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Politics

Charlie Crist to DNC: ‘Ronald Reagan Would Not Have Stood’ for Today’s GOP

Sep. 6, 2012 9:39pm Benny Johnson

Former Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist speaks to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. , on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. (AP)

Ex-Republican and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist lambasted his old party at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night, charging that “Ronald Reagan would not have stood” for what the GOP has become.

“Half a century ago, Ronald Reagan, the man whose relentless optimism inspired me to enter politics, famously said that he didn’t leave the Democratic Party — the party left him,” Crist said on the final night of the DNC in Charlotte, N.C. “I can certainly relate. I didn’t leave the Republican Party — it left me. Then again, as my friend Jeb Bush recently noted, Reagan himself would have been too moderate and too reasonable for today’s GOP.”

Crist, elected governor as a Republican in 2006, left the party in 2010 after significantly trailing Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate primary. He turned independent, ultimately losing to Rubio in November. He fully endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election last month on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

Crist said today’s Republicans, including the GOP ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, “aren’t up to the task” of reinvigorating the economy, infrastructure, public schools or saving Medicare and Social Security.

“They’re beholden to ‘my way or the highway’ bullies, indebted to billionaires who bankroll ads and allergic to the very idea of compromise,” he said. “Ronald Reagan would not have stood for that.”

Crist also seemed to take a veiled shot at “diversity” in the GOP.

“I look around Florida, and I see a state bursting with diversity and opportunity, a state that looks like America’s future,” he said. “When I look at the Republican ticket today, I see two candidates who would break the fundamental promise of Medicare and Social Security, and cut investments in our middle class which are so important to our economic recovery.”

Crist’s appearance capped a series of disaffected Republican speakers at the convention who said they had all turned their allegiance over to Obama, including Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chaffee, an Ohio firefighter and a Colorado mom.

Chafee, a Republican-turned-independent, told the convention Tuesday he was proud “to join with my Democratic friends on the eve of an election critical to the future of our children and their country.”

“As a former Republican, I represent a group of Americans who all too often have no one to speak for them,” Chafee said. “We are, at our core, conservatives in the best sense of the word: thoughtful, responsible with public resources and respectful of personal freedom. And we are liberal in the best sense of the word. We believe that government can and should be an instrument for the greater good.”

Chafee served one term as a Republican U.S. senator before being defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in 2006. He left the GOP in 2007 and became an independent, endorsing Obama in 2008 and getting elected governor as an independent in 2010.

Chafee said his former party has “hijacked” the term “conservative,” charging that “there’s really nothing conservative about today’s Republican Party.”

“There is no room there for traditional conservatives like us,” Chafee said.

RNC Chairman Reince Preibus on Monday dismissed the effectiveness of showcasing speakers like Chafee.

“Look at these folks Democrats are trotting out,” Priebus said, according to the Providence Journal. “Not exactly rising stars of the future.”

Ohio firefighter Doug Stern said he left the Republican Party when they turned him into a “scapegoat” as a public employee.

“For the vast majority of my voting life, I have been a Republican,” Stern said. “Something’s happened recently — the Republican Party left people like me. As a member of the middle class they left me and they certainly left me as a public employee.”

Stern said being a public employee turned him into a “scapegoat” to the Republican Party, while Obama and Biden still view what he does as an “honorable calling.” He cited efforts to end collective bargaining rights in the states as a primary reason he’s supporting the Democratic ticket.

“Enough of the vilification of the people who work for a living. Enough of the disrespect of the middle class. Enough of their far-right agenda,” Stern said. “We support those who support us. That is why this Republican — I’m sorry, former Republican firemen stands here before you today.”

Maria Ciano, a stay-at-home mom who grew up in a “conservative Republican family” in Colorado, said she was supporting Obama because of his stance on women’s health issues.

“I grew up in a conservative Republican family in Aurora, Colorado. Many of my relatives can’t believe I’m doing this,” Ciano said. “I still believe in small government, but I no longer believe in the Republican Party.”

