G. J. Lujan I've seen Meghan McCain on a number of commercial and cable television shows, read articles by and about her, and have paid some attention to her comments. She has stated that she loves her party, has noted its strengths (including its annunciated fiscal conservatism, sense of personal and institutional responsibility, advocacy of the projection of strength abroad), as well as urging a number of reforms aimed at sharpening the party's internal focus and improving its electoral chances (including its tempering its sometimes strident social conservatism, reaching out to women and minorities, and commitment to the sort of communitarian values that have represented the best of traditional conservatism). Meghan McCain strikes me as the sort of person that a Republican Party would want to have. She brings a fresh perspective that seeks to conserve the best traditions in the party while recognizing the necessity of change. The sort of intolerance that would wish her to leave or simply become a good little do-be strikes me as part and parcel of how the party has come to its present dismal state. To those who decried the African-American community's accusations that conservatives like Clarence Thomas should start acting like a self-loving rather than a self-hating black man, I ask: Don't you guys ever listen to your own rhetoric? If the argument was good in the latter case, it should be good in the former.

Michael Merritt "RED TIL I’M DEAD BABY!!!" Try saying that about 20 years ago. You might have CIA agents swooping down on you. "I meant the Republican Party. The Republicans!" Of course, back then, red didn't mean Republican.

Jason Arvak More like 50 years ago. It's probably better if we don't increase the already paranoid interpretations among some of our lefty friends about the 1980s. :)

Michael Merritt That's true. But you'd still probably be scrutinized.

Rick Sheridan "That is good news, since the GOP cannot afford to lose many more self described ‘moderates.’" No. The GOP cannot afford to keep and support the 5th column. Clean them out now so the next election cycle can be approached with minimum baggage.

badkitty Yeah, purge all those filthy moderates!! Purge all those traitors who can still think for themselves!! Purge all those elitists who have more than a grade school education!! Put them in re-education camps and declare them un-persons!! Better Red than Dead, baby!! Woohoo, praise Bush!!