WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who is not running for re-election next year, told a newspaper in his home state of Ohio yesterday that Southerners bore a good share of the blame for his party's lagging popularity.
"We got too many Jim DeMints and Tom Coburns," Voinovich told the Columbus Dispatch Monday. "It's the Southerners….
"They get on TV and go 'errrr, errrrr,'" he said, according to the paper. "People hear them and say, 'These people, they're Southerners. The party's being taken over by Southerners. What they hell they got to do with Ohio?'"
Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn and South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint have been top targets for Democrats. Over the past few weeks, the Democratic National Committee has released spots slamming DeMint, including a tough ad that rips the senator for saying defeat of the administration's health care bill would "break" President Obama.
From CNN Politics
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What a strange comment... this whole article is a bit odd.
A republican who is actually speaking the truth. Too many Demints.
Republican identity crisis is self-inflicted. Only deep introspection will allow them to form an identity that is compatible with mainsteam America
What's wrong with that. Are Southerners not capable. Besides someone needs to take over.
Finally someone tells the truth....
Maybe, if senators from Ohio had some clams...the Southern senators wouldn't have to always speak up. When will the GOP learn that being Democrat Light is a losing strategy. GOP lost congress because they want to spend and spend, and grow govt. like a lefty dem.
Someone has to step up to this trainwreck of a congress and Obamination of a president.
At least he won't be forced to grovel to Rush or any of the other right wing zealots. He should really consider becoming a Democrat, we have room for everyone's opinion and good works.
The Republican party has always been associated with the south – look at the electoral map in any election. All the southern states go red in a big way with the exception of the coasts.
Jim DeMint is one of the few who sound as if they have any sense.
Wow! Senator! It takes a decision to not run for you to say this? This gives everyone an indication how much "ballplaying" is done as long as they want to retain their office.
That being said, I agree with him. And, being more left than the southern agenda, I am fine with this trend. Smaller and smaller the GOP appeal becomes...
Oh oh. Another republican who is saying "No!" to the party of "No!"
That man speaks the truth!
More Senators and Congressmen must speak up about the state of the GOP or the GOP will soon not exist. However, Senator Voinovich doesn't need to only look towards the south, he should also look at Congressman Bonner. He is among the worst that the GOP has to offer and he's from Ohio. So I guess being from the south is more a state of mind, or lack of one.
That's interesting...kind of like Palin's 'real Americans." It is true that they have gotten very vocal lately, and that they make about as much sense as she does-I don't think the South has gotten over the Civil War yet. And for sure they can't tolerate a black President. I fully expect Palin and Perry to ratchet up the secessionist rhetoric before too long...she who blasts the $1.84 Alaska receives from the government for every dollar they send to Washington. They can't survive without federal help, and she knows it. They get more than any other state...Michigan gets about .85 back from ours. If they don't want it, we'll take ours back from them!
I guess the GOP is looking for any excuse to explain the party's lagging popularity. Now it is "them darn Southerners".
No, it is not. What is affecting the party's lagging popularity is the changing platform of the GOP and how they address the issues.
I was a life long republican coming from a familiy of life long republicans. However, the GOP has changed and not for the better.
The fault rests not in your [Southern] stars, but in your souls.
With any luck, maybe those Southerners will follow Rick Perry and once again secede from the Union...
But rather than complain about the GOP, why not join the Democrats... or start a NEW party?
Sir, ( we say that in the South) I am a Southerner and believe me I have no desire to leave the Democratic Party. However, I do take issue with your assesment of the state of the Republican Party.
Do you seriously believe that the racist, dogmatic, Bible thumping bigots only come from the South???
Contrary to popular opinion, we have intelligent, liberal, and moderate conservatives who voted for President Obama and are very proud of it.
And you Sir, in Ohio and other Nothern states have many of the very people you dislike and who are negatively impacting your party. So please refrain from being so pig headed about what kind of people live where in the USA.
Well that's been happening for a while now. How about this Senator... the Republican Party is being taken over by extreme radicals who often choose ignorance rather than intelligence.
Obama 2012
North vs South............isn't that kind of tired??
True words!
Finally, an honest representation of the GOP! They will be in the minority for many years to come, if they keep up with the God, guns and gays rhetoric. At best they will be a regional power broker, with very little to add to our national debate! I can't think of anything that would make the progressives happier! Amen! LOL
Oh really...We have a really easy solution for all you Yankees. Next time we pass articles of succession, don't force us to stay!
Don't forget Gov. Sanford, Sen. Ensign, Sen. Sessions, etc.
Crooked and evil to the bone. "Good ole white male" attitudes that need to be voted out. They think they do no wrong with their philandering and slandering, but want to force us all to behave.
Shame shame shame on a lot of states for forcing these people on the entire country.
Finally there is a Republican who can speak the truth. The country needs Republicans who can work with the Democrats for the GOOD of the COUNTRY, something that has been lacking for many years.
Now it is the angry, judgmental, hypocritical, and narrow minded people who make up the GOP. I hope more of the open minded Republicans such as Collins, Snow, Pawlenty, and others can speak up and start nudging their party more to the center. Enough of the Tea Baggers, Birthers, and other nut cases calling the shots.
One must be careful not to pigeon-hole Republicans no matter where they are from. I think Mr. Voinovich may have a point, but it still shows the Republicans don't have a original idea in their collective body.
No duh Senator, the republican strategy has become one of gathering religious extremists, intolerant bigots and those that are fairly uneducated because they can be herded like sheep. And it surprises you they focus on the the south? You better step back and take a real good look at what your party has become and maybe consider what needs to be done to fix it.
Just another Republican traitor, ala Spector. Same thought, good riddance and go become a Democrat.
All I can say is: "I wish I were in the land of cotton, old times there are never forgotten, look away, look away, look away, Dixieland".
There is enough blame to go around for everyone Sen. Voinovich! I would also suggest looking in the mirror once in a while.
I'm proud to be a "Southern Redneck" with a MBA.
The regional party of no.
I think I'll just say "no" to them.
The south has a long and proud tradition of standing up to big government Senator Voinovich. Maybe if y'all yankees could muster a little bit of backbone when it comes to dealing with this administration we wouldn't have to show you how it's done down here.
And one other thing while I am at it, Sir, your attitude is the exact reason I left Ohio to return the Chattanooga after 2 years.
Republicans seem determined to become an extremist, racist, wacko religious Southern regional party. I am happy neither Republicans nor Southern conservatives are relevant nationally. It's good for America.
Case in Point... George "Dubya" Bush. Errr the "Great Decider"
Good thing this guy isn't running for re-election, his own party would lynch him.
Sen Voinovich is partly right. His comments reflect his Liberal leanings. Republicans need personable candidates who can relate to more Americans and wade into the middle of voters in a friendly manner. I think "personality" is the correct word vs "stuff shirts". Being Southern is not necessarily a bad thing.
Kudos for a republican to make that statement with which I totally agree. I find Jim DeMint a totally negative man.
There has got to be a better way of making your point than to insult a entire region of the country.
The Republican's problems are rooted in the fact that they have no ideas, are totally out of touch with reality, have a drug addled ex used car salesman running the party from his radio pulpit and wish to see their president fail. They are becoming more dangerous to this country that the terrorists.
Sounds about right. What did they expect would be the result of the southern strategy anyway? Morons.
Yes he speaks the truth. The next question should be : "Which is cause and which is effect?"
Yes I am impressed with his honesty. It goes beyond "the South". The Republicans are officially hi-jacked by right-wing nuts that don't even tolerate "moderate" Republicans any longer.
The Republican Party has cultivated the South ever since Nixon, right after the Democrats passed the civil rights laws in the 1960s. They are reaping what they've sown.
that is exactly why so many people are running from the party.
Republicans seem determined to become an extremist, racist, wacko religious Southern regional party. I am happy neither Republicans nor Southern conservatives are relevant nationally. It's good for America.
The Republican party has most certainly not ALWAYS been associated with the South. 1968 was the true break-out year for that association, with the previous twenty years, from the Dixiecrat campaign of 1948 forward, beginning the process (Republican skills at race-baiting, beginning with Nixon's 'silent majority campaign, can surely be seen as a reason). From 1852-1964 the Democrats owned the South. Any quick stop at Wikipedia (though real sources explain the process better) will make that clear.
"They get on TV and go 'errrr, errrrr,'"
They have to! That's how Southerner's communicate, with a series of grunts.
Palin-Bachmann 2012
The amazingly funny thing is that the Red/Republican states are the poor, dumb states. As a rule, they have the highest unemployment, highest divorce rates, lowest graduation rates, lowest incomes. If you are poor and dumb, chances are you are a Republican.
Another amazing thing...the state with the lowest divorce rate in America is liberal Massachusetts. Imagine that!
Maybe Senator Voinovich should grow a set and stand up for the people of Ohio rather than blaming the south for his failings
Southerners? Is this dim-wit suggesting that Southern Republicans are any more ignorant than any other regions of the country. I have news for Sen. Voinovich, there are well-educated Southerners and ignorant Southerners. There are well-educated and ignorant people all over the country. It just happens that right now, at this time in history, the GOP is appealing to the fearful and angry Americans. They are quick to believe the sound bites and talking heads who feed their paranoia and prejudice. They are comforted by those who agree that they are victims and their plight is someone else's fault.
and they continue to eat their own. the self destruction of the Republican party is the grandest meltdown I have ever witnessed. Go team.
