Name a Republican (or more, if possible) that you respect

[MrScorpio]

I can only think of four:

Barry Goldwater in his later days

William Milliken, Former Gov of Mich

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Teddy Roosevelt

[SeattleGirl]

1. Sam Reed, Sec of State in Washington

Was a pretty stand-up guy during the gubernatorial election debacle in November. So stand-up in fact, that the repukes were calling him and threatening him.

[Doctor_J]

2. Brett Favre

as long as he doesn't play until he sucks. Kathy Lee Gifford (and her hubby). That's about it.

[Shell Beau]

29. My husband landscaped his house in Hattiesburg, MS.

20,000 square feet of a house. He met him and said he was pretty nice. Although some of the people of the town in Hattiesburg don't agree. One story was that he was eating at a restaurant there and the waitress of course catered to him and only him. He didn't leave a tip, but instead left an autographed pic for them to hang on the wall. So that waitress made nada that night. Also, during the time my hubby was doing his house (about 4 years ago)a huge tornado came through the town and demolished a lot. He refused to talk to the local news and would only talk to the national news. Whatever!! Anyway, the hubby says his wife is rude and mean. Her 23 year old brother got killed this past year on his four wheeler on their property. My hubby said he would see him riding around like a maniac and wasn't at all surprised to hear of his death. Sad, huh?

[Doctor_J]

46. That's too bad.

Sorry to hear that both of them aren't as nice as they are presented. I admire and respect people who are really good at their jobs, especially really hard jobs, and Brett is one of the best at his. And, compared to many other athletes (e. g. Barry Bonds) he seems pretty affable.

[Shell Beau]

52. Well like I said, those were just stories. Who knows if they

are true. The one about his wife, though, came straight from my hubby having to deal with her. My husband said Brett would get on his tractor and do all kinds of work on his land every day. So, he is a hard worker even outside of football. He has close to 640 acres. Anyway, just a little bit of info on him. He's probably not a bad guy.

[mattomjoe]

47. Until he sucks???

Too late for that! :evilgrin:

[Laelth]

3. Abraham Lincoln?

Lots of Republicans were cool back when they were the liberal party, even up to Teddy Roosevelt.

-Laelth

[WCGreen]

4. In Ohio I am freinds with a state senator who happens to

be republican....

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Lincoln

But you have to remember, a lot of republicans pre-Reagan were good, decent people. They might have been greedy, sure, but they weren't necessarily racist theocratic ignorant pieces of shit, like the current crop of republicans are. Their party has changed, and changed into an awful fascist death-dealing hatefilled party of Christian national triumphalism gone amuck.

[RPM]

6. most republican presidents before Eisenhower (inclusive)

Ike was OK - generally.

[musical_soul]

7. I would give names....

but they just so happen to not be politicians. RL friends.

[chknltl]

8. Abe Lincoln

But I promiss you this: I did NOT vote for him, respect or no I would never vote for a republican.

[dr.zoidberg]

54. The Republican party of the 1860's was vastly different from today.

Hell, you could say that the they were totally different from today's party before Reagan.

[MN ChimpH8R]

9. National Repubs from the last fifty years

Eliot Richardson (quit rather than fire Archie Cox)
William Ruckelshaus (ditto)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Barry Goldwater (in his later years)
former US Senator Alan Simpson

Minnesota can offer
former gov Elmer L. Andersen
former gov Arne Carlson
former US Senator Dave Durenberger

hard to think of many more.

[myrna minx]

58. Minnesota had some really decent Repubs back in the day,

but now we are overridden with filth like Kennedy and Coleman. :cry:

[GrumpyGreg]

10. Former senator Ed Brooke from Massachusetts.

The first black senator since Reconstruction.

[MissMillie]

30. and former Massachusetts congressman Silvio Conte

may he RIP

[Robeson]

11. I'll have to check back with you later. I'm still checking the data....

...banks in my mind, and as of yet, just can't seem to pull one out. I'm trying though, I'm really trying....

