Small Tent Republicans Want to Impose a Litmus Test

[Toro]

From the editorial pages of the WSJ.

Scott Brown's Massachusetts upset shows that Americans want an alternative to a liberal Democratic majority, but some Republicans are still intent on reminding voters what they don't like about the GOP.

The Republican National Committee holds its winter meeting in Hawaii this week, and party activists may offer a resolution imposing a litmus test on GOP candidates. The brainchild of Indiana lawyer James Bopp Jr.—who has done yeoman work fighting campaign-finance limits—the resolution would bar RNC support or cash to any candidate who agrees with fewer than eight of 10 conservative principles.

The litmus list includes: support for smaller government and lower taxes, troop surges in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Defense of Marriage Act, containing Iran and North Korea, and gun rights; as well as opposition to ObamaCare, cap-and-trade legislation, "amnesty" for immigrants, union card check and government-funded abortion. We're not sure Mr. Brown would have made this cut.

Supporters call this "Reagan's Unity Principle," but that's unfair to the Gipper. If the elections in Massachusetts and 2006 and 2008 showed anything, it's that Republicans can't win with their base alone. They need independent voters. Those independents don't want to be told that every GOP candidate must first bow to big-shot party vetters. ...

The better route is the pragmatism the GOP showed in uniting behind Mr. Brown. The Massachusetts Republican is a fiscal conservative, but his more moderate cultural views made it difficult for Democrats to define him as out of step with most Bay State voters. Mr. Brown's promise to be an independent voice for his state was crucial to giving Republicans their 41st Senate vote. ...

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has remained publicly neutral on the litmus list, though it clashes with his promise to "listen" to voters and to court independents and Democrats. The 168 RNC members should keep in mind that litmus tests are for losers.

GOP Litmus Test - WSJ.com

 

[Oddball]

How about a "litmus test" of actually following through on your smaller gubmint and fiscal responsibility twaddle?

 

[Modbert]

I actually posted a thread about this awhile back. It was hilarious because the person they made it after (Reagan) wouldn't even of passed. Let me see if I can find it.

 

[kyzr]

Both parties have platforms. The problem is that the lying whores don't do what they say.

 

[LuckyDan]

This kinda stuff pops up now and then. It always gets shouted down.

 

[Avatar4321]

Heck I dont care if they just have two or three positions that are conservative as long as they actually do them.

 

[rdean]

Atually, what "small tent" Republicans want is the government of Iran here, only Christian instead of Muslim, and corporations in charge along with the clergy.