Reply #495: I find it interesting that the same schisms occurs on FR

[The Green Manalishi]

True believers, ideology only matters versus the arguments that "Any D is better than any R, look at cloture, SCOTUS, speakership", etc.

Exactly the same arguments on both left and right. There were probably exactly the same percentage of conservatives who *HATED* president Bush (sorry, I find *any* diminution of names childish, hang the bastard, but idiocy of not calling people by their titles and parties by their chosen names is just stupid, IMHO). The arguments of pragmatism, getting and holding power even if it must be done with the aid of 'RINOs' or, in our case 'DINO's being at odds with those who are damn sick of holding their noses and voting and have decided that the party needs a wake up call even if it means losing the White House or congress.

Personally, I think those tensions derive from our two party system. If the only alternative to a DINO is a Republican- then, as much as I want to slap the crap out of someone who defends the President not ending DADT *NOW*, as disgusting as I found Gibb's tirade, and as unpleasant as the reality that much of the administration consists of the same Wall Street crooks and thieves that got us into the current mess, they have a point. The conservatives face the same conundrum, and in many ways are even more divided, fiscal VS social, Christian VS Darwinian, 'REalpolitik' VS Islamophobic.

No answers, just thanks for your hard work. Sonation forthcoming next payday.