[JVS]

12. Lincoln, Gerald Ford, US Grant

[MN ChimpH8R]

13. How did I forget Jerry Ford - D'oh!

He is what responsible Republicanism used to be. (No flames about the pardon of Nixon, please). Moderate conservatives (in the traditional sense of that word) like Ford used to be the backbone of the Republican Party. One could disagree with them but still be cordial and friendly with them. Disagreement was just that, and was civilized. Those Republicans didn't hate government or have grandiose, messianic designs for remaking the world.

IIRC, Ford has made his distaste for fundies very clear in recent years.

[Liberalynn]

28. Ford was the kind of Republican

that my late Dad used to support. He disagreed with the pardon but thought that over all Ford was a decent man.

Of course Jerry didn't accomplish anything memorable as President either but at least he didn't upset the apple cart any further.

After Reagan though I don't understand how anyone could stay a Republican and still look at themselves in the mirror? That's why I have trouble respecting those who still identify themselves with that party and that includes some members of my extended family and former friends even if they claim they are personally "moderates". I feel guilty about hating them but I have to be honest, I do hate them. Their defense is they don't agree with Bush or the fundies but then why the hell do they remain so spineless and refuse to stand up against them, if that's true?

The "guilt" part on the hate issue, is from being constantly lectured to all my life that you shouldn't "hate" anyone.

It's like they have no real consciene, courage, or compassion. I have to be a Democrat or I couldn't respect myself.

[hfojvt]

18. of course, I like that I am related to two of those three

but not the most famous one. Ford is sometimes lambasted for having been on the Warren commission.

As far as current Republicans go, I might suggest Snowe and Chaffee, but I do not know that much about them, except that they sometimes cross party lines. Probably they will rubber-stamp Roberts. I have not found anything to respect in the ones I have known better, although when I was in Iowa, Senator Grassley wrote me more than Harkin did. Maybe I did not write as much to Harkin since he was probably already voting the way I wanted.

[Heidi]

14. One of the great loves of my life is a registered Republican . . .

but he's a liberal at heart. :shrug:

[Robeson]

15. Well, I'm checking back since I told you I would. And after much...

...deliberation, no, sorry, couldn't come up with one I respect.

[enigmatic]

16. Goldwater was a helluva guy

I met him while working in Phoenix a few years before he died; still sharp as a tack even though his body was breaking down. He was a vintage/Ham Radio Buff like me and the short time was had together was spent talking about that.

His views took a distinctly left turn in his final years; even before that he was a Republican that I liked..

[Crazy Guggenheim]

17. Goldwater in his later days. Of course TR. Occasionally L. Chaffee.

[jobycom]

19. Probably many before the Reagan/Bush era. No politicians now.

There are some Republican non-politicians I respect on things other than politics. Some actors and athletes who have talents and skills, and many who give to charities. But a lot of Republicans I can tell are Republicans by their short-sighted approach to every aspect of their lives, and their complete lack of integrity or personal morality.

I can't think of any politician I respect. They'd have to denounce Bush and push for his impeachment and imprisonment for 100K counts of murder before I'd even consider them as having a moral point of view.

Before Reagan, many Republicans supported Civil Rights (even when Dems didn't), and there seemed to be many who were Republicans because they believed that was best for the nation. I could disagree with them, but still believe they were doing what they thought best for other people.

Now Republicans don't care about the nation, they just want to kill and rob.

I think before Reagan people chose their party on ideology, and now they choose on their basic attitudes on life. The Republican Party attracts the greedy, incompetent and short sighted people, whereas the Democrats attract competence, morality (real morality, not the phoney fundamentalist sort), and honesty. That's why there's a conservative element to some Dems. These are people who might have been Republicans in an earlier era, but who have too much integrity to join the party now. It's no longer about ideology.

[KitchenWitch]

20. I was also going to say Barry Goldwater

Ike is right up there as well as Teddy.

[Fox Mulder]

21. Lincoln and Teddy R.

I don't know who Milliken or Goldwater are.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

23. Goldwater was the Repub candidate in '64 against LBJ.

Goldwater lost in a landslide.

