"RNC rejects joint 'civility' statement"

[Clio the Leo]

RNC rejects joint 'civility' statement

The Republican National Committee has rejected a proposal from its Democratic counterpart to sign a joint “civility” statement, POLITICO has learned.

Various members of the DNC — including Chairman Tim Kaine, Executive Director Jen O’Malley Dillon and Communications Director Brad Woodhouse — contacted their respective RNC counterparts this week in hopes of getting RNC Chairman Michael Steele to co-sign a document with Kaine that, in part, called for “elected officials of both parties to set an example of the civility we want to see in our citizenry.”

“We also call on all Americans to respect differences of opinion, to refrain from inappropriate forms of intimidation, to reject violence and vandalism, and to scale back rhetoric that might reasonably be misinterpreted by those prone to such behavior,” read the proposed joint statement, which came at the end of a week which saw acts of vandalism and threats of violence directed at members of Congress from both parties, but mostly aimed at Democrats who voted “yes” on the health care bill.

Republicans see the statement as an attempt to force them to either reject the statement — allowing Democrats to say the RNC finds the incidents acceptable — or to sign on to something that the DNC would later wield against them.

The proposed statement was faxed and hand-delivered to the RNC at midmorning Friday. POLITICO learned Friday afternoon that the RNC would not sign the DNC statement.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/35096.html

[TomCADem]

1. RNC - Civility Statement? Its A Trap!

The amazing thing is that the RNC is so afraid that a civility statement would be used against them. Talking about admitting that they are an uncivil collection of *&^&%&^.

[pampango]

9. Some DUers think it is a trap, also.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4321734

Not much support for a "civility" statement there.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. They might as well just hold a press conference admitting they don't want things to get better.

[Cha]

3. The shock would be if republicons

even pretended to be civil. They're cornered rabid rats and they're not feelin' it.

[political_Dem]

4. Civility, like a dictionary, is foreign to them.

When have the Republicans ever thought of the greater good of society and above their own id-oriented desires?

[sfwriter]

5. Bring it to the effin floor as a resolution...

Make them back it or not.

[BlueIdaho]

6. Now that's a good idea!

Let's get them on record.

[chill_wind]

7. I guess they realize their irrational mobs would find that unforgivable

and could turn on them next, even if they wanted to sign on (which is doubtful).

[NYC Liberal]

8. Interesting that the Repugs don't think they could use it against the Dems

if they signed it. Wonder why... :crazy:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

10. Because....

As they do with all solemn covenants, the Republicans knows that they have absolutely NO INTENTION of abiding by it.