On Monday’s AC360, CNN’s Anderson Cooper forwarded the media’s new talking point about the New York 23 congressional race, that “Tea Party protesters and other conservative voices are...driving moderates out of the GOP.” Correspondent Tom Foreman continued on this note, stating that “angry conservatives...[are] forcing the party to choose between...its base and attracting more moderate Americans.”
Cooper led the 10 pm Eastern hour of his program with the question, “Does the Republican Party have room for moderates?” The anchor outlined that “state and local elections tomorrow may have profound national effects, and President Obama and Sarah Palin are a big part of it. Two governor’s races may test the President’s ability to get others elected or turn into a referendum on his presidency.” He continued with the media’s new spin on the electoral contests, as if it was a matter of fact: “As for Sarah Palin, she, Tea Party protesters and other conservative voices are front and center, driving moderates out of the GOP.”
Foreman then came in with his report, which focused on the New York congressional race, and continued with Cooper’s point:
FOREMAN (voice-over): If waves of angry conservatives gave Democrats a scare last summer, they may be terrifying Republicans this fall, by forcing the party to choose between satisfying its base and attracting more moderate Americans. A case in point: New York’s 23rd Congressional District, a Republican stronghold for more than a century. The GOP candidate, Dede Scozzafava, had been favored to win, a moderate who fit nicely into the national party’s plans to claw back middle voters, especially women. But that was before big-name conservatives like Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh made it clear they wanted her out and a more conservative candidate in, calling Scozzafava a Republican-in-name-only, a RINO, whose Democratic leanings have tainted the whole idea of a moderate Republican.
RUSH LIMBAUGH: We can say that she’s guilty of widespread bestiality. She has screwed every RINO in the country. Everyone can see just how phony and dangerous they are.
FOREMAN: Under the onslaught, Scozzafava’s numbers crumbled. She suspended her campaign, and Doug Hoffman, the candidate for the Conservative Party, is now the chief challenger to Democrat Bill Owens. For organizers of those Tea Party events, who call this a grassroots victory, that’s fine. They say they frankly want conservatives to win, and they don’t care if they’re Republican or not.
Brendan Steinhauser:
BRENDAN STEINHAUSER, FREEDOMWORKS: The grassroots uprising on the right is not about the party. It’s not about getting Democrats out of office. It’s not about- you know, ending President Obama’s tenure. What it’s about is electing conservatives to Congress, conservatives to the Senate.
FOREMAN: The driving force of this conservative surge is money, outrage over President Obama's expansive government, the soaring deficit and rising unemployment. Social issues, such as gay marriage and abortion, are clearly taking a backseat. Yet, at conservative bastions, such as the Heritage Foundation, folks like Rory Cooper is crowing.
RORY COOPER, THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: You’re seeing that the conservative movement not only isn’t dead, but it’s thriving.
FOREMAN (on-camera): So, Republican leaders have a tiger by the tail, an impressive force that some believe could drag their party back into power, if it can be tamed. But, if it can’t, others fear it could just as easily tear their party apart. Anderson?
Cooper and Foreman are clearly adopting the earlier takes of CBS’s Harry Smith, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, that a “civil war” in the GOP is leading to a “purge” of moderates from the party.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Well then those "Moderates" can join
November 3, 2009 - 14:16 ET by Poljunkthe Democratic Party, what's the big fuss by the Main Stream Media, CNN and MSBC, that should please them; by their rationale the "so called moderates" should increase the Dem's numbers in drove!
It's the only way they can
November 3, 2009 - 14:20 ET by pwozIt's the only way they can spin it. They know if the moderates stay, the people will continue to vote Dem instead of Dem-light (Moderates).
The fact that Biden had to campaign for Owens in NY-23 shows their desperation!
Their imagery gets more
November 3, 2009 - 14:26 ET by notonmywatchTheir imagery gets more idiomatic every day. CNN's starting to look like max headroom: http://www.crainium....
___________________________________________________________
Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chu...
agreed
November 3, 2009 - 14:27 ET by TheAssessorI have no idea what they're complaining about either. It would be one party rule and flap ears could be the capo d'mao. Or.. maybe they're getting nervous that there won't be and they'll all have to bow to dear leader. Be careful what you pray for msm.
(Now if libs are looking for an active group to fight against.. 'nother story)
If Anderson Cooper is "Concerned"
November 3, 2009 - 14:40 ET by allanfIf Anderson Cooper thinks its bad for the Republican Party its probably great.
We tried it the McCain way.
