What's wrong with the GOP!

NJ. Please read what you wrote. You state that you want to start a dialogue, then say the Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh have no place in the Republican Party. How do you reconcile this?

I am just so upset with some of the vile, dimwitted things they say sometime, I think they are killing us. I will not lie to you,I have a major problem with them and believe that they have too much influence within the party. However I will talk to anyone, even those I disagree with and may not like. In the end I think the better ideas will win out.

Everybody says some vile and dimwitted things. I have read Ann Coulter's books, but don't listen to Rush. I live in the middle of nowhere, and radio reception is spotty at best. Would you care to share what you call vile and dimwitted things they say? Seriously.

I once heard Coulter on a news program debating about some bill or another Ted Kennedy was behind, and someone on the left was getting under her skin by defending Kennedy, and do you know what she did to retailiate? Brought up Chappaquidick(sp?)! I mean c'mon Keith! Then there was that whole John Edwards and calling him a "f*g" thing! I mean when will it stop? And know I don't particularly like Edwards or Kennedy. But why can't we make our arguements without getting in the gutter? Then Rush is no better with his repeated onslaugt of calling the President elect a "Chicago Thug". I get it if he doesn't like the guy but we should respect the office, don't you agree? All I am saying is I have a lot friends who are by nature conservative but don't necessiarly associuate with any political party, there are not obsessed with politics(like you and I) but stay pretty informed. These are real independent/swing voters and they find some of the things these two say repugnant. Whereas they might entertain becoming Repub the are completely turned off my the messangers.

You read the comments on townhall. It gets pretty outrageous. Lots of invective. Ann calling Edwards a f*g is tame (compared to what I have heard him called. I'm thinking his getting caught with a mistress helped him on that front :-).) Rush calling Obama a Chicago thug is tame. And he not the presient, yet. For that matter he is not the president-elect either. That is for the Electoral College to determine. He is just someone who won the mis-named 'popular vote.' When and if he becomes president, I will agree on the respect for the office. Goldwater said not long before his passing, that he didn't agree with much of what Clinton did, but 'He's still the President.' And as for Kennedy, Chappaquiddick is always in play. I usually add Mary Jo was unavailable for comment. I had respect for JFK, none for Bobby or Ted.

Your friends who are turned off by the messengers should pay closer to both sides. The 'other side' is better known as the media. We've been listening to them for so long that they claim the center. And Fox is right-wing. Many studies have been done and Fox is left of center. They do better reporting because they know both (or more) sides of a story and report that. I do hope the best for you and that you can start some dialogue It is sorely needed. I am a conservative, social moderate. Smaller government, strong defense, State rights, etc. Business should be given a freer hand to help the less fortunate, not taxed to the hilt (which is then passed on to us.)

I get where your are coming from. Suprised to hear that your are a social moderate. Just out of curiousity on what issues? I consider myself conservative lite(right to center). Strong defense, free market solutions, pro-business ,less taxes, pro-life, for choice in schools. However I am against the death penalty and for affirmative action. The point you make about the comments on townhall are very true, thing is most mainstream Americans dont come on sites like this, but they do know who Limbaugh,Hannity,and Coulter are. They are almost like celebrities which causes people to pay more attention to them. With that type of exposure they should be more thoughtful with their words, because essentially they are perceived as talking for the conservative movement or the GOP. And I concede your point that the left is worst than the few people we have throwing hatchets, but I still contend we shouldn't throw hatchets at all because we have better ideas! Thanks for your kind words and I look forward to keeping the dialogue moving.