Some people never fucking learn, Part Deux

Against my better judgment, I checked out Freeperland in the aftermath of 11/4/08. Gawd, is it just me, or is Freeperland one ugly, poorly designed Web site? Anyhow, one of the Freepi (TM Badtux) reposts some helpful advice from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a.k.a., The Richard Mellon Scaife Money-Losing Wingnut Daily. Scaife and company are trying to lick their wounds following the election and offer some helpful advice for their fellow Freepi, Scaife stooges, and wingnuts. The top of the list? Thin the RINO Herd.

Big question: WHAT RINO herd? Even before Chris Shays lost his re-election bid, you can count on one hand the number of so-called RINOs left on Capitol Hill: Specter from PA, Snowe and Collins from Maine. Never fear, the author has concluded that the GOP is overrun with RINOs and has abandoned Reagan-style conservatism.

The GOP has become an unprincipled, undisciplined, ineffective shell of its former self. It has a party structure controlled by lobbyists and special interests, unable to excite even its own base. Worse, the structure is mired in the politics of the last century, unable or unwilling to take advantage of the modern techniques of organizing and communication.

The good news is this vindicates conservatism. When the Republican Party both talked and walked the conservative line -- think Ronald Reagan -- it enjoyed an unparalleled period of success and prosperity both nationally and within Pennsylvania.

But as Arlen Specter-style moderation took hold, the GOP moved away from those principles with the resulting electoral carnage.

This reminds me of Election Season 2006, when the Democrats won Congress and right-wingers were trying to spin this as a victory for conservatives. "The evil Democrat party is now in charge! See, conservatism works! They won because they listened to Ann Coulter, watched Fox News, and took media relations tips from Rupert Murdoch! Oh, and Dick Scaife wrote a few checks to Jim Webb and Bob Casey."

But really, if they want to get rid of the so-called RINOs, let them. Just don't remind them that with Shays' loss, there are now no Republicans representing New England in the House. Don't mention Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both the sort of old-school moderates that Freepi love to hate. Snowe and Collins both sailed to re-election while their fellow Republicans were scrambling for votes.

And whatever you do, DON'T remind any of them of Rudy Giuliani, that RINO mayor that so many Republicans pinned their hopes on for president.

These guys have confused "much-needed reform" with "circular firing squad." The results are going to be interesting to watch.