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Subscribe to RSS"Too many Republican leaders are acquiescing to a poisonous 'demagoguery' that threatens the party's long-term credibility, says a veteran GOP House member who was defeated in South Carolina's primary last month. While not naming names, 12-year incumbent Rep. Bob Inglis suggested in interviews with The Associated Press that tea party favorites such as former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and right-wing talk show hosts like Glenn Beck are the culprits.
"He cited a claim made famous by Palin that the Democratic health care bill would create 'death panels' to decide whether elderly or sick people should get care. 'There were no death panels in the bill ... and to encourage that kind of fear is just the lowest form of political leadership. It's not leadership. It's demagoguery,' said Inglis, one of three Republican incumbents who have lost their seats in Congress to primary and state party convention challengers this year. Inglis said voters eventually will discover that you're 'preying on their fears' and turn away."
Indiana Republican Sen. Richard Lugar criticized Mitt Romney for what Lugar described as a "hyperbolic attack" on the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Lugar said Romney "repeats discredited objections and appears unaware of arms control history and context," and added: "In advancing these arguments, he rejects the Treaty's unequivocal endorsement by the Defense Department led by Secretary Robert Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also distances himself from prominent Republican national security leaders, including Jim Schlesinger, Henry Kissinger, James Baker, and Brent Scowcroft, who have backed the Treaty after thoughtful analysis."
Speaking of demagogues... At an event for Ken Buck in Colorado, Tom Tancredo called President Obama the greatest threat to America. "I firmly believe this--it's not just, you know, sort of a dramatic statement that a person would make to get press or something, or ink," Tancredo began. "I believe this with all my heart. The greatest threat to the United States today, the greatest threat to our liberty, the greatest threat to the Constitution of the United States, the greatest threat to our way of life, everything we believe in, the greatest threat to the country that was put together by the founding fathers is the guy that is in the White House today."
Buck, for his part, denounced Tancredo's comments on a conference call with reporters: "I was surprised when Tom said that. I think he tends to exaggerate sometimes… I respect him [President Obama] as our leader."
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And Mr. Inglis is correct. People like Palin and Beck are simpletons who appeal to the lowest common demoninator and make a fortune doing it. They are serial liars who don't want to be bothered with facts and analysis, and all they are motivated by is power and greed. Then again, that pretty much holds true for the entire Republican party these days. These people are simply too dumb and and too shady to be trusted with running the country.
as opposed to your leader, barack Obama, Mr Transparency? You have got to be kidding me...
Sorry, Bud. They are not kidding you.
And you know it.
And it makes you mad.
Why didn't Tancredo just come out and say what he really thought? "The greatest threat facing the country that was put together by our Founding Fathers is the BLACK guy in the White House today".
Obama is black? Why has the media never mentioned that before? You would think something that historic would have got some attention.
Why is it that Obama supporters are always the ones pointing out that he is black? Does his race make him immune to criticism?
Charging his critics with racism does not work anymore. If Obama's actions and associations are any indication, he might be the racist.
How many people in this country are listening to this guy and then waving their fist in the air and going
""Damn Right!" .
It is amazing the amount of lies, mis-information and right wing(and left wing) rehtoric that goes unchallenged in the MSM!!
Finally, a goper is telling the truth.
Sometime challenging a stupid point just gives it credibility, as I have seen here many times.........you can't fix stupid!
your right about that . thats why we have to get obama out as fast as we can before his stupidity ruins this country.
Sounds like a bit of sour grapes in Colorado......if Palin had endorsed him and he won, would he still be whining? Run a better campaign and do a better job and maybe you wouldn't be being quoted on the most liberal of networks!
Palin only endorses those who are way ahead in the polls.
She endorsed Haley, who was 4th at the time, and Fiorina, who was in 2nd. Get your biased facts out of here.
Unfortunately, the people are not hearing Rep. Inglis as they are either getting all their information from Fox News (who wouldn't dare show Inglis' comments) or because he is being drowned out by the shouting of the misinformed and misleaders. He is correct that the Republican Party will only experience short term gains. If they somehow take the house this November, I won't be too concerned, because then we will see what few ideas they really have to offer this country.
ARC,
As opposed to what ideas from the Dems?have you noticed what is going on out there?
Marc: Agreed. We have already seen how few ideas they have over the last 10 years, including the past year and a half when they even say government is incompetent...said Tom Coburn. So if he thinks government is incompetent, what is he doing about that? Why run and get elected Tom, if you're so damn incompetent?