As a Southern, I find this article ridiculous. Perhaps some of us down here in the sticks just get a little tired of someone who is run by the union telling us what to think and do. As to the racist comment, I am completely for a black president, if it is the right one. Did it occur to anyone that perhaps we differ with the president because of what he stands/or doesn't stand for, not what color his skin is? I have met more racists in the northern states than I have in the south. We might talk slow, but we sure as hell know more than people give us credit for.
I could not agree more with Sen. George Voinovich. Of course, many of us saw this during the election. I can never figure out why the moderate Republicans and northern Republicans are continually ignored in this party. Meanwhile, outliers like the "Birthers" seem to get all of the press. I do not know if is just negative coverage the Republicans seem to invite, or if their party really is going south.
wouldn't a senator from Alabama be Southern by definition?? is he proposing that Southern states have no senators?? pretty bizarre comments
The problem is not that the GOP represents the South but that they represent the ignorant white Southerners who cannot grow beyond racism, excessive nationalism, religious indoctrination and a pervasive fear of almost all social and political change.
On the other hand, there are a lot of Senators from the new South more progressive than Voinovich, including Warner, Webb, Hagan, Landreau, etc.
Ron Paul is the only good republican, Jim DeMint is trying to ride his coat-tails right now, power to him if he's not just putting on a show. Did this guy walk lock-step with the rest of the 2000-2008 republicans that ran our country into the ground? Since 99% of them did, I'll assume yes until I hear otherwise.
Good riddance Voinovich. This is good news....we got rid of Arlen Sphinctor and Voinovich. Now we just need to get rid of a few more of the limp-wrists and then the real conservatives can take back the party.
HA, HA, HA the repubs are in worst shape than I thought.
I can't stand the GOP, but I recognize a cheap shot when I see one, especially as a North Carolinian.
So it's Southerners' fault that they vote for Republicans?
It's not a problem of the South if the GOP platform has no appeal in the north.
Ryan, you're wrong by the way. The south was a Democratic stronghold before the civil rights era, and locally, it still is. As LBJ predicted, the issue of race would cost the Democrats the south in national politics. But even that is changing.
As a southern I have to agree with the governor....the extreme right wing politicans are bringing down the GOP.....they seem to have tunnel vison & have no flexibility with anything outside their narrow minded thoughts...
Being a white, native born-Southerner, I say Senator Voinovich's remarks are dead-spot-on! In reality, the GOP is being overtaken by the racist branch of the Southerners' family tree. I know, my family tree has plenty of racist branches and they cling to the current G'Noper platform of bashing anything President Obama does like dew on a honeysuckle vine.
Sounds like he is "profiling" southerners.....
wasn't it a northern city that kids were rejected from the pool?
Wow! Yeah, we're so stupid down here... I mean, I barely spotted the grammatical idiocy of the phrase "These people, they're Southerners. The party's being taken over by Southerners. What they hell they got to do with Ohio?'".
Envy is such an ugly thing. If I were from Ohio I would be wishing I was from the south also, Mr. V. The Rust Belt kind of sucks doesn't it! There are plenty of us who sit around asking what the hell does Ohio have to do with anything...... Took over your political party, stole NCR, beat the crap out of your Buckeyes......Ya'll should just shut the state down and move south, we are a very welcoming culture. Hahaha
All Southerners do not reflect the bigoted attitude of Jim DeMint. He is sooooo wrong and makes me embarassed to be from the South. That being said, I believe that all Republicans just do not get it. Republicans are more interested in politics than helping people. We desparately need to do something about healthcare to help the average American. I sincerely support President Obama and the Democrats in Congress. I truly feel they are behind average people in America.
Turning on people from a particular region of the country is not the way to go. Last time I checked, conservative voices like Limbaugh and Hannity weren't southerners. How about showing some leadership and getting the party back on track. It's the ideas, or lack thereof, not the geography.
The Republican Party has long been taken over by crackpots, both in the south and in the north.
True, there are more in the south and in some isolated regions of Idaho, and the south never did get over the civil war, but there are treasonous "secessionists" throughout the republican party, those that deny science, and nutcases that are on display every day in the media, from Glenn Beck to Sean Hannity. Turn on the AM radio and pick up any "talk" station and you will hear venomous right wing haters almost 24/7. They are a cancer on this country.
Its not about southerners, its about right wing nutbags. The party has been taken over by the fundamentalist right.
We all know the GOP playbook by heart. Tax cuts that only help the rich, sending poor children to die in unjust invasions, milatary industrial complex. Need I say more.
From where I sit (FL Panhandle), I don't see Oklahoma as "the South." Closer to the Midwest. But I guess that depends on where you place your Crayon line on the map– for some, anything south of OH, IN, IL, PA, IA is "the south."
I don't think it has anything to do with Southerners (I'm from CO and live in UT, so I'm not southern myself)... but with the DeMints, etc... that make up the elected members of the GOP. They problem isn't where the people come from, it is the fact that they have become so hardcore that the majority of people, even people within the GOP no longer believe the same way they do.
Blaming a person or group of persons is shallow and childish and as long as the GOP is unwilling to look at its core values and where they are in regard to the majority of people in this country, they will continue to drift into irrelevance. It's a tough thing to do, looking at yourself in the mirror and finding all the flaws you can. It take courage and bravery, honesty and integrity... and I am still waiting for someone in the GOP to stand up and boldly declare that they have serious problems, here they are laid bare, and now we need to fix them. Seems no one is willing to admit their own weakness... instead the party still wallows in blame and denial.
Civil war 2.0 is well on the way.
Might as well get it over with.
The real problem is white males. All of you have screwed everyone on the face of the earth. It's time for you to step aside.
as a resident of Houston Texas we RESENT being referrred to as being the SOUTH! We are in the SOUTHWEST!! There is a big difference and you can tell by who we have for governor down here. Texas is the reddest state in the union, and that red should be from embarrassment.
Hes right the Republican party has been Hijacked by the lunatic far right! and the Blue Democrats that are blocking Healthcare reform look them up most are from the southern red states!
Excuse me but I think this man should issue an apology for being defamatory to Southerners. I have come to realize that there is a prejudice often overlooked in America and that is discrimination based on accent. Southerner's are automatically slow and Northerners are automatically rude. This should not be. Senator, I think you should rethink your statement, or at least apologize to the South
If the GOP were being taken over by southerners, then the I.Q. level of the GOP would rise dramatically. Instead, the intelligent southerners have nothing to do with the GOP. Intelligence and the GOP do not go together.
I guess I can understand the knee-jerk reaction on this blog by many southerners to stand up to the Senator's comments. However, I don't think he's actually attempting to offend any individual southern residents. It's important to consider that the GOP leadership (heavily condensed in the south) represents the area of the country with the poorest education and the worst economy. It has a long troubled history of intolerance towards certain groups of people, and is disproportionately in need of healthcare reform. Yet despite all of this, the leaders from the south refuse to stay focused on real solutions to these problems. This may or may not have been his point, but as someone who has voted Dem & GOP and spent many years in the south, that's my interpretation.
Someone should tell the good Senator that the war between the North and the South ended a long, long time ago.
Great to hear from one Republican that the party has been taken over by one faction with an agenda outside main stream America.
My gawd, they are turning on themselves!! Were'nt these good ole' southerners the dirty cornerstone of your party? You know, the ones that 'yeehawed' their way into doing the things that y'all discussed behind closed doors? Now they are an embarrassment?
Newsflash: these hillbilllys are pretty much all you've got left. Better take them to finishing school and polish them off a bit.
The good senator is a little late in figuring this out, don't you think? The redneck influence has long since taken over the country. Ignorance is in, intelligence is out. Bigotry is cool, tolerance is wimpy. The world was created in six days. If you don't wear a flag lapel pin you might be a traitor. A lot of people are sick to death of the Southern tail wagging the national dog. Eight years of the Texas politics (Bush, Delay, and company) has messed this country up big-time. Now, some of these so-called conservatives think that Sarah can pull the geographical center of the Republican Party all the way up to Minnesota. But Sarah's heart is as Southern, as Jeff Sessions'.
The GOP is indeed becoming (or shrinking to) the SRR, the Southern religious right. Which bodes brilliantly for the Democratic Party. The Republicans, as befits their regional base, value beauty and born-agin' ness over brains, hence the Palin phenomenon (and she is drop-dead gorgeous). But the rest of the country wants three-digit IQ presidents. I predict Palin-Limbaugh as the GOP standard-bearers in 2012, to the delight of president Obama, the Democrats, Jon Stewart, his audience, and me.
So all of you that say you agree think that an entire region is represented by 2 individuals? The republican's problems are a lot deeper than where the members are from. I have traveled the entire country and can tell you that stereotypes are never held true as a whole, in any region.
No kidding. The gop is nothing but a pack of bigoted old white southerners. They're in really deep – their irrelevance could last a generation. They're just not seeing the same America we're living in. Their primary governing philosophy – keep them poor and uneducated so they don't know we're screwing them blind. They earned every bit of their irrelevance.
