“The Pledge”
Many on the Right in the blogosphere have been encouraging everyone to sign “The Pledge”. I haven’t signed this pledge and don’t intend to sign it.
Here’s the text:
If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.
The reason I don’t plan on joining in? I don’t believe in the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). I haven’t donated to this committee since 2000. In 2002 when the NRSC supported Arlen Specter in lieu of Toomey for Senator was when I realized this committee had nothing to do with promoting conservative Republican candidates it was only about power or gaining power. Idealogy was thrown out the window. The NRSC probably has always been like this and it’s probably why Republicans have such a difficult time retaining power in the Congress.
From that point on I only donate to specific candidates who support my conservative idealogy. I have donated to candidates who supported some of my views but not even close to all of them. My gripe with the NRSC is their meddling with Republican primaries.
To be honest the National Republican Party leaves a sour taste in my mouth especially now that Senator Martinez has been elected chair. The 2008 election is going to be a repeat of the 1991 election. Republicans are going to come up with a weak nominee who is going to be divisive within the Party base and will not engender a rallying focus within the base. I do believe that Hillary will be the Democrat candidate so any Republican candidate will have to be made of very tough stuff indeed.
Technorati Tags: The Pledge, NRSC, Republicans
You made a very good point and the Republican Party is hurting its base and straying from Conservatism. However, I think the point of the Pledge is to show our party leaders, whoever they are, that we will not tolerate a resolution that Sec. Defense Gates said will “embolden the enemy”. I think signing it will only make your point even more, that you’re unhappy with some of the current leadership whom you wouldn’t vote for anyway.
Comment by Amy Proctor — January 28, 2007 @ 9:41 am
Amy - I struggled a bit with this one. Your point was the struggle for me but it just felt hypocritical of me to sign a pledge against a committee that I won’t donate to or support anyway.
Comment by Toni — January 28, 2007 @ 9:51 am