May 05 2009
Two Moderates Vie For PA Senate Seat
I know the fringes left and right don’t like me to remind them of how irrelevant they are rapidly becoming, but the big news out of PA is a left of center moderate (Specter) may go head to head with a right of center moderate (Ridge) for Senator Specter’s seat. The battle for the centrists begins in PA. What is important to note is that true liberals or conservatives are not in the running. If this spreads we can get out of the fringes and get this country back on track.
Can somebody tell me how a true centrist is different from a conservative. What does a true centrist believe?
LOL! Who called anyone a true centrist?
If you need a definition: Pragmatic, but principled. Will not go to the extreme left (abortion on demand) or the extreme right (outlawing birth control pills). Can deal with science rationally and with experience and training (as opposed to the myths of global warming on the left and the myths against evolution on the right), we are very much pro-life which means we oppose embryonic stem cell research. If they support ESCR now, I believe they are the ones who could be convinced to put their trust and hope into ASCR options. They are the pivot point on all issues pro-life (and all issues nationally).
We want comprehensive immigration reform, which means we are not for open borders and immediate citizenship like the loons on the left, nor do we want to round up or chase out all the law abiding long term illegals here and make them come back in. We prefer a reasonable fine for being here illegally as well as new ID cards, reporting, etc.
Centrists applaud when Americans come together to do good things – we are not like the fringes who cry traitor and RINO and DINO.
We have level heads and think instead of react. Despite this edge we listen to people and their views. We do not challenge their motivations (though we can and should be allowed to challenge their logic and conclusions).
We put America over party, we put the military over party. We don’t use the military as a pawn for political gain.
I think that is a good starting point.
I hope we do not end up with a “McCain” type.
If I recall correctly:
Pro-lifers left his tent because he was to willing to compromise to what is considered the center.
Financial conservatives left his tent because he was pro bailout which was a pragmatic centralist argument that the government must spend us out of recession.
Many left his tent for Hillary Clinton, because she was more conservative than McCain on many issues.
The problem with trying to sell a moderate candidate to conservatives is they don’t buy it. The name under which a candidate runs under matters less than the policies they support. Conservatives can support going across the isle by throwing their support behind a blue dog democrat. Although it is unlikely a blue dog will run against Spector, who is not a blue dog who crosses the isle to the conservative section.
To many a blue dog is a better choice than a RINO. Many conservative voters have registered as independent and many consider themselves more in line with the Libertarian Party the the Republican Party.
If the seat is to make a difference in the issue of Government spending or even the movement of Government towards running the economy (AKA socialism vs freemarket); Life issues; Freedom issues (speech, education); Government balance of power; [I can go on to all of the pillars of our society] … then we need somebody who would be strong enough to be that one person who will stand firm during a full court press. If the person in the seat does not want to upset those on the left, those on the left will be upset by any conservative positions.
AJ:
I would not call Specter a moderate, I would call him an opportunist.
Ridge is a very interesting man with a strong background in PA. He was a Governor and Congressman and he is well respected there.
We have level heads and think instead of react. Despite this edge we listen to people and their views. We do not challenge their motivations
Let’s see,
1. think instead of react.
2. listen to people and their views
3. Do not challenge their motivations.
Got it.
Redteam,
You forgot we will challenge the logic and the conclusions used to get there. That is fair game, no matter how painful it may be on the receiving end.
Remember, I said the true conservatives were screwing up when the attacked moderates and tried to boot them out. Fair game.
You do not understand politics to make a point that the ideologues on the left and right are becoming irrelevant. They are the groups that activate and motivate their respective bases to vote in the primaries. It will be interesting whether Specter or Ridge can win their own party’s primaries if a liberal or conservative run against them. And don’t believe for a moment that the liberals won’t run a “card check” democrat against Specter. And if that happens, Specter will turn again, and then any modicum of moderation from Specter will be gone and he will fully be within the camp of the irrelevant liberals.
Oh come on AJ, how many GOPers do you know who actually oppose birth control?
gary:
From the polls I have seen so far I think Ridge has a real shot. He is a lot more popular with the GOP in PA than Specter is.
Politicians seem to screw things up when power gets in the way of good governance or what is right. But in the end most things seem to work themselves out. Think of the years it took to correct the concept that slavery was permissible. You have to ask how it even happened in the first place with a Bill of Rights that said all people had the right to life, LIBERTY and the pursuit of happiness. Just like you have to wonder how the Bill of Rights talks about LIFE, yet the Supreme Court sanctions abortion, with some tortured explanation about cells are different then the actual human.
I think if the premise is how to further the rights described in the Bill of Rights, we will find a good center and good governance. The government can’t be all things to all people. Clearly that is not the function of government.
Tom Ridge is ok. However, I don’t like the way he seemed ready to cave on Iraq:
“Time is running out for success in Iraq, said former Gov. Tom Ridge, adding his voice to the growing number of leading Republicans saying that the current American strategy in Iraq is not working.
“There will be a major readjustment, even from the White House on down†if progress is not achieved within a couple months, predicted Ridge during an interview today.
“There is very little sand left in the hourglass of Iraq,†said the former Homeland Security secretary, who said patience even among Republicans is wearing thin for the unpopular war.
“There’s more sand at the bottom of the hourglass than at the top, and at some point of time…somebody’s going to have to make a decision on when or how we make a withdrawal†he said. ”
http://2008central.net/2007/06/30/is-tom-ridge-abandoning-mccain/
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I like Toomey also. It will be an interesting race. Not sure who I would vote for at this time (I just moved to PA). I’m just glad I don’t have to vote for Specter.
According to “On The Issues.Org” Specter is a moderate. Toomey is almost a moderate (on the line). And, Ridge is right conservative. Just food for thought.
I was thinking that Ridge was pro-choice. So right conservative might not describe him. I quite like him, he is a thoughtful person.
Ridge is a Principled Moderate. Like Sen Lugar, he’s to the left of the Republican center – but his word is good, he won’t welch on a deal.
But none of it may matter. If the Pakistani nuclear arsenal gets into the hands of the Taliban, it’s going to get very, very ugly. The 2010 elections may have a terrible surplus of open seats.
This is interesting, Republicans outpolling Democrats.
Tom Ridge May Have Some Issues
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2009/05/tom-ridge-may-have-a-few-issues.html
When first asked about running, Ridge that is, he said he was not interested. Maybe that’s why. Can’t be scrutinized.
2010: Check out the following polls in hotly contested races in Democrat states:
http://polipundit.com/?p=20180
DE, PA, NH, IL, NY, CT show some surprises (and hope for GOP)
kathie:
I read a little bit about Ridge. He was born in Erie and his Dad was in the Navy. He grew up in military housing. He got a scholarship to Harvard and went to work as well to pay for expenses. He served in Viet Nam and suffered permanent hearing loss in one ear. He became a D.A. and then went into politics. He was a Congressman and two term Governor. I think the people of PA know Ridge pretty well.
He was an early supporter of Bush as well.
Terrye…..I have always liked Ridge as a person, your biography adds to the person I believed him to be.