Off this topic, but I listened to someone from the Heritage Foundation this morning on C-Span about the deficit and taxing. His rationalization was that if we raise taxes on the wealthy then they won't produce more jobs for the working people. My thought is that he comes from a weird premise....where have these created jobs come from over the last few years, when we were losing 750K a month? They had their tax rollback in place, so why weren't more and more and more jobs created? The premise is faulty. What has happened is that all the breaks the wealthy were given were put into their pockets, not into more jobs. They increased their own personal wealth while leaving the American worker holding the bag, with less well paying jobs, less jobs, and less opportunuity.
But, you know what, you can't tell anything to these know-it-all Repubs who refuse to work for us, who are paid by us. They have no fear about banking, health, large corporations. They are not necessarily on the side of big business, but big business is where they get the money that puts them into their next election.
It seems to me, (its been awhile since I took an economics class) the wealthy aren't going to invest in a business or product (thus creating jobs) unless they think there will be some return on those investments, meaning that business makes a profit by selling it's product/service to consumers. However, if consumers cannot afford to purchase any additional products/services because of their shrinking disposable income, there will never be any indication an investment will pay off in the short term. Giving money to the wealthy via additional tax breaks leads to them sitting on most of it, whereas giving money to the middle class via tax breaks/credits (and yes...additional unemployment) means increased spending immediately and increased opportunities for the upper class to invest...leading to jobs.
Hail to Bob Inglis and Ken Buck. You know, Chris Matthews for weeks and weeks has been asking Republicans--ANY one Republican or more--to come on Hardball and disagree with Beck, Limbaugh, Palin, and the rest of the conservative fanatic demagogues. No Republican has stepped up. Maybe it's time that Inglis and Buck did.
Cathy makes a good point in questioning the traditional economic view that economic expansion is a top-down phenomenon. That theory works only as long as you don't factor in personal ethics. When you do that, you begin to see that more than ideology, greed has been the major motivator in business over the last decade at least. If tax breaks for corporations really had been producing jobs, I'd be a lot more inclined toward continue them, but after what we've seen over the last decade and especially the last several years, forget it.
"....They had their tax rollback in place, so why weren't more and more and more jobs created? The premise is faulty...?
Cathy- sadly the premise is NOT faulty. Lots and lots of jobs were created. In china.
Inglis has no one to blame except himself. Maybe he should not have taken his reelection for granted, like most members of congress. The people have been saying that all incumbents should be voted out, republicans and democrats.
Why do republicans run guys like this off?
FOrrest-
It's like the party has a cancer. There is no cure. It just keeps spreading, until the party will finally die. That is, unless, they wise up, and STOP "running people like this off". However, there is a nutrient that feeds that cancer, and that nutrient is Talk Radio and it's adherents.
Gee whiz, there are Republicans who are finally waking up and realizing that their party spokespeople have done more harm than good. The hate and lies that they have spewed has done nothing to improve things in this great country. When the Republicans realize that the extremists who have been running their party and speaking for them are doing more harm than good they will do better. As they begin to move more toward the center and away from the extreme right, offer viable solutions to problems, and make sense the Republican party will bounce back.
Adler...let's hope that happens. In order for democracy to function in a healthy successful way, we need two parties to have smart debates. With the GOP's childish attitude of constant "No" or constant critisism (and not giving ANY ideas), our country's problems will remain. Let's hope the GOP will grow up and please oh please start thinking of our country and try to help solve the overflowing problems.
"Let's hope the GOP will grow up and please oh please start thinking of our country and try to help solve the overflowing problems."
Yes, K2mn- and then maybe- just maybe, they can "have their country back".
As someone with a son in Harm's way in Afghanistan, I have an investment in the security of this country. The republicans promoting hatred of the president are a greater threat to this country than any terrorist we will encounter in any other land. They are hell-bent on destroying this country. I did not expect such venom from so many of these so-called Americans. Wishing the failure of this great president is certainly wishing the failure of America. Unfortunately, it looks like that they are winning. Disgusting and absolutely obscene!!! Mr. Steele is a shell of a human and should be ashamed for participating in the republican party. The republicans will either succeed in achieving power and destroy this country or they will fail and succeed in destroying themselves. Lets pray for the latter. Hopefully sensible and educated voters will wake up and turn off the hatred.
Hey Bud-head,
Be honest, what grade did you complete ?