[RevCheesehead]

22. Jane, a woman in my church.

She's retired, volunteers at the schools and the library, helps out wherever and whenever she can, tutors Hispanics in ESL classes, and is exceedingly generous.

I cannot fathom why she is a Republican, but I do respect her.

As to the famous ones:
Eisenhower - but more for his leadership in WWII.
Nixon - at least he had the decency to resign.

[NewJeffCT]

24. Lowell Weicker, former Sen. from Connecticut

Lost to Democrat Joe Lieberman when Lieberman ran to his right. Won his initial seat in Congress in 1968 running as an anti-war Republican. Was one of the most outspoken Republicans against Nixon during Watergate.

[Hugin]

25. I honestly can't think of any...

or they're dead and being spun by the neocons as neocons.

[swag]

26. Steve Clemons seems to think that Robert George is respectable

but I'm still trying to make sense of his weird apologia which doesn't seem to lead anywhere except where its author wont go: out of the Republican party:

http://raggedthots.blogspot.com/2005/09/why-am-i-still-republican_19.html

[tjwmason]

27. Here's my list.

President Bush (the God-sent saviour of America)
Vice-President Cheney
Ober-gruppen fuhrer Rove
Senator Frist

I could go on all day long.......


Yes, in case you were worried - I am joking.

The current state of the Republican Party is a tragedy for America - in more than just the obvious way. Political systems work best (i.m.o.) when there is a genuine competition for ideas and votes between two (or more) honourable parties who genuinely want the best for the country, but simply disagree on how to achieve it. A good strong Democratic Party needs a good strong Republican Party (or other party of the right) to make it better.

[Pendrench]

31. Charles Mathias (Senator from MD) n/t

[dr.strangelove]

32. My mom

I respect her more than anyone else in the world. There are dozens of others, but I'll keep the list short.

[musical_soul]

42. That's really sweet.

Most would not say that stuff about their parents like that on boards.

[dr.strangelove]

61. Thank you

She has lead a very respectful life. She raised 4 children, and now has 8 grandchildren. She taught us to respect others and to fight for what we believe in. Even if I disagree with some of her political views, I respect her for her reasoned approach to them.

[Pendrench]

33. How do most people feel about Nelson Rockefeller?

On one hand, I've read that he was a fairly liberal Republican, but then I've also heard negative things as well.

Thanks -

Tim

[dolo amber]

34. I like Ron Paul - TX

And yeah, I know he's a RINO/Libertarian, and honestly I don't have a clue about his beliefs/voting record/etc. I *DO* know that from time to time he will stand up and enthusiastically give the Bush administration a bit ol' "FUCK YOU" though, usually for a reason I totally agree with. And for that, he gets :thumbsup: :thumbsup:.

[HuskerDU]

55. I second Ron Paul for pretty much the same reasons you

mentioned him. Our side could take a lesson from Mr. Paul about how to tell it like it is with the * administration.

[mnmoderatedem]

35. I may catch hell for this but

I have a lot of respect for Pat Buchanan. He's been against the Iraq war from the very get go, and it couldn't have been easy going against the (republican) grain in speaking out against it. He was one of few conservatives that got Iraq right where the neocon war party got it all wrong. Also has been outspoken against CAFTA/ outsourcing etc., generally been critial of the bush adminstration on a number of issues.

If the question is about respect, you have to respect that, IMO.

[NewJeffCT]

36. while I respect some of his views on foreign policy...

Buchanan is also racist, sexist & homophobic.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

39. See my post below. GMTA!!

[Crazy Guggenheim]

37. What's strange about PB is he is a conservative - more old school -

that liberals like. I was watching that show he and Bill Press had on MSNBC a couple of years ago and Press jokingly asked him if he was going support Howard Dean. Sometimes he sounds like a liberal Democrat but, ... and here's the but, he can be very racist in his views. He can also be homophobic.

[Bucky]

38. Chuck Yeager, Tom Selleck, Scott Baio, Vicki Lawrence

Oh, and the biology teacher at my previous school was pretty cool. She was very hands on with the kids and could put away serious margaritas.

[terrya]

40. Lincoln, Gerald Ford, former Illinois Senator Charles Percy.

I also had respect for moderate Republicans such as Nelson Rockefeller.