Ciano was actually featured in a “Republican Women for Obama” campaign ad last month; BuzzFeed reported she has been a registered Democrat since 2006.

Speaking at the DNC, Ciano said Romney and Ryan “want the government to have a say in my family planning” including allowing “employers to decide what kind of birth control coverage I have, or if I can have it at all. They want to put insurance companies in charge of my health care.”

“They want to deny me the power to make the most personal decisions about my life. That’s not small government. That’s not the America I love,” she said.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (113)

woodyee
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:28pm
Okay, finally heard Sloe Joe Mullet Biden on unemployment – “We’re not done yet. What we said about hope isn’t finished but we’re going to finish it. what we said about change isn’t finished yet, but we’re going to finish it”.

Thank goodness “they’re” finished!

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- designbyinspiration
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:03pm
  These guys are soooo delusional, Regan said, “I don’t need anyone to tell my what’s right or not, I know.” These arse-clows don’t know what to say unless the daily DNC rap-sheet says so, even then you can be assured it’s not ‘good’. Filthy, lying, Godless communists. It is becoming clear, the ‘powers and principalities’ that guide so much of the people in the halls of info and power. Corrupted and twisted, they can’t even see the hell they want to create.
  
  Report this comment
- DIR
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:06pm
  Crist: “Ronald Reagan Would Not Have Stood’ for Today’s GOP”
  
  If Ronald Reagan were alive today, Crist would be having Reagans shoe surgically remove from Crist’s rear end. I just wonder if the shoe could have been removed while Crist’s head was still lodged up Barry’s behind.
  
  Report this comment
- stablepar
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:20pm
  we got rid of crist. now to finish our business and make a move back to God, family, country and capitalism. semper fi
  
  Report this comment
- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:27pm
  I live in Florida and Charlie Crust is a traitor and only took sides with Obama because he thought it would help him. Oh, how wrong he was. He is a fool and a disgrace.
  
  Report this comment
- floridareader
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:59pm
  DIR thanks, you saved me the time. I couldn’t say it better. Crist is that kind of person not even his shadow could rely on. He only cares about him regardless the price he has to pay or the people he has to step on.
  
  Report this comment
- mlite9
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:08am
  Oh, but no no no…Democrats are just giddy now that they have their own Zell Miller. Crist is with the right crowd now.
  
  As for Reagan, Charlie lost his sense of what Ronaldus Magnus was about a long time ago.
  
  Report this comment
- poorrichard09
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:28am
  Charlie doesn’t know it but the dems are just using him like the cheap whore he is.
  
  Report this comment
grayling646
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:24pm
Crist’s remarks can be summed up this way, “I left the Republican Party because Rubio was kicking my ass in the primary”. As a result of the primary he’s pissed at Republicans and the Democrat party is the place to be if you’re plssed. They’re all plssed about something.

As for the rest of them. Does anybody care?

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- woodyee
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:41pm
  You saved me a post, Grayling – thanks! ;-)
  
  Report this comment
- GeorgieJo
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:42pm
  GOOD POINT GRAY
  Charlie Honey?
  FLORIDIANS VOTED YOU OUT (HAPPILY)
  Now go chase ambulances and hang out with BarryO
  YOU LOST.
  BYE.
  
  RUBIO 2016
  OMG 2012
  
  Report this comment
- marine249
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:01pm
  out of the park GARY.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:19pm
This turn coat has never been a republican except for convenience or he would see where Obama is taking this country. This man is blind as those in harlem wanting someone to give them something when they could work, but instead choose to waste their lives. This man has no better judgement or he could see what is taking place in this country. He is using which ever party will get him where he thinks he wants to go. He is useless as a human being, but at the same time a stumbling block to those he could reach with the truth. He has chosen his side and sold his soul for a bowl of Obama porridge.

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smerg
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:19pm
Pres. Reagan would most certainly be against the ongoing wars and pre-emptive strike foreign policy. Hopefully we can stop the foreign entanglements.

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- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:45pm
  Stop the foreign entanglements? That would mean less money for the Military complex, which gets you labeled as weak, as being dangerous to America. People will say silly things to you, like “move to North Korea then”.
  
