Commenting on Senator Arlen Specter's switch from the Republican to Democratic Party, Newsweek's Evan Thomas declared Republicans are now “exactly like the Labor Party in England in the 1970s. They're letting their extremists take them straight down.” As if that would upset Thomas and the Washington press corps -- whose very characterization of conservatives as “extremists” is only helping uninformed Americans to see Republicans and conservatives as outside the mainstream.
The assessment from Thomas about how conservatives are “extremists” came on Inside Washington, a weekly show produced and aired over the weekend by Washington, DC's ABC affiliate, but first broadcast Friday night on the local PBS station, Thomas, Editor at Large with Newsweek after stints as Assistant Managing Editor and Washington bureau chief, proposed:
I don't think the Republicans would appreciate the comparison, but they're exactly like the Labor Party in England in the 1970s. They're letting their extremists take them straight down. The same thing as going to happen -- they had to disappear for a while and when they reinvented themselves they did it with moderates, they did it with Tony Blair.
Will we see that formulation in next week's magazine?
Newsweek's bio for Thomas.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Uh hoh geez....
May 1, 2009 - 21:00 ET by superconListen to Evan.Maybe he forgot how Zell Miller and Joe Leiberman got treated by all those "progressives". If he wants to talk extremism all he has to do is watch MSNBC and catch a little Olberdork and Dope Schuster.
Hey Janet Napolitano...I'm proud to be a Right-winger.
"Extremists" according to Liberals
May 2, 2009 - 00:37 ET by Ten7sAccording to the media, anyone who can live without input from the Elites, Cultural Marxists, and the dark, evil nexus they are forming is an "extremist". Obama's Department of Homeland Security made it perfectly clear that they define "extremists" as Christians, religious Jews, active military, veterans, and any other freedom-loving American with a backbone.
Civics and History haven't been taught in American Public Schools in over two generations, so many people don't recognize that Obama and his people are trying to sieze power at the expense of our freedom and solvency. But the citizens who are still asleep are about to go through a crash course in civics. When they feel Obama's Liberal chains weight them down and tear at their flesh, they will understand what the Left/Elites have been up to.
Once the citizens are shocked into reality, the elites and cultural marxists (Obamaites) will find themselves in a sea of "extremists" (i.e. freedom loving Americans). I just pray that its not all too little too late.
oooooookay....
May 2, 2009 - 02:57 ET by klchadwick"Republicans are now “exactly like the Labor Party in England in the 1970s."
And the liberals are just like the Red Coats....
http://politicaldessert.wordpress.com
Thanks for the Chruchill quote.
May 2, 2009 - 08:54 ET by Old SaltMy kids complain because I spend so much time reading, talking, blogging, and campaigning. I tell them I'm doing this for them, that by the time either our victory or our defeat takes full affect, it will be them and their kids living in the America I'm spending so much time defending now. One kid gets it, the other couldn't care less. Along with the Declaration of Independence poster, and the weekly postings of the Constitutional admendments on our planning calendar, I think I'll include this quote from Chruchill. My kitchen is beginning to look like a civics teacher's class room!
I was watching a documentary recently about 6 women who survived the Holocaust, and one of them made a comment that resonated with me. She said something like, "And, you know (even when they were loading us on the trains), we never said a word."
Old Salt:
May 2, 2009 - 09:19 ET by iveseenitallThanks. You sound alot like me. I'm probably older than you, so I bother the grandkids too. But I too feel it is my duty to speak up---for their sakes. I also saw that video of the Holocaust women and thought the same thing. And while watching it, I thought about the real "torture" the Jews went through. I was sick as it reminded me so much of what Americans may in for in the future. And you're right, now is not the time for silence. All those who understand that we are witnessing the destruction of God, Family, and Country have a responsibility to try to stop it.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Old Salt, what you are
May 2, 2009 - 09:30 ET by celatorOld Salt, what you are doing is what we old timers are being called to do--to pass down the wisdom and observations we have experienced to the younger generations.
