Republicans Pass Watered-Down ‘Purity Test’
EmailABC News' David Chalian reports:
The Republican Party steered clear of passing a so-called "purity test" proposed by a handful of conservative members of the Republican National Committee and instead passed a toothless watered-down resolution that "urges" Republican Party leadership to consider a candidate's record and statements and fidelity to the party platform before providing financial support or an endorsement.
In the wake of the special House race in upstate New York last November where the Republican Party candidate DeDe Scozzafava found her campaign derailed by conservatives, several RNC members proposed the idea of passing a resolution where GOP candidates would have to agree to eight out of 10 stated policy positions before being eligible for support from the RNC.
The proposal, initially drafted by Indiana national committeeman James Bopp, was met with strong resistance by state party chairs concerned about such a one-size-fits-all approach. This week, RNC Chairman Michael Steele made clear that he, too, opposed the proposed resolution.
That sent members of the RNC scrambling to come up with an alternate proposal that could win the support of the full national committee. At a time when Republicans are feeling bullish about capitalizing on their victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts at the start of this midterm election year, nobody seemed interested in putting the intra-party rift on full display.
Bopp attempted to paint the watered down alternative that passed by unanimous voice vote today as a more stringent requirement for Republican candidates, but the language of the adopted resolution makes clear that there is no binding litmus test in place for a candidate to garner Republican Party financial and political support.
After the vote, Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bob Tiernan and Bopp got into what became a heated exchange over the resolution.
"I would say read the resolution," Tiernan said. "It says what it says. It is a suggestion, it's common sense, we do stick to our principles, but there's nothing mandatory down there, there's nothing required. I am a chairman and I'm not going to take that back and make my candidates sign it. That's ridiculous. We rejected the litmus test today."
Bopp quoted from the resolution: "This is binding, you are to determine — determine — that the candidate wholeheartedly supports the core principles."
When Tiernan again asserted that there is nothing binding in what passed today, Bopp told him to "shut up."
Republicans may have avoided a divisive purity test for their candidates today, but it clearly doesn't mean that the differences among and between party loyalists have disappeared, no matter how good the political climate is for them right now.
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Can you say BIG BROTHER? This is a creepy resolution. Why do sane people belong to this party? I’d advise anyone to jump ship before they get sucked into the vortex of evil that this party represents.
Posted by: lifesajourney | January 29, 2010, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
“This is a creepy resolution.” The purpose of a political party is and always has been to have a specific political philosophy and governmental priorities so that people can know whether or not they want to support and align with it and the proposed party candidates. If a candidate wants party support, then the reverse makes perfect sense.
Posted by: Publius | January 29, 2010, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm
Can you say BIG BROTHER? This is a creepy resolution. Why do sane people belong to this party? I’d advise anyone to jump ship before they get sucked into the vortex of evil that this party represents. posted by lifesajourney
————–
I am a Republican and was very upset when I first heard about Bopp’s attempt to mandate what candidates did or did not agree with.
This sounds much better. A political party is a group of like-minded individuals…while maintaining individuality.
It sounds a lot better than Democrats declaring to ‘take down’ any congressional Democrats who didn’t toe the party line and vote for health insurance reform.
Since I don’t vote the party anyway, it doesn’t really matter that much. I will vote for the candidates that I believe will best serve my jurisdiction and the nation as a whole.
Posted by: malcat | January 29, 2010, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
I just wish people would start acting like adults. If Republicans truly want to be a big tent party, lets please just start with fiscal responsibility. Different states obviously have different concerns. Oregon, Washington and California Republicans are usually more moderate, as our states are crazy liberal and social conservatism is not our issue. I like Michael Steele and hope he can knock some sense into the “purity test” crew.
Posted by: wow | January 29, 2010, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
A “creepy resolution”?
So in another words, adhering to a specific set of beliefs or a specific agenda is “creepy”?
Look at what’s going on in the Democratic party. The extremist left wing of the party all but demands strict adherence to the progressive agenda.
Look at what’s happening to the moderates in the party who dare question the validity of the radical healthcare reform plans—the threat of facing a primary, of losing their seats, not to mention villification from the lefty blogs and their surrogates on MSNBC.