The thought comes to mind, why didn't Mr Inglis speak out before he was defeated? It might not have helped him win the primary and then yet again, he didn't win anyway.
All we need is for one GOPer to condemn a fellow GOPer when something untrue is being spun every which way and be courageous about it then not back track in a statement 24 hrs later or when Limbaugh or Beck start going after them.
Free speech comes at a price after all.
Bob and Sfcret--
You people are part of the reason why stupidity, especially among Republicans, is fast becoming the new norm. Under Dumbya's leadership, idiocy was elevated as a virtue and folks like you, Beck and Limbaugh who, in the past would have been dismissed as dunces, found your voice because it became okay to dismiss facts, abandon reasonable thought and reduce complex issues to feeble-minded soundbites. Your concerns and charges about the budget deficit and "taking our country back" would have more credibility if you had raised them during the time your Republican buffoons were running things. But now you rely on misreps, outright lies and demagoguery. The smarter more moderate Republicans who thought that time and acquiescence would rid them of your gene pool are finally waking up to the reality that the rise of your ignorance threatens their influence and power and, more importantly, this country. So, you can bet your last dollar that more moderates will speak out especially as the election nears. Despite the KoolAid you people have consumed en masse there is no majority of this fickle electorate that believe this country will be better served by adopting the policies of your actual or presumed leaders like Limbaugh, Beck, Angle, Paul (Ron or Rand), Tancredo, Boehner, Palin, Romney, McCain, Steele or Giuliani. Now go back to reviewing the Cliffnotes for "My Pet Goat"!
I agree with Mr. Inglis. It is hard for me to believe that clear thinking people cannot see these two people for what they are, people who have figured out a way to make tons of money on the Networks sounding crazy with no real intellect on the issues facing this country and going home to the bank everyday. Rush showed Palin and Beck the way. The more demented you sound the more money people are willing to pay you to say it.
I hope these people understand that they are feuling a revolution in this country of total distrust of your friends and neighbors and overall they are hurting the country with these lies and distortions and the Media is giving them the all the ammunition they need when they cover them extensively. Beck, Palin, and Limbaugh are appealing to the the nastier times in this country in the 60's. I wonder if this is what people really want? You have Republicans Governors saying and passing laws that are detrimental to Society on battles that were fought and won years ago. Things, like, eradicate the Civil rights laws, the Civil War was an honorable War, Passing Gun Laws that make no sense, guns in Church, Bars, Guns everywhere.
Are we seeing the beginning of an decaying society. Dog eat dog. You even have main stream Republicans buying into this nonsense, calling the President a Socialist and a Nazi. These are code words and the Dog Whistle for another famous word for Black People and they know it. All of this Hate and Anger because we have a Black President. Pat Buchanan could not even deny that Rush was using Racist Terms to describe the President.
Where are the Jewish people on these terms Nazi and Socialist. There was a time in this country you could not even bring up these words without them getting ofended because this truly was a horrible time for them in the History of World War II and the World stood by and let it happen.
The sad truth about the whole mess is that the Mainstream Republicans and Pundits know better and they carry water for idiots like Beck, Palin and Limbaugh because it gets attention from low information voters. All the famous 3 (BPL) are trying to do is go to the Bank on the backs of the Real America and I want my Country Back Folks, the people who are really hurting, who really think they are being hurt by Democrats, when it was the "Greedy Republicans and Corporations who sole their American Dream down the drain.
I cannot believe these people are so shallow they cannot see that and want to put Republicans back in charge in 4 years. Are American voters really that dumb? The Republicans are betting the Bank on it.
It's sad how whenever a Republican is honest, other republicans or so-called 'tea-baggers' instantly attack them.
Honesty clearly has no place in today's Republican party.
I love the liberal Democrats on this site applauding Republicans who turn against the GOP. It almost sounds like advice. "What Replicans need to do is stop being so conservative. They should condemn Rush and Beck."
If the Republicans do everything you folks want, are you then going to vote for them? Of course not, but they will be easier to beat.
So call us Conservatives, hate-mongers, racists and bigots. Make fun of Palin and call the grand parents at Tea Parties, "tea-baggers." We only disagree with Obama because he is black, ok, fine. In the old days of liberal dominated media, you could get away with it. Today we know there are many more people like us than like you, and our ranks grow with every decision the President makes.
"We only disagree with Obama because he is black, ok, fine".