I try to do the same, though I wish I were doing as much as you are. We've seen a lot--I remember when FDR's death was announced on the radio, Ike's campaign etc. I remember the mistakes (in hindsight, admittedly) we and the country made, but more importantly, I remember when we did the right things for ourselves and other countries.
The right things we've done far outnumber the wrong things. That part is not taught these days. I remember when the US was not mocked in the schools and by the media and politicians. I remember when you could read a paper and believe you were reading pretty much what really happened (that's how far back I remember, LOL).
So bravo, Old Salt, you have inspired me to do more. I've been thinking about teaching an adult ed course on American history this fall, and I may just do that. I may end up on the Enemies of the State list for it, but that would be a badge of honor in this Obama era!
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
"Freedom is never
May 2, 2009 - 09:36 ET by Ten7sAt that time we faced a dangerous and determined enemy, Communist Russia. But President Reagan's quote is as applicable (if not more so) today as we fight against the Socialists and would-be Aristocrats who have marched their fifth-column into Washington and who control the Federal Government apparatus.
Keep up the good fight Old Salt!
Old Salt
May 2, 2009 - 12:50 ET by klchadwickI think that we are in the same boat...but on opposite ends of the spectrum! My parents are always complaining that I spend so much time online, watching the news, etc. (they have never actually complained about me reading too much...just that i will have a permanent potty mark from sitting in the bathroom reading!)
I think that while they are proud of the things that I do and the information that I have garnered, they just don't see why I feel the need to do this stuff. My mother likes the fact that I do, really so that she can ask me questions that nobody else will answer. The problem is that I think once she hears it, half the time its out the other ear! My dad is proud of the fact that when I go out with him and his friends, I have always been able to "out-football talk" and "out-politic" the guys. When I was 7 I got into an argument with one of his co-pilots over the use of the nickel v. the dime defense....i mean he WAS using the definitions incorrectly. lol.
Anyways, a lot of times I think that they think that I am am little too intense on the subject. When they have made allusions to it, I have told them that if I'm not intense, who is going to be? If I don't know everything that I can, who will I be able to trust? Usually when I tell them this, they find it hard to argue with however when all else fails I tell them that their influence on me was so great, that I feel the need to take part in current events so that if ever need be, I can stand up for those that can't or won't.....that will ALWAYS do the trick! ;0)
http://politicaldessert.wordpress.com
Ten7's... good points.
May 2, 2009 - 09:17 ET by celatorTen7's... good points. While some schools do a decent job, many kids are graduating from high school virtually ignorant about basic history, government etc. I've seen it first hand so many times, I've lost count.
As I've said before, some people say "What do I care about history?" And I say to them, "OK, learn about the reality of centralized governments taking away your liberty the hard way."
On your point about Napolitano's list of extremists, it occured to me the other day that the issue goes beyond being called an extremist: we on that list have been named, in effect, as enemies of the state and of Obama. That's how extremist the Obama administration is.
I hope we have an Alexander Solzhenitsyn that can write the history of the upcoming drama that is waiting for those of us on that list.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Obama and his cohorts have
May 2, 2009 - 09:41 ET by Ten7sObama and his cohorts have set themselves against all freedom-loving Americans. Now its only our will and courage that stand between us and servitude. Thanks celator
They are the extremists and
May 1, 2009 - 21:21 ET by mattmThey are the extremists and they have gained power by being extremists. What they fear is that the GOP will get fed up with RINOs like Specter and McCain and start actually being true conservatives.
Their only real hope of maintaining the power they now have is if the people remain ignorant, and if the opposition goes "moderate." So, they have to demonize the opposition and keep on pushing the lie.
Agree
May 1, 2009 - 21:54 ET by doug1950I doubt they are all the concerned if the GOP were making these horrible mistakes. It sounds to me like they are more worried that the real conservatives are finally getting off their cerebral asses and making some changes to the RINO laden ranks of the GOP. I think they protest too much.
Both of you above are
May 1, 2009 - 22:30 ET by bigtimerBoth of you above are correct regarding the way I see it too... The msm knows their is a mighty war going on inside the repub party...they are trying once again to control the winner, that being the RINOs (or moderates, centrists, fence-sitters whatever name you want to use) for their agenda as we all know...they are the a major part of the war going on within the party using the RINOs like McC as precious guests all the time...portraying him as the real voice of the conservative party....