Evil? Are you joking? Look in the mirror…
Posted by: Olliander | January 29, 2010, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
The fact that the gop even considered a “purity test” is just one more reason to revile the party. Never, never, NEVER will I vote for a republican.
Posted by: Clay | January 29, 2010, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
As a progressive, I find the 10-point test rather foolish. Most of us ascribe to smaller government now. The problem is that at the end of last year, before Obama won the election, we faced the worst recession since the Great Depression. Hoover didn’t believe in a stimulus either and look where that got us; 25% unemployment. When stimulus was applied in 1933, the country started to thaw. It took another 2 decades to rebound. I don’t think we’re anywhere near recovery now and the foolish notion that we should stop deficit spending to recover is repeating an old mistake. Look folks, we’ve been here before. TARP was poorly conceived and administered, but it was a product of bad actors in the private sector (Wall Street and the shadow banking industry) as well as poor regulation and oversight of the financial services sector. Republicans support market-based solutions which is to say, they favor private over public solutions. The problem I see with that is that the private sector has shuttered their doors and gone into hiding. This is precisely when the federal government becomes the spender-of-last-resort. Again, open your history books or do a little research and you’ll see this is the only answer. To ignore how we got in the pickle and repeat Hoover’s mistakes would be fatal to our well being. The same goes with healthcare reform. Your party has no meaningful answers. If you did, you would have enacted them when you controlled all the levers of government between 2000-2006. The GOP could only muster a bill for private accounts for young people as a precursor to dismantling Medicare and SS. That is your best answer?
Posted by: Hal | January 29, 2010, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
All the things going on in the world and they are doing this? My God! Our forefathers must be rolling in their graves!
Posted by: unknown | January 29, 2010, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
The Republican Party’s Ultra-Conservatives are going to ruin the party with this nonsense. It’s disappointing because so many moderates left the Democratic party to become Republicans with the promise of a big tent. It’s now becoming the hate Obama, Democrats, immigrants and anyone else who doesn’t follow these archiac definitions of what they think a Republican should be. This isn’t going to fly in states like California or Florida. If I was the Democratic party, I’d start recruiting from the thousands of Republicans these right-wing whackos are forcing the Republican Party to abandon. Where’s that change card?
Posted by: Ned | January 30, 2010, 12:50 am 12:50 am
So the right wants to purge all moderates. I thought they would understand after the last election that this far right thing wasn’t working for them.
Posted by: secondlook | January 30, 2010, 3:05 am 3:05 am
If supporting eight of every ten party planks had been a necessity for GOP candidates from the 70′s on, NONE of the key GOP leaders would be right-wingers today because their beliefs are way out of touch with traditional conservatism!
Posted by: The_Mick | January 30, 2010, 3:41 am 3:41 am
“Purity Test”…….What a crock! This is exactly why I am an Independent and have been over 30 years. I don’t need a political party telling me who to vote for or what my views on issues should be.
And the comment about “maintaining individuality”, just how does that happen when you may not agree with some of the party platform?
No thanks, you can have both of these party mentalities, repubs and demos.
Posted by: indymind | January 30, 2010, 6:01 am 6:01 am
This sounds more like some kind of cult than a political party. Scary stuff.
Posted by: Eric | January 30, 2010, 7:00 am 7:00 am
so david chalian, what are the 10 policy positions? difficult to form an opinion without knowing them. when one belongs to any group or organization, of any kind, one must subscribe to the group’s group think, policy, rules, at minimum. if one receives financial support from a group, it is not only expected but required. no harm here unless the 10 policy positions are against humankind, the u.s. constitution, or something similar.