They finally admit it. We all know they kept their mouths shut when a good ole' white-southern-boy was in the process of destroying the country - only to 'suddenly' find their voices now to condemn a black-man whose policies are turning this disaster around.
Aztec75 is now the 2nd only honest republican tea-bagger I've ever seen.
Alright, I'm going to assume your just trying to be funny and not stupid. The point is, the charge of rascism does not matter anymore. We know your going to use it to protect your "boy" (oh @!$%#! is that racist?) I know he is not a "good ole' white-southern-boy" but can you really say he is making things better.
Bush destroyed the country? If he did then Obama is setting fire to the rubble.
You are right Bush was not great because Bush was not a true Conservative. The fact that Conservatives are on the rise is great for America and bad for (anti-Americans) liberals.
Aztec75, keep believing the Republican hype that your numbers exceed those of the moderate electorate. The only thing that recent events have proven is that you are all dumb racists. You are not even as subtle about it as you once were. All that means is that the majority of us will work even harder and exercise our voting power to make sure you prehistoric idiots remain marginalized and powerless.
"you are all dumb racists"
Sorry, Obama won with a majority...and now the majority is against his policies... and finally him.
To your point about our numbers being larger than the "moderate" electorate: You may be right; these people are not yet ideologically Conservative. But the moderates who picked Obama (because he was .....................from Hawaii... and that is cool) are seeing the disaster of picking an unqualified radical for President.
You know what is cool about America? In a couple of months we will have a way to see who is right. If our black president is so great, the people will reward him with another super-majority Congress...and then 2 years later they can award him with a second term.
But...if that doesn't happen, are we "all dumb racists"?
Aztec, true Conservative my ass! Where was all that true conservatisim when Bush and your so-called true conservatives ran up the deficit? Even if you contend that Bush is not a true conservative you have to admit that quite a few of the true conservative Republicans helped him ballon the deficit! Where was all that true conservatism when the CBO explicitly stated that the tax cuts could add $1.4T to the deficit that the Republican president and a mostly true conservative Congress passed anyway? Where was the true Conservatism when everyone with a brain suggested focusing the war on terror in Afghanistan not Iraq? Where was that true conservatism that would have prompted more strategic talks with Russia/China re: Iran rather than a soul-searching look through Putin's eyes? Where was that true conservatism when both Bush AND Cheney did everything possible to avoid being drafted into tours in Vietnam to protect this nation's anti-communist agenda at the time? Where was that true conservatism when the Republicans who had been in power for almost a decade did nothing to correct those issues that had significant adverse impact on the deficit: healthcare, social security, financial reform? Yes, like it or not the terms "true conservative", "take my country back" are nothing more than euphemisms for the racist agenda that your party has covertly managed for the last few election cycles. But your ignorance and venom has gotten the better of you this time and you hate the fact that a Democrat or worse, a minority Democrat, is getting things done. This has gotten you, Beck, Limbaugh and your "true conservative" collective GOP brief in knots. A minority Democrat getting things done using a pooper scooper to clean up the dogs**t that your true conservatives left behind is an affront to you and your redneck clan. What is also cool about America is that in a few months when the BP oil disaster is remedied, healthcare benefits begin kicking in, financial reform is passed and the public begins to hear more from your true conservatives (or not hear from them since their strategy is now to remain underground) they will see a stark contrast: do I choose these true conservative buffoons whose plans have already failed or do I choose those who are actually doing things that improve this country? In the insular world that is the Republican party you are inclined to think that we are all leaning Beck and Limbaugh. Well, that headache you'll feel after the November election is your head getting ready to explode with rage. Better plan your therapy sessions now!
Mad in CT - Are you mad???
Trying to argue using facts with a tea-bagger is an exercise in futility. Every single fact states that the current mess we are in is because of the republicans and their useless economic 'ideas'. Tea-baggers have no time for facts, this is why they invent things, they lie, claim everyone else hates America, and want to return to the EXACT conditions that led to this mess in the first place.
Tea-Baggers hate America. Knowing that reality has a liberal-bias just freaking blows their minds! LOL!!
This guy - Inglis - is a hero.
The 'Tea Party' may excite elements of the far right now - but, long term, they are the death knell of the Republican Party. The demographic Battle of the Bulge. (you may quote me - that's PulSamsara - yes thank you)
Keep it coming Tea folks... you're grandchildren will deny your stand and paint you up nice and pretty - as all good grandchildren of decaying ideologies do.