...on and on it goes...until the conservatives, the real conservatives step forward, fight this and speak out, msm be damned.... we are going keep going down the spiraling drain...swiftly.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
And they have gotten away
May 1, 2009 - 22:49 ET by mattmAnd they have gotten away with this for 40+ years. What we need to do is bombard the GOP with letters and e-mails expressing the FACT that the reason they lost in 06 and in 08 is because they listened to the media, and went moderate.
This is why they lost in 76 and in 92 also. When they went full on conservative, in 1980, 84 and in 1994, they won. Bush I lost in 92 because he caved in 1990. The GOP lost in 96 because they ran a moderate. W only won because he appeared less moderate than he really was....the media should have loved W, and they would have, if he wasn't so strong on national defense, and if he wasn't such a religious guy - and if he was a schmoozer....
The GOP barometer should be, if the media is outraged about you, you must be doing something right.
IS THAT THE LATEST MSM INSTRUCTION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE PRESSER?
May 1, 2009 - 22:12 ET by Rod PatrickI truly conclude that ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CBS, PBS, and ... CNN are all taking dictations from the White House.
Besides the financial distress of these organizations, their Journalism has long been DEAD.
They are nolonger Drive-by Media. They should be called the
<h2>ZOMBIE MEDIA</h2>
Drool-by media - RP
May 1, 2009 - 22:32 ET by jdhawkDrool-by media - RP
This blogger: Newsweek
May 1, 2009 - 22:32 ET by jdhawkThis blogger: Newsweek "Letting Their Extremists Take Them Straight Down."
Hey, Thomas, check out your circulation rates and advertising revene for a clue to the above. It not the recession, stupid!
American democracy and the
May 1, 2009 - 22:33 ET by nadadhimmiAmerican democracy and the Republic are toast. With the usurper in power, and Acorn fully funded with public billions, they can steal ANY election within 5%. But let's get this straight. the socialists want to change American society as it has existed for 2 centuries and they call the Traditionalists EXTREMISTS?? Typical Soviet style propaganda, right out of Stalins purges of the 30's.
this is sad but true...not only ACORN but the various volunteer
May 2, 2009 - 07:01 ET by Paarlorganizations that will be established by the Feds will be politically oriented. We are in deep trouble...as another poster wrote....civics and real American history has not been taught for 25 years in many American public school systems.
When Reagan ran and won in 1980 we were only 15 years into the miasma of modern leftism and social deconstruction. Today we are 40+ years into the swamp of social deconstruction and we do not have a Ronald Reagan and we don't have a Newt Ginggrich on the barricades. In the end I beleive, it is the lack of a free thinking 4th estate with a committment to the ideals of the constitution and liberty that will do us in....they are in fact in the vanguard of this march to Obama's 'utopia'.
I have no idea what will save this nation though there is some chance that Obama's pure incompetence might be key...despite all the talk about green shoots of an economic recovery the economy is shrinking fast. watch tax recipts at the federal and state level. In March recepts came in at 50 Billion below expectations of OMB and the US Treasury and state revenue receipts were lower as well.
I am a chapter s filer and a small biz person in the trucking/trans indstry in NJ. Though my expected gross in 2009 will be lower than 2008 my quarterly payments to the IRS went UP 25%. My drivers who are also LLC and or sub s filers experienced the same hit....the point I am driving at is that increased taxes will STOP COLD any buying of new or near new trucks by me..the companies i am involved with and by the many drivers. Though repair shops and part mnfgrs will see increased biz the truck manufacturers/assemblers will take a continuing hit over the next 12 months I beleive . The immutable laws of economics might catch up to Obama's revolutionary vanguard...we can only hope !!
Paarl of Rhodesia
PS...several of my colleagues and I in the trucking/transport/courier industry in NJ have pledged NOT to buy Chrysler and GM vehicles if the reorganization of theese 2 firms are based upon gov't thuggery and not proper bankruptcy procedures. if the debt holders are given the shaft it will do great harm to the corporate debt mkt in the long run (maybe that is Obama's goal??)
so folks BUY FORD !!!! a private sector corporation !!