Well Governor/Senator, as a Proud Buckeye now living in Georgia I STILL believe in personal responsibility. So, I guess do many people from Ohio as well as the South. The big government programs that have appeared over the last 40/70 years haven't exactly been a boon to the country. Unemployment, now about 9.5 percent, maybe getting worse doesn't speak very well of the liberal point of view. If you don't understand what i'm talking about just look at California. But people voted for it so let the depression come. Maybe people will be a bit smarter the next time.
I find it funny that many of the people who are so quick to bash Southerners are enamored with Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
No matter which way you try to slice it, the whole "gun-toting, Bible-thumping, conservative bigots" line is a disgusting, prejudiced stereotype. It's as damaging to Southern people as minstrel shows were to blacks.
As a Southerner who fanicies himself as being, with regards to many issues, very liberal, I find such anti-Southern talk to be anti-progressive. What is ironic is that such speech comes from those who love to talk about themselves as if they are the open-minded, progressive type. The fact that we as a nation are willing to tolerate such blatant hypocricy is problematic.
I'd take DeMint over Reid, Dodd, Shumer, Kennedy, Kerry, Durbin, Frank, Pelosi, Obama, ...basically any of the lib bobbleheads, any day of the week.
At least a Southern Republican wouldn't spend the country into the ground chasing after failed social policies. He kooks, Obama's plan didn't work in the Soviet Union, and it sure as heck won't work here.
2010 – Vote the Dems out of Congress
2012 – Send the disgrace back to the south side of Chicago.
so its ok for people to insult the CSA, the South but if a Dixie says anything we are always called racist while the South is always being discriminated against. As a fellow southerner living up in vile Yankee land I get tired of this yankee propaganda. Remember thats blacks are southerners too so insults to the south is insult to African Americans so this is pure racism. blacks are proud to be southerners to you know
That was a nice discriminatory remark! Being from the South has nothing to do with any lagging that the GOP is going through and Voinovich shows his ignorance for making such a statement. I think he needs to clean up his own backyard before he starts pointing fingers to others. It's complete idiots like this are ruining our country!
hmmm, so only the republicans in the south backed 95% of Bush's plan and continue to oppose everything Obama is trying to do? I am not a Republican by any means, but it seems to me all this whining within the party has to be annoying. And then, you say they're bad congressmen b/c they're "southern". That's almost as bad as a racist joke. As a black man from the south, that ticks me off a little bit.
John G, we "all Yankees" are pretty happy with Obama. He is intelligent, reasonable, and tries to find common ground and bring people together.
I don't know where in the South you live but the part that still complains about "Yankees" is usually the part that is most backwards in education, public policy, environmental reform and race relations and that sucks voraciously on the federal teat even while carping about federal intrusion.
Don't be so quick to defend how you do things "down there." The South is one of the most dysfunctional places not only in the US but in the Western world.
I'm a lonely Democrat living in rural Georgia.......praying the rest of the country rejects the right-wing extremism of today's South.
Sour Grapes. Enjoy your retirement.
I am amazed that people who truly believe themselves to be intelligent say the cruel things they do. You must get that log out of your eye (and in some case I believe it to be logS). Why don't you people realize that we are all Americans and when you get right down to it we all believe in freedom and we all want what is good for all of America.
We people in the south are actually proud to be Americans and in case you have never noticed most of our soldiers come from the south. We are also proud that God put us in the south and based on most of your comments it is easy to see why.
Bless your hearts! You just don't know any better. I bet most of you have never been down here – usually the ones that do wander down here stay!!!
Voinovich speaks the truth and the gop will be th epoorer for his departure. The incrdeible shrinking gop will wind up being the party of people like Coburn, Inhofe, DeMint, Ensign, Jindal, McConnel Sandford, Palin and other assorted crazies who try to rule by dividing. Americans who are truly patriotic have other issues besides, religion, abortion, gun rights and hunting and fishing.
Pretty soon the only red states will be Louisiana, Miississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, Utah and Idaho and you can have em
Senator Voinoivich, you have nothing to be proud of in your sordid career. Go whine to Collins and Snowe.
Idiot... more identity politics please. If you're not conservative...you don't belong in the GOP. It's people like you that water down conservative ideals and let liberal policy rot this nation from the inside out.
Also, southerners view the northern libtards with the same 'attitude' as they view us. We also don't draw the line between parties... if you're wrong...you're wrong.
I'll follow the constitution and what our founders believed to the grave...call me all the names you want while you spew your quasi-progressive socialist propaganda.
Republicans are completely out of the main stream. They always sound mean and vindictive – which they are. The South needs to get with the present century viewpoint of things.
The southern GOP hates government. The less it does in their view, the better. It's good political rhetoric, but lousy when it comes to solving the nation's problems. Race is the basis for GOP electoral success in the South. That's it.
Voters have figured that out.
Since he's telling the truth I expect a full excoriation treatment from the Limbaugh/ Hannity wing and their mouthpiece Michael Steele. Thanks for your many years of dedicated service Senator but we are officially the party of No now and you have a track record of consorting with the enemy/Democrats.
Oh lets just say it like it is. First of all most of the racists don't live south of the Mason-Dixon line. There are plenty of racists Democrats in Illinois where I come from. Plus if your not Union your a Scab. Lots of different types of racism besides color of your skin. Secoundly, more and more power is moving to the states that have not been strangled my the labor unions , high taxes and ridiculous Democratic "progressive" Programs. And don't you dare place California as a Southern State. The North (and I am from Illinois) has this superiority complex that they don't deserve in today's. AND THIS IDIOT MAKES FUN OF PEOPLE"S ACCENTS!!!! Oh thats not prejudice.
Great idea, Senator – alienate more people from the Republican Party!
You democrats kill me! Southerners are bigots, liars and thieves you say. Is that not bigotry in itself?? Quit throwing rocks morons...you live in a glass house!! The same rhetoric all of you spew about wayward republicans could be said of Kennedy, Clinton, Barney Frank, Hillary, Pelosi, Harry Reid...and on and on! I don't believe there is an upright, selfless, dignified politician in this entire country!! Prove me wrong and show me one. 90% or more are lawyers and tell me again how a lawyer can build legislation or make decisions around health care, space exploration, defense, education, etc. Thomas Jefferson said our government would be perfect if we over threw it every 7 years. He did not mean revolution...he meant term limits.
and we all know that there are no "southerners" anymore...all the northerners have been moving south for so long this guys point seems almost ignorant. Its hard to find a southern accent in the larger cities of the south these days. But then the north "is" superior...with its negative growth in some states...aging infrastructure and loss of jobs and higher taxes.
Yep...we dastardly southerners have ruined the GOP. by the way...where was John McCain and Palin from again?
The good ol' boy system is in BIG trouble, so of course, hurting Rep.
senators are going to say oof the wall things.
If they EVER find a "descent" person, not related to C street....or tied in knots due to ethics............then
maybe just maybe they may have a party.
If not.............good night.
The book American Theocracy has a nice description on the "Southernization" of the GOP. There is much more to it than just race.
Should we recruit more Barney Franks or Pelosi's??? Yeah, didn't think so.
Maybe the southern members should just keep their mouth shut and let Pelosi and the libtards ruin this country socially and economically??? I think not.
Funny how all the folks from Ohio want to live in the South.
The south has always been a cesspool of ignorance and hatred. The GOP base is concentrated there. Coincidence?
What a strange comment from a supposedly educated, informed man! I suspect he has some form of dementia.
You dems are what's wrong with this country. Poor, fat, lazy, liberals who voted for a animal who only wants to help people who don't work and who come from garbage. Don't be angry if he's chased out of office before 2010!
I'm sure Senator Voinovich is being quoted out of context, and he had some wise, pithy things to say, but based on what is quoted in the article, I would say he's just a sad, pathetic loser. It's not that the South has taken over the GOP, it's the religious right.
When we elect our government based on a very narrow set of issues, we get a narrowly focused government that doesn't work very well outside its narrow area of interest/competence.
I too, think that the Republican Party is being taken over by "southerners." Everytime they're on national TV it's "negative language." They don't like Sonia Sotomayor, they don't like Obama, they don't like the health plan (because they are afraid it will work), and frankly, I don't like them and I'm from the south. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby are a disgrace to the people of Alabama except for the ones who thinks like them; which is also a shame. The other southern Senators like Graham and DeMint are also a shame to their states for obvious reasons. However you look at it in my view, these "southerns" have the same mentality from years past.
Don't forget that it is the people who vote these senators/representatives into their elected positions. The Dems have had better candidates than the GOP in certain areas of the country, and vice versus. Both the Republicans and Democrats have been putting crap on the ballots in my opinion, so it can be a catch-22 for the voters. But it seems the Dems have their act together much better as a party in whole. Voinovich's complaining only further emphasizes the sad state of the Republican party. If they want better representation, then give the voters something better to vote for. Simple as that.
I love it! I live in South Carolina and we definitely have one too many DeMints. The way things are going the GOP will soon be the party of the deep South, maybe 5-6 states, plus Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.
Its not being from the south that is the problem its the rush limbaugh type rhetoric that is the problem, the mans been in office for 6 mnths the term last 4 years.
