Comments on: UPDATED: Steele Condemns Maine Decision, Revealing Split With Snowe and Collins

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:15:17 +0000

How sad that supporting Gay Marriage makes you immediately part of the “Far Left”. This is a Civil Rights issue—the government is practicing contractual discrimination.

For that matter, how would label somebody who believes there should be no government recognition of marriage, period?

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:49:52 +0000

The republicans should simply embrace the constitution. “The Pursuit of Happiness” – and say, well, like it or not – that ok’s gay marriage. We are a free country. Actually – the democrats should do the same.

- also – while we’re at it. Legalize pot – that creates additional revenue streams for the gov’t (tax producers, distributers & end users) – and probably gets rid of 30% of our prison population.

By: Bernie Latham

Bernie Latham — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:36:10 +0000

Somewhere in or near Lubbock, Texas there is, I suspect, a small and rather unattractive grey factory which extrudes these people.

By: Barry da man Obamacan

Barry da man Obamacan — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:01:16 +0000

GOP = Big Tent

DNC = Little Tent

By: Magic Dog

Magic Dog — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:00:31 +0000

Come on, Snowe and Collins, switch parties.

By: Bernie Latham

Bernie Latham — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:31:49 +0000

Greg’s update tells us, I guess, which portion of the party Steele will pander to AND appease (eggs…single basket…I give him high marks on efficiency here).

By: Bernie Latham

Bernie Latham — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:27:17 +0000

sbj – You do point towards a difficult dilemma for Steele – which segment of his modern party to appease and which to pander to?
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I’m sure you’ve read the portion of the letter Ike wrote to his brother Edgar, but it’s worth looking at again perhaps:
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“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas.5 Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”
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What would Ike do in the present climate? After he was booted out of the party, I mean.

By: sbj

sbj — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:30:07 +0000

How to retain the support of the far-right?

Seems as if Steele could simply adopt an Obama-like position? That is, somehow the Democrats have managed to secure their leftward-drifting base even though Obama opposes Gay Marriage. (Update: Oh wait, Gibbs tells me that Obama is not ‘opposed’ to Gay Marriage, he just ’supports’ civil unions. Riiight.) In other words, couldn’t Steele simply pander to the moderates out there (civil unions okay) while appeasing the far right (opposed to Gay Marriage)? I guess that wouldn’t work, would it? Seems that the far right is unwilling to fall in line like the far left (apparently) is.

Leaving this up to the states is an untenable solution and y’all know it.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:24:28 +0000

WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO SAY THAT RUSH AND OTHERS HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON,THEY ARE AFRAID OF A BLACK MAN. THE PRES. IS SMARTER THAN ANY GOP OUT THERE. JUST ASK THE VOTERS

By: Bernie Latham

Bernie Latham — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:04:25 +0000

“how to retain the support of his rightward-drifting base while simultaneously creating room for moderates to stop the party’s shrinkage”
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I think this is a genius-level problem. If I were in Steele’s shoes, I’d have no idea how to effectively bring this about.

By: sgwhiteinfla

sgwhiteinfla — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:57:20 +0000

jzap
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Evidently from a Moonie Times article he realized that he didn’t have much choice. But I guess in some upcoming meeting he might try to get the restrictions lifted. All I know is that once again Steele comes out looking like a buffoon after he announced last week that he wouldn’t give in to the “power grab”

By: jzap

jzap — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:47:38 +0000

Hiya, SGW.
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Allowed? I wonder if he really had much choice!

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:35:44 +0000

Why is the Obama admin against Gay marriage?

By: sgwhiteinfla

sgwhiteinfla — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:28:41 +0000

jzap
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He already got served. He caved earlier today and allowed the restrictions to be put in place.

By: jzap

jzap — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:14:39 +0000

Michael HipHop Steele is currently consumed by other matters. Namely, the Nat’l GOOPer Committee’s attempt to put him on a short (financial) leash. Seems like he’s gonna get served on that one.
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Can the ME legislature’s vote be construed as anywhere near bi-partisan? Here are the roll-call summaries on the issue:
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Maine House
Yes=89 (D=82 R=7), No=56 (D=11 R=45)
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Maine Senate
Yes=21 (D=19 R=2), No=13 (D=1 R=12)
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Looks like it would have passed even if all GOOPers who voted yes had instead voted no.
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