What, exactly, is a RINO?

[Weyoun]

C'mon, man. Clearly the Dems are the party of joy. Just look at the crowds of "fans" outside the convention site - a large section of which is part of their base. Sunshine and rainbows! At least according to mainstream media

If you’re citing protesters outside, they wouldn’t be people who are part of the party, right?

But they are. That's why Shapiro isn't the VP candidate. It's why he isn't campaigning with the team. Don't deny it. Embrace your party's diversity of thought.

I think they’d be more worried about Arabs, and not these radicals who are not gonna vote for them anyway. They don’t want to lose Michigan because of a Jew. HTH.

[flockofseagulls104]

If you’re citing protesters outside, they wouldn’t be people who are part of the party, right?

But they are. That's why Shapiro isn't the VP candidate. It's why he isn't campaigning with the team. Don't deny it. Embrace your party's diversity of thought.

I think they’d be more worried about Arabs, and not these radicals who are not gonna vote for them anyway. They don’t want to lose Michigan because of a Jew. HTH.

Hey doc. What about Americans? Does that 'ethnic' group mean anything to your party?

[wbtravis007]

flock and others use this term a lot. I know it stands for "Republicans in name only", but that raises the question of what, exactly, it takes to be a "real" Republican and not a RINO. I have a feeling that many revered Republicans of the past would fall into the RINO category these days, but in order to be certain, I'd like to know what the criteria are.

I don’t think that there’s a hard and fast definition, in that it’s a pejorative reference usually used by a Republican who would be trying to denigrate someone who is or was at one time also a Republican, so the meaning would vary depending on the context, just like any other term used pejoratively.

Before Trump became a Republican it most often was used to describe someone whom the user would consider to be more liberal in one sense or another than he or she. Most often these days that term is used to describe a Republican who doesn’t like Trump.

So, whereas before Trump Rockefeller would have been more likely to be called a RINO than most, and Goldwater and Reagan and Paul Ryan and Liz Cheney would have been among the least likely to be referred to in that way, now literally every man ever nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for President or Vice President except for Trump and Vance would be considered to be a RINO.

And that would go for any other person who is or was a Republican who understands how important character is, and who is intelligent and well-informed enough to evaluate Trump’s, provided that they would have the courage to declare openly their honest opinion of his character.

[Weyoun]

But they are. That's why Shapiro isn't the VP candidate. It's why he isn't campaigning with the team. Don't deny it. Embrace your party's diversity of thought.

I think they’d be more worried about Arabs, and not these radicals who are not gonna vote for them anyway. They don’t want to lose Michigan because of a Jew. HTH.

Hey doc. What about Americans? Does that 'ethnic' group mean anything to your party?

You do not know what an ethnic group is, do you?

[BackInTex]

I think they’d be more worried about Arabs, and not these radicals who are not gonna vote for them anyway. They don’t want to lose Michigan because of a Jew. HTH.

Hey doc. What about Americans? Does that 'ethnic' group mean anything to your party?

You do not know what an ethnic group is, do you?

Do you understand the use of quotes?

[flockofseagulls104]

I think they’d be more worried about Arabs, and not these radicals who are not gonna vote for them anyway. They don’t want to lose Michigan because of a Jew. HTH.

Hey doc. What about Americans? Does that 'ethnic' group mean anything to your party?

You do not know what an ethnic group is, do you?

Yes, as a matter of fact doc, I do. We are electing the President of the UNITED STATES. Not of blacks, not of palestinian/terrorism sympathizers, not of jews. not of LBGTQXYZ, not of all the innumerable frickin groups your party divides us into in order to manufacture grievances, discontent and hatred.

We are all Americans (except for the millions of illegals your party has let in to influence the electoral process).

Your party not only doesn't understand that, but hates that idea.

[jarnon]

That's why Shapiro isn't the VP candidate. It's why he isn't campaigning with the team.

I saw Shapiro’s rousing speech introducing the Harris-Walz ticket to Philadelphia and the nation. If right-wing media are claiming Shapiro isn’t vociferously campaigning for Harris, they’re wrong.