I believe he has a point...to some degree it is discriminatory, but at the same time its true. The real reason i think the GOPs are lagging is because they don't have any plans for the future. They were completely thrown off the wagon and they are lost. People are picking up on everything they have done (nothing) over the years and its hitting hard. The biggest issue i believe is the moral mentality of some of the representatives...they are just cold hearted.
Living in Texas – I read the opinion forums in the local newspaper online (Star-Telegram). It appears that most of the comments posted there are from Perry-Palinistas, birthers, far-right wing nutcases.... people who are having a hard time refraining from using the N-word to describe what they really feel.
If that's any reflection of the true leanings of the South, then it's no surprise that the rest of the country is saying "Thanks, but no thanks" to the Republican Party. How's that "southern strategy" working out, Rove?
Well it's about time that someone spoke the truth. This pulpit being used by right wingers that still live in the dark ages gives them far too much exposure. Of course this is a democracy so anyone can have their say. That is why it is important for everyone to get a good education.
How did the party of Lincoln ever sink so low as to nominate and elect George W Bush? How did it stoop to nominate McCain and Palin? How does it continue to countenance people like Palin, Jindal, Ensign, Sandford, Romney, Huckabee, Crist, Foley, Vitter, Craig, DeMint and Inhofe? What a despicable bunch of mental midgets
No wonder the gop is augering into the ground; the sound you hear is Dwight Eisenhower doing 4500 rpm in his grave
The south is conservative to the point of being extreme. They feel the country should be ruled by the Bible. I am not a spiritual person, I do push my beliefs on tohers and I expect the same in return.
Senator, I'm a Republican and let me give you a
wake -up call. THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN PARTY
THANKS TO LACK OF LEADERSHIP BY POLITICIANS
LIKE YOU AND THE WESTERN REPUBLICANS,
THE NEW ENGLAND REPUBLICANS, AND THE
SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS !!!
Term limits are decades overdue !!!
You have the audacity to lay blame ???
YOU HELPED IN DESTROYING THE PARTY.....SIR !
Authenticity is great. It's amazing what truths will be said when there's no upcoming election. You can see what they REALLY think.
Southern Republicans are a cancer, though. For example, they're so paranoid of Mormons they wouldn't give Mitt Romney their support. Even though most Mormons have been die-hard Republicans for eons.
Is this Ohio senator guilty of a little regional prejudice or simply accusing others of being so? Where are the PC police? Oh yeah, they only care if the bias goes toward the Left. I agree with Shawn, the fact that CNN bothered to even print the article is "a bit odd."
The current popularity of the GOP has nothing to do with geography. It is simply that they represent the minority in this country and will remain that way...... it's simply a matter of political natural selection.
Voinovich is partly right, but it's really the Southern fundamentalists that drive the problems. Religion is a good thing, except when one religion is forced upon the citizens of a multi-cultural nation. Too many Bible thumpers (Sanford, Craig, Gingrich, Giuliani, Foley, Haggard and more) have been literally caught with their pants down as they preached "moral values" on the stump. Many on the left are imperfect, too, but I will vote for the HONEST scoundrel every time.
I am from Ohio. I take issue with the Senator because he makes it seem as though there is something inherently wrong with being a Southerner.
I agree with Voinivich. Let's get back to the New England Republicans who are fiscally responsible and socially progressive (unlike the Southerners).
The Southerners are still angry over losing the civil war... you can still hear the hint of racism and separatist talk in what they say...
This country will continue to spiral downwards until we make education a priority. I view myself a fiscal and moral conservative, but I refuse to vote for a Republican. I am shocked by how uneducated the vast number of Republicans are and I firmly believe the party has been severely "dumbed down" by the likes of Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee.
My party (the GOP) needs to have an idiot test prior to allowing candidates to run for office. The severe misrepresentation that our GOP elected officials make of Republican constituents makes me wonder why on earth we would have elected them in the first place. The bible thumping and fear mongering Republicans damaged our party. Voinovich's statement that southerners are ruining the party reinforces just how poorly we Republicans have chosen our candidates. Perhaps a lot of bleeding is good for the party, we need to wash this pestilence from our party if we're going have any meaningful say in America. After the Dems have screwed things up even more than the Republicans have over the last 8 years, we'll need quality candidates who can do well for this country instead of themselves.
The South will fall again...
I don't know that it's fair to blame the South for an Oklahoman.
I agree with this guy 100%.
Oh, the South was fine so long as everyone was voting republican. But now that many re coming to their senses they're nothing but a bunch of hicks, is that right. Well, I've lived in the South and the North and I'd choose the former any day. The fact that many Southerners are switching back to the democratic party means that they're able to change and can spot a snake oil salesmen from a mile away. I found racism to be much more insidious in the North because they try to hide it and the media perpetuates the stereotype. But you're right, there are still far too many Southerners in the republican party and they'll be more than welcome as Democrats.
Do you mean Southerners like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Lyndon Baines Johnson or William Jefferson Clinton? I could even list Abraham Lincoln, since he was born in Kentucky. The Southern values of freedom, liberty, individualism and individual responsibility, the right to keep what you earn through your own efforts are what made this country great.
We guess that serves the tough-talkin' tootsies from GOP right. DeMint has delusions of dementia and derision about what he decides to deliver, so he deserves the distinction of bein' the most desirable target for derogatory darts.
Mr. Senator from Ohio have you noticed how many Northerners keep moving South? Must be something right down here!
I live in Mississippi, and I'd be glad if this state stopped being so Republican. It's pretty embarrassing, having so many ignorant, superstitous morons outvoting us all the time. But, that's what you get when you're over-churched: a population full of dimwits.
Nice try, Senator. Why don't you step up and show some leadership if you don't like the way things are going?
Sheesh! If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem!
The south has nothing to do with it. There are plenty of despicable Republicans in the north and west too.
Good thing you're retiring Voinovich. You'd have been voted out anyway.
We've had enough of the lying Republican party.
wow the repubs are in worse situation than i thought...oh well if they dismantle than it is good riddance...
Fighting and inbreeding among the RepubliCANTS–oh you just got to love it!!!
It's a little late to complain about that now, don't you think Senator?
Richard Nixon's so-called southern strategy turned the party of Lincoln into America's last institutional home for white racism. In the bargain, it gave the GOP a virtual strangle-hold on southern politics and a decided advantage in presidential elections for more than a generation.
But the demographic worm has turned. It seems more than a little disingenuous for Republicans to cry about the results.
Well then i guess its good that Florida isnt considered a "Southern State" haha
Voinovich opposes lowering tax rates, was the only Republican in Congress to vote against a bill providing for relief from the marriage penalty and generally supports gun control.
Well here is a hot news flash: THE SOUTH has a problem with RINO's like him anyway.
I would not brand all southerners as non-progressive. The problem with the GOP is you do not allow DECENT southerners to talk, you know those southerns who do not view civil rights as problems ahead. Instead, you let goons speak making all southern whites look bigoted. That's wrong. I don't understand how white people continue with the GOP. GOP is an equal opportunity offender. How about that?
Hello..where has this guy been?
I think it was George H (Papa) Bush that began the trend in the 60's. While heading up the RNC he needed numbers so he enlisted all the red necks he could from the South on the platform that the Republican Party supported SEGREGATION. The DNC called him and thanked him for taking all their nut jobs.
PBS documentary on the Presidents–HW episode–look into it!
The south – a backwater of ignorance. Well put Senator. I agree w/ you wholeheartedly.
.....And while you're busy polishing off, and educating your Party representatives so that you might be able to take them out in public, don't forget to take Sens. Graham and Sessions, and your brain-dead quitter poster child: Sarah Pailin. 'Sho nuff cuz!!
More infighting. The republican party still doesn't get it, do they. They are now their own worst enemy. Forget what the democrats are doing and saying, the republicans are just throwing each other on the sacrificial table every chance they get. It shows a party that is out of control, alienating it's own members, and holding morons up as their defacto leaders. I don't think we have to worry about them for a long, long, time.
"the area of the country with the poorest education and the worst economy"
How's the economy in Michigan, eh? I hear the drop-out rate in Detroit is really good, too.
The South doesn't have a monopoly on problems to work on.
we are witnessing the last days of the GOP
hopefully the independants will rise from their ashes
Narrow minded people come from all over America. But the south has a way of mixing God country and the rebel yell into all they do. I am sure there are epole all over America with thier backward look at things but they tend to pool up in places like Texas Oklahoma North Carolina Alabama and Mississippi. I guess this will never change as long as thier party talks about polictical matters in the context of bible based teaching. These folks are still trying to say dinasours lived along side man and that evolution should not be taught in schools.
I hope we get rid of Tom Coburn, too. He is the Party of No by himself and he makes Oklahoma look as "bright as he is." NOT!
The south, especially the former Confederacy, has historically been resistant to progress or change. The GOP now represents that unfortunate mind set.
The Republican message is nothing but ignorant scare tactics. All they present is lies, deceit, slander and spin. Such is the self righteous "God" party, and anybody who believes their talking points is a fool.
They are well on their way to ruining this country if fools continue to but their lies.
way to go Senator ...............................
Now please tell us something else we don't know already, Mr Voinovich.
