Are there any liberal, or even moderate Republicans anymore?

[robertpaulsen]

When I was a kid, I remember my parents used to refer to Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield as a liberal Republican. Being rather conservative Republicans themselves, I guess that would probably make him a moderate Republican. But looking around at the current political landscape, I can't see anyone in the Republican Party who fits that description.

I don't think John McCain qualifies as being considered a moderate. He only looks moderate compared with the Bush misadministration that despises him. McCain's positions on domestic and foreign policy make him conservative in my book, Bush is reactionary radical right.

Is there anyone in Congress who is truly a moderate Republican? How about the Supreme Court, like David Souter? I'm not sure if he's Republican, but I figured since Poppy appointed him he would be. But I just don't know if anyone fits this description.

[taxidriver]

1. Snowe might be considered one.

But I don't know enough about her to say for sure.

[robertpaulsen]

5. Who is Snowe?

Tell me more about her.

[liberalpragmatist]

6. Sen. Olympia Snowe, Maine

She's quite liberal. Centrist, really, toes the party-line when she has to, but on a lot of key social and fiscal issues, she's quite progressive. I wish she would switch, but she has this misplaced Yankee loyalty to the Old Republican Party.

> http://snowe.senate.gov
> http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=H1630103
> http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Olympia_Snowe.htm

Also, her Senate colleague from Maine, Susan Collins. Same situation, though to the right of Snowe.

> http://collins.senate.gov
> http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Susan_Collins.htm
> http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=BC032786

Of course, by far the most Liberal Republican is Lincoln Chafee, who is more liberal than many Democrats. John Breaux has openly expressed interest in Chafee switching, joking "he'd be a better Democrat than I am." VERY liberal, he even voted NO on the IWR. He's only in the party still because of lingering loyalty to his dad, the late Sen. John Chafee, who was also a pretty liberal Republican. My guess is he might switch if control of the Senate is not in balance, or if Kerry's President, or maybe before he seeks a second term. He expressed comments at Salon.com that certainly made it clear he wasn't voting for Bush (although he didn't explicitly say that).

> http://chafee.senate.gov
> http://www.vote-smart.org/npat.php?can_id=BRI43231
> http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Lincoln_Chafee.htm

Also, despite the McCain-bashers here, McCain's record has actually grown significantly more liberal, esp. on the environment. over the last four years since his Presidential run. No, he's not some bleeding-heart liberal - he's still a Centrist, and probably slightly Center-Right, but methinks he actually could fit into the Democratic Party quite well.

> http://mccain.senate.gov
> http://www.vote-smart.org/npat.php?can_id=S0061103
> http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/John_McCain.htm

Also there are a bunch of House members - Jim Leach (Iowa), Chris Shays (Conn.) - actually, most of Connecticut's Republican House delegation, some from NY, John Hostettler (Ind.), Jim Kolbe (Ariz.) and some others.

Governors, many of the NE governors would probably count as Centrist Republicans (although, frankly, many of them turn me off b/c it appears less principled than calculated). And, although this might get me flamed, arguably Arnold is a Liberal Republican, though Centrist and socially libertarian when viewed on the whole spectrum.

[robertpaulsen]

10. Thanks, liberalpragmatist!

These are some great links on some of the less than conservative Republicans. Some I would definitely classify as moderate. I understand what you're trying to say about Arnold, but I saw him as the conservative in the recall, with McClintock being the reactionary. But maybe that's just MHO.

[SharonAnn]

2. Lincoln Chafee

IIRC

[tjwash]

3. I have good friend that is.

He works in a homeless shelter, gets housing for indigent, and disenfranchised people, and considers himself a Republican.

[Dorian Gray]

4. I know some

Who are conservative on economic and military action, but quite liberal on social issues. I think that it depends on the particular issue. There are a few who really are pro-choice, pro-homosexual union, pro-funding for education, etc. When it comes to war, however, they are pretty darn Conservative.

Of course, I also know quite a few liberals in my real life who are the opposite. Quite conservative socially, but radically liberal when it comes to economics and the war.

For most people I know, politics is an issue by issue thing. Their politics radically change depending on the issue.

[tom_paine]

7. They are, but they are in the same position as Jewish Nazis

or African-American Klansmen (Clayton, Bigsby, anyone?)

In the process of being Purged from their Organization.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Rebellious Republican]

11. Harvey, I wouldn't take it to personally, I think it was an honest

question with no mal-intent. Yes I am a former republican, I have been posting here at DU for about two years. I also have a pseudonym that is like a lightning rod, I have been looked on with suspicion,by some here. I have been attacked by rabid right wingers lurking from FreeRepub.youknowwhere. I have learned to ignore pieces that irritate me and go on. Overall my experience here has been very good. Most people here do believe in the big tent philosophy, I have had many good conversations and have found enlightenment through there different perspectives. I would hate to see someone leave that brings with them a new perspective that others can learn from. Jeb Bush turned me away from the party, its not the party of old. Cheers man!
:toast:

[struggle4progress]

12. In MY state the Repub extremists are mounting primary challenges ..

to moderate Repubs, with the blessing of the state party.