Walz is comparatively low-key and better suited to a supporting role. Trump’s allegation that antisemitism drove Harris's decision are BS.

[Beebs52]

That's why Shapiro isn't the VP candidate. It's why he isn't campaigning with the team.

I saw Shapiro’s rousing speech introducing the Harris-Walz ticket to Philadelphia and the nation. If right-wing media are claiming Shapiro isn’t vociferously campaigning for Harris, they’re wrong.

Walz is comparatively low-key and better suited to a supporting role. Trump’s allegation that antisemitism drove Harris's decision are BS.

Jarnon, I respect your take on things but Walz low key? Politically or personally? Hmm.

[Beebs52]

Hey doc. What about Americans? Does that 'ethnic' group mean anything to your party?

You do not know what an ethnic group is, do you?

Yes, as a matter of fact doc, I do. We are electing the President of the UNITED STATES. Not of blacks, not of palestinian/terrorism sympathizers, not of jews. not of LBGTQXYZ, not of all the innumerable frickin groups your party divides us into in order to manufacture grievances, discontent and hatred.

We are all Americans (except for the millions of illegals your party has let in to influence the electoral process).

Your party not only doesn't understand that, but hates that idea.

Flock, well said.

[wbtravis007]

You do not know what an ethnic group is, do you?

Yes, as a matter of fact doc, I do. We are electing the President of the UNITED STATES. Not of blacks, not of palestinian/terrorism sympathizers, not of jews. not of LBGTQXYZ, not of all the innumerable frickin groups your party divides us into in order to manufacture grievances, discontent and hatred.

We are all Americans (except for the millions of illegals your party has let in to influence the electoral process).

Your party not only doesn't understand that, but hates that idea.

Flock, well said.

Don’t forget the racists.

But they’re with y’all.

[Beebs52]

Yes, as a matter of fact doc, I do. We are electing the President of the UNITED STATES. Not of blacks, not of palestinian/terrorism sympathizers, not of jews. not of LBGTQXYZ, not of all the innumerable frickin groups your party divides us into in order to manufacture grievances, discontent and hatred.

We are all Americans (except for the millions of illegals your party has let in to influence the electoral process).

Your party not only doesn't understand that, but hates that idea.

Flock, well said.

Don’t forget the racists.

But they’re with y’all.

Ya gotta do better than that. Which race is excluded in a rational, national election? Old white folks like you?

[earendel]

flock and others use this term a lot. I know it stands for "Republicans in name only", but that raises the question of what, exactly, it takes to be a "real" Republican and not a RINO. I have a feeling that many revered Republicans of the past would fall into the RINO category these days, but in order to be certain, I'd like to know what the criteria are.

I don’t think that there’s a hard and fast definition, in that it’s a pejorative reference usually used by a Republican who would be trying to denigrate someone who is or was at one time also a Republican, so the meaning would vary depending on the context, just like any other term used pejoratively.

Before Trump became a Republican it most often was used to describe someone whom the user would consider to be more liberal in one sense or another than he or she. Most often these days that term is used to describe a Republican who doesn’t like Trump.

So, whereas before Trump Rockefeller would have been more likely to be called a RINO than most, and Goldwater and Reagan and Paul Ryan and Liz Cheney would have been among the least likely to be referred to in that way, now literally every man ever nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for President or Vice President except for Trump and Vance would be considered to be a RINO.

And that would go for any other person who is or was a Republican who understands how important character is, and who is intelligent and well-informed enough to evaluate Trump’s, provided that they would have the courage to declare openly their honest opinion of his character.

FINALLY!!! Someone who actually provided an answer to my question. Thanks, Travis. And for the rest of you, "Get off my lawn".

[flockofseagulls104]

flock and others use this term a lot. I know it stands for "Republicans in name only", but that raises the question of what, exactly, it takes to be a "real" Republican and not a RINO. I have a feeling that many revered Republicans of the past would fall into the RINO category these days, but in order to be certain, I'd like to know what the criteria are.

