GOP Votes To Condemn Democrats' "March To Socialism"

WASHINGTON — Republicans on Wednesday abandoned an effort to label their opponents the "Democrat Socialist Party," ending a fight within the GOP ranks that reflected the divide between those who want a more centrist message and those seeking a more aggressive, conservative voice.

Supporters of the resolution asking the Democratic Party to change its name instead agreed to accept language urging Democrats to "stop pushing our country towards socialism and government control."

The initial name-changing resolution had drawn criticism from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. Florida GOP Chairman James Greer called the idea "stupid" and Colorado Chairman Dick Wadhams called it "absurd." They said it made Republicans look petty during a troubling time for the nation.

The Democratic National Committee said the proposal reflected a political party so devoid of ideas that it was resorting to "name calling" and "petty politics."

Supporters dismissed the criticism Wednesday and said the publicity generated by the proposal was good for the GOP.

"It has generated the debate we had hoped for," said Indiana committeeman James Bopp. "It was an effort to educate the American people, and it was successful."

David Norcross, a committeeman from New Jersey, said it was a bid to raise awareness of the Democratic agenda so that Americans can be "properly fearful."

In a statement following the resolution's adoption, Steele said he was pleased the measure focused on "the Democrats' policies and their destructive effects on America's economic engine, rather than attempting to rename our opponents."

Henry Barbour, chairman of the RNC committee that handles resolutions, said the new language more closely reflects the sentiments of the full party and "helps unify our party."

At one point during informal discussions of the name change, some attending the meeting of state party leaders and other party officials said the proposed name might also include the label "nationalist." But Bopp said including "nationalist" was never proposed.

The RNC also approved resolutions honoring the late Republican congressman Jack Kemp, commending Republican members of Congress for opposing recent bailouts, and calling on Republicans to abandon local spending provisions known as earmarks.

The party's meeting this week was held as Republicans are trying to chart a new course after election losses in 2006 and 2008 that left them out of power in the White House, Congress and statehouses across the country.

Without a successor to former President George W. Bush, the party is in the midst of an intense debate over its identity and facing an emboldened Democratic Party that's grown larger and stronger under President Barack Obama's leadership.

Comments

[bogues]

So this is what the Republicans have to offer in the way of solutions to the economy and David Norcross says it is to raise awareness in order to make Americans 'properly fearful" Well I guess that can put an end to Repbulicans claiming democrats are making it up when they accuse Republicans of playing the fear card.

[Mystic01]

How laughable. How utterly pathetic.

[American50]

Democrats' "March To Socialism"

Yes.....Th­ey want the USA to become eastern Europe!!!!!!!!!!
and adore the thought of a One world Order
Little Hitlers...­.... all!!!!!!!!!

[kareemachan]

....not.

[thebyron]

I've got a name for the GOP, but this is a family site....

[olmossy]

Yeah, the smoking gun may be a mushroom cloud, We know where the WMDs are same as
The smoking gun may be a communist gulag, we know where the commies are.
Same ole Fear Mongering, scare that lil ol lady in Iowa.
Sorry boys she knows what your are.
None of us are buying it.

[elaygee]

David Norcross, a committeeman from New Jersey, said it was a bid to raise awareness of the Democratic agenda so that Americans can be "properly fearful."

That's what the Creepublicans are all about. Scaring us into voting for them.

[tippydog11]

Is the old Roman Empire rearing it's ugly head again...fe­ar fear mongering, instilling fear, forcing others against their own will personally will, using and twisting religion..­torture deception, liars, war mongers etc etc---hmmm That is who reminds me of this is the republican party

[olmossy]

Yeah I heard Ms Palin saying how Mr Steele and she would see us through these Dark days or somewhat. As though we weren't marching away from Global Fascism. Once again they are calling fear to their listeners, = we are in scary times, be afraid, be very afraid Booo oooo o!

[Veggie-Trunks]

What a bunch of morons...u­gh. Cheap ploys like calling Democrats "socialists" aren't going to get you voted back into power any quicker. In fact, the Reps are ruining their chances four years from now. We don't all agree with what Obama is doing but what has he not done?

Curb all investigations on the biggest terrorist attack of this country, start two wars, do nothing to help prevent a lot of deaths due to a natural disaster, sit around for 8 days while other people helped those during that disaster, curb any decent amount of funding for 9/11 workers, get 4000 more Americans killed in Iraq and over a million others (which OBviously aren't more important since they aren't from this country -.-)------­-how many do I have to mention?

How does ANYONE defend this man? But I will give credit where it's due, and he has done a lot to help in Africa. He also didn't do TOO much against Obama and wasn't one of the ones calling him a muslim and terrorist and all that. He did leave every child behind though...l­et's be honest -.- the man's legacy is f'ed.

[ajax2]

GOP Votes To Condemn Democrats "March To Socialism" after eight years of "Goosestepping With Fascism".

[BeyondKen]

This from the party that nationalized the banks!

[olmossy]

They had a prettier word for it, I can't remember what it was.

[Hillrick]

I suppose the G0P was getting used to the unrelenting march towards fas"cis'm and a po'lice state. Must be quite a shock to be going in any other direction.

[tippydog11]

remember what ever the republs accuse the others of, know republs. themselves are doing it, have done it under the radar..aft­er 8 years look around at America...­.more working poor then ever..econ­omy crises caused out of massive greed and removal of regulations just plainly neglected why? Bush created medicare and now in massive debt and still climbing..­..

Bush lowered taxes on the rich..lost in 8 years $2.8 Trillion dollars in lost tax revenues and still climbing till 2011 bush tax code ends.. republicans charge as they go...Dems plan and figure out how they are going to pay as they go...not republicans they "charge" it and to who the American people?...­. .

[greatlardini]

Plenty of name-calling, zero ideas on how to help our country. Whoops, I forgot tax cuts for the wealthy.

[Chip W]

I wouldn't mind complaints of too much government involvement, within the context that these are extreme economic times, but using "Nationalization" and "Socialism" is such a fear-based stretch.

[1differentdrummer]

And their avalanche toward fascism and government domination of life is better, how?