Did anyone catch Christine Whitman on C-Span Radio???

[Perky]

She was speaking at the Commonwealth Club hawking her new book "It's my party too"


"We used to believe in Balanced Budget, low taxes...but also balanced budgets"

She said that "social fundamentalists" are not conservative at all. Pointing to the Shiavo Debacle. as a case of over-reaching.

Reminded the listeners that the keynote speaker at the RNC were all Moderates.. and when Bush had to rally in Florida and Ohio in late October he brought in Moderates like Rudy and Arnold.

She mentioned the state legislators were split 50 - 50 nationally 25/24 GOP in Houses and 24/25 in state senates. ALthough it is a bit of a misnomer...she said the makeup what 50.3 GOP and 49.7 Dem is state legislature nationally.

SHe said that their is a great bit of litmus testsing going on in the part and the neo-cons and the social-cons were alienating the moderates.

Sounded very moderate and umm very presidential. She would make things very interesting in the GOP primaries if she got in.

The question is would she ever accept a VP slot with a Frist at the top. Statemente like the ones she made are sure to hack off the fundies

[NewJeffCT]

1. The problem with Republican moderates

Like Rudy Giuliani, Whitman & Jodi Rell in Connecticut is that it would be very tough for them to win primaries if they were up against a candidate who could unite the radical clerics of the religious right behind him, like Frist is attempting to do. Rudy & Whitman would play well nationally, but could they get the nomination?

[KharmaTrain]

6. No Way A Moderate Makes It Past The Money Round

Bunnypants was selected not in the primaries, but before that...before even a straw poll or caucus. It was in '99 when the candidates were out grabbing the cash. Bunnypants rolled up a huge sum...all but assuring he'd roll through the primaries and this was a message to the party by the elite as to who was in control here. The moderates have never been part of that elite. They're used as "ya see, we got 'ems", but their input and influence is minimal at best.

Keep in mind Rudy and Chrissie also favor a woman's right to choose and wouldn't pass the Dobson test. The Repugnicans are still decades away from seriously considering a woman and a Catholic in their country club.

[NewJeffCT]

8. Rudy seems to be popular with some of the religious right

maybe one of the biggest signs of their hypocrisy, as I think Rudy is also in favor of gay marriage.

[bballny]

2. she served

for W. No credibility

[Catch22Dem]

4. If things were that black & white

The world would be easy to figure out. Unfortunately, only the sith (and freepers) deal in absolutes like that.

[Perky]

5. She quit W

Because politicos were distorting enviromental fact to fit policy.

I thinke she is running.

[Catch22Dem]

3. Yeah, she's smart definitely

She's one of the old school republicans. Not so much a social conservative. I'm trying to think back, but I can't remember her getting too much flak here on DU back when she was EPA Sec. Hmmmm, a smart, powerful woman. Not exactly what the GOP would want. :D

[NewJeffCT]

9. my ex-wife was from New Jersey...

and, a fairly liberal Democrat & she hated Whitman & thought she was corrupt. It was several years back now, but I think I remember something about her husband's auto dealership...

[yankeedem]

7. No thanks

Her tax plan for New Jersey decimated social services for her income tax cut- which was passed on to the municipalities anyway.

Goopers won't nominate her anyway because she is socially liberal. I could see her on a ticket with McCain.

[BlueManDude]

10. She is a essentially a Democrat. Colin Powell is too.

The Dems are the responsible, moderate party that stands for the things they claim to believe in.

She wants to make a difference - switch parties.