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The Daily OrangeThe Republicans could use more Snowe this fall
By Andrew Swab
Posted: 11/1/09, 11:23 PM EST Section: Opinion
As the Democrats ride triumphantly this week after the Thursday announcement of a House health care bill, the Republicans are entangled in a civil war within its own party.
Conservatives within the party are waiting in the wings to crush any bipartisan support for health care. Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican, voted in favor of the Democratic version of the health care bill in the Senate Finance Committee. She was the first and only Republican to support the president's healthcare plan two weeks ago.
For this, Snowe, the senior senator in her state, was lauded with praise by Democrats but scorned by Republicans. Conservatives within the Republican Party view Snowe as a sellout. In the words of Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman, "the GOP has no intention of helping [Obama] pass any legislation."
Snowe should not be criticized for her actions, but should be seen as a builder of her party. The Republicans simply cannot sustain their reputation as the "Party of No." This reputation has been garnered through blocking the Obama administration's policies at every turn instead of trying to work together to forge legislation.
It is becoming increasingly rare to see a moderate Republicans like Snowe in action. What is left after the 2008 election is a core group of conservative Republicans on the national level with a smaller moderate fringe. This is a dangerous mix.
Even Democrats like David Plouffe, President Obama's campaign manager recognize the fact that the Republicans are battling each other.
Plouffe discussed the contentious election in the 23rd Congressional district of New York. The moderate Republican candidate Dierdre Scozzafava was ousted from the race in favor of the more conservative Doug Hoffman. What followed is a true political mess. The moderate Scozzafava was originally endorsed by the likes of House Minority Leader John Boehner, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Scozzafava was panned for not being "conservative" enough.
Conservatives within the party are waiting in the wings to crush any bipartisan support for health care. Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican, voted in favor of the Democratic version of the health care bill in the Senate Finance Committee. She was the first and only Republican to support the president's healthcare plan two weeks ago.
For this, Snowe, the senior senator in her state, was lauded with praise by Democrats but scorned by Republicans. Conservatives within the Republican Party view Snowe as a sellout. In the words of Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman, "the GOP has no intention of helping [Obama] pass any legislation."
Snowe should not be criticized for her actions, but should be seen as a builder of her party. The Republicans simply cannot sustain their reputation as the "Party of No." This reputation has been garnered through blocking the Obama administration's policies at every turn instead of trying to work together to forge legislation.
It is becoming increasingly rare to see a moderate Republicans like Snowe in action. What is left after the 2008 election is a core group of conservative Republicans on the national level with a smaller moderate fringe. This is a dangerous mix.
Even Democrats like David Plouffe, President Obama's campaign manager recognize the fact that the Republicans are battling each other.
Plouffe discussed the contentious election in the 23rd Congressional district of New York. The moderate Republican candidate Dierdre Scozzafava was ousted from the race in favor of the more conservative Doug Hoffman. What followed is a true political mess. The moderate Scozzafava was originally endorsed by the likes of House Minority Leader John Boehner, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Scozzafava was panned for not being "conservative" enough.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Newt Gingrich
posted 11/02/09 @ 7:44 PM EST
You raise some fine, fine points! What all Republicans should do is...act like Democrats! Sound advice from Ms. Swab.
There are so many things wrong with this article, I don't know where to begin. (Continued…)
Newt Gingrich
posted 11/02/09 @ 7:54 PM EST
You raise some fine, fine points! What all Republicans should do is...act like Democrats! Sound advice from Ms. Swab.
There are so many things wrong with this article, I don't know where to begin. (Continued…)
Newt Gingrich
posted 11/02/09 @ 9:57 PM EST
I'm so livid, I might re-post this a 3rd time!
Joe Schmo
posted 11/03/09 @ 12:52 AM EST
I really hope a former House Speaker has better things to do than surf the web about opinion columns on his political endorsements
Chip
posted 11/03/09 @ 3:32 PM EST
Love that objective assessment! Man, are you one-sided and biased, not to mention wrong. Name one thing that Obama and the Dems have solved or are close to solving in the past 9 months? Nope and the reason. (Continued…)
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