Decent Elected Republican Representatives?

[Morwen]

This might be a short thread...heh. But are there any elected Republicans (current or recent) that you respect or admire?

I can only think of two right now. Ron Paul of Texas, for being brutally honest about taxes, deficits , and the economy (technically, he's a Libertarian).

And Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland, for being the first and only Congressman to talk on the record about our current energy crisis , and not blowing it off with 'alternative sources' and 'new techology' and 'the free market will create new cheap gasoline' and all that shit.

Oh and I should add John McCain. I guess I will never understand intra-party Republican politics, because a man who spent the war getting drunk in Texas was able to beat out a Vietnam POW in the primaries by attacking his patriotism.

 

[islandman]

Not elected, but Colin Powell would likely garner alot of votes, mine included, if he ran for anything in NY.

Hey, Hilary did it, and she's not even from around here.


And Rudy. Can't forget him.

 

[marshalt]

Our current gov. John Hoeven is a pretty good guy.

 

[Morwen]

Not elected, but Colin Powell would likely garner alot of votes, mine included, if he ran for anything in NY.

Hey, Hilary did it, and she's not even from around here.


And Rudy. Can't forget him.

I can see Colin Powell getting elected President, easy. Probably an easier sell than Condoleeza Rice, actually. It's funny though that the Republicans have the two most viable African-American candidates.

That would explain the Democrats' rushing this Borack Obama guy (I doubt I even spelled his name right) into the Senate and into such important Senate committees. I really got tired of reading about him in all the mainstreams: he was a junior senator from Illinois, big deal? But suddenly he appeared on Charlie Rose, USN&WR, etc.

 

[RoryN]

Not elected, but Colin Powell would likely garner alot of votes, mine included, if he ran for anything in NY.

What about if he changed parties? What do you think would happen to the Conservative vote?

And Rudy. Can't forget him.

Many would like to. One of the biggest tragedies of 9/11 was the exposure given to that pond scum.

AFA Republicans in office I liked: Fred Thompson, US Senate. Extraordinarily gracious man, from the times I saw him speak on television.

John McCain I haven't done enough research on to form an opinion about. But I do like his manner.

 

[Wrong Element]

While I haven't voted for them, both of my senators, George Voinovich and Mike DeWine, are decent enough as Republicans go, and occasionally will surprise me (Voinovich definitely surprised the administration today with his position on the Bolton nomination). DeWine seemed like your basic right-wing airhead as a junior congressman, but he's shown some thoughtfulness as he's gotten older.

 

[Morwen]

What about if he changed parties? What do you think would happen to the Conservative vote?

Colin Powell would probably be a lot like Eisenhower. Eisenhower wasn't much of a Republican until he decided to run, and he wasn't much of one thereafter. At least compared to Nixon.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Mitt Romney is ok, but the Mormon thing is a little much.

 

[islandman]

Many would like to. One of the biggest tragedies of 9/11 was the exposure given to that pond scum.

I'd love to know your basis for calling him 'pond scum'. Immediately after 9/11, New Yorkers needed leadership, something that wasn't quick to come, or welcomed for that matter, from DC.

Bottom line, Rudy made things happen, he took charge. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone from NYC who lived through 9/11 with a different opinion.

I can see Colin Powell getting elected President, easy. Probably an easier sell than Condoleeza Rice, actually. It's funny though that the Republicans have the two most viable African-American candidates.

That would explain the Democrats' rushing this Borack Obama guy (I doubt I even spelled his name right) into the Senate and into such important Senate committees. I really got tired of reading about him in all the mainstreams: he was a junior senator from Illinois, big deal? But suddenly he appeared on Charlie Rose, USN&WR, etc.

I don't think Rice has any chance, given her proximity to Bush and the perception that she's his official ass-kisser by the citizenry. I'll give you that she's smart, and capable on many levels, but as of yet have not seen her ability govern outside of a previously-determined framework of policies.

I caught that Rose show with Obama. I don't know much about him, much of what he said resonated with me. Only Centrist politics, bipartisan centrist politics, will take on the issues confronting America today. Everything else, imho, is lip service. Case in point: Social Security. The Republicans had a stupid plan, and the Dems had no plan.

 

[Morwen]

I'd love to know your basis for calling him 'pond scum'. Immediately after 9/11, New Yorkers needed leadership, something that wasn't quick to come, or welcomed for that matter, from DC.

Bottom line, Rudy made things happen, he took charge. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone from NYC who lived through 9/11 with a different opinion.

I agree, Rudy definitely was the man for New York right after that. Most politicians never really are put to a crisis. He was, he was tested, and he passed. Most of our elected officials, I think, would be worse than useless in a crisis. They would be too busy commandeering airplanes and convoys to get them and their own out of Dodge.

I don't think Rice has any chance, given her proximity to Bush and the perception that she's his official ass-kisser by the citizenry. I'll give you that she's smart, and capable on many levels, but as of yet have not seen her ability govern outside of a previously-determined framework of policies.

I don't know. She could be vice president material, since she has never held elected office (as far as I know).

I caught that Rose show with Obama. I don't know much about him, much of what he said resonated with me. Only Centrist politics, bipartisan centrist politics, will take on the issues confronting America today. Everything else, imho, is lip service. Case in point: Social Security. The Republicans had a stupid plan, and the Dems had no plan.