Posted by: joe | January 30, 2010, 7:45 am 7:45 am
one reason the GOP has done badly despite the fact most polls show a Conservative bent to the majority of the country is purity, single issue test. the way elections are set up, a single issue group is passionate and turns out for the primary. thus a candidate can be better qualified on issues like national defense/terrorism, economics, and most importantly common sense and decency, but lose the primary. so the group(right to life one example)can cut off their nose to spite their face. they get a party in power that wants to transfer wealth from those who work,to those unfortunate who don’t.will destroy the work ethic, entrepreneurship that made us great.will face left wing liberal.socialist judges appointed for life. but they have their right to life person on the ballot. around my state if you are not right to life, you are not on the ballot. bring back the bull Mose
Posted by: madmax | January 30, 2010, 8:22 am 8:22 am
I am optimistic that the country is sick of the democrats who are run by progressive left wing nuts who ignore history,and the will of the majority in their rush to socialize us. On the other hand the GOP is run by wall street,and the right to life gang. what we need is a charismatic leader to form a 3rd party. unfortunately the system is set up so the incumbent(gerrymandering fund raising, name recognition, free franking etc)is returning evil people to represent us.the word compromise has become evil to them. seems in history class we were told this country was built on compromise.(look at the 1st constitutional convention) wasn’t it Henry Clay who was called the great compromiser?
Posted by: madmax | January 30, 2010, 8:36 am 8:36 am
most reasonable people can see the worlds problems are caused by a failure to compromise Mideast, northern Ireland, China,., ,. Taiwan, Iran the various religious groups etc. the world would be safer, more prosperous if we could only compromise(Rodney King may have said it best?)yet we can’t even have our own congress compromise. Yet we get frustrated when the Middle east can’t?
Posted by: madmax | January 30, 2010, 8:43 am 8:43 am
time for a nice big fat civil war. Lets see who is left because all of you are nuts in my opinion, and we can’t let people like you continue to exist when so much is at stake
Posted by: DP | January 30, 2010, 9:10 am 9:10 am
GOP leadership does not trust registered Republicans to determine who to vote for in the ballot box????
Posted by: newz4i | January 30, 2010, 9:12 am 9:12 am
At least they are showing some sense over this. The really important voters in the upcoming elections are the independents, and independents will not cotton to candidates whose decisions have been pre-made for them by this ridiculous purity test.
Posted by: BachisBest | January 30, 2010, 9:41 am 9:41 am
Anti-choice, party of no, and now purity tests? GOP is simply bewildered anymore. No sense of direction. Don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Posted by: logan | January 30, 2010, 10:56 am 10:56 am
As I mentioned earlier the republicans have a Purity code” if you don’t think like us, act like us….you are not worthy. And they accused Obama of being a communist. They sound more and more like a cult to me every day. These, of course, are the ultra conservatives. Imagine not being conservative enough. I didn’t know there were degrees of conservativness….
Posted by: talmag | January 30, 2010, 10:56 am 10:56 am
FYI: For some reason I can’t open the Note on my computer anymore, although I can on a friend’s computer.
I wonder if the web master is aware of any technical issues. Or, maybe ABC is just blocking liberals. Anyway, thought I would let some one know. (I can open and post on other blogs, like First Read.)
Posted by: Amy in Maine | January 30, 2010, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Fiscal responsibility?
California’s Republican Governor’s idea of fiscal responsibility was taking government money intended for only education in the millions and using it to balance his Republican budget.
When that did not work the California’s Republican Governor took even more in the millions out of the school budget and tried again to balance his Republican Budget.
The Republican Governor has ran the state of California’s finances to the ground.
That is the example of the Republican idea of Fiscal responsibility.
Posted by: Angie | January 30, 2010, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
The GOP only have 19% affiliation for good reason— They are hypocrites– who claim they are for fiscal responsibility to get into Office then voila–they become spendocrats just like the Dems—– Under Bush they doubled the Size, Scope, and debt of Govt.—
Their obstruction since Obama took office proves to me they are Party above Country– With little minority affiliation!!! if Anyone believes the GOP are Fiscal Conservatives in favor of Less Govt.– I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn– What they are in favor of is Govt. with them calling the shots– that’s all folks !!!!
Posted by: brian | January 30, 2010, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Personally I’d like to see a ban on party system, let a person get elected based on the merit of their own ideals and creativeness. Wasn’t it Ron Paul that said he ran as a Republican because if he didn’t choose a party he wouldn’t have a chance? Seriously, when does a sense of civic duty really come into play vs furthering party agenda on either side? Best thing that could happen to the US is every member of Congress get voted out and replaced with members willing to support a Term of Service limit for Congressmen to be pushed to vote as a Constitutional Amendment. Serving your country be it via military service, or elected office should be done through since of duty not as a career ambition….
