I kow is that rightwingers usually distort and lie they have no morals or character
WWJD….yeah right
Joan
September 13th, 2009
9:40 am
I for one am glad that the “silent majority” is silent no more. You can try to divert attention from the message by denigrating the messenger, but that simply reveals your fear to confront good argument with rebuttal. This Healthcare plan makes no economic sense for anyone who pays taxes, and has their own insurance. Why are we destroying a system for 10% of the population? Why can’t the government allow cross border insurance sales–better for competition than any “public” option (which I end up paying for). And tell me why people won’t be forced to the public option when their employers give up paying $12-13K per employee for healthcare, and resort to paying the $8K “penalty” instead? It only makes economic sense to do that.
Bob
September 13th, 2009
11:00 am
Bernard, why do you think so many left the repubs and John McCain ? The repubs and Gingrich started well but after a couple cycles turned into what they replaced. Most I know did not like no child left behind or the drug plan. Ted Stevens and Thad Cochran led the pork. And you mention the past 8 years ? George was handed a 6 trillion debt so I think you should look further back in history.
Laurs1
September 13th, 2009
11:01 am
What a strange opinion piece. Today’s dissenters are nothing like the Democrat dissenters of earlier and current times. The people we saw yesterday and at gatherings for the past six months threw no bombs, were not violent, were not drugged out, nor are they the fringes of society.
Today’s dissenters are, for the most part, everyday people. Of course there are always nutballs who follow any crowd for the attention it might give them, but they are few and not really part of the whole. THEY are the fringe, not the body of the dissent group.
It is rather amusing that Tucker calls Limbaugh and others part of the “fringe” group of society. The number of listeners should give any mathematically- and linguistically-challenged writer a clue about what “fringe” means.
If anyone is on the fringe, it’s Chris Matthews, with his very small number of leg-ticklers. And, of course, Tucker herself.
Alice in Wonderland
September 13th, 2009
11:14 am
Beretverde, put a fork in it, it’s done. Welcome to Wonderland.
Chris Salzmann
September 13th, 2009
11:23 am
Joan September 13th, 2009 9:40 am SAID: And tell me why people won’t be forced to the public option when their employers give up paying $12-13K per employee for healthcare, and resort to paying the $8K “penalty” instead? It only makes economic sense to do that.
CHRIS SAYS: Because your employers get to write off the medical insurance they provide to employees as an expense which helps their bottom line. So do the math, what’s more profitable: The $12K-$13K they get to write off or the $8K? BTW, under current conditions, medical insurance costs are projected to rise 119% over the next 8-10 years.
Rick H
September 13th, 2009
11:24 am
Electing the most extreme leftist senator of the extreme left party wouldn’t define the dems at all, would it?
For these evil tea partiers to be so extreme there sure do seem to be a lot of them. Does “extreme” also imply “relatively rare”? Hoiw can more than half the population be “extreme”? Since the election libs have been in love with majority rule, after eking out a 52% win with the largest media support campaign in the history of politics. I guess shortly we’ll start hearing how important it is for the minority to be heard.
Chris Salzmann
September 13th, 2009
11:27 am
Joan September 13th, 2009 9:40 am SAID: Why can’t the government allow cross border insurance sales–better for competition than any “public” option (which I end up paying for).
CHRIS SAYS: Your logic is that more participants will lower costs. Well, it doesn’t work. Take the two states of CA and ND. These states have vastly different population numbers yet insurance costs between the two are the same. The same goes for TORT reform. TX already has it and it hasn’t made a dent.
Chris Salzmann
September 13th, 2009
11:34 am
Real September 13th, 2009 8:46 am SAID: You all continue to attack and criticize the messenger(s) while ignoring the messages — stop the spending and skyrocketing deficit, why the constant rush of ill-prepared, defined, and understood legislation through Congress, how will we cover the inevitable costs of your health care reform plan (what are the details of the plan?), STRONG concerns about this Adminstration’s continued quest for UNBRIDLED POWER, etc…
CHRIS SAYS: So where your voices during the 8 years of the Bush administration? Unbridled government power? The Bush administration operated under the strictest code of secrecy in many decades. Spending and skyrocketing deficits? Ditto. Lets see: tax cuts to the rich that have lost us $2.1 Trillion in lost revenue, a prescription drug plan for seniors that cost another $ 1 Trillion. The Iraq war that ultimately will cost over $1 Trillion. So, where were you all then? In fact, anyone protesting Bush policies was called unpatriotic by the same fools crying for attention today. The drug reform plan, at least the initial draft, is available online. Did the Bush administration do the same with the Patriot Act or the Prescription Drug Plan?
