re: What is the definition of a RINO

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What is your definition of RINO?

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It is a meaningless term.

For a century or more, the GOP has been more a coalition than a unified party. It has ALWAYS been comprised of disparate groups, including the Right-Libertarians, the SoCons, the Mainstreet/Rockefellers, and the Limited Government groups (among others). In the 1960s, the NeoCons were added to the mix.

The only unifying factor is that all of these groups are closer to one another than to the Dems, and only marginally-so in some cases. SoCons have never BEEN Right-Libertarians, and they never WILL be ... and vice versa.

Currently, the term is being used by SoCons and Trump Republicans to mean "anyone who is not one of us," but that is foolishness. There are more GOP voters OUTSIDE those two groups than INSIDE those two groups (though not on this forum, obviously).

ANY of the coalition member-groups has as much right as any OTHER to claim to be "real" Republicans. It is not remotely-productive for a member of ONE of these groups to assert that the other group(s) would not be "real" Republicans, because (in complete pragmatism) there is not ONE of these groups that could ever attain a legislative majority OR the White House without the others.

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The Republican Party, both in this state and nationally, is a broad party.There is room in our tent for many views; indeed, the divergence of views is one of our strengths.Let no one, however, interpret this to mean compromise of basic philosophy or that we will be all things to all people for political expediency.

In our tent will be found those who believe that government was created by We, the People; that government exists for the convenience of the people and we can give to government no power we do not possess as individuals; that the citizen does not earn to support the government, but supports a government so that he may be free to earn; that, because there can be no freedom without law and order, every act of government must be approved if it makes freedom more secure and disapproved if it offers security instead of freedom.

Within our tent, there will be many arguments and divisions over approach and method and even those we choose to implement our philosophy.Seldom, if ever, will we raise a cheer signifying unanimous approval of the decisions reached.But if our philosophy is to prevail, we must at least pledge unified support of the ultimate decision.Unity does not require unanimity of thought.

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Ronald Wilson Reagan, April 1967

A RINO is someone who, if he were on trial for being Republican, would be found not guilty for lack of evidence

Paul Ryan
Mitt Romney
Turtle
George Bush(both)
Ron DeSantis
John McCain
Bill Cassidy

I can keep going

My definition of a RINO is someone who runs as a republican that is in politics for self enrichment over service.

Democrats and RINOs always vote for exponentially expanding spending packages. Because they work their own pork into it laden with their own kickbacks. It's the exact opposite of what makes the legislative branch effective.

I'd guess less than 5% of spending bills benefit the majority.