  Report this comment
Hunrodr
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:18pm
He won’t do well as a dem here….you can’t shop parties till you find one you like…..makes you look like a party-slut-pass-around-crat

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capitalismrocks
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:16pm
Beholden to billionaires? Anybody find the pathetic irony here as Obama kisses up to $35,000 plate donors, and all of the Wall Street backers, Bank America, AIG and Goldman Sachs in his back pocket, but yet somehow its the Republicans who are beholden to the billionaires…

Republicans are beholden to a health, active free market economy…. for every garage start-up that could potentially grow to be the next Microsoft, Atari, Apple, Xerox, Ford, AT&T….

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Detroit paperboy
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:13pm
He didn’t leave the party, the party left him………..uhhhh no, you got the floor wiped with your ass…..and I agree Reagan old be very disappointed at today’s spineless RINOS…….THEY ARE WAY TO THE LEFT OF RONALDUS MAXIMUS…….

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- CatB
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:47pm
  Yes .. Reagan would be TEA! and as for CRIST .. he hugged his way right out of a job in Florida .. hugging Obama right before you run for Senate in Florida is NOT a good idea. I was at the one year anniversary rally with Marco Rubio to commemerate the event launch RUBIO’S campaign in Ft Myers and send RUBIO to the SENATE!
  
  Crist is now chasing ambulances for Morgan and Morgan Attorneys . His ugly mug is on a billboard not far from my home .. I always give him a one finger salute as I pass.
  
  Report this comment
bpodlesnik
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:11pm
I don’t know how you can say, with any shred of humility, you are for small government and then vote for Obama. You can be for small government, or you can be for Barrack Obama, but you can not be for both because they do no equate.

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- BillyBeefcake
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:22pm
  As a former citizen of Florida during Charlie Crists reign as Gov., I can attest that Charlie Crist is a giant pile of crap, and just having him there shows you the type of party the democrats are.
  
  Charlie Crist was run out of the state of Florida, and Obama’s just using him. I spit on Charlie Crist. What a terrible politician he is.
  
  VOMIT!
  
  Report this comment
- Freedombeliever
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:29pm
  This is such a joke. The demoncrat party has become one that is so full of hatred and division under Obama. We have the new black panthers threatening to kill all white babies. We have Occupy Wall Street and the multitudes of businesses they shut down with their stupid actions. Obummer was silent about it all. Then, he lambasts Limbaugh for calling Sandra Fluk the “S word” while taking a donation of a cool million from Bill Maher – who called Sarah Palin the “C” word and insulted her handicapped son. Barack Obama is a childish, surly “ruler” and he has led his party into the gutter.
  
  Report this comment
Carlinpa
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:08pm
“Ex-Republican and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist” Comments like that Charlie is why you are no longer an elected official.. you are however officially a RHINO…

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- helluvagoodgod
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:13pm
  Your not a **** on Ronny’s ass ; Crust
  
  Report this comment
phrogdriver
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:08pm
The truth is, not only would Reagan fit right in with the Tea Party of today, he could have accomplished a whole lot more – and avoided most of his mistakes.

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- MrldPatriot
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 1:25am
  Even though Crist was correct (the GOP is too liberal for Reagan today), the Tea Party, as a whole, is also too liberal for Reagan today, at least socially, that is.
  
  Report this comment
fmadsen
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:07pm
…and John Kennedy would not support Barack Obama.

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MODEL82A1
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:06pm
Charlie Christ is a political punchline. He’ll fit right in on the Democrat platform.

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wisehiney
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:06pm
Word on the street is that the weasels really, really pizzed off the hard core supporters who were locked out last night and especially tonight. They only had about 25-30 thousand people who were going to show up for the 75 thousand capacity stadium. These people were campaign volunteers who just might not feel as motivated to help out now. What a clusterfork.

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VoteRightDammit
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:05pm
Crist is CORRECT – Reagan would NOT have stood for the current GOP.