Just once I'd like to hear
May 1, 2009 - 22:37 ET by SmartypantsJust once I'd like to hear someone in the msm refer to anyone on the left as an "extremist". To these people there are no liberal extremists. An aging politician changes political parties for what is obviously his own personal benefit, and the media interprets this with wide-sweeping implications. When Democrats leave that party, the media barely notices, or treats it as an aberration.
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
Evan Thomas, I just finished
May 1, 2009 - 22:38 ET by nadadhimmiEvan Thomas, I just finished your WW2 book and I'm here to tell you that you do not have the MORAL RIGHT to tell the story of brave American boys saving our nation and western civilization as we know it. Not when you are doing your best to destroy our nation and it's traditions, institutions and culture. We're all socialists now????? LIKE HELL!!!!!!!!
"They're letting their
May 1, 2009 - 22:45 ET by GregE"They're letting their extremists take them straight down.”
Anyone ever hear the lib media refer to moveon.org and others like them as "extremists?" Yea I didn't think so.
"We actually want the Republicans to take control."
May 1, 2009 - 23:05 ET by SilverZero"If the Republicans want to regain Congress and the White House, they really do need to come back to our side. Err, the middle. Moderate. I mean, they have to stop this! STOP IT! I'm saying this out of honest concern for the party. We want them to win elections from here on out, and we're giving unbiased advice on what they should do."
Did I lay that on thick enough? OF COURSE THEY WANT TO PORTRAY THE RIGHT AS DANGEROUS! They're afraid the Republicans will actually rally and build a party based on ideals, and it will win! Isn't this some freshman-level Art of War thing? If they really thought it was harmful to the R party, they'd let it happen and laugh when the right fell apart.
I just wonder......
May 1, 2009 - 23:18 ET by TheBigBHow long it's going to be before they start referring to us as "enemies of the state".
Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.
Well I thought the
May 1, 2009 - 23:29 ET by general companyDHS already mad that clear. You waiting for the authorities to show?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Well, let's see now.....
May 1, 2009 - 23:38 ET by TheBigB*Lifelong Republican
*Parents members of John Birch Society for 2 years
*20-year retired Guardsman
*Proud owner of 3 rifles and a shotgun (that's the operative side of my inventory. I'm in the process of restoring 4 other antique guns from my ancestors).
*Certified lay speaker in my religious denomination.
So, to answer your question, not yet, but you never know.
Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.
Good
May 1, 2009 - 23:51 ET by general companyYour not alone, I will be along side. : [
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Evan, your metrosexual
May 2, 2009 - 00:00 ET by RogerCfromSDEvan, your metrosexual therapist called to confirm your appointment.
A nation cannot be free without a free, unbiased media. We are not free.
1970s UK Labour Party = US Democrats today
May 2, 2009 - 04:00 ET by Jack BauerGod save us from know-nothings.
The BRITISH SOCIALISTS aka The Labour Party was in POWER from February 1974 - May 1979. Over half the decade. (The 1970s Labour party most resembles President Obama and the left lurching Democrats.)
Until a much sneered at conservative called Margaret Thatcher smashed them at the General Election. The BBC, lefty journos, academia, celebrities, the commie Unions all hated her.
The real similarity was how close the policies of the LABOUR PARTY were too the DEMOCRATS of today.
They had this quaint reactionary notion that the GOVERNMENT was the best way to control people for their own good. Like today's Democrat congress and President, British socialists believe in UNLIMITED GOVERNMENT.
The Labour Party massively expanded the government and the welfare state. They took over the car companies. (google Britsh Leyland and you'll understand why Britain has NO home car industry today, except foreign owned)
Labour nationalized anything they could get their hands upon. They were in thrall to the Unions.
They conducted a jihad against capitalism and damn near drove the UK into the ground economically.
Until a strong confident conservative pulled the country back from the brink of third world status. Thank you Maggie.
This is the complete opposite of what an ignorant buffoon called Evan Thomas asserts.