Chris Salzmann
September 13th, 2009
11:39 am
Beretverde September 13th, 2009 7:49 am SAID: I also LOVE my Health Insurance. With my insurance and my wife’s insurance we are extremely happy with our two plans. By the way we both work and EARNED our insurance benefits. No luck involved, just hard work. Wow!
CHRIS SAYS: So whats going to change for you under the Health Reform Bill? Nothing. BTW, hope you and your wife don’t lose your jobs and fall sick. Once your 18 months of COBRA are up, you’re out of luck and hope. There are millions of people in this country who are in that boat and who want to work. And don’t even try buying private health insurance for your family if you have pre-existing conditions.
jconservative
September 13th, 2009
12:19 pm
Chris Salzmann –
I have read his all posts this AM. You Republicans need to heed a lot of what he says. I expect the Republicans will pick up seats in congress in the 2010 elections, they usually do. But 2012? Keep you money on Obama for re-election.
Consider: 2008 presidential election. Obama 365 electoral votes – McCain 173 electoral votes. 269 electoral votes needed for the White House. The Republican base is 28 electoral votes; states McCain carried by at least 60% of the vote. The Democratic base is 146 electoral votes; states Obama carried by at least 60% of the vote. The Republicans need to create 241 electoral votes to win in 2012. The Democrats need to create 123 electoral votes to keep the WH in 2012.
Where are the Republicans going to get the needed 241 electoral votes?
And it is electoral votes that matter. If you do not believe me, ask Al Gore.
The traditional, since 1968, Republican base is decreasing. It is now whites from the south & west. And whites from the south & west are dying of old age. They are being replaced by Latinos, Asians, Africans,
etc, etc, etc.
judi
September 13th, 2009
12:39 pm
So true Chris, I have been there…I SUPPORT THE PUBLIC OPTION!
mike
September 13th, 2009
12:51 pm
Chris Salzmann –
Why do you hate white people so much?
judi
September 13th, 2009
12:55 pm
Mike don’t shoot the messenger…Chris is telling the truth..I have been there..I had breast cancer, lost my insurance and no insurance company would insure me…It has been 5 years. Next year I will receive medicare…hurrah for socialized medicine!!
El Jefe
September 13th, 2009
1:56 pm
judi,
So you had no problem getting access to live saving medical treatments, you’re just upset you had to pay for it?
I think I understand.
Bob from Dahlonega
September 13th, 2009
2:10 pm
If healthcare was being provided for tax paying “real” Americans only I would not have a problem with it.
But as it stands a bunch of undesirables may get something they dont deserve
Healthcare is a Christian White right
Bob from Dahlonega
September 13th, 2009
2:14 pm
I just got back from D.C. I had a blast hanging with true Patriots. we are the majority and will not stand around and let bama ruin what our forefathers intended this country to be.
Semper Fi
NRA
Freedomworks
Glenn Beck
Michael H. Smith
September 13th, 2009
2:28 pm
Where forth art thou Comrade Cynthia? Your magic moment may have arrived and you fail to seize the moment?
Unfortunately the 9 -12 Tea Party gang has made a major goof. Yep, that’s right, they really blew it by choosing to use the emblem of the “clinched fist”.
They should have stuck to the Gadsden flag and the motto of Don’t tread on me, instead of using a traditional symbol of Marxists, Socialists and Communists.
Not very smart there freedom and liberty loving people. Did someone spike the Tea or what?
Chris Salzmann
September 13th, 2009
2:49 pm
Bob from Dahlonega September 13th, 2009 2:10 pm SAID: If healthcare was being provided for tax paying “real” Americans only I would not have a problem with it. But as it stands a bunch of undesirables may get something they dont deserve. Healthcare is a Christian White right
Bob from Dahlonega September 13th, 2009 2:14 pm SAID: I just got back from D.C. I had a blast hanging with true Patriots. we are the majority and will not stand around and let bama ruin what our forefathers intended this country to be.
Semper Fi
NRA
Freedomworks
Glenn Beck
CHRIS SAYS: “Healthcare is a Christian White right” pretty much sums up the Glenn Beck crowd in Washington DC. Patriots indeed. All headed for the thrash heap of history. With people like this, Democrats have absolutely nothing to fear.