You have to know that the
November 3, 2009 - 14:22 ET by MidAmericaYou have to know that the Republicans are headed in the correct direction when the democrats and their supporters are worried the GOP is hurting themselves.
The tea party members ARE the moderates.
November 3, 2009 - 15:03 ET by kg"DumbAssity of Dope"
I disagree with CNN . . .
November 3, 2009 - 14:24 ET by In Excess. . . but CNN does know alot about driving away supporters.
Leaders
November 3, 2009 - 14:26 ET by 10ksnookerThe way you can tell you are over the target is by the flack sent your way.
Americans still respond to American values.
10k
November 3, 2009 - 14:29 ET by TheAssessorI LOVE that line 10ksnooker!
It's America, not Omerica
Scared
November 3, 2009 - 14:37 ET by BigVooThese media hacks are scared to death the Repulican party might actually be listening to its base and truly become more conservative. The fact they are scared means the republicans are finally doing something right. I mean really, who in their right mind would ever call Dede a moderate republican? She's a flaming liberal and needed to get the boot.
They want Republicans to
November 3, 2009 - 14:44 ET by ElyasThey want Republicans to become "gracious losers", just like McCain. We might not win anything, but we have so much "honor".
let's seeeeee.....
November 3, 2009 - 14:56 ET by MrShyLast year we ended eight years with a moderate conservative/republican at the helm.... we have moderates (RINO's) all over the place in D.C.... and we now have an unprecedentedly NOT-moderate radical-leftist as our Commander in Chief... and......
... here we have leftist shills parading around as journalists promoting GOP "centrism" ???
If there's anyone who knows
November 3, 2009 - 14:51 ET by bse5150If there's anyone who knows about driving supporters away, it's the CNN people - after driving viewers away for years, has anyone seen their ratings lately?
There are Patriots, and
November 3, 2009 - 15:03 ET by Six String SpiffThere are Patriots, and then there aren't. It's very simple.
Moderate. Progressive. Centrist. Blah blah blah
COMMUNIST
They know the truth
November 3, 2009 - 15:24 ET by BluegillThe Truth is now people have a REAL choice and they KNOW the people are choosing to support Capitalism over Socialism. I can't wait to see the McCain's of the world trying to be Real Conservatives. They won't have any RINO's to put on TV and that really hurts the MSM.
Moderates
November 3, 2009 - 16:00 ET by justbob223A moderate is nothing more than a liberal trying to pretend he is a conservative. Let them go. Begone! And a pox on your houses.
I don't think they're
November 3, 2009 - 16:13 ET by sajc05I don't think they're forcing moderates out i think their forcing real conservatives out.
This country has problems. our gov't has problems. Tea party protestors are very partisan, it would be great if they were a movement against gov't waste. but they are against waste only if it's a dem making the waste.
where was the outrage with medi care part D, a sweet heart deal for big pharma and a crippling blow to the american tax payer for the next century? oh i forgot, bush was in office so there was no outrage.
Why do you think...
November 3, 2009 - 16:29 ET by ontheright...Obama won the election?
Exactly because of the outrage against Bush and the RINOs in congress.
You damn right us tea partiers are partisan! We ARE against government waste, all of it. Regardless of whether the waste (read: pork) promoter has a D or an R behind their name. We are equal opportunity government waste opponents.
C'mon, pay attention and get with the program.
Amazing thing, that political amnesia
November 3, 2009 - 16:42 ET by bmovies"where was the outrage with medi care part D, a sweet heart deal for big pharma and a crippling blow to the american tax payer for the next century? oh i forgot, bush was in office so there was no outrage."
Really?
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=8375
→ Moderates?
November 3, 2009 - 16:20 ET by Cool ArrowIf Skuzzy Flave is a moderate, Barack Obama is Bircher.
ACORN - creating or saving votes since 1970
I am glad to see the RINOs being run off
November 3, 2009 - 16:33 ET by R D HelmThe last thing we need in Washington are "republicans" who are going to vote to help Obama carry out his communist coup.
-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Question:
November 3, 2009 - 16:39 ET by stage9By "moderates" do they mean liberals posing as Republicans? If so, then yes, drive on!
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will
be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for
pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner."
— Malcolm Muggeridge
I'm so sick of hearing
November 3, 2009 - 16:45 ET by RR GOPI'm so sick of hearing about the "moderates" and the "independents"...go field your own damn candidates.
All they've done for us is fill up the Republican Party with RINOs because they're too wishy-washy and afraid of real conservatives that might take away some of what they believe the government somehow owes them.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Moderate...
