Via John Cole, Olympia Snowe sounding like she’s not too far from following Specter:
It is true that being a Republican moderate sometimes feels like being a cast member of “Survivor” — you are presented with multiple challenges, and you often get the distinct feeling that you’re no longer welcome in the tribe. But it is truly a dangerous signal that a Republican senator of nearly three decades no longer felt able to remain in the party.
Senator Specter indicated that his decision was based on the political situation in Pennsylvania, where he faced a tough primary battle. In my view, the political environment that has made it inhospitable for a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania is a microcosm of a deeper, more pervasive problem that places our party in jeopardy nationwide.
I have said that, without question, we cannot prevail as a party without conservatives. But it is equally certain we cannot prevail in the future without moderates.
But you’re going to have to, aren’t you?
There is no plausible scenario under which Republicans can grow into a majority while shrinking our ideological confines and continuing to retract into a regional party.
Don’t tell Rush.
She seems to honestly have a grip on what is going on around her, and no doubt will need to be branded a heretic and drummed out of God’s Own Party. All that editorial space, and she didn’t take the time to praise tax cuts and talk about pork or call Michael Moore fat? Get rid of that RINO. She isn’t pure enough.
Update: Again via Cole, James Wolcott with the single funniest line yet:
Many of them appear defiantly resigned to the Republican Party becoming a regional bastion of true believers, the Branch Davidian compound of the Confederate Jesus.
With Rush - or maybe Glenn Beck - as David Koresh.
