The 2012 Republican Primary thread, early edition

[calicoug]

I was wondering when you'd show up, cali.

Better late than never!

[il Padrino Ute]

So Democrats are delusional enough to think they are more tolerant than Republicans?

I'm okay for Democrats to think that, as long as know I think they're full of shit.

[calicoug]

You seem to think it's an impossible task. It's been accomplished by successful GOP presidential candidates in every general election since 1968.

That's not quite right though. The evangelical movement didn't really become a significant individual component of the Republican electorate until Reagan came along. He was the first to really unify the groups. It has happened with varying success since then and was best exploited by Bush II. It wasn't accomplished by McCain and Republicans lost.

[calicoug]

So Democrats are delusional enough to think they are more tolerant than Republicans?

I'm okay for Democrats to think that, as long as know I think they're full of shit.

Democrats, like any other group, certainly don't always succeed at being tolerant. And Democrats have their fringe groups which are certainly not tolerant at all (including of religion- any religion). But as a general rule, yes- tolerance of other viewpoints is a hallmark of the party. It has to be, actually. The Democratic party is nothing but a coalition of minority groups (racial, socioeconomic, religious, sexual orientation, etc.) all finding commonality.

[il Padrino Ute]

Democrats, like any other group, certainly don't always succeed at being tolerant. And Democrats have their fringe groups which are certainly not tolerant at all (including of religion- any religion). But as a general rule, yes- tolerance of other viewpoints is a hallmark of the party. It has to be, actually. The Democratic party is nothing but a coalition of minority groups (racial, socioeconomic, religious, sexual orientation, etc.) all finding commonality.

If it helps you to justify your belief, that's fine. But you're full of shit.

[calicoug]

If it helps you to justify your belief, that's fine. But you're full of shit.

How very tolerant of you to say so. At least I got away with "full of shit." Last time you spoke of a Democrat you said he was evil, slaughterer, jackass, and a host of other kind phrases. Your tolerance envelopes me like a warm blanket.

[oxcoug]

They still support him because he is competent, knows Senate procedure better than most, and gets stuff done- that's what you want from a Senate Majority Leader he helps the Dems maintain an influential seat in a state they would otherwise struggle to hold, and he doesn't mouth off much on social issues, in fact never does, thereby insuring that His religion isn't and never was an issue stays mostly off the radar. Because he isn't a Republican

FIFY.

Harry Reid met w/ my dad on multiple occasions when he was preparing for his first congressional run many, many years ago. My dad was very briefly - on hiatus from his legal career- the Institute Director at UNR. Reid asked to meet with him to discuss the abortion issue both from the LDS perspective and on the history of the legal battles surrounding it, where my Dad was (at that time) a bit of a specialist - it became clear that Reid had no real opinion on the matter and wasn't really that informed about it, but was looking to construct a public position that was (a) ethical enough, (b) not too problematic for Nevada's conservative voters while (c) not causing any trouble with Dems on the national level.

In short, it was a calculated balance that he has maintained. But there wasn't much principle at play.

I'm not faulting Reid for that, just noting that your representation lacks some context.

[il Padrino Ute]

How very tolerant of you to say so. At least I got away with "full of shit." Last time you spoke of a Democrat you said he was evil, slaughterer, jackass, and a host of other kind phrases. Your tolerance envelopes me like a warm blanket.

I show you know tolerance to reciprocate the intolerance you demonstrate toward me.

And yes, Obama is evil because he condones the slaughter of the unborn innocent and is bent on limiting our freedoms. If you support him and his causes, you are also evil.

[Jarid in Cedar]

So Democrats are delusional enough to think they are more tolerant than Republicans?

I'm okay for Democrats to think that, as long as know I think they're full of shit.

I find that both parties are quite tolerant....as long as you think the same things as them

[calicoug]

FIFY.

Harry Reid met w/ my dad on multiple occasions when he was preparing for his first congressional run many, many years ago. My dad was very briefly - on hiatus from his legal career- the Institute Director at UNR. Reid asked to meet with him to discuss the abortion issue both from the LDS perspective and on the history of the legal battles surrounding it, where my Dad was (at that time) a bit of a specialist - it became clear that Reid had no real opinion on the matter and wasn't really that informed about it, but was looking to construct a public position that was (a) ethical enough, (b) not too problematic for Nevada's conservative voters while (c) not causing any trouble with Dems on the national level.

In short, it was a calculated balance that he has maintained. But there wasn't much principle at play.

I'm not faulting Reid for that, just noting that your representation lacks some context.

THAT's your argument for why he is Senate Majority Leader? Because he comes from a moderate state and doesn't mouth off?

Come on, Ox. I doubt even you believe that.

As for your story, you think Reid went to the UNR Institute Director for advice on abortion because... he had no real principles at play and wanted to construct a good political position?

[calicoug]

I show you know tolerance to reciprocate the intolerance you demonstrate toward me.

And yes, Obama is evil because he condones the slaughter of the unborn innocent and is bent on limiting our freedoms. If you support him and his causes, you are also evil.

Well there you have it. A little under 50% of the US is evil.

Much like the word "socialism," you are redefining terms in such a way that they lose actual meaning and effect.

[il Padrino Ute]

Well there you have it. A little under 50% of the US is evil.

Much like the word "socialism," you are redefining terms in such a way that they lose actual meaning and effect.

You keep saying I don't understand, but I do. It just bothers you because it paints an accurate picture of you.

[oxcoug]

THAT's your argument for why he is Senate Majority Leader? Because he comes from a moderate state and doesn't mouth off?

Come on, Ox. I doubt even you believe that.

As for your story, you think Reid went to the UNR Institute Director for advice on abortion because... he had no real principles at play and wanted to construct a good political position?

Ox: "wasn't much principle at play" [implied: specifically in relation to abortion, politics was a bigger factor than principle]

Cali: "because... he had no real principles at play" [implied: The man has no principles]

But yes - he was asking to be educated and basically asking for a position - to Reid's credit, he was genuinely shocked by what late term abortion is like and had never thought much about it until my Dad read him descriptions and showed him pictures.

My dad likes Reid. Hasn't spoken with him in more than a decade but generally respects him though he says - like most politicians - Reid is a compulsively crafty and manipulative in his manscaping his public body - he, among other things, worked it out on multiple occasions to call up a revered Stake Prez / Temple Prez from the area (who is a close friend of my Dad's) and say "hey, I'm just in town for the weekend, would you mind if I go to Church w/ you guys" - said President is very aware that he is being used to create the appearance that he and Reid are pals who rock up to Church together).

[Jacob]

Yes, and Harry Reid has also addressed BYU students in a devotional, something Mitt has never done.

still trying to figure out what this has to do with anything.
and thanks to you democrats for coming over to tell us dumb republicans how stupid we are for hanging out with a bunch of bigots in the republican party

[pellegrino]

still trying to figure out what this has to do with anything.
and thanks to you democrats for coming over to tell us dumb republicans how stupid we are for hanging out with a bunch of bigots in the republican party

nobody said anyone was dumb. I asked a question and the responses are being debated.