I don’t think that there’s a hard and fast definition, in that it’s a pejorative reference usually used by a Republican who would be trying to denigrate someone who is or was at one time also a Republican, so the meaning would vary depending on the context, just like any other term used pejoratively.

Before Trump became a Republican it most often was used to describe someone whom the user would consider to be more liberal in one sense or another than he or she. Most often these days that term is used to describe a Republican who doesn’t like Trump.

So, whereas before Trump Rockefeller would have been more likely to be called a RINO than most, and Goldwater and Reagan and Paul Ryan and Liz Cheney would have been among the least likely to be referred to in that way, now literally every man ever nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for President or Vice President except for Trump and Vance would be considered to be a RINO.

And that would go for any other person who is or was a Republican who understands how important character is, and who is intelligent and well-informed enough to evaluate Trump’s, provided that they would have the courage to declare openly their honest opinion of his character.

FINALLY!!! Someone who actually provided an answer to my question. Thanks, Travis. And for the rest of you, "Get off my lawn".

ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

RINOs are essentially republicans who march, ultimately, to the beat of the swamp.

Cheney, Kinzinger and in Georgia Raffensperger and Kemp have ignored the will and platform of their party and given their allegiance to the Washington DC narrative.
I have been a delegate to the Georgia Republican convention for the past 2 years. Neither Kemp nor Raffensperger have ever bothered to show up to listen to and face what their party wants or represents. They got elected representing the republican party, but once elected they vote with the swamp when it counts. That's what a RINO is, ear.

I guess you just didn't want to hear it. So you listen to someone who has no clue, who has given you warmed-over bullshit, because I suppose he gave you the answer you wanted. Substitute echo chamber for lawn.

[tlynn78]

I don’t think that there’s a hard and fast definition, in that it’s a pejorative reference usually used by a Republican who would be trying to denigrate someone who is or was at one time also a Republican, so the meaning would vary depending on the context, just like any other term used pejoratively.

Before Trump became a Republican it most often was used to describe someone whom the user would consider to be more liberal in one sense or another than he or she. Most often these days that term is used to describe a Republican who doesn’t like Trump.

So, whereas before Trump Rockefeller would have been more likely to be called a RINO than most, and Goldwater and Reagan and Paul Ryan and Liz Cheney would have been among the least likely to be referred to in that way, now literally every man ever nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for President or Vice President except for Trump and Vance would be considered to be a RINO.

And that would go for any other person who is or was a Republican who understands how important character is, and who is intelligent and well-informed enough to evaluate Trump’s, provided that they would have the courage to declare openly their honest opinion of his character.

FINALLY!!! Someone who actually provided an answer to my question. Thanks, Travis. And for the rest of you, "Get off my lawn".

ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

RINOs are essentially republicans who march, ultimately, to the beat of the swamp.

Cheney, Kinzinger and in Georgia Raffensperger and Kemp have ignored the will and platform of their party and given their allegiance to the Washington DC narrative.
I have been a delegate to the Georgia Republican convention for the past 2 years. Neither Kemp nor Raffensperger have ever bothered to show up to listen to and face what their party wants or represents. They got elected representing the republican party, but once elected they vote with the swamp when it counts. That's what a RINO is, ear.

I guess you just didn't want to hear it. So you listen to someone who has no clue, who has given you warmed-over bullshit, because I suppose he gave you the answer you wanted. Substitute echo chamber for lawn.

C'mon, man. Don't you know the peeps on the left are the ones who really have their finger on the pulse of the Republican party?

[wbtravis007]

I don’t think that there’s a hard and fast definition, in that it’s a pejorative reference usually used by a Republican who would be trying to denigrate someone who is or was at one time also a Republican, so the meaning would vary depending on the context, just like any other term used pejoratively.

Before Trump became a Republican it most often was used to describe someone whom the user would consider to be more liberal in one sense or another than he or she. Most often these days that term is used to describe a Republican who doesn’t like Trump.

So, whereas before Trump Rockefeller would have been more likely to be called a RINO than most, and Goldwater and Reagan and Paul Ryan and Liz Cheney would have been among the least likely to be referred to in that way, now literally every man ever nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for President or Vice President except for Trump and Vance would be considered to be a RINO.