Posted by: Nexus | January 30, 2010, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
The Republicans seem to think the word pure makes them holier then others. They are a sick bunch trying to hide behind somewhere in the Bible that I have not found yet.Religion has become their main theme at a time when they don’t seem to have much compassion for anyone other then their own. Abortion seems to be the only near religious thing on their agenda.
Posted by: rufus floyd | January 30, 2010, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
All RINOS should be invited to leave the Republican Party and go where they belong, in the Democrat-Socialist Party.
Posted by: Ron | January 30, 2010, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
The majority of Americans are and always have been Conservative; that fact is currently being seen in the Tea Party movement. Get rid of RINOS and other Liberals and be CONSERVATIVE.
Posted by: Ron | January 30, 2010, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
The GOP reminds me of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union during the 1930′s when members were purged for not following the Stalinist line.
Posted by: Will | January 30, 2010, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
How about: Either you’re with us, or you’re with the terrorists – aka Democrats – Better?
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm
You should have some anthropometric tests lined up. Michael Steele must really be getting nervous right now…
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Is there an adultery test available? Where can one find a “Gaydar” when he needs one? These would come handy to a “family values”, “sanctity of marriage”, “homosexuality is a disease” party…
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Just in case some of you don’t get it… and I suspect many don’t… You are making yourselves the laughing stock of the US and any other democratic – not affiliated with the Democratic Party of America – country where people can read about this… If you appointed / elected Michael Steele as chairman to change / improve your image, WOW! You have more problems than he can fix in a lifetime! BTW, I’m from one of these countries I waqs referred to, so don’t worry, I can’t seek a nomination for the GOP… As if I would! HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
Thanks for a good laugh! Please keep these coming, Conan is in re-runs, and I don’t watch Leno at 10! You may want to think about moving from politics to entertainment, you can blend drama and comedy together so well! And you don’t even do it on purpose! Ever thought about hiring a couple good writers? – I would see if GWB is still available, really.. -
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
Sorry to bother you again… I was just thinking that to achieve one of your highest goals – bi-partisanship – You may want to keep a couple people on board who don’t despise everything Democrat, you know, so they may agree on some stuff once in a while – even if it’s just minor stuff – like agreeing to PAYGO that was first introduced by the GOP under GHWB… Sorry, he raised taxes after saying he wouldn’t so I guess he doesn’t count as GOP… What was I thinking? There you go, no purity test, a guy turns fiscally responsible on you without warning! Shame, really…
Posted by: treblig56 | January 30, 2010, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
So what are they trying to create? Some sort of Lying, cheatin’, conivin’ secret society? Are they saying that if you’re not willing to be full of crap, you can’t join the party? Isn’t that the way they’ve always been? It’s like shootin’ yourself in the foot over, and over again. Maybe someday they’ll realize that the same thing is not working…this is just comedy.
Posted by: justayreal74 | January 30, 2010, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm
Posted by: Angie
__________________________________
California’s problems are extremely complex and that analysis was inaccurate and unfair to our governor. If we need to have a balanced budget and we don’t have the money to pay for all our programs, things get cut, and they’re painful. But taxes aren’t coming in, people are losing jobs in all fields. As I recall our state lottery was supposed to do amazing things to fund our schools. What happened to that money?
Posted by: wow | January 30, 2010, 11:50 pm 11:50 pm
Better a “Purity Test” than an IQ test. Otherwise, nobody would be qualified to run.
Posted by: grinsngiggles | January 31, 2010, 1:57 am 1:57 am
The Democrats are getting us in a pickle, but I know for sure the Republicans can’t fix our problems because they’re the Party that got us in this mess. Only a true idiot would follow the false dogma of conservatism or liberalism.
Posted by: rich | January 31, 2010, 7:17 am 7:17 am
NO Liberal lite. Conservatives ONLY !
Posted by: Ron | January 31, 2010, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm