‘Southern Republicans, it seems, have seceded from sanity’
Kathleen Parker, a conservative and a Southern girl both by birth and by choice (she was born in Florida, is a Florida State grad and now lives in Camden, S.C.), writes a provocative column about the impact of her native region on the Republican Party.
Along the way, she cites a quote from Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio to the effect that “We got too many Jim DeMints and Tom Coburns (in the GOP). It’s the Southerners. They get on TV and go ‘errrr, errrrr.’ People hear them and say, ‘These people, they’re Southerners. The party’s being taken over by Southerners. What the hell they got to do with Ohio?’ ”
“Whatever Voinovich’s sound effects were intended to convey,” Parker writes, “his meaning was clear enough: Those ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks are ruining the party. Alas, Voinovich was not entirely wrong”
Southern Republicans, she writes, “have seceded from sanity” and the only way the Grand Old Party can rise again will be to “face their inner Voinovich and drive a stake through the heart of old Dixie.”
Here in the South, surrounded by others of like minds, I’m not sure a lot of Southern Republicans fully appreciate the reality that Parker describes so bluntly. But nationally, it is a very real problem for the party. The issues and attitudes that get people elected here — particularly in districts drawn to concentrate voters of similar ideology and demography, making politicians immune to moderation — simply don’t play well when trotted out for a national audience.
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336 comments Add your comment
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:20 am
No shiite, Sherlock!
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:23 am
Worth a repeat…..
Umm, GOP? You got a second? I want to show you something.
here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/5/762024/-Umm,-GOP-You-got-a-second-I-want-to-show-you-something.
Normal….
Rachel Maddow hit the nail on the head when she called it hooliganism
righty
August 5th, 2009
8:30 am
“Whatever Voinovich’s sound effects were intended to convey,” Parker writes, “his meaning was clear enough: Those ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks are ruining the party. Alas, Voinovich was not entirely wrong”
Sounds like she’s been hanging around with the McCain child a little too much…plus, any real conservative takes everything Kathleen Parker says with a grain of salt – she puts her foot in her mouth way too much. What her and a lot of other “moderates” in the Republican party seem to forget is that it is people like DeMint and Coburn that are actually bringing some relevance back to the party and helping to draw back the true conservatives who have been disgusted by so many attempts to make the party “democrat-lite”.
The southerners are a vital component to bringing more true conservatives to Washington. No, it won’t be an easy road and I guess that’s why so many RINOs are just content to bash southern conservatives.
jt
August 5th, 2009
8:33 am
“Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio to the effect that “We got too many Jim DeMints and Tom Coburns (in the GOP). It’s the Southerners.”
Let the senator from the bankrupt state of Ohio run his mouth all he wants.
He of all people should know. No republican running for president can win without the South.
I for one am taking names.
Turd Ferguson
August 5th, 2009
8:34 am
There is some truth here. Many I know in the Rep party are so far right that occassionaly Ive contemplated voting Dem. Then again, just could never see myself voting for such placaters and johnny milktoasts such as Carter, Clinton and now this ObamaDebacle.
Shame the Southern Reps cant be more live and let live.
TnGelding
August 5th, 2009
8:36 am
Well, I always thought it was insane that Lincoln didn’t withdraw federal troops from Fort Sumter to buy a little time for cooler heads to prevail. But it probably would’t hae mattered anyway.
Is it the Johnny Reb streak that is causing our stubbornness and unwillingness to accept the new realities of our society?
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:37 am
Remember the last time Republicans sent Angry Mobs to Disrupt Something?
here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×6215784
Number of southerners in that crowd….
Who You Gonna Call
August 5th, 2009
8:38 am
Why, I do declare, y’all. Our southern Republicans may be slow but if everyone else would jest speed up in the opposite direction, they’ll have a fightin’ chance to ketchup… eventually. By the way, has anyone been able to get a copy of the southern Republican healthcare plan, written by that Georgia boy that calls himself a doctor. That 700 billion dollar big business tax cut to be paid for initially by borrowing more money from our friends, the Chinese. It’s the Republican way and has been ever since Reagan. Let’s build another F-22 to celebrate.
Brad Steel
August 5th, 2009
8:39 am
Need more evidence? How about Cobb County’s nationally reported effort to get the “Evolution – It’s Only a Thery Sticker” into biology (it’s only science) books.
George American
August 5th, 2009
8:41 am
We don’t nee Ms. Parker or the RINOs in Ohio!
The GOP and the South will rise again!
Doggone/GA
August 5th, 2009
8:43 am
“The GOP and the South will rise again!”
Probably…but they won’t be what they used to be by the time they do.
George American
August 5th, 2009
8:44 am
All the South lacks is the strong moral leadership of a Ms. Sarah Palin.
