Comments on: Voinovich: The GOP's 'being taken over by Southerners'

By: OpenPen » Southerners Drag Down GOP

OpenPen » Southerners Drag Down GOP — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:31:52 +0000

[...] to a report on CNN, one GOP'er blames the South for their [...]

By: Republican Congressman Says The Southerners Ruined The GOP - The Liberty Journal

Republican Congressman Says The Southerners Ruined The GOP - The Liberty Journal — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:35:42 +0000

[...] throws out this gem, in an interview, bashing the few Senators who actually take the Constitution seriously. He says, "We got [...]

By: Davey in Denver

Davey in Denver — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:43:08 +0000

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.

By: walleye

walleye — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:43:00 +0000

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.

By: CS from VA

CS from VA — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:42:50 +0000

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.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:42:26 +0000

duh, you think?

By: Randy Worley

Randy Worley — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:51 +0000

What an IDIOT! The reason Republicans are lagging in popularity is their lack of planning along with the likes of Cheney, Bush and Palin!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:30 +0000

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!

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:25 +0000

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.

By: Chris - Seattle

Chris - Seattle — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:17 +0000

***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!

By: dominican mama 4 Obama

dominican mama 4 Obama — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:41:08 +0000

By the way Sen., how far away are YOU from the Southern border? Let me guess.... 2, 3 miles at best!

By: cool rock

cool rock — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:40:49 +0000

Yes, those Republicans do sound ignorant with that errrr sound. I don't even trust the GOP. They are undercover Socialists!!!!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:40:20 +0000

I hope the GOP keeps courting all of these southerners, it will continue to alert us who NOT to vote for.

By: Joe Poindexter

Joe Poindexter — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:40:19 +0000

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.

By: nj

nj — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:40:02 +0000

he's right

By: The Lonely Libertarian of Liverpool NY

The Lonely Libertarian of Liverpool NY — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:39:41 +0000

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!

By: Shawn - GA

Shawn - GA — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:39:30 +0000

P.S.

When the GOP takes back majority in 2010.... I am going to laugh myself dizzy

By: David - Charlotte, NC

David - Charlotte, NC — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:39:07 +0000

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%.

By: Vicky from Milwaukee

Vicky from Milwaukee — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:38:34 +0000

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.

By: bill b. from Stratford,Ct

bill b. from Stratford,Ct — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:38:33 +0000

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.

By: Don of Iowa

Don of Iowa — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:38:23 +0000

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.

By: Lori reminds the GOP that they're STILL only 20Something % of the American people. Stop blogging under multiple names!

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:38:14 +0000

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.

By: Felly

Felly — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:38:02 +0000

George needs to switch to the big tent- the Democratic Party.

By: Shawn - GA

Shawn - GA — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:37:39 +0000

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.

By: Michael Dugger

Michael Dugger — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:37:14 +0000

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.

By: Ben in Texas

Ben in Texas — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:36:36 +0000

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.)

By: Kate in San Diego

Kate in San Diego — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:36:11 +0000

Southern hospitality? What a joke!!!! Try driving through one of those states with California plates.

By: Ron Bo

Ron Bo — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:36:06 +0000

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.

By: Clint

Clint — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:49 +0000

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.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:34 +0000

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...

By: JSRagman

JSRagman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:22 +0000

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!

By: Al, CA

Al, CA — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:13 +0000

GOP is taken by extremists.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:04 +0000

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.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:00 +0000

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?

By: Norman

Norman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:34:38 +0000

That's right Mike...southerners are very nice people. To their own kin and color.

By: Don of Iowa

Don of Iowa — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:33:41 +0000

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?

By: Billy Bob Joe Jimmy Boregaurd (the III)

Billy Bob Joe Jimmy Boregaurd (the III) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:33:17 +0000

Can't we all just get along.....

By: jimbo

jimbo — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:32:51 +0000

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.

By: Lilarose in Bandon, Oregon

Lilarose in Bandon, Oregon — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:32:18 +0000

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.

By: Thomas in Tx.

Thomas in Tx. — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:32:14 +0000

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. .

By: Southern Dem

Southern Dem — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:32:01 +0000

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.

By: Senator Cleghorn

Senator Cleghorn — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:32:01 +0000

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

By: McTeach

McTeach — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:52 +0000

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 !

By: lloyd roberts, jamaica ny

lloyd roberts, jamaica ny — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:37 +0000

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

By: James, Houston, TX

James, Houston, TX — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:30 +0000

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 ).

By: JSRagman

JSRagman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:26 +0000

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.

By: Norman

Norman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:21 +0000

GOP has turned into a bunch of good ol' hood wearin southern racists.
They can't stand a black man being our president.

By: Norts

Norts — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:31:06 +0000

Where are Sen. Ensign, Rep. Foley, Sen. Vitter and Gov. Sanford from again?

By: Carol from Pennsylvania

Carol from Pennsylvania — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:30:50 +0000

Right on Senator Voinovich! I left the Republican Party because of the hate-based attitude of some Republicans.

By: Obama 2.0

Obama 2.0 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:30:35 +0000

The GOP is being taken over by the black hole in space, the same one that took the WIG party