I don't trust him. He's charismatic, in a James Earl Jones way. But so what? Where' s his record? Where's his experience. The media gave him and continue to give him a huge free pass.

 

[mercy's_grace]

John Warner is a reasonably decent guy from Virginia.

Lowell Weicker was a very good guy from Connecticut. Goddam Joe Lieberman.

 

[HornyHenry]

Good analogy

Colin Powell would probably be a lot like Eisenhower. Eisenhower wasn't much of a Republican until he decided to run, and he wasn't much of one thereafter. At least compared to Nixon.

You must be older and wiser than your lovely AV appears. Yes, Ike wasn't much of any political conviction, and I could see Colin tha same.

Decent Elected Republican Representatives?

Isn't this an oxymoron?
But seriously, there are several good Republicans around. Everyone is unique.
Heck, I even signed the petition and voted for Rep. Gov. "The Govenator" here in Cali.
My main problem with Republican power is that every time they get it, I get laid off!!! The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

 

[Equinoxe]

You must be older and wiser than your lovely AV appears. Yes, Ike wasn't much of any political conviction, and I could see Colin tha same.

That's because her lovely AV is a lovely other woman.

 

[RoryN]

Mitt Romney is ok, but the Mormon thing is a little much.

Calling Romney's Mormon thing "a little much" is like calling Hank Williams Sr's drinking problem "a little much".

Romney's from one of the Mormon families even some Mormons have a problem with.

I'd love to know your basis for calling him 'pond scum'. Immediately after 9/11, New Yorkers needed leadership...

Let's try something revolutionary: citing Rudy's record before 9/11. Regular bi-partisan, loved public figure, right?

 

[Gringao]

John McCain is a freedom-stomping lunatic. Shit, that "campaign finance reform" law was easily the most viscious assault on the First Amendment in 50 years. Shame on him for pushing that loathsome bill, shame on Bush for signing it, and shame on the USSC for failing to slap it down.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Colin Powell would probably be a lot like Eisenhower. Eisenhower wasn't much of a Republican until he decided to run, and he wasn't much of one thereafter. At least compared to Nixon.

Tell me, how did their policies differ?

 

[islandman]

Let's try something revolutionary: citing Rudy's record before 9/11. Regular bi-partisan, loved public figure, right?

Sure, because we all know than there are loads of bipartisan Republicans and Democrats who are much-loved by every one of their constituents in the U.S. Or maybe that's just where you live.

As for his track record before 9/11, here are several highlights for you to ponder:

- quality of life improved dramatically; responsible for lowest crime rate in NYC in 25 years

- fought to keep more of the tax revenues generated by NYC in NYC for the benefit of NYC, instead of going to the coffers of NYS. Used money to upgrade trains in subway system, for one.

- diversified business base and created new jobs; attracted multi-nationals and non-securities industry companies to NYC. Turned NYC once again into a tourist destination

 

[dgnerate_gamblr]

I do like Tom Tancredo out of Colorado for having the balls to address the illegal immigration issue regarding our 'neighbors' to the south. There's absolutely no doublespeak from this guy.

 

[zipman]

Sure, because we all know than there are loads of bipartisan Republicans and Democrats who are much-loved by every one of their constituents in the U.S. Or maybe that's just where you live.

As for his track record before 9/11, here are several highlights for you to ponder:

- quality of life improved dramatically; responsible for lowest crime rate in NYC in 25 years

- fought to keep more of the tax revenues generated by NYC in NYC for the benefit of NYC, instead of going to the coffers of NYS. Used money to upgrade trains in subway system, for one.

- diversified business base and created new jobs; attracted multi-nationals and non-securities industry companies to NYC. Turned NYC once again into a tourist destination

Rudy totally transformed NYC. As a registered democrat, I couldn't agree more with your assessment of his performance as mayor.

 

[islandman]

Rudy totally transformed NYC.

Perhaps Bloomberg is just a transitional mayor, eh?

 

[zipman]

Perhaps Bloomberg is just a transitional mayor, eh?

LOL, I like some of what Bloomberg has done (i.e., taking on the teacher's union) but think the tax base is still way too high here and it is hurting business.

 

[overthebow]

The two Senators from Washington are pretty good.

Patty Murray lost a fight to put more health care in the recent $80 billion supplemental bill for the military. Republicans voted against it. She was in Iraq last month, visiting troops.

Maria Cantwell is the other one and she is working on more local issues. She has a calculator for Social Security benefits here
link

 

[landslider]

Joe Lieberman went to the proper law school, and he's not soft on defense.

 

[Guru]

Other than his pimping for Bush, I like John McCain. But, because of said pimping, I doubt I'll ever support him again.

 

[someplace]

There are several that I like. Nationally, Senator Olympia Snow in Maine comes to mind. Norton from Colorado, Christie Todd Whitman (New Jersey?). Voinovich (sorry if I butchered that) from Ohio is a class act.

Here in Houston there are two politicians that I've always respected. One is a congressman, Kevin Brady. The other has run for several offices and missed by a smidge, Rob Mosbacher. They are both respectful of differing opinions but strong for standing up for what they believe is right. I don't think you can ask for more. Kevin comes home every single week -- his family still lives here. He only flies up to DC for the sessions and then gets his hiney back home.