I live in Dallas, the home of GW Bush, this used to be a solid republican town. But as the "southern" religious conservatives took over the republican party, many moderate people, myself included bolted the party and became Democrats. Dallas, once a bastion of republicanism, is now a SOLID democratic town and county.
I guess he never wants to run for national office. You cannot win without getting some of the South.
You'll know it's safe to be from the South when they lose the rebel flags and stop refighting the Civil War (they lost). In the menatime, they need to stop being sensitive to justifiable crticism of their Illiteracy, pverty, obesity, poor health care, idiotic labor laws and the fact that most of their family trees don't branch. The steroptypes of the south are rooted in truth and fact'
Hell they're still trying to make a living growing tobacco, fercrissake!
Voinovich: The GOP's 'being taken over by Southerners'
The GOP'S 'being taken over by Idiots'
Actually, The Idiot Organization is being take over another bunch of Idiots
Too many politicos that are loyal to party first and the American public last. That is until they decide to get out of politics. Suddenly their brain re-engages and they're free to speak their mind. In the last two elections the citizens told the GOP to use their mind a little more often.
being born in canada and living in the united states for the past thirty years and travelling all over the states i can honestly sat the nicest people i have met are from the south they are friendly and hospitable unlike the northern rude snobby people when i retire i will defintly move down south
So I guess since the south has taken over the GOP. we can blame northern and western liberals for taking over the democrat party huh? It must be the case becasue it is the northeast and west coast that stand to benefit the most as Obama marches on with his socialist agendas.
It is a strange article. Truthfully, most of what afflicts the GOP seems to be idiocracy, and this article is another example of it. Repeating the same stupid things over and over, hoping that the rest of the jarheads pick up on it, repeat it, and hope it makes its way into mainstream where we can all have a good laugh at how backward & ignorant they've become. THAT'S WHY THEY LOST THE WHITE HOUSE. Ignorance, bigotry, good ol' boys' club, refusal to move forward, clinging to the past & outmoded ideas, and overt religiosity to cover their transgressions. Their reactions to Obama's proposals on healthcare reform are some shining examples of how pathetic the GOP have become. The fact that they've made Rush Limbaugh their hero is another example.
Appears to me Senator Graham is the only one who is looking outside of the box. GOP, you may want to follow his lead.
Too bad we can't all go back to being Americans...
This is a weird comment. But it comes from a fear of the GOP becoming a regional party, which it is. What the Senator is so poorly saying is that a small group of people with very limited concerns has hijacked what was once a much 'bigger tent.'
What many Southerners don't understand is that the northeast and west coast are much more heavily populated. Those areas need to be appealed to to win. If the Hispanic vote takes over Texas, as it eventually will, that will be the end of Republicans as a national party.
The purists in the GOP don't want to change their 'values,' but if they don't open themselves up to other ideas and types of voters, they will end up eating themselves.
Same to you buddy-ro – who needs self-righteous yankees such as yourself? There are plenty of rednecks in Ohio who's English ("we got too many..." "they got to do...") ain't too good either. (comment from a Southern Democrat). I concur with Cecilia. And to Shawn – actually, conservative Southerners make life difficult for both parties and are very relevant in shaping policy. You may disagree with the conservatives' views, but they must be contended with none the less.
Too many obnoxious, self-righteous, hypocritical Southerners .... and not all Southerners are obnoxious, self-righteous and hypocritical so don't everybody get mad at me.
Stupid is as stupid does
Well, I suspect he is refering to the leaders of the religious right mainly found in the southern states. It is all political. They are saying what will get them re-elected in thier states. Voinovich is simply pointing out the fact that such political ramblings are demeaning the GOP, failing to include more centralized citizens under the Republican's "tent". Voinovich is not running again so he has no reprocussions to contend with. Letting the cats out of the bags doesn't do him any damage
Hope you don't have any presidential ambitions, Voinovich.
He finally realizes that the Raciasts ,homophobic,
male pigs didn't just disappear. They've become Republicans thanks to Nixon's "Southern Strategy" in 1968.
Hey senator, I am a Southerner and have been all my life. I am PROUD of it!! But I would think that if you really wanted to know demographics of the area as far as political party affiliation, you would need to do some foot work before making such broad statements. And just because I am from the south doesn't mean I am stupid, talk funny or run around barefoot and pregnant all the time. I am a well-educated, hard-working woman who just happens to live in the south. And besides, even if you live in the south and have not had the good fortune that I have had, that doesn't mean that you aren't a smart, well-educated person either. Education is earned a lot of different ways. Tell me, sir, how were you educated? Obviously you hold some prejudices against us southerners.....so maybe part of your education was lacking!
I think all the republicans should Pray about it's future. We all know how well that worked for Palin. Maybe "god" isn't real happy with the republican philosophy right now, considering that most hate groups in this country view themselves as republicans. How "christian". LOL
I wouldn't blame Southerners nearly as much as I would Lee Atwater and the "Southern strategy". But there's no way we'll ever hear another Republican question St. Ronald Reagan.
for all of you who label southerns as racist better check your history the area that had the most problems in busing was your boston from that liberal state of mass. also a lot of dems like byrd and gores daddy where part of the kkk and without republician help lbj great society and civil rights bills would not have pased. all you who pass judgement on southerns just do not have a clue you are self seving elitest who are just plain ignorant of the facts i have lived in the midwest south and northeast those from the northeast are the worst as far as being self serving and judgemental
If there has ever been a president that sets the tone for such statements as this, it's Obama, he's a name caller, and others are starting to follow suit, this is not how a country should be, everything about the administration is a divider, it's not good for americans period, So now all southerners are bad, how dare you sir
Any area of the country wher they will look you in the eye and tell you that dinaosuars roamed the earth in 6 BC with Noah and Jesus and espouses creationsim and intelligent design (what an oxymoron) will give you Senators like Inhofe, DeMint, McConnell and the other gop troglodytes,
They are just our retahded country cousins
Hello! Thats why the evagelical republican are a regional party wrapped in themselves and have no concern for anyone but old white money and old white farts! just look what they voted on with Sotomayor, and all the disinformation they spew regarding health for americans as not even being a right!
I guess we really have not advanced very much as we would like to think...based on all of these post! Someboddy needs to start building border walls....but not in Texas...maybe along the Mason-Dixon line!!
Historically, the South was under educated and poor. People like DeMint, Coburn (OK), Sanford (NC), and Barbour (MS), and their predecessors like Strom Thurmond and Jessie Helms, came to power on the control of the political processes in the South among a weak, poor, black, and uneducated populace. That obviously hasn't changed much. Ride through the rural South and see how many newspapers you can find. They are non-existent. The rural South still lives in isolation. The rural Midwest is similar. The control of the media across this country (newspapers, tv stations, radio stations) has been a top priority of a certain religious group which has become wealthy beyond the general public's comprehension, thanks to George Bush and his empowerment. The Democrats have to know their enemies and act accordingly. Ohio is a progressive state and Voinovich probably couldn't stomach the radicalism that the GOP now represents.
Sen. Vionovich is a prejudiced bigot! He obviously does not have the leadership to stay and help reform the Republican Party, so he just blames everything on the South and quits. Yes, the coalition of religious right, fiscally conservative, and business supporters that constituted the majority of the Republican Party is fragmented. It seems that such a diverse coalition was doomed to explode eventually. It's a feeble-minded cop-out to blame this explosion on the South.
Don't blame the Southerners. Palin is from Alaska.
The dumbing down of the conservative movement . . .
Buckley
Goldwater
Reagan
Limbaugh
Bush/Cheney
Palin
DeMint, Birthers . . .
And 90+% of these clowns continue to set the bar at "Reagan/Limbaugh"!
Finally! A Republican who has the guts to stand up and tell it like it is. Of course, if he was going to run for re-election he might not have . . . but it's nice to hear the truth coming out of a Republican's mouth for a change!
The South is the *POVERTY belt*, with a low level of education and a high obesity rate. Someone please tell me WHY these people believe they are Republicans??? ....the GOP stands for everything that is against the interests of the average unhealthy, poor, uneducated Southerner!! Karl Rove really pulled the wool over their eyes...but not hard to do when you are so uneducated and poor that you need religion as a crutch to get you through each day (and yes, I too am a Christian, though ashamed to admit it these days). The South is filled with severely right wing Christian fundamentalists who want to run the county like the Middle Eastern countries they so despise...because their religion is of course, the *correct* version (unlike that crazy Islam stuff...).
Regionalism disappoints me. Don't generalize the south due to the politics of the region. There are very excellent intelligent people here. I've lived in 3 liberal strongholds in the south and they are excellent places to live. I'm tired of people telling me I'm an ignorant southern redneck when I have a PhD from an elite university. I invite my northern and western neighbors to stop judging this region.
You are a RINO and a tax and spend liberal. Please move to Michigan
It's not even the Southerners so much... it's just the religious fundamentalists. The religious right has taken over the GOP and turned it into a theocratic, Taliban-like party that most Americans simply are not going to get behind.
One day humanity will outgrow its childish need for "gods," become *truly* moral, and banish all the ignorance that comes with religion. Until then, we'll have to suffer messes like the current Republican party, and the South will remain backward. You can look at a co-relation: the most religious states are always the ones who have th most poverty, the worst education, the worst health-care, etc. And if that's not enough, look at what happened in the Middle East. The Arab countries were the peak of civilization, until Islam took control and now they're far behind everyone else. The negative influence of relgion is clear to see, for anyone brave and honest enough to look.
