Sometimes I wish political parties would allow their members to determine who actually belonged to their party. For example, each year at the caucus meetings or precinct meetings, the party members who showed up would get to vote on all current elected officials of their party.
It could be a simple vote -- keep this official in the party, or disassociate with that member -- just boot them out. You would have to vote before the primary elections of the party, probably even before the end of the registration period. But if you did, you could simply toss people out of the seat before they could even attempt to run.
It wouldn't prevent people from running for office -- it would just tell elected officials, "You don't represent our party, so you can't run for election using our party name." It might not effect a lot of people, but I'm willing to bet John Stupid-Express McCain wouldn't make it past that vote.
1
Why didn't we send McCain to the UN. he can't do any damage there!
Posted by: patd95 at September 23, 2005 10:11 AM (/KuBm)
2
I think this would have the opposite effect as what you're going for. True conservatives would be kicked out of the Big-Tent Republican Party.
That would be ok with me though, as I don't consider myself a Republican anyway.
Before I knew any better, I considered myself a Democrat. My parents were Democrats (Dad still is), so I was too. More by association than anything. As I wised up, I actually moved to the right of the Republicans so quickly that I never really considered myself a Republican at any time.
Anyway, I digress. In the long run, I think I'm right, but it would also be a really good thing for conservatives, as there would be far less "reform the party from within" cries from the hopelessly delusional on the right. They'd just be kicked to the curb and would be in a position to recognize that the party isn't going to be reformed.
Posted by: Echo Zoe at September 23, 2005 11:30 AM (K+h36)
3
Get used to him. He may be the GOP's only hope of beating Hillary in 2008. About the only one that has any stregth in the polls with independents.
Posted by: Denny Hix at September 23, 2005 11:41 AM (LQJdM)
4
McCain for the UN? Sounds like a good idea.
Echo, that result would be fine with me, too. I want there to be some difference between elected officials. Currently, the Republican "big tent" is large enough to encompass every elected official in the country -- there's no way to tell any of them apart. It doesn't matter how it gets split up, I just want some options.
And Denny -- if McCain runs on the GOP ticket, I bet you'll see the lowest turnout ever unless there's a big third-party candidate as a large majority of the GOP base won't vote for him -- they'd pick nothing over those two options. I think I'd write in Mickey Mouse (only because North Carolina won't let me vote for ANYONE but the Republican or Democrat).
Posted by: Ogre at September 23, 2005 01:00 PM (/k+l4)
5
I wish the Republican party could be the networks that run infomercials on Sunday Mornings: The Republican party does not support or endorse the views of McCain.
Posted by: Jody at September 23, 2005 03:10 PM (IEpte)
6
Nice idea, Jody, but I'll bet if I try and run that ad, I'll run afowl of MCCAIN-Feingold...
Posted by: Ogre at September 23, 2005 03:59 PM (/k+l4)
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McCain is also following the rules of the ultra left--they write laws that the elitists think should not apply to them--they just apply to the rest of us. Case in point; McCain Feingold which McCain (one of the writers of the law) broke! He broke his own law!
I think Ogre has an excellent idea. This suggestion would mean (I assume) that we can get rid of the neocons and get back to the concept of fiscal responsibility and limited government.
w00t! That's more like it.
Posted by: Cao at September 23, 2005 07:47 PM (RyucI)
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I wish there was some way to start this. I don't think the "go along to get along" crowd would like it very much. And it's not just Republicans, I think ANY political party should have yearly elections to determine if elected politicians should be allowed to retain their party affiliation.
I suppose parties can already do that with primaries, but it's just not happenening...I often wonder if I'm the only one who actually cares.
Posted by: Ogre at September 23, 2005 08:14 PM (iJFc9)
9
Come see my latest post...your heart will soar!
Posted by: patd95 at September 26, 2005 11:58 PM (/KuBm)
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