November 3, 2009 - 16:47 ET by retroconModerate is just another name:
Once a moderate becomes interested in their political surroundings, they will not remain a moderate. Tea Parties are a good example of that.
Moderates? Moderates! We don't need no stinking moderates!
Dem Lite
November 3, 2009 - 17:03 ET by LorraineDriving the Dem Lite out of the party is more like it. And don't let the door hit you on the way out.
If the Republican Party can't firmly stand for fiscal consservatism and limited government at the very least, then there needs to be a new party that does. Period.
THE BUTT-BOY MEDIA...
November 3, 2009 - 17:10 ET by danybhoyI have to wonder how the MSM can offer so much advice to a political party it does not respect, & does'nt understand. To hear people like Anderson Vanderbilt180, Matthews, Hack Cafferty, Charlie, Katie, or Brian try to cover the conservatism & the GOP is really kind of sad. They know nothing of the subject, & should really learn about it. But that would require leaving the Northeastern bubble & traveling to the real America & meeting real Americans. Yes, the do go to Iowa, but only every 4 years, same goes for most of the nation not in NYC, DC, Hollywood, SanFran, or Jackson, Wyoming.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
Moderate smoderate`
November 3, 2009 - 18:20 ET by KansasgirlSounds like a plan to me.
Ooh .. ooh .. ooh .. let me
November 3, 2009 - 19:34 ET by ReaganRuledOoh .. ooh .. ooh .. let me answer this one ..!
"Does the GOP have room for moderates?"
NO!! And don't let the door hit ya on your way out to the DimoRATs!
The GOP also doesn't have room for RINOs, cross-dressers, abortionists, Progressives, queers, big-spenders, Hopenchange, etc, etc, etc.
If you ain't Conservative, you ain't .....
Once again they fail to get
November 3, 2009 - 21:53 ET by SnappyOnce again they fail to get it. A moderate was not driven out of the Republican party ... (NY 23 specifically) A Liberal calling herself a Republican quit of her own accord because a Conservative Independant was smoking her in the poles. If the Republican party is willing to hold the conservatives then so be it and the RINOS can get out. If not? Then as is being seen in NY23 it really doesnt matter as we will elect them anyway.
Not moderates:
November 3, 2009 - 22:09 ET by deerjerkydaveNot moderates: L-I-B-E-R-A-L-S!!!
Everybody else is welcome. There is already one party for liberal progressives. We don't need two.
we are not republicans-
November 4, 2009 - 09:38 ET by JIMMY1660we are CONSERVATIVES.
we believe in the capitalist way of America.
we believe what the founding fathers said in the Constitution. we live by those words daily.
those who do not-are others-its that simple.
moderates need not apply
left wing crazies will not tell us how to act or what to believe in.
Tea Party Attendees are not Union Goons,we clean up after ourselves, behave civilly,when gathered in mass.
we are Americans
We will not let the MSM dictate to us immoral illegal behavior.
BHO- THE PROGRESSIVE PIRATE
no room for moderates...
November 4, 2009 - 10:01 ET by vrwc13A liberal is a person who believes that water can be made to run uphill. A conservative is someone who believes everybody should pay for his water. ...
A liberal is a man who is willing to spend somebody else's money.
Carter Glass
A liberal is a man who will give away everything he doesn't own.
Frank Dane
...
"Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains." Winston S. Churchill
Good for you, you have a heart, you can be a liberal. Now, couple your heart with your brain, and you can be a conservative. Glenn Beck
...so it appears that 'moderates' are one's that are stuck in the process of connecting th heart with the brain...like sittin on the fence, and that's eventually got to hurt!
v
"I'm sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you're not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we're Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration." Hillary Rodham Clinton
moderates are not that useless
November 4, 2009 - 10:04 ET by shawn228From my understanding, 65 percent of them voted for the GOP in VA and NJ.
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
moderates are not that useless...no just confused mostly
November 4, 2009 - 10:18 ET by vrwc13Moderates are those who are usually not only sitting on the fence but the fence gate...swinging into one side or the other.
Moderates are easily convinced by the side which either seems to have the best idea at the time or the least controversial.
v
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Jesus
You might be right
November 4, 2009 - 10:20 ET by shawn228However the GOP could not won both races without them
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
However the GOP could not won both races without them
November 4, 2009 - 10:33 ET by vrwc13...nor Obama would have won without them too!