Tea
August 5th, 2009
8:44 am
Perhaps at the root of the problem is our high school drop out rate which hovers around 50%-60% in Georgia, worse in some other southern states.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:48 am
Here’s a favorite:
Georgia GOP Rep. Lynn Westmoreland
here:
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/09/08/georgia-gop-rep-lynn-westmoreland-outs-himself-as-a-racist/
Get Real
August 5th, 2009
8:48 am
At least these so-called southern conservatives know how to manage money………whats that you say? GDOT had accountants that used the wrong formulas to in managing millions of dollars? The Feds froze transit money in part because GDOT has 23 employees overseeing transit, ports, and what-not, out of a total staff of over 5,000? Oh, I didn’t know. How many employees does Sonny have implementing Go Fish? More than 23. Oh ok. That sounds about right for these rednecks.
Who You Gonna Call
August 5th, 2009
8:48 am
All the southern Republicans need to rise again is more baking powder or yeast or hydrogen or helium. Go out with a bang. Use the hydrogen. Give us a good Hindenburg light show.
Health Care
August 5th, 2009
8:49 am
Why did Saxby Chambliss take $2,500,000.00 from the insurance companies? Guess who just bought Georgia’s vote?
Joey
August 5th, 2009
8:50 am
+
Kathy is so cute; and Jay so …. so authoritative that I am converted. I now support the following:
1. Assign every person and business a Carbon Limit, require any who exceed their limit to buy Carbon Credits from Al Gore’s company. Also require any who do not use all their assigned credits to sell their credits to Al Gore’s company for 32% of the retail market price.
NOTE: Exempt all Officials elected to or appointed to Federal Office and their families.
2. All medical needs shall be provided by the U.S. Government. No execptions. Well except there will be a special medical service group which provides medical care for Elected and Appointed Federal Official and their families.
3. All businesses shall be required to employ union members only.
How could I have been so wrong for so long. I am so ashamed.
Curious Observer
August 5th, 2009
8:52 am
The Republican Party has been dominated by rednecks for decades. A moderate Gerald Ford or Everett Dirksen couldn’t even get picked as a VP candidate now. As we see on this blog, rednecks come in all varieties, ranging from the Whiner to the more crude Turd Ferguson and jt. What they all have in common is an affinity for nativism, racism, and a variety of other -isms now rejected by the majority of Americans. They like to delude themselves into believing that their current residence in the political wilderness is a temporary phenomenon. Yet, they persist in offending the minorities who decide national elections now. Sooner or later, the South will enter the 20th Century and put a toe in the 21st, but for now it’s a lost cause. It’s best to ignore these bigots.
jt
August 5th, 2009
8:53 am
Mrs. G-
I haven’t seen where any GOP’ers have actually protested at people’s HOUSES yet. You remember, Acorn thugs protesting at banker’s houses.
Also, the birther phenomenon is just an inarticulate way of showing the lack of trust they have for Obama.
In closing Rasmussan shows that everyone is slowly becoming Republican.
Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a seven-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party’s lead to six weeks in a row.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot
YeeHaw!!
Bosch
August 5th, 2009
8:54 am
“Those ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks are ruining the party”
Yeap. That pretty much sums it up.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:55 am
jt
Rasmussen says we’re all becoming republican?
Listen dude, come here,
closer
closer
lean in….
I have this piece of property you might be interested in…..
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
8:56 am
2010 House Outlook: Democrats Look Secure
here:
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=news-000003177606&mp=Most_Viewed
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
August 5th, 2009
8:58 am
dream on – just wait until 2012 – the liberal sheople seem to forget that Obumbler’s landslide was a mere 4% and that his approval rating, in several of the more reliable polls, is no below 59% – the dems have ramped up the deficit and ramped down the budget with no tangible gain only gifts to ACORNhole, UAW, and others – america is a center-right country and that is where it will return in the next two election cycles
jt
August 5th, 2009
8:59 am
Ya can’t fight it Mrs. G.
If the current trend continues, even you will become a Republican.
RB from Gwinnett
August 5th, 2009
8:59 am
A simple man don’t need her around anyhow.
She lost me at “ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks”. Anybody who describes a major block of their party as “ignorant” simply because they speak with a southern accent needs to just admit they’re a democrat. And to add the “bible thumping” on there as well? She’s no conservative I want to have ANYTHING to do with and it is she and her RINO friends who have destroyed the party.
Turd Ferguson
August 5th, 2009
8:59 am
Curious Observer
August 5th, 2009
8:52 am
LOL…racism? Ah…so personal preference has now been deemed racism. Nice try…*applause*…Johnny has some nice parting gifts for you. What do we have Johnny…well Bob C.O. will receive a years supply of Turtle Wax Automobile Wax and 2 10% off coupons for his next visit to Pizza Hut. Thanks for playing C.O.
Goldie
August 5th, 2009
9:03 am
I still say that the GOP now stands for “Grumpy Old People”, and boy is the south full of ‘em!
stands for decibels
August 5th, 2009
9:04 am
If this week’s “send unattractive loudmouths to make complete asses of themselves on the TeeVee” GOP plan doesn’t work, might I suggest this one from a renown Super Genius?
Who You Gonna Call
August 5th, 2009
9:04 am
Mrs G at 8:48,
That video is destined to become a true classic. I place it right up there with Gone with the Wind and its Georgia peach starlett.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
9:06 am
jt
te hee hee
ya’ and yo’ mamma was the first granny to walk on mars!
