Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Name at least three well-known Republicans who you consider to be RINOs (Republican In Name Only).
And what beliefs or positions are the biggest indicators that a Republican is a RINO?
Republicans are much more so a big-tent party than the democrats. The concept of a "RINO" is a result of this;
The democratic party is an alliance between "true" liberals and socially-conservative-fiscally liberal minorities, with the liberals firmly in the drivers seat.
The republican party is an alliance between "true" conservatives, libertarians, and socially-conservative-fiscally liberal white people, with a constant tug of war for control of the party and it's agenda.
As a result, both people in the libertarian wing and the religious-right wing will sling accusations of not being a "real" republican at eachother, because they see the other as not caring about (or worse, holding an opposite viewpoint on) the issues which they view as being the important ones for why they support the Republican party. "RINO" in particular is a more popular term among the religious-right and the "true" conservatives that lean more in that direction, but, the principal and issues behind it goes across the party.
Republicans are much more so a big-tent party than the democrats. The concept of a "RINO" is a result of this;
The democratic party is an alliance between "true" liberals and socially-conservative-fiscally liberal minorities, with the liberals firmly in the drivers seat.
The republican party is an alliance between "true" conservatives, libertarians, and socially-conservative-fiscally liberal white people, with a constant tug of war for control of the party and it's agenda.
As a result, both people in the libertarian wing and the religious-right wing will sling accusations of not being a "real" republican at eachother, because they see the other as not caring about (or worse, holding an opposite viewpoint on) the issues which they view as being the important ones for why they support the Republican party. "RINO" in particular is a more popular term among the religious-right and the "true" conservatives that lean more in that direction, but, the principal and issues behind it goes across the party.
In real life, Mike Huckabee gets called a "RINO" the most IMO because of his centrist economic views. Republicans have said they'd no sooner vote for him than they would vote for John Edwards. Fiscal conservatives would probably agree regarding Huckabee.
Social conservatives would probably consider Schwarzenegger, Scott Brown, Rudy Giuliani, Susan Collins, or John McCain "RINOs".
Ron Paul has been called a "RINO" even though he's one of the most unconventional politicians in the US and as a libertarian takes positions not shared by the political mainstream in general. In Dr. Paul's case he has acknowledged an ideological debt to the late Robert Taft, who led the right wing of the GOP in the 1940s and early 1950s, favored laissez-faire economics and non-interventionism and opposed war, Japanese internment, unions, social programs, and international organizations (although Taft, unlike Dr. Paul, supported the UN even though he opposed US involvement in other international organizations). Since Dr. Paul's political ideology is deeply rooted in the old "Taft faction", his views have a history in the GOP. For that matter, the moderates' views also have a long history in the GOP. (Huck, however, is more in the Southern conservative Dem tradition even though his ability to sound reasonable at all times is rather Reaganesque). Ultimately, the label is subjective.
In real life, Mike Huckabee gets called a "RINO" the most IMO because of his centrist economic views. Republicans have said they'd no sooner vote for him than they would vote for John Edwards. Fiscal conservatives would probably agree regarding Huckabee.
Social conservatives would probably consider Schwarzenegger, Scott Brown, Rudy Giuliani, Susan Collins, or John McCain "RINOs".
Ron Paul has been called a "RINO" even though he's one of the most unconventional politicians in the US and as a libertarian takes positions not shared by the political mainstream in general. In Dr. Paul's case he has acknowledged an ideological debt to the late Robert Taft, who led the right wing of the GOP in the 1940s and early 1950s, favored laissez-faire economics and non-interventionism and opposed war, Japanese internment, unions, social programs, and international organizations (although Taft, unlike Dr. Paul, supported the UN even though he opposed US involvement in other international organizations). Since Dr. Paul's political ideology is deeply rooted in the old "Taft faction", his views have a history in the GOP. For that matter, the moderates' views also have a long history in the GOP. (Huck, however, is more in the Southern conservative Dem tradition even though his ability to sound reasonable at all times is rather Reaganesque). Ultimately, the label is subjective.
Social Conservatives a.k.a the religious right also call Ron Paul A RINO because he takes a Liberal stance on all social issues like legalization of all drugs, abortion, same sex marriage, prostitution, Israel, etc.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