I got so sick of southerners saying "goanta" instead of "going to" in the Presidentail debates of 2000 that I swore never to vote for another Southernor. Thankfully 2008 saw an people from Deleware, Illinois, Alaska and Arizona running as their party's nominees.
you hear of racism all of the time, but it is always some white person was being racist towards a black person. What about this??? doesn't this qualify as racism... I, for one, am sick of everyone making southerns look uneducated and poor. For instance, the show called Redneck Weddings... all southerns are not that dumb. The Republican party, but since we are name calling, the Northern Republican Party needs to work on their weaknesses and not place the blame on anyone. I, myself, know many smart and wealthy people that live in the south!!!
Sad state for a democracy when, except for a few ,the only people who can run for office are the rich or those in the pockets of lobbyists, corporations and/or insurance companies.
America has the 4th largest GDP in the world yet is 92nd in the distribution of wealth with the top 5% living the best in all nations. That means that the wage disparity between rich and poor is the WORST among developed countries!
Hey if it wasn't for ignorant rednecks from the south W never would've been elected so if you are going to blame the decline on the ignorant, uneducated, toothless, bigoted redneck of the south he also has to give them credit for putting his party in control. Oklahoma's Coburn may be a goofball but hey Inhofe is even a bigger goofball, global warming is a hoax, Obama wasnt born in America is a gigantic conspiracy!!! Sure our senators are stupid but so are we how did you think they got elected.
The top 10 Republican states (except for California) are also the bottom 10 in education. They are also in the southern Bible belt. No coincidence here folks.
I agree the South has taken over the GOP. I for one wish they'd go somewhere else! BUT if keeping them down here means less influence for them overall, I'm happy to make the sacrifice and let them err, err, stay...
It's good that there's a place for the dimwitted and immoral to gather. The GOP provides a service, a club for the idiots and morons of America to come together.
I'm a Democrat and I still say Voinovich is wrong. It's not Southerners, it's a small fraction of them. It's like saying all Islamists are terrorists. That's wrong too, it's only Islamist Extremists. You can't lump everyone in the South together.
Voinovich is an idiot country club Republican and CNN wouldn't care less about what he says except that it fits the framework of Republican decline that left leaning segments of the MSM is so heavily promoting.
The way the democrats are imploding I would think it wise to hold off performing last rites for the Republican party until after the 2010 election.
I'm from SC, I'm a middle aged professional woman, and I'm a left-leaning Independent. I agree 100% with this guy...churches run the republican party in the south. Go to any southern baptist church just before elections and they have "sample ballots" to show their members how to vote according to "Christian beliefs." I'm sick of DeMint and Sanford and all the others and I'm sick of the rest of the country assuming I and others like me are cut from this same cloth just because we live in the South.
Hey Southerners, he's not denigrating the South, just their Congressmen. And if you live in the South, denigrate means "put down."
The REPUBLICANS are ALWAYS blaming their IGNORANCE, PREJUDICES, AND SNOTTINESS on someone or something else!! It Is time they looked in the mirror. What looks back would be their biggest problem. I am from MISSISSIPPI and I am very much a DEMOCRAT. I love my country and support MY PRESIDENT!!
There are a bunch of old white men who are completely irrelevent to this country. Sotomayor is our future and I am delighted.
Too little, to late. You followed the Bush/Cheney Administration blindly and voted and agreed with everything they did. Now that you are not running you open your big mouth and speak out.....I have called your office many times and talked to your aides about issues and half the time they couldn't even tell me what your position was. But I did, it was the PARTY OF NO position. Go home and retire on our hard earned tax money. I don't know how all you Senators and Reps lay your head down to go to sleep at night with everything you have done to this country......I am a 56 yr old white women and I am here to tell you that old, wrinkled, greedy white men are going to take this great country down the tubes...........
Bashing the South? Really? As a northerner transplanted to the South, I gotta say you have no idea what you're talking about. I've lived all over this country and the South is really where it's at. The people, the climate, the relaxed pace of life and don't get me started on the food. I escaped from the rust belt when I was 19 and have never looked back. I honestly want to spend the rest of my life here. "Y'all" really need to come down here and check it out for yourselves. Maybe some real barbecue will change your parochial little attitude. P.S. There are slack-jawed yokels all over the US of A. Have a nice day!
I find this whole conversation appalling. I’m a self professed progressive who’s not ashamed of being labeled a “Liberal”, but I have many friends and family members from the south; both Democrat and Republican. People don’t have to agree with me in order for me to be compassionate; to be civil. It’s healthy to debate, to come at a problem from multiple directions.
Just like the conservatives, we liberals have made our fair share of mistakes and need a balancing force.
I am SOOO going to laugh when the GOP takes over the House and Senate next election.
READ!!! the new book that just came out written by an asian american woman called, "CULTURE OF CORRUPTION" Obama has lied, stolen, and misled the american people. His wife has done the same. IMPEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's wrong with the South and assuming everyone is an idiot from here? It's got great colleges, lower lost of living, good climate. CNN (the most liberal news network next to MSNBC) is based in ATLANTA. We've got better looking women too. Who cares what someone says from Ohio? Isn't that part of Canada? The North isn't anything special, I grew up in Villanova PA on the Main Line in an established family and never look back and say it's "better" than here. My 0.02
He's right. That's why this moderate Southerner has switched to the Democratic side. You should live down here!!! Its like an ultra-conservative page from a 1956 newspaper. Whats worse are the hypocrites ......... unreal !!!
The Southerns are taking a stand against the Socialists Anti-Christ White House Administration and those Chicago Sewer Rat Puppet Masters that are destroying this Country. Voinovich is an Idiot and good thing he is leaving.
Yet another idiotic Republican trying to blame their woes on "the other guy." The demise of the R Party has nothing to do with Southerners, the demise lies within the blame of the entire party! The R Party failed to listen to their constituents, end of story!
Naaahhhhh, ya think? Its about time someone said it. The Republicanknuckleheads will more then likely never have another President in office in my lifetime.
My Mother blames the hippies. They have reproduced and most are Democrates/ Liberals. Not to mention that America isn't white bread anymore folks. {thank goodness for that, sick of the old white guys running things} As a result we have far more of 'us' then 'them'.
Not too many blacks, mexicans, children of hippies, or younger folks, are going to sign up for that team.
Maybe we won't have to look at the likes of Palin and crew come 2012.
Heres hopin'!
Sounds like an obama supporter. Little wonder the GOP is opposing his run for re-election because he cannot win.
He is right, the only place the right has a strong hold is the south, where people cling to guns and religion because they are bitter! It was true when President Obama said it and its even MORE true now...
I live in FL and for the most part southerns are very nice people.
However, the poticians in most souther states including mine are dominated by the religious conservatives who wouldn't tolerate anyone who doesn't think or look like them!!
WOW. A Republican truth teller.
The GOP playbook rest on the idea of appealing to the most ignorant and least informed on an emotional level. They repeat nonsense about “teleprompters” and “socialism” while telling these drones how smart and edjumicated [sic] they are. The south is the least educated and therefore the most interested in this type of politics. They make themselves easy to spot though. As soon as you say the word socialism, everyone else realizes you have no idea what you are talking about, you’re just repeating what you where told to think. Education is the enemy of the GOP.
First of all, neither the GOP's nor the DEM's problems are Southern. There are plenty of small-minded, judgemental people in denial all over this great nation.
Sounds like this senator's problem stem from sour grapes, not sour mash.
There is much to love about all of this country, and much to find that can be disparaged, both north and south of the Mason-Dixon. What he may find out, however, as it appears from these comments, is that Southern will always be thicker than political party.
Who cares what a dumb bluebelly thinks!
That might have been too mean, but its been on our mind. He's not up for re-election, so now feels free to finally lay it on the line. Its a good time in his life.
On another note ... no its not "the end times". Grow up.. it may get rough, but nothing worse than we've survived for 200, 2000, or 10,000 years. I'll see ya in 20 years. I'll be the one saying... I told ya so
Ha ha ha
Duh, who'da thunk it? The GOP embarks on a deliberate strategy to appeal to fear, bigotry, hatred, divisiveness and xenophobia. Then they're surprised to find that their entire base is a collection of rightwing nutjobs such as the birthers and TeaPartiers. You reap what you sow.
We desperately need a moderate third party!
This guy is crying but his party wined and dined these yokels for years and guess what? They got what they paid for!
The South does meet the quota for uneducated, idiotic people–I saw it first-hand; I grew-up there. But, I've been all over the world (and the United States), and what I have found is that idiots come in all colours, nationalities, and races. Maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge and stereotype others.
For these people who seem to think they are the educated ones please give note to your blindness. You don't seem to be balancing your media coverage, give it a brake and balance out your views by being skeptical on all fronts.
It is good to be Southern, where is your moral compass and honor.
Boy I don't think us people of the south will ever be as smart as you Yankee liberals.
Thank GOD, did I offend any of your Dem's by bringing up GOD that either daughter did not marry any liberal elite yankee. My son got his masters up north and he said he would have to come home to find a pretty classy girl – they don't them up there.