It's an age old dichotomy, a liberal (usually a democrat) needs to be seen not too liberal thus moderate, and a conservative (usually a repubican) needs to be seen not too conservative...thus they each evolve as "moderates", which neither truley are. But that's just politics.
btw: most issues are black or white (can I say that?) or left or right:
v
"Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains." Winston S. Churchill ...and show me a moderate and I'll show someone who cannot make the connection. v (me)
...nor Obama would have won without them too!
November 4, 2009 - 10:43 ET by shawn228Agreed, and vote for Obama they did, thats why our country is going south. I am not saying the republican party should move to the left, just simply saying the GOP should convince moderates why they should vote for their party instead of most conservatives saying we don't need so stinkin moderates, because apparently they do.
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
...just doing the math
November 4, 2009 - 11:02 ET by vrwc13Gallup’s breakdown shows that 40 percent of Americans call their political views conservative, 36 percent moderate and 20 percent liberal. Newsmax
Reagan knew the real secret, and he got almost all of them!
v
An informed patriotism is what we want. Reagan
Man is not free unless government is limited.... As government expands, liberty contracts. Reagan
...and the one Obama doesn't get...
There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit. Reagan
vrwc13
November 4, 2009 - 11:38 ET by MrShyShawn (and nwahS, too) beat this same drum all the time, moronically it would appear (or wisely, as they're hoping we'll continue the mistake), that after the GOP has gone moderate/soft the past few years -- not to mention, two moderate presidents since Reagan which has gotten us nowhere -- and been pummeled for it all, we need to appeal even more to moderates.
You're just going to bang your head against a wall with him on this one.
MrShy...'headbanging...
November 4, 2009 - 11:44 ET by vrwc13...headbanging can be productive sometimes, and it feels good when you stop.
31cwrv
"I'm sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you're not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we're Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration."
— Hillary Rodham Clinton
vrwc13
November 4, 2009 - 11:56 ET by MrShyYes, indeed. :)
Btw, Hillary's maiden name, "Rodham".... Think of the man she married. Think "rod" and think "ham". Or, you don't have to think of any of this, sorry.
This is exactly why Mr. Shy is slimy
November 4, 2009 - 23:36 ET by shawn228Shy can't you respond directly to me instead of indirectly to VRWC? I know you love pile ons, but VRWC and I have had lots of good debates in the past, if you have something to say to me at least say it to my screen :-P
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
I see the math
November 5, 2009 - 00:06 ET by shawn228....and the numbers were not kind in 06 or 08.
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
† Shawn
November 4, 2009 - 23:49 ET by RESTLESS 1The republican party needs to convince moderates that they need to move right. If they don't, then to hell with them.
I believe that many or most will, after seeing what moving left has gotten them. :)
"If the man, with the power, can't keep it under control...some heads are gonna roll." -Judas Priest
Thank you Restless
November 5, 2009 - 00:02 ET by shawn228Its nice to see a someone man enough to respond to me directly. Yes I agree with you, I am not saying the party needs to move to the left at all, I want to know why it is better to vote for the GOP. I am a moderate myself and I thought it was better to vote for McCAin, however I don't like it very much when some say they could care less about my vote.
"I think we're kindred spirits."~Mr Shy to Sergeant ROCK
Moderates are leaving the GOP
November 4, 2009 - 10:53 ET by nwahsModerates are leaving the GOP. I think many are identifying themselves as independents, but its just a matter of time before they identify as blue dog Democrats. I think the head dittohead realizes this as well as he's been addressing the blue dogs lately and trying to convince them they're being scammed. Good luck with that.
Blue dogs are the most powerful force in Congress and they know it. Conservatives are irrelevant in Congress. Lesson: if party purity is more important than relevance, by all means vote for Limbaugh and good luck with legislation. If you're a fiscal conservative want some say in government, best start looking more at blue dogs. Blue dogs are the force thats preventing a public option - not conservatives.
The social conservatives that are fueling this GOP exorcism, have a strange fantasy that all these people concerned with the economy are going to run to them. They're wrong. They going to vote for conservative Democrats. The United States is and has pretty much remained a center maybe slightly right of center country. For many years, that position rested in the GOP. With the new purity litmus tests, the center and even slightly right of center position, rests in the Democratic party.
In short, excommunicating moderate Republicans has made the GOP smaller and will make the Democratic party larger. Go figure.
Conservatives are irrelevant in Congress???
November 4, 2009 - 11:07 ET by vrwc13nwahs...not only is your name backwards but so is your math. A bit 'fuzzy' maybe...