And that would go for any other person who is or was a Republican who understands how important character is, and who is intelligent and well-informed enough to evaluate Trump’s, provided that they would have the courage to declare openly their honest opinion of his character.

FINALLY!!! Someone who actually provided an answer to my question. Thanks, Travis. And for the rest of you, "Get off my lawn".

ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

RINOs are essentially republicans who march, ultimately, to the beat of the swamp.

Cheney, Kinzinger and in Georgia Raffensperger and Kemp have ignored the will and platform of their party and given their allegiance to the Washington DC narrative.
I have been a delegate to the Georgia Republican convention for the past 2 years. Neither Kemp nor Raffensperger have ever bothered to show up to listen to and face what their party wants or represents. They got elected representing the republican party, but once elected they vote with the swamp when it counts. That's what a RINO is, ear.

I guess you just didn't want to hear it. So you listen to someone who has no clue, who has given you warmed-over bullshit, because I suppose he gave you the answer you wanted. Substitute echo chamber for lawn.

Wrong again, Maude. As usual. (And you, too, Drizella.)

And what does “voting with the swamp” even mean? Can you name one Republican who has demonstrated the integrity and courage to denounce Trump who is not considered to be a RINO? Of course not. Is Michael Luttig now considered to be a RINO because he is swampy, or “votes with the swamp”? Of course not.

And there are countless Republicans who are plenty swampy who would not be considered to be RINOs because they have bent the knee to Trump, even if at one time they were “never Trumpers” before cowering.

These days when that term is used, it’s all about Trump. And that’s why every man ever nominated by the Republican Party for President or Vice President would be considered to be RINOs today, except for Trump and Vance.

And y’all’s suggestion that a non-Republican cannot answer ear’s question is just plain dumb. You are in a better position to know when you use that term than I am, but that’s the extent of it.

[Beebs52]

I sense angst.

[tlynn78]

I sense angst.

For reals

[earendel]

ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

I read what you said, and it wasn't very enlightening. Agree or not, what Travis said was much clearer. "The swamp" is such an ambiguous term, applicable to anything with which you don't agree. Maybe the better question is "what, exactly, is a Republican?"

[flockofseagulls104]

ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

RINOs are essentially republicans who march, ultimately, to the beat of the swamp.

I quoted what you said, and it wasn't very enlightening. Agree or not, what Travis said was much clearer.

I guess, since you are in the same echo chamber, you can understand bullshit and lies better than the truth. I gave you the answer, and it's very apparent and clear to the people who are true republicans and to whom it matters. But you are showing your true colors. Like I said, FWIW, I once thought better of you.

[earendel]

[ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

Just saying "the swamp" doesn't provide much information. Cheney, Kitzinger, et. alia. are accused of being RINOs because they don't toe the Trump line, not because their voting records are 90+% in accord with the party line.

[flockofseagulls104]

[ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

Just saying "the swamp" doesn't provide much information. Cheney, Kitzinger, et. alia. are accused of being RINOs because they don't toe the Trump line, not because their voting records are 90+% in accord with the party line.

The swamp, even though you are pretending you don't know, is the bureaucratic state that is based in Washington DC. Why don't you show some real objectiveness and research it on your own. I think I've defined it many times over the years here. You, like others, just skip over it and act like you've never heard of it so you can stick with your chosen narrative at all times. Being a RINO has nothing to do with trump. But trump is our only chance to take back this country from the swamp, and the swamp wants him neutralized. It seems by any means possible. Cheney and Kinzinger exposed themselves as swamp operatives. And they paid the political price in their party.

[earendel]

[ear, I gave you an answer from someone who is in the republican party and knows what he's talking about.

Just saying "the swamp" doesn't provide much information. Cheney, Kitzinger, et. alia. are accused of being RINOs because they don't toe the Trump line, not because their voting records are 90+% in accord with the party line.