What's hilarious about this to me is how quickly history seems to have just evaporated. The GOP courted all the "Dixiexcrats" that were upset about the changing values of the country in the 50s and 60s. That includes racial and gender issues. The GOP excitedly pushed into their relationship with the Christian Right, hoping to become THE party for all the god fearing, protestant christians out there...and they succeeded, too well. Now that they've invited all the extremists on board suddenly they're crying about their parties rhetoric scaring people away. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
As a white professional born and reared in the South, I am amazed daily how gullible many of my peers are. They believe without question anybody who closely verbalizes their inner fears.
It is a shame the Southerners are being branded Republicans, however unfortunately, the Senators comments have merit.
I usually vote Democratic with a few exceptions. I really cannot understand why the people who need the government's assistance AND receive it continually vote against their own interests.
Totally a shame!
I had to move to Alabama recently for my husband's job. It's much worse than I thought! There are many nice and thoughtful people here, but they are not the majority. Most people are bigots, racists, and religious fanatics. They also love their Confederate flag and still bemoan losing the Civil War.
Are we on the verge of a new Civil War and the if we are, can we just let them go this time?
Sorta like the democrats being taken over by nut jobs from the west and northeast.
Senator Voinovich,
This is to inform you that you are longer allowed a Republican. In fact, you never really were a true Republican.
Signed,
Dick Cheney, Michael Steele and Rush Limbaugh.
Ha ha, finally some truth coming out of the GOP. The Southern sell-out politicians who use the bible, guns and/or racism to get elected and then push their corporate agenda have made the GOP largely irrelevant but continue to cause huge damage to America with their divisive politics, lies, fear-mogering and sabotage of any measure that benefits the lower and middle income folks, such as health care, banking reform, climate change mitigation, reducing dependence on dirty or foreign fuels, etc.
They have also become almost impossible to unseat because they come from districts where a majority of people watch the Fox propaganda network, reject facts and science, and are brainwashed into only voting for Republicans, no matter how terrible of a job they do.
The Double Standard is sickening. The same democrats that crying foul and whinning like little infants are the same people that bashed Bush and spewed hatred for Bush on a daily basis. These people can dish out but cant take it. Guess what DEMOCRATS we will treat YOUR president with the same Respect that you showed Bush. What comes around goes around and you were plenty happy to spout off daily how Bush did this or Bush did that so when we call Obama out for not only being a Complete Failure but a LIAR then Deal with it. Isnt Karma Great.....
Way to perpetuate stereotypes. Nice...
The Republican party was taken over by Southerners the day after Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964(?)
There was a mass exodus of White Southern Racist Dixie Democrats to the Republican party. These were the original neo-cons. This guy from Ohio is late and does not know his history.
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
I couldn't agree more!
The Republican Party has lost its way due in great part to Southern Bible thumpers who have commandeered the party during the last decade. The Republican Party was founded in Massachusetts to counter the right-wing ambitions of the southern Democrats who favored social engineering via slavery and other unsavory acts. The Republicans need to garner support of fiscally conservative / socially libertarian folks in New England, the Northeast and other parts of the country if they are going to survive as a party.
All of you people screaming "Southern Hospitality!"... Its been dead for a long time.
Where was that hospitality, generosity, and understanding for the black people of America that you have discriminated against both past and present?
You are ALL a bunch of hypocrites, the only hospitality you show is towards people who share your screwed up views of the world.
Southern state Republicans are mostly Bible-thumping, hypocritical, religious zealot who object to anyone who doesn't think like them. If the Republican party continues to let the religious wingnuts define the party, their days are numbered. That might be a good thing.
Perhaps because we in the South are the last remains of people who can actually think for themselves, and not have to have some crackpot group doing the politically correct thinking for us. Enjoy your retirement, Mr Voinovich. You leave the country in much, much worse condition than you found it in when you began your career.
The southern states would be better off with Democrats for Congress.
In fact, Arkansas is the only southern state with Two Democratic Senators. Voinovich is absolutely right, as people like Jindal, Sanford, and Perry are making their states look like a laughing stock.
"Jim DeMint is one of the few who sound as if they have any sense."
Really Howie? Nothing says patriot (Demint) more than voting against the sitting President just because you want him to fail or the "healthcare will be his Waterlook and he is done". Don't you repugs get it? If the President fails we all fail as a Nation.
Repugs in Crongress, and their constituents, need to get over the fact that an African American man was voted our President and that if the ship sinks we all drown.
How dumb can y'all be. (Wanted to throw in the southern touch).
You hearing about these 2 parties....One is not happy with the other, Then the members within the party blaming the others for this and that.
I'm sick of these 2 parties...How about dumping all of them for one party...the "We The People" Party.
We need to drop the PARTY interests and start pushing the peoples interests!
Thank You
I'm from Texas and have lived in Texas all my life. While it is true that Southerners are some of the most kind folk around, it does seem that there is a litmus test before you can become a Republican candidate in the South. You have to call everyone who is not a Republican a liberal commie, denigrate any progressive ideas as being Yankee foolishness, and accept what your pastor tells you as infallible. Unfortunately, the people who represent the South in the national stage are only reinforcing all stereotypes everyone (Northerners and all others included) believe.
The GOP is being taken over by the black hole in space, the same one that took the WIG party
Right on Senator Voinovich! I left the Republican Party because of the hate-based attitude of some Republicans.
Where are Sen. Ensign, Rep. Foley, Sen. Vitter and Gov. Sanford from again?
GOP has turned into a bunch of good ol' hood wearin southern racists.
They can't stand a black man being our president.
I was born in Texas but raised in Oklahoma but eventually moved back to Texas where I graduated from college. I have been living in Chicago for twenty years and whenever I am back where I grew up, I am astounded at the narrow-minded, uninformed populace. As incredible as it may seem, most of them would have voted for Bush Jr for a third term if possible.
Thanks, Cecilia. While I love the Daily Show (as an example) it is a pain to be living in a place considered to be backward by a lot of people who have probably never been here. Gov Perry and W don't represent my views at all but this isn't a bad place to live, even though they make us easy targets for the jokers.
You know, we've got the arts (really – we do), NASA, UT, Rice, the best cancer center in the world, a cost of living that makes sense. And we're considered smart enough to make left hand turns (Okay – that's a joke – I like New Jersey
).
This senator is so right. I've benn saying for years that the party got southernized by people who used to be dixiecrats and have entirely missed the conservative mantra of small, limited government and a champion of personal freedoms. The bible belt mentality has destroyed the party of my parents and the party that I identified with most of my voting life. The southernization of the party with it's vast hypocrisy has caused me to bolt. The party should be named the bible party or the religion party, surely not true conservatives
As a Young Republican, from a Long family history of Republicans, I am a Fiscal Conservative. I was not a Democrat, due to the Southern Racists. When 1964 came, I switched to the Democratic Party because I am a Christian and believe We are All the Same in God's Eyes.
The Senator Stereotypes... I was in the Deep South in the '60's. and met many Sharp Southerners, who Deplored what was happening.
I do, however, agree with the Senator that the GOP has been Hijacked by a minority of Republicans, not just from the South, who are unable to, IMHO, behave like the Loving Christians I knew in the Early 1940's.
They have, also, Hijacked my Religion !
If Ohio is so great, why are there so many people from Ohio now living in the South. Because Ohio is the arm pit of America. Dead Industry, Dead Real estate, Entire Dead cities.
George, you're a bit late. They took it over a long time ago. Read "Dixiecrats" 1948. Couldn't get elected to anything outside the "Land Of Cotton" where old times are best forgotten
It is a good thing that the GOP( in its present form) is becoming irrelevant.Nevertheless, I find it disturbing that the current Republican mindset,which seems to extend to Blue Dog Dems,may retain enough clout to torpedo progressive legislation such as health care reform. .
The South used to be solidly Democratic. Such a shame that Reagan changed all of this.
Speaking of Reagan, the Reagan Library invited Sarah Palin to speak there next week.
They might as well have slung horse poo onto the walls of the library, the Republicans main shrine.
Wow! Once again, the supposed party of tolerance and compassion cannot comment on anything without using hurtful and demeaning language. I am from Texas and we have jobs. We don't have a state income tax. Our taxes are much lower than most. You really think that is because we talk funny? Senator whats his face just proves that politics is an equal opportunity vehicle. There are idiots in each party. To the people that constantly quote "the Bible thumpers", this country was founded by religous nuts with guns that were seeking the freedom we have so you fools can spout your hyperbole. This vitriol has no place in any intelligent converstion and accomplishes nothing. I still have a problem understanding where you insatiable hate comes from. Oh well, 2010 will be here before too long and if you vote armed with facts instead of emotions or idealology, we can fix this.
Can't we all just get along.....
Even the Republicans are now realizing the truth, the GOP is no longer the GOP and has not been for near ten years now, it is extremist, right wing radicals who want to turn this country into a Christian Nation like Al Queada wishes to make a country an Islamist country, sound familiar? It sounds scary to me, how about you?
That's right Mike...southerners are very nice people. To their own kin and color.
Someone said Dallas was now Democratic? I'm from Dallas, and I have NO IDEA what you are talking about..... perhaps wishful thinking?