He would have DEMANDED Boehner and Rove take a hike, and others come in with a backbone and willingness to stand up to the current “axis of evil”.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:14pm
  bravo. Those RINOs are clueless
  
  Report this comment
- MODEL82A1
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:23pm
  SOY, Bravo, The Paulbots use the term “RINO” as derogatory when what they are is ANYTHING but Republican. Ron Paul is the ULTIMATE “RINO”.
  
  Report this comment
- mrsuperpat
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 11:04pm
  @ MODEL82A1
  hmmmmm… Ron Paul was one of the only congressional candidates that Reagan ever endorsed. You are an ill informed fool to spew your nonsense and hatred of Ron Paul on a daily basis. Paulbots are the furthest to the right as you can get. You are the left of center RINO. You must have been one of the Democrat bluebloods that came in to the party on Reagan’s coat tails and helped effectively watered it down.
  
  Report this comment
- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:57am
  PAT. Reagan endorsed Ron Paul because he was a team player (not a character trait of Paul or his acolytes). Facts are that Reagan saw himself as a Libertarian-Conservative intially, then once he quickly figured out the newest strain of Libertarianism being floated around (Rothbard/Paul isolationism and a warped social-Liberalism bent) he quickly kicked those musings to the curb and became what was and is known as a Reagan-Republican.
  
  Reagan took on his OWN persona to the betterment of the nation as a “whole” realizing that Rothbard/Paul Libertarianism would be a scourge upon American society and a vehicle by where our enemies would have a field day across the globe. Ron Paul true to himself as an angry and self-important antagonist… dissed Reagan, ran from the Party… then came crawling back for the sole purpose of attempting to tear the GOP apart and take the Republican Party down. Ron Paul couldn’t make it as a Libertarian, so he used the GOP the same way he would use the Constitution… as a vehicle to pedal a diseased strain of islolationist/socially-Liberal horse-crap upon America.
  
  Reagan quickly eye-balled the Rothbard/Paul isolationist ideology for what it was… a danger to America’s interest home and abroad.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:00am
  Time2, Reagan wasn’t perfect, and the position you’re arguing in favor of is a great example of this. His war on drugs has been a complete failure, mainly because it’s progressive. All it’s done is cost us trillions of dollars, fill our prisons full of people that didn’t hurt anyone else, and strengthened the police state and drug cartels. It’s straight up Woodrow Wilson Progressive Era nonsense based on a faulty interpretation of the Constitution called the l i v i n g C o n s t i t u t i o n theory which moves us away from natural law and that our rights come from a higher authority than man. It’s a clear violation of the 9th and 10th amendments. Anyone that supports this can’t bitch about the federal government removing Christianity from the public sphere because they’re using the same faulty view of constitutionalism to justify it. Besides the federal government doesn’t give a damn about anyone taking drugs. They let Merc et. all poison millions on a daily basis. They got paid off by special interests and used the gullible religious right for cover. Look at who is lobbying for these laws… the Alcohol lobby and big pharmaceutical companies. It’s the states’ jurisdiction to legislate this unless they amend the Constitution. You’re brand of progressive nonsense (fascism) is only going to exacerbate our problems.
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:04pm
Hearing Biden speak at the Convention. So far, according to him, 1. Obama killed Osama 2. Obama rescued the “auto industry” 3. The Repub plan for Medicare will bankrupt it by 2016 4. Higher taxes and more welfare, and 5. Amnesty…

Nothing yet on the stimulus, Gaybama-care, unemployment, etc…

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wisehiney
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:01pm
He is talking about his little girlfriend, Ron Reagan Jr. Her knows it intimately. They are part of that nasty greasy funky smell in the convention center. Good thing our trolls could’nt get up the energy to go, then the smell would have been overbearing, even for the sewer rat dems.

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Moe Mullet
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:56pm
Crist is human excrement……

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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:56pm
The stones of this climber never cease to amaze .

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thibx
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:53pm
ole charlie would do anything to stay in spotlight. i glad he left the party.

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- Mr.Fitnah
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:57pm
  Im glad he married the whoopie cushion queen.
  