The swamp, even though you are pretending you don't know, is the bureaucratic state that is based in Washington DC. Why don't you show some real objectiveness and research it on your own. I think I've defined it many times over the years here. You, like others, just skip over it and act like you've never heard of it so you can stick with your chosen narrative at all times. Being a RINO has nothing to do with trump. But trump is our only chance to take back this country from the swamp, and the swamp wants him neutralized. It seems by any means possible. Cheney and Kinzinger exposed themselves as swamp operatives. And they paid the political price in their party.

Cheney, Kitzinger, Romney, et. al. all have a strong conservative voting record. They were on the "right" side of the issues until they went against Trump; that's when they started being called RINOs.

[flockofseagulls104]

Just saying "the swamp" doesn't provide much information. Cheney, Kitzinger, et. alia. are accused of being RINOs because they don't toe the Trump line, not because their voting records are 90+% in accord with the party line.

The swamp, even though you are pretending you don't know, is the bureaucratic state that is based in Washington DC. Why don't you show some real objectiveness and research it on your own. I think I've defined it many times over the years here. You, like others, just skip over it and act like you've never heard of it so you can stick with your chosen narrative at all times. Being a RINO has nothing to do with trump. But trump is our only chance to take back this country from the swamp, and the swamp wants him neutralized. It seems by any means possible. Cheney and Kinzinger exposed themselves as swamp operatives. And they paid the political price in their party.

Cheney, Kitzinger, Romney, et. al. all have a strong conservative voting record. They were on the "right" side of the issues until they went against Trump; that's when they started being called RINOs.

Excuse me. It's when they went along with Pelosi to be on the completely bullshit J6 committee to reinforce the 'insurrection' narrative. They sided with the swamp and the democrats to participate in the campaign to erase the tea party/trump movement. That's why, ear. Does that enlighten you enough, ear?

[earendel]

The swamp, even though you are pretending you don't know, is the bureaucratic state that is based in Washington DC. Why don't you show some real objectiveness and research it on your own. I think I've defined it many times over the years here. You, like others, just skip over it and act like you've never heard of it so you can stick with your chosen narrative at all times. Being a RINO has nothing to do with trump. But trump is our only chance to take back this country from the swamp, and the swamp wants him neutralized. It seems by any means possible. Cheney and Kinzinger exposed themselves as swamp operatives. And they paid the political price in their party.

Cheney, Kitzinger, Romney, et. al. all have a strong conservative voting record. They were on the "right" side of the issues until they went against Trump; that's when they started being called RINOs.

Excuse me. It's when they went along with Pelosi to be on the completely bullshit J6 committee to reinforce the 'insurrection' narrative. They sided with the swamp and the democrats to participate in the campaign to erase the tea party/trump movement. That's why, ear. Does that enlighten you enough, ear?

Yes, it does. It means that anyone who doesn't agree with you is a RINO. It doesn't matter what their voting record is, only that they are against Trump. So why is Ryan Walters, Superintendent of Education for the state of Oklahoma, calling those state legislators who are challenging him RINOs, even though they are rock-solid GOPers?

[flockofseagulls104]

Cheney, Kitzinger, Romney, et. al. all have a strong conservative voting record. They were on the "right" side of the issues until they went against Trump; that's when they started being called RINOs.

Excuse me. It's when they went along with Pelosi to be on the completely bullshit J6 committee to reinforce the 'insurrection' narrative. They sided with the swamp and the democrats to participate in the campaign to erase the tea party/trump movement. That's why, ear. Does that enlighten you enough, ear?

Yes, it does. It means that anyone who doesn't agree with you is a RINO. It doesn't matter what their voting record is, only that they are against Trump. So why is Ryan Walters, Superintendent of Education for the state of Oklahoma, calling those state legislators who are challenging him RINOs, even though they are rock-solid GOPers?

I don't know a thing about Ryan Walters. And I sincerely doubt you do either. But I think it shows a desperation in defending your specious argument that you'd cite this obscure incident as confirming your ignorant narrative. You have the correct answer. And it's my FINAL ANSWER. And I didn't have to phone a friend for it.

I do know that biden thinks any black person who doesn't vote democrat is not black. Maybe you should concentrate on definitions within your own party.