I think some Repubs here really believe there's no room for moderates in the party and plan to do everything they can to drive them out.

[tom_paine]

14. You have so many things wrong or mistaken you SHOULD be angry!

AT YOURSELF!

First incorrect mistake:

I actually am a moderate. A Radicalized Moderate, to be sure. A Zealot for Liberty. I am quite pro-gun. Quite anti-Affirmative Action. I also believe that our Immigration Policy is badly overextended and needs to be fixed, among other of my Conservative Views.

I believe that Extreme Left and Extreme Right are BOTH loopy, as you do. I also believe that the Founding Fathers created this as a Moderate Country to PREVENT the rise of Unchecked Extremist Power.

So, you've got it all wrong, but you wouldn't be the first person to make that error. Zealotry is often mistaken for extremism...because so often it is. But sometimes, people can be Zealous for Moderation. I am Zealous for a Strong and Healthy Republic, which we don't have.

Second Incorrect mistake:

The reason I have become activated, a Radicalized Moderate with a distrust of both sides, is BECAUSE the Constitutional System of Checks and Balances hads been so damaged by the Imperial Family Bush*.

I am a White Corpuscle of Liberty, of the Constitution, and if you choose to mitake that for a nose-ring wearing Commie, who can stop you?

Actually, I am a Veteran, a Homeowner, and I'll just bet I pay more bills on time than you & have a higher credit rating.

You're belief in "the pendulum" is naive and touching, especially given the structural chanegs the Imperial Family has initiated, insulating themselves from the Law the way Divinely Appointed Kings used to.

THE PENDULUM CANNOT SWING BACK IF THE CLOCK IS BROKEN!

I'm sorry you cannot see any of this. You have a lot of reading to do. Start with "Blinded by the Right" by David Brock. You also might want to review the writings of Jefferson and Tom Paine in their own words.

No one can help you unless you help yourself.

And, for the record, I am a firm believer in Capitalism, albeit with "referees" for the same reason a football game has them. And I had SEVEN Great-Uncles killed by Extreme Leftists in the Soviet Gulags in the 30s and 40s.

You are wrong about almost everything, especially what you think of me. Educate yourself. Think about it.

Understand why someone like me who distrusts either side would wholeheartedly throw in with that side due to the levels of corruption from the opposition skyrocket to vastly disparate levels.

Let me say it like this:

At this time in history, Democratic Corruption is rougly analogous to a cigarette boat. Imperial Family Corruption is like unto an Aircraft Carrier.

Wake up.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for the ignorant insults based on things you assumed about me which were totally incorrect.

[denverbill]

9. You have to realize how much has changed in the last 25 years.

Nixon was a 'moderate' Republican, who actually proposed National Health Care.

Until the 'Reagan Revolution' the Republican Party was a very moderate-liberal party. Their support was strongest in liberal parts of the country - New England, the Midwest, the West Coast. Also prior to Reagan, Democrats had a LOT of conservatives in the party, mostly concentrated in the South. When the conservative Reagan got nominated, the 'conservative' Southern Democrats bolted the party, while moderate Republicans generally voted for Reagan as well.

I think there are quite a few 'moderate' Republicans even today. McCain, Snowe, Chafee, Specter, to name a few.

[JayS]

17. I've been seeing more moderates among the younger...

...Republican politicians on the state level. Let's hope this is a trend. :)

[Jade Fox]

13. Moderate Republicans have their own organization called...

Mainstreet Republicans. Both McCain and Snowe are part of it. I don't
know much more than that. They are being targeted by the scary
Neocon wing of the GOP called the "Club for Growth", who are intent on
replacing them with more conservative Republicans. These harrassed
moderate Republicans must surely be feeling pretty angry.

I can't help but think there are quite a few Republicans appalled by the
direction their party is going in. I've been impressed by the ones willing
to stand up to Bushco (Lindsey Grahm and John Warner come to mind).
I assume that most Republicans (and most Democrats) are dependent
on their parties for money to pay for campaigns, and that this makes them
leery about risking the ire of whatever faction is currently in power in
their party.

We have definitely come a long way since the days of Pete McCloskey,
a Republican who was more liberal than most of today's Democrats.

[Ruffhowse]

15. they've been hunted to extinction by the radical right

[Hippo_Tron]

16. Welcome to DU Ruffhowse

What you say is sad but true. Hopefully in November we can reverse the process by hunting Tom DeLay into extinction.

[Gom Jabbar]

18. Olympia Snowe is pretty cool

We've held the line on environmental rape (ANWR etc.) in the Senate because of Republicans like Snowe.