SO RIGHT...1970S British Labour Party is the Model ~~~
May 2, 2009 - 08:01 ET by Paarlyet..despite the shellacking by Thatcher the National Health Service remained and has grown far beyond providing 'free' medical care. The NHS remains an incubator of radicalism far beyond their supposed medical care mandate. There have been several books written in the UK about the institutionalism of the NHS and its expanding power that grows without oversight from the electorate in the UK
Once instituted..these burueaucratic institutions are difficult to undo !!
Paarl
So, Evan
May 2, 2009 - 06:02 ET by TeddySo, Evan, How long have you been in the projection business?
Are you an extremist?
May 2, 2009 - 07:26 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsHere are some extremist views, as defined by Thomas and the left:
A belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
A belief that abstinence, when practiced, works.
A belief in personal responsibility.
A belief in right and wrong.
A belief in small government and low taxes.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Janet NapoleanIceCream said I was the extremist.
May 2, 2009 - 08:43 ET by JWFThey're letting their extremists take them straight down.
I am confused. I thought I, the military veteran, was the extremist. Or maybe the extremist was after me, or my pschological effects or something.
Anyway, we both are gonna take you straight down alright. Straight down to hell. And we are gonna have a sit down with Uncle Ronnie and start knockin' some heads together. Welcome to my nightmares punk.
Now that previous paragraph may not sound very well to you saner people. Well, excuse me, I am disgurntled, dismallusioned, and suffering from the psycological effects off ALL the wars, most especially the War of 1812. I am gonna go lie down now.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars and I am feelin' it punk. Aunt Janet says so.
The LEFTISTS simply have no
May 2, 2009 - 09:06 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasThe LEFTISTS simply have no shame left. It’s all out. Nothing embarrasses them nothing shames them nothing touches their conscience or sensibilities, nothing. It’s just going to get worse…but friends, be patient it will also get better,
it’s just going to have to get worse for a while so that the fools in
the center and the right who have been swallowing LEFTIST political,
social, and moral claptrap due to false guilt will learn they’ve been
had.
The era of Obama and all of its peripheral social LEFTIST LICENSING
of the absurd and unconscionable that is maddeningly in “operation
frenzy mode” will be a disaster of bitter proportions that will oust
from both politics and the much of the media such blatant disregard for
the senses of normal people. It might be approaching midnight (no pun
intended) and it seems that politically, socially and even morally the
creeps on the LEFT have been let loose to say and do what they wish
with impunity, but the backlash is coming, morning will soon be upon us
and rising from the waters of their baptism, the collective center of
America will shift away from this LEFTIST circus back to a standard of
reason and conscience.
Mitt in 2012! (Did ya see Liz Cheney simply “mediaslap” MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell?) Are we talking Mitt and Liz in 2012?
Next Please!
Which makes me wonder...
May 2, 2009 - 10:58 ET by StarAZWho is taking Newsweek straight down?
Newsweek, like TIME is
May 2, 2009 - 13:21 ET by maxvoltNewsweek, like TIME is going right down the hopper with a face that all but eliminates their growth potential by isolating and ridiculing the intelligence of 50% of Americans. Either their board of Directors is complicite in the hate spewing news magazines efforts, or they actually like watching their profits and subscriptions sink. How stupid are these people? Do they not realize that "objective" journalism will win hearts and minds everytime. Do they not understand that if Obama gets his way, there will be no need for multiple privately owned news magazine or agencies? The longer I live the dumber and more incompetent these people appear to be. Never intentionally isolate any segment of the population, they will be your undoing!
Criticise the republican
May 2, 2009 - 15:20 ET by MrSnugglesCriticise the republican party, accuse it of extremism. All the while the democrats elect the most leftist president ever, the most leftists congress ever, and push the most extreme leftist agenda this nation has ever seen.
Which side is full of extremists?
The GOP should sit quietly
May 2, 2009 - 17:47 ET by Chris NormanThe GOP should listen to the sage political advice of Evan Thomas - and then do exactly the opposite of what he advises we do. Yeah, like he has only our best interests at heart...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.