National Journal Rankings are out
Feb 27th, 2010 by David Anderson
According to the National Journal, the most Liberal Republican in the House is ____
The most liberal Republican was Rep. Michael Castle of Delaware, who is running this year for an open Senate seat; he was followed by Reps. John McHugh of New York, who resigned in September to become Obama’s Army secretary, and Dave Reichert of Washington.
The most puzzling votes were the Congressman’s votes against both the Republican stimulus alternative and the Democrat stimulus bill. He voted against both tax cuts and spending stimulus. Did he not think that the economy was in dire straits?
…..and this is supposed to be news to any of us?
Yup, it never hurts to see confermation, but sadly I don’t think this came as a suprize to anyone. At least not anyone from Delaware.
Any bets on when Castle will pull an Arlen Specter?
Mike Castle probably just saw the extreme perspectives on both sides of these bills, called them what they were (bullshit), and voted against them.
Call him liberal, call him republican, call him whatever you want.. he is still one of the only elected officials in Delaware to be pragmatic, thoughtful, and that consistently uses common sense.
I don’t always agree with him, but I do always respect him. I can only say that about one other elected official in the State of Delaware at present, and that is Sussex County Councilperson Joan Deaver.
I am an independent, that really, really likes Mike Castle. I wish he would join the Bull Moose Party, as I am sick of the extremist views and stupidity arising from the ranks of both the Rs & the Ds.
It’s very simple. Would you rather have a representative in Washington that you agree with 60-70% of the time? Or only 30-40% of the time, if that?
How about a represenative that will listen to their constituents? It is okay if our representatives don’t always agree with us as long as they listen to the people of their state. Rep. Castle not only didn’t agree when it comes to Cap n’ Trade. He didn’t listen. Believing in Global Warming is not pragmatism and that is being shown more and more as the time progresses.
“How about a represenative that will listen to their constituents? It is okay if our representatives don’t always agree with us as long as they listen to the people of their state. Rep. Castle not only didn’t agree when it comes to Cap n’ Trade. He didn’t listen. Believing in Global Warming is not pragmatism and that is being shown more and more as the time progresses.”
I think you are a bit confused about what Castle’s constituents believe…Hint, he represents all of Delaware.
Castle plans to focus on what he percieves to be America’s most pressing issue- the elimination of the penny.
Phil, Rep. Castle admited at a Town Hall forum I attended that the majority of his constituents asked him to vote no on cap n trade, and that he decided to vote in favor of it anyways. If this is not a case of him not listening to the people than I don’t know what is.
So…Castle is the most liberal Republican in the House…So, those of us who have been saying that all this time were….right again? Wow!
Look, the bottom line is that everyone thinks their viewpoint is the prevailing view throughout the state. In reality it’s generally somewhere in between. I talk to quite a few people in this state every day and I can tell you that this state is far more conservative in many respects than some of the DP commenters (most of whom are DL bloggers or some spinoff there of) who claim to be moderates. Most people are pissed that Castle voted for Cap and Trade because they see the phony science for what it is, another corporate ploy to suck money out of the public. Let’s face it greeniacs, this was your chance at getting in on the action that bankers and oil companies have been gobbling up for decades. This wasn’t about saving the dang planet. Even by your own faulty science this was at best going to do half as much as eliminating the practice of carnivorism would have done to save the planet. If it’s really dying (and as quickly as you claim) I’ll eat tofu chicken and drink from a muddy creek bed until we find another planet to move to (oops, Obama cut the NASA budget…looks like THAT avenue is out).
Maybe that’s just ONE area but I honestly have discussions with Delawareans across the board and I have to tell you, it’s really amazing to hear how people in this state feel, but then see how our congressional delegation votes. By looking at Castle, Carper and Biden (Kauffman wasn’t elected he was appointed and let’s face it, he’s a lap dog) you’d think the people here would be just like the people of Berkley, California. In reality, most people have no clue where our delegates stand on the issues because until a huge focus was placed on it, they pulled the lever based on name recognition. That’s why these same people who clearly do NOT represent the majority of Delawareans simply continue to get themselves elected over and over again despite voting for Cap & Trade, Stimulus, Bank Bailouts, Auto Bailouts and more that the citizens of Delaware simply do not agree with.
Spin it how you want, but the people of Delaware are indeed “pragmatic” and they’re also intelligent. With that said, they’ve been apathetic about congress and specifically about “Our boys”. We were happy to see a Delaware boy (ok a PA guy it appears) in Biden being chosen as VP just like we jumped to supprt Roth in his bid years ago. However, the folks who were asleep have woken up and they’re not going back to sleep anytime soon. There’s not much point in arguing ideology over blogs where two extremes are involved but there’s plenty of arguments being made amongst the people and it’s an absolute God send to see it happening.
Let’s see what happens come November.
“I can tell you that this state is far more conservative in many respects than some of the DP commenters …
True. But not conservative enough to elect a conservative Republican to statewide office, at least in recent memory.
“True. But not conservative enough to elect a conservative Republican to statewide office, at least in recent memory.”
Fair point..I would argue that the “Conservative” choice hasn’t been offered by either party in some time. Most of them have been more of the same. With the exception of O’Donnell but let’s face it, she’s had an uphill battle to fight in years past with so many people being apathetic to the process. Now that they are engaged and informed I think they’re clamoring for something other than Biden, Carper and Castle and I think she may be that something.