RNC rejects joint "Civility" statement

[James48]

RNC rejects joint 'civility' statement


The Republican National Committee has rejected a proposal from its Democratic counterpart to sign a joint “civility” statement, POLITICO has learned.

Various members of the DNC — including Chairman Tim Kaine, Executive Director Jen O’Malley Dillon and Communications Director Brad Woodhouse — contacted their respective RNC counterparts this week in hopes of getting RNC Chairman Michael Steele to co-sign a document with Kaine that, in part, called for “elected officials of both parties to set an example of the civility we want to see in our citizenry.”

“We also call on all Americans to respect differences of opinion, to refrain from inappropriate forms of intimidation, to reject violence and vandalism, and to scale back rhetoric that might reasonably be misinterpreted by those prone to such behavior,” read the proposed joint statement, which came at the end of a week that saw acts of vandalism and threats of violence directed at members of Congress from both parties, but mostly aimed at Democrats who voted yes on the health care bill.

Republicans see the statement as an attempt to force them to either reject the statement — allowing Democrats to say the RNC finds the incidents acceptable — or to sign on to something that the DNC would later wield against them.

The proposed statement was faxed and hand-delivered to the RNC at midmorning Friday. POLITICO