Davo
August 5th, 2009
9:06 am
I’m guessing the only point to this pilfered POS is to insult your readers.
I welcome the day when the AJC finally figures out that you bring nothing of interest or pertainence to it’s product…and fires your a$$.
Doggone/GA
August 5th, 2009
9:08 am
“I welcome the day when the AJC finally figures out that you bring nothing of interest or pertainence to it’s product…and fires your a$$”
The closer he gets to the truth…the louder the cons squeal
RB from Gwinnett
August 5th, 2009
9:13 am
I would have to assume from the tone of the liberals posts here that you are all for the massive debt, huge budget deficits, and pending tax increases. THOSE are the things the “ignorant” rednecks have been complaining about all the way back to the Bush years of spending like a drunken democrat. So, is that it? You think this nations current financial direction is the right way to go and want to belittle those who are speaking out against it (in a souther accent)?
I Report (-: You Whine )-:
August 5th, 2009
9:16 am
Welp, the old bookman has re emerged.
What bravery he displays this morning, hiding behind some obviously distraught and confused woman so he can freely lash out at those things he hates-
Those ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks are ruining the party.
One would assume that the door is now wide open to reciprocate our own stone cold bigoted and racist stereotypes of our fellow countrymen, you’d have to believe we are now free to share our feelings to add to the air of decisiveness, but it’s funny, this “ignorant, right wing, Bible thumping redneck ain’t going there.
Because I’m better than you are.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 5th, 2009
9:16 am
“assume”….interesting choice of words….
Ga Values
August 5th, 2009
9:17 am
The truth is that both parties are controlled by lobbyist, look at Chanbliss when he was in the primary he said he had seen the light and would work for Georgia but after he got our vote he forgot about the interest of Georgia Taxpayers. Until the taxpayer can get competative in the amount we pay our congressmen, lobbyist will own this country.
Bosch
August 5th, 2009
9:18 am
RB,
All the way back to the BUSH years? I’m assuming you mean Daddy Bush, but you need to go back a little ways to Reagan – yeah, that’d be a good starting point.
TRUTH
August 5th, 2009
9:19 am
Didn’t both of our Senators vote for TARP?
USinUK
August 5th, 2009
9:19 am
WBH –
“Obumbler’s landslide was a mere 4% and that his approval rating, in several of the more reliable polls, is no below 59%”
oh, noes!!! not below 59%!!! in other words, nearly 2/3 of people still approve of him???!!!
and as for the 4% … of all the groups on the planet who should know that the popular vote don’t mean squat, you GOPpers should since the electoral college vs. popular vote worked in your favor in 2000
Imperial Sugar
August 5th, 2009
9:21 am
We like Southern Congressmen, they sell out CHEAPER.
Kayaker 71
August 5th, 2009
9:23 am
“voters of similar ideology and demography”……”making politicians immune to moderation”…”issues that get people elected”… sounds a lot like Chicago politics where they haven’t seen an elected Republican in our lifetime. What makes you think that Southern politicians are any different that Northern ones? All have one issue in mind… getting re-elected… and that is pretty common to both sides. It’s still a good old boy club who pats each other on the back and collects legal bribes called PAC contributions. Southern politicians are no more of an embarrassment than Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, Howard Dean or Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. Trying to separate them into good and bad is a poor exercise in judgment and an even poorer political prospective.
Normal
August 5th, 2009
9:24 am
GEORGE AMERICAN, Your posts of 8:41 and 8:44..Double bless your heart…
Actually this in a nut shell is what’s wrong with the GOP. They can’t see the country for all the red, white and blue in their eyes.
jbmlaw
August 5th, 2009
9:25 am
Certainly leftists view socialism as the equivalent of sanity. The only problem with the republicans is that they are not libertarian enough.
USinUK
August 5th, 2009
9:25 am
Kayaker –
“Trying to separate them into good and bad is a poor exercise in judgment and an even poorer political prospective.”
well, it’s your own party that’s doing it, not the Dems.
RW-(the original)
August 5th, 2009
9:25 am
I won’t make a big show of it like Billy Jeff is doing in Burbank, but as you can tell from today’s writing my rescue effort to free Jay B from his captors was successful.
USinUK
August 5th, 2009
9:27 am
Bosch –
“ignorant, right-wing, Bible-thumping rednecks are ruining the party”
and don’t they ruin EVERY party … political party, garden party, bris …
USinUK
August 5th, 2009
9:28 am
RW –
“Jay B from his captors”
the trout were holding him hostage?
USinUK
August 5th, 2009
9:29 am
RB –
“You think this nations current financial direction is the right way to go and want to belittle those who are speaking out against it (in a souther accent)?”
aw, bless.
it’s not US that are belittling Southern GOPpers … it’s your own party that don’t want you. oh, they want your votes, but they don’t want YOU.
Turd Ferguson
August 5th, 2009
9:30 am
Perhaps Obama-JuniorJesus answer to the ObamaCare finance debacle lies in the VAT…? I think this may quell the discord and will allow everyone from the poorest of the poor to the most rich to participate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_added_tax