Gallup’s breakdown shows that 40 percent of Americans call their political views conservative, 36 percent moderate and 20 percent liberal. Newsmax
v
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
Well evidently
November 4, 2009 - 11:13 ET by nwahsConservatives don't vote or they vote Democrat - perhaps blue dog Democrat. You're giving me a Gallup poll and ignoring the makeup of Congress?
...just trending a bit nwahs
November 4, 2009 - 11:17 ET by vrwc13...seems we have new more (R) gov's right now and two less (D) ones.
13cwrv
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. -Winston Churchill.
Which confirms a premise
November 4, 2009 - 11:25 ET by nwahsAnd that fact confirms a premise Palin, Limbaugh, and Obama would like to ignore - local elections are decided by local issues not national celebrity.
Back to you Gallup poll - 20% of Democrats identify as conservative and it seems this poll was meant to pick up on fiscal conservatives - not so much social conservatives. If thats the case, it doesn't refute what I posted. A fiscal conservative and libertarian would have more in common with a blue dog Democrat than a "family values" Republican.
...my point is:
November 4, 2009 - 11:36 ET by vrwc13...my point is:
Unless the public is as stupid as the liberals think they are, and/or continually hoodwinked by the MSM, the tide is turning or at least let's hope to God it is.
31cwrv
“We are happy that a young African Kenyan was voted for…” Qaddafi
There are three ways the GOP can expand
November 4, 2009 - 12:02 ET by nwahsThere are three ways the GOP can expand-to the left, to the right or both. Speak more to the right of the political spectrum, speak more to those on the center left of the spectrum or both. Radio conservatives want none of those options. They want to alienate, have become publicly hostile to the left and center of the spectrum. Not only do they want to ignore the center left, they want to remove the centrists and even right leaning centrists. That's not expanding the GOP. That's lopping of the left portion of it. That shrinks the GOP.
This is the same mistake Democrats did when instead of expand their party, they lurched left and lopped off the right side of their party.
→ Yeah, that's the ticket
November 4, 2009 - 12:11 ET by Cool ArrowRepublicans need to continue with the same old bait & switch tactics that have served them so well in recent years.
We need more McCains. Candidates who will reach across the aisle and surrender all, calling himself "bipartisan".
My take on the parties to this point are
There is no deserved respect in either ideology. Thanks, nwahs, but it's time conservatives made an attempt to stand for something.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
† Cool
November 4, 2009 - 23:54 ET by RESTLESS 1Woe be to the dems if the GOP ever gets conservative again.
"If the man, with the power, can't keep it under control...some heads are gonna roll." -Judas Priest
"They going to vote for
November 4, 2009 - 11:19 ET by MrShy"They going to vote for conservative Democrats."
And let me guess. If they don't find decently conservative Democrats, they'll naturally "run to" far-left radical ones, correct?
Backwards, I believe CNN (The Least Trusted Name in News) and MSDNC are hiring. Hiring more hacks, that is.
No
November 4, 2009 - 11:32 ET by nwahsA far left Democrat would have no more chance in a southern state, than a Mississippi Republican would have in New York. But blue dog Democrats can and do win southern states AND northern states. That confirms the the United States is mostly middle of the road. Extremes on either side are only electable in niche states and districts. Nancy Pelosi probably couldn't win anywhere else. If the GOP moves further right, it will only expand the Democrats to encompass the middle of the road voter, instead of the GOP or a split.
nwahs
November 4, 2009 - 11:52 ET by MrShyHere you go:
http://www.turner.co...
http://www.msnbc.msn...
Don't mention it.
→ Thank you nwahs
November 4, 2009 - 11:51 ET by Cool ArrowIn other news, the Kansas City Chiefs are holding a football clinic for the New England Patriots.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Do you believe the Dems
November 4, 2009 - 11:54 ET by general companyAre moving left? Because I dont think Conservatives are moving right. I think Conservatives are the same today as they were 30yrs ago. But the Dems, and I mean the "Blue Dogs" as well, have moved sharply left, and they have taken the Repubs with them.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Please, continue with your
November 4, 2009 - 11:30 ET by Jack BauerPlease, continue with your bizarro looniverse delusions. I sure hope this is the mindeset of Democrats thru to Nov 2010.
Look I get it. It's not you. You simply parrot every crazy Obama/Democrat talking point as filtered down through the state run media. Though we know they don't really believe their spin. Unlike you.
It's very reassuring for a still essentially incompetent GOP to be faced with such a massively poor reading of events. Imagine what it could be like if they actually get their act together.
Obama thinks winning 52.7% of the vote gave him a mandate to turn America into a Euro-trash socialist state.