Besides Coburn and perhaps Demint.... yeah all these southern ivy league educated senators are just absolutely retarded. You know what I don't get, you guys are referring to southern senators as "hicks"..."toothless rednecks" ...etc. Ya democrats are obviously REALLY OPEN MINDED. The southern GOP's are the only ones that will stand up and do something it seems ....and the dems hate it and attack first chance they get. Anyone surprised?
This is very true. The party has been hijacked by social conservative evangelist and Americans are not social conservatives on the majority of issues. This is a social libertarian nation for the most part and niether party really offers a socially libertarian platform. Out of the two parties available though the Republicans are by far the worst due to the far right wing southerners.
GOP is taken by extremists.
I forgot to mention in my earlier comments that Oklahoma has 77 counties. ALL 77 voted for McCain/Palin!! Apparently not many folks can read in that state. Enough said!
He's right.. I am in the South and its obvious... Minorities in the begining were attracted to the Repbulican Party for its American Views for ALL... Now racist Southern Views have taken it over... Will the real GOP stand up...
Not a good time for GOP to be infighting. It only diverts attention from the fact that there is a health care crisis in this country that has to dealt with, now, and anyone who is not participating in a good faith manner in the dialogue (as compared to playing scorched earth politics) is an enemy of this country and its future. Every day that this issue is not adequately addressed is another victory for the insurance, medical equipment and drug companies and their lobby. Instead of ideology, think of the future that your children and grandchildren will face if the status quo is maintained.
People need to quit ripping the South (BTW I am a conservative voter who lives in Minnesota). The GOP problem is not southerners, one of the many problems the GOP faces is that they lack a significant number of leaders who have a spine and stand up for conservative values. Or, in the case of non-conservative Republicans, they often don't seem to stand up for any discernable values other than re-election. From '94 through '08, they spent money in ways that took their credibility away. It is often best to look at yourself before criticizing someone else. I can respect politicians who stand for somethng, even if I disagree with them. I do appreciate southern conservatives more than most politicians for that reason. We need a whole new crop of leadership. For that matter, we need a whole new Congress.
Southern hospitality? What a joke!!!! Try driving through one of those states with California plates.
I'm reminded of an old song my dad used to sing:
"I was born about 10,000 years ago,
And there's nothing in this world that I don't know,
I saw Peter, Paul, and Moses play ring around the roses,
And I can whip the man who says it isn't so."
It's southern evangelicals dumbing down the Repugnant party. However, there's enough Repugnants in the north and elsewhere that are just nasty, greedy, immoral folks, but not necessarily dumb.
(BTW, Texas is in the west.)
I'm proud to say I'm a Texan and not a northern liberal. The issue here is ideology. You bleeding-heard libs live in a fantasy world. Your ideologies are so out of touch with reality, yet you consider everyone who disagrees with you, largely the southern region, idiots. Can you identify the irony here? Any by the way, two of the most troubled states, New York and California, are largely liberal. However, Texas is moving right along with barely a hitch..........thank God for conservatism.
I grew up in NJ and moved to GA 12 years ago. There is countless of us down here... Soooo if the South is taking over the GOP it is because those of us with means and not relying on the Goverment to support us on every thing are here for the lower cost of living and great jobs. So our numbers are mattering along with the great southern people that are native to this part of the country.
George needs to switch to the big tent- the Democratic Party.
Finally! Someone tells the truth. It's not that I don't agree with everything the Republicans have to say- I consider myself a moderate Democrat. But I don't agree with the racists followers (those calling Obama a 'muslim' which doesn't matter if he was anyway or those asking for a birth certificate, etc.). That only works on Southerners who are more prone to having deeply entrenched racist beliefs. And I don't believe that so-called 'Southern Christian values' should be dictated by politicans or a political party. I leave that to MY relationship with God, not some politican speaking about so-called 'family values' when they are committing adultery on their wife at home (Ensign, Sanford, Craig, etc.). I'm in my early thirties and I can understand why the majority of young voters, although some may be conservative ideologically, would NEVER vote Republican and consider the party a 'redneck' or 'southern' party. The majority of us hate racism, moral preachings from hypocrites, and politicans in our bedrooms.
I think I have to agree with an earlier sentiment, it may be a good thing for this country if the Republican Patry fails and is no more, with their recent history of almost a single party came close to destroying this country forever more due to their extemeist attitudes and they cannot seem to realize the problem is inside the party, not anyone outside, we have seen the enemey and it is them, Republicans.
Let's just call it like it is people, what he really means is that, the southerns, not all of them, but some of them are a bunch of racist bigots in his party. You really see their racism since Pres. Obama has been in the White House. calling the Pres. racist names, sending out racist pictures, racist e-mails, saying Pres. Obama isn't really an American, screaming they want there country back, back from what, that black guy, it's just ridiculous, but that's what they believe, it's a sad life.
Perhaps all Republicans should be required to present their birth certificate. If they're from south of the Mason-Dixon line or Alaska ignore them completly.
This gentleman is exactly correct, but lets also remember they've also been hijacked by the Religulous Right. Until the Republican Party moderates itself on abortion, same-sex marrage, right-to-die, et-al, they will be in the minority. That's why they lost me years ago, and I doubt they'll ever get me back. And I'm white, 50's married, heterosexual and have family income in the top 1%.
P.S.
When the GOP takes back majority in 2010.... I am going to laugh myself dizzy
It has nothing to do with the south, north, east or west, what it has to do with is the past forty years of misleading the American voter. The RNC and the DNC telling one thing to get elected and doing the complete opposite instead.
Neither of the two major parties have the best interest of the American people as their top priority. Their top priority is getting elected and raising billions of dollars for their re-election. The American people have been lied to repeatedly by both of these parties, and we are sick of it. We are Americans, we do not what a "New World order" we do not want progressive government, we WANT a return to the basic principles of the founding fathers, we want to have a return to the US Constitution!
he's right
I'm a Westerner living in the Southeast, so I don't have a bone in this North vs. South fight. However, I've got to laugh at comments about racism, bigotry and ignorance coming from the befuddled hypocritical masses still trapped in the Rust Belt and New England areas. Those labels, I refer to as PC "isms", can be found across the entire United States and not the sole proprietorship of Southerners. You can find just as many ignorant rednecks living in Wisconsin as you can in Alabama.
In reality, the Southeast is a thriving, growing and creating community. The mid-west is dying, because it's hanging on to labor union practices that have priced their job opportunities to other regions and overseas competition. The mid-west will continue to see population declines as opportunities and education worsen. The Southest is the future, the mid-west is the past. It's better to face it and get out while there's a U-Haul to be found.
I hope the GOP keeps courting all of these southerners, it will continue to alert us who NOT to vote for.
Yes, those Republicans do sound ignorant with that errrr sound. I don't even trust the GOP. They are undercover Socialists!!!!
By the way Sen., how far away are YOU from the Southern border? Let me guess.... 2, 3 miles at best!
***NEW FLASH****
Sociology 101: All peoples perceptions are colored by their experiences in life and we're all products of our own environments. To all the Southerners on here obviously taking offense to his comments shouldn't take it too personal because there is a great deal of truth to what he's saying! I don't give a rats booty if you're a republican, democrat or independent, the problem here becomes peoples perceptions of one another! American history has taught us that some politicians (North, South, East or West) can't see past the nose on their face and realize their seperatist ideals are killing people and making folk seem real stupid!
Voinovich proves you don't have to be a Southerner to be a redneck. Don't let your the door hit your behind on the way out, bigot.
I am a Southerner and quite honestly take offense to his GENERALIZED statements. I am a registered Democrat and vote strict party lines. Just because there are a couple idiots in the South doesn't mean that we all are idiots. I mean come on what if we in the South started yelling Yankees and Carpet Baggers? I am kind of glad that the "Southerners" are taking over the GOP. It makes the GOP look even more ridiculious. But his broad "generalization" was definately uncalled for.
Thats my two cents!
What an IDIOT! The reason Republicans are lagging in popularity is their lack of planning along with the likes of Cheney, Bush and Palin!
duh, you think?
Voinovich could have chosen his words more carefully. I believe he is referring to individuals who have less of a tendency to reach compromise; who take hardened points of view and believe theirs to be the standard against which others are judged.
Would be worthwhile to read John Dean's "Conservatives Without Conscience" and "Broken Government" for a better perspective. Then one can come to better understand the dangers to democracy as we know it when Government is dominated by headstrong authoritarians.
The South is a GREAT place to live: If you enjoy 95% sweltering humidity, if you like living among bigots, if you still think the Civil War is being fought, and if you still fly the Confederate flag on your buildings instead of Old Glory.
The man is correct. It pains me to say it as a Republican, but we should shed the "Southern Strategy" begun by Nixon/Bush Sr. I am an unapologetic TRUE Republican....a fiscal conservative who believes in fairness and equality for all men (a la President Lincoln....remember him?)....and me and those like me are increasingly angry that my party is defined by the "least of us"...the muck-raking, small-minded, you're-with-me-or-against-me Republicans that typify the South. Not all Southerners, mind you....but a number too large to sustain any longer. Break off, start your own under-educated, simplistic, bigoted party, and let the intelligensia within the Republican party get back to running things. You're dead weight around our necks.