  Report this comment
- 1947
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:00pm
  I wonder how his welcome back to Florida is going to look like since he’s turned his back on the STATE and the people
  
  Report this comment
- jdtanker
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:01pm
  Sorry Chuck, Reagan would never, ever, ever, ever, agree with you.
  
  Report this comment
- 1947
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:03pm
  I didn’t know he was married. The information that I’ve been reading is that he is GAY
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:34pm
  I heard he was a transvestite.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:46am
  He’s a pole smoker.
  
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TexasIndependant
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:53pm
The DNC had people take to the stage and Repeat what Karl Marx said a over century ago. Paying your fair share is patriotic they said. From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs “Karl Marx” Let call it what it is… The Communist Party of America! I will not submitt to Communism. I know Republicans dont want to use the dirty word Communism, but isnt it about time someone told the truth about where we are heading!

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Tyler520
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:51pm
Anyone who attempts to speak for the dead has already lost the debate.

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jzs
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:50pm
That’s funny, the Blaze didn’t call Atur Davis, a Democrat turned Republican, and who spoke an the RNC, a “turncoat.”

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- Stoic one
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:03pm
  I actually agree with you on this ‘turncoat’ is an editorial opinion; The Blaze is/was mistaken to use this term.
  
  Report this comment
- MODEL82A1
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:05pm
  That’s because there is a Right way to convert, and a wrong way. Sadly, you’re too dumb to understand this.
  
  Report this comment
- phrogdriver
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:05pm
  Nor do we call George Washington a “turncoat” for relling against tyranny. But we do call Genidict Arnold a “turncoat”.
  
  I’m guessing you can’t tell the difference.
  
  But don’t worry – everyone else can.
  
  Report this comment
- phrogdriver
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:09pm
  Jeez, this keyboard sucks.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:17pm
  JZS, I have to agree with you on that. Artur Davis is from my state and I have heard his slobbering hateful comments about Republicans in the past. I don’t exactly trust his change over yet anyway. But, you are right, he is a turncoat.
  
  Report this comment
- Ask Uncle JZS
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:23pm
  JZS asks
  “That’s funny, the Blaze didn’t call Atur Davis, a Democrat turned Republican, and who spoke an the RNC, a “turncoat.”
  
  Simple my naive nephew, Atur Davis “changed coats” from blue to red. Charlie Crist “turned” his coat inside out showing “no color”. Hence the phrase “turn coat”. No, it’s not on wiki but I could put it there if you would like. Just like anyone could.
  
  Report this comment
nobull14
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:47pm
Hey Charlie I live in Florida you are a Embarrassment to the entire state and no one here in southwest Florida would vote for you for Gov . so take a hike !!!!!

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- decendentof56
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:01pm
  Anyone who endorses Obama has forfeited their credibility. You cannot believe in a Marxist who was tutored by Communists and revolutionaries from an early age.
  Remember, after the election is over he promised he would have more flexibility in negotiating away our military might for the sake of motherland Russia.
  This man is a traitor, racist, revolutionary, does not believe in capitalism, and will have us all at the same socio-economic level.
  That is Communism, and that is the dream he got “from” his father.
  
  Report this comment
marybethelizabeth
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:46pm
He as channeling Governor Bush, who everybody knows said the same exact thing.

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- MODEL82A1
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:11pm
  Speaking of “everybody”, obviously, we can all agree that all Lefties are brain-dead imbeciles.
  
  Report this comment
- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:31am
  Actually all Lefties are Pinko Commies.
  
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justangry
Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:44pm
No decent president of old would stand by either party these days.

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- 762x51
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:50pm
  I hope you and your party choke on Crist. He’s just Arlen Spectre Jr., that’s all.
  
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- Stoic one
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:57pm
  Hence, the TEA movement………..
  
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- MODEL82A1
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:08pm
  JUST, please, Please, PLEASE make yourself useful and go cut Ron Paul’s grass.
  
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- bpodlesnik
  Posted on September 6, 2012 at 10:14pm
  Reagan would most definitely stand by the Tea Party.
  
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