Letters to the WSJ Editor
Below are two letters published in the Wall Street Journal in response to Club President Pat Toomey's op-ed from last week.
Are RINOs an Endangered Species?
May 15, 2008; Page A16Pat Toomey could not be more to the point in "In Defense of RINO Hunting" (op-ed, May 8). The GOP got beaten in 2006 because it was "not Republican enough" as opposed to "too Republican." There is no reason to vote for Republicans if they won't vote for lower taxes, entitlement reform, constructionist judges, small government, school vouchers and against farm subsidies, campaign finance "reform," pork and the recent $150 billion economic stimulus package, just to name a few issues.
The GOP missed a monumental opportunity to reform Social Security after 2004. Instead of taking advantage of the majority at all levels, it wilted upon the first AARP attack ad, a decision that will come back to haunt us. Why are we surprised we're losing?
Mr. Toomey's criticism of party leaders supporting Republicans In Name Only is justified. Case in point: President Bush's support for Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter in his primary race against Mr. Toomey himself. All we got for that was the confirmation of justices John Roberts and Sam Alito who were shoo-ins anyway. Mr. Toomey and the Club for Growth deserve all the support in their battle to put the GOP back in the GOP.
Michiel van der Voort
New YorkI'm with Mr. Toomey on this: The GOP has suffered losses "under a political strategy devoid of principle." The recipe for a successful conservative is one who has a long-range plan while assessing and addressing short-term needs. Had the U.S. had comprehensive energy and environmental plans in place -- and had the architects of the Iraq war looked down the road instead of just to the end of the driveway -- the country would be in much better shape today.
Bob August
Tennessee Coordinator
Republicans for Environmental Protection
Nashville, Tenn.