[Deep13]

41. C. Everret Coupe

Reagan's surgeon general. To Reagan's chagrin, he put his personal feelings aside and did his job.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

44. Dr. Coope was interesting in that he used to do anti-abortion videos

for the pro-lifers!!

[Deep13]

48. Yeah, he was a nut job, ...

... but he put that aside to do his duty as surgeon general. He told people how to avoid AIDS if they were going to ignore his advice and be promiscuous or use IV drugs. He went after big tobacco.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

50. That's right, he went after big tobacco too didn't he.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

43. BTW. Here's a link to the "Moderate Republicans". I don't know why

they are still associated with the current Repukes! They voted for Kerry in the last election. They also had at one time, maybe it's still on there, a link to the White Rose Society.

http://moderaterepublican.net/

Here's some of their Statements:

Snip

A passion for civil liberties;
A disdain for conformity and suspicion of authority;
A belief that the Constitution is a living, breathing document with timeless values that must be made relevant in a modern age;
A commitment to protect the environment and not engage in mindless exploitation of the nation's natural beauty. A spirited case must be made for reusable energy sources like solar power. Modern technology provides many options before the earth is harshly, brutally, and needlessly pillaged.
A strong belief that diversity -- gender, racial, social, sexual, ethnic, and religious -- should be celebrated because it gives the United States moral strength. Diversity -- in the long-term, encourages respect, understanding, and a greater sense of community;
A commitment to fiscal prudence and limited government;
A recognition that government does have a basic social responsibility to help those in need;
A belief that the nation does have international responsibilities;
A belief that God and religion have a very important place in America -- at the dinner table and in churches, temples, and mosques. But it should never be used by politicians to advance a narrow moral agenda;
A belief that the national government should be used in a limited manner to advance the common good;
A commitment never to put party above country; and
A responsibility to publicly criticize those who call themselves Republican when the situation merits. Moderate/Progressives have a duty to vote against the party line when it doesn't serve the greater good. Doing so doesn't make them less Republican; it demonstrates that they have the honor, political courage, and intellectual honesty to put nation above party.

Snip

[UrbScotty]

45. WRT living ones, I could only think of Milliken

But I'm sure there are others.

[Left_Winger]

49. Since I am the only living Democrat left in my family,

I would have to say my father and my sister. Otherwise there are no republicans I respect.

[dr.zoidberg]

51. Hey, we agree!

TR was freakin awesome. I have pretty much always like Goldwater.
Does Eisenhower count as a Republican though? I has always heard that both parties tried to get him and he just went with the party he felt that would win him the office.

We are pretty much in agreement! Hooray!:pals:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

53. I'm currently reading Edmond Morris' book Theodore Rex. Wow!

[myrna minx]

59. I've wanted to read that book. TR took no prisoners.

He seems like one hellofa guy.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

Remember this, a guy like him could not get elected today.

[MN ChimpH8R]

62. Morris' TR bio is outstanding

Read it a couple years ago and was enthralled by it. Morris writes so beautifully. Helluva subject he had, too. They ain't makin' Republicans like Teddy anymore and we are all the worse for it.

[bertha katzenengel]

56. Everett Dirksen

There are more, I know it... just can't think of them right now.

[noonwitch]

57. Lots from the days before Reagan

Goldwater, Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt (I have to like the Roosevelts, they are technically related to me), Lincoln, William Milliken, George Romney (but not his son), GR Ford, Bill Laimbeer (my all-time favorite b-ball player/he's been good to Detroit), the late Paul Henry (I disagreed with him, but respected him as a good and ethical man).

Current republicans: Oakland County prosecutor David Gorcyca and John McCain. I don't necessarily agree with them, but I do respect them both. I respect Condoleeza Rice's intelligence and fashion sense, but question her ethics.

[Magrittes Pipe]

60. Pumpkin Lincoln, of course.

[WeRQ4U]

63. My town's Mayor.

He has done a wonderful job with this tiny little town. He's got the old people to believe that progression is a good thing for the town. I certainly respect him.