Tea leaves: Republican establishment still rules

[Eupher]

By JONATHAN MARTIN | 2/3/10 11:38 PM EST

The widely anticipated civil war within the Republican Party is off to a decidedly dull start.

Defying predictions from last year, early evidence suggests that party leaders and even most grass-roots activists are more interested in winning elections than in ideological bloodletting.

A spate of recent developments points to two conclusions about the modern Republican Party that were in doubt as recently as a few months ago.

The first is that for all the talk about tea party insurgents and fulminating radio and cable commentators taking over, the GOP remains above all an establishment party.

GOP leaders easily swatted down a proposed “purity test” for candidates at last week’s Republican National Committee meeting — an indication that party officials are no more willing to turn over the keys to right-wing activists now than they were during the Bush years.

In Illinois, Rep. Mark Kirk is hardly a conservative heartthrob — and some activists are openly contemptuous of what they perceive as his moderation — but he easily won the Republican Senate primary there Tuesday night, against a more conservative, underfunded opponent, in part because he is seen as having the best chance to capture President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.

Politico

Based on this analysis, it looks like Mikey Steele isn't listening. Or, if he's listening, he's giving those of a more conservative bent the ol' 

Toomey's sittin' pretty with 14 points over Specter and I suppose that's a blessing.

But it looks like more RINOs are on the way....

[dandi]

Politico

Based on this analysis, it looks like Mikey Steele isn't listening. Or, if he's listening, he's giving those of a more conservative bent the ol' 

Toomey's sittin' pretty with 14 points over Specter and I suppose that's a blessing.

But it looks like more RINOs are on the way....

I wish them the best of luck being squishy assclowns with a pissed off electorate ready to run a spine up their asses.

[Chris_]

I wish them the best of luck being squishy assclowns with a pissed off electorate ready to run a spine up their asses.

With McCain now facing a primary challenge, you'd think they would get the message.......alas.....

doc

[5412]

With McCain now facing a primary challenge, you'd think they would get the message.......alas.....

doc

Hi,

I think much like the legislature, they are hearing the message and ignoring it.  For the moment I know a whole lot of people who stopped sending them money.

As far as Illinois goes, my guess is the practical approach is a moderate republican with a chance to win is better than a cat fight.  Not sure I agree but my guess is they are looking the other way on that one. 

I do not think for one minute that the issue is settled, Palin will eventually get involved, perhaps beginning in Nashville.  She has said the only reason she is campaigning for McCain is she made a commitment to do so and she plans to keep it.  What a shame because she could blow him out of the water if she campaigned for the conservative.  On the other hand, should the conservative win anyway it would be another cannon shot.

The only positive thing she could say to Glenn Beck about McCain is he is an honorable man.......that may show through in the campaign.

regards,
5412

[Chris_]

Hi,

The only positive thing she could say to Glenn Beck about McCain is he is an honorable man.......that may show through in the campaign.

regards,
5412

Well....I'm far from a "100%er", but sorry Sarah, I thank McCain for his service in the military, but he has stabbed "this conservative" in the back far too many times for me to consider him "honorable" in the current sense.....

And just for the record, I don't really have a high opinion of Glenn Beck........he is simply wrong on too many economic issues that he doom shouts about for me to consider him anything other than a somewhat entertaining buffoon.....

doc

[dandi]

With McCain now facing a primary challenge, you'd think they would get the message.......alas.....

doc

No, I think in most places they are getting it.  They have figured out that the base will stand behind them in either support or with hammers, whichever is needed.  The electorate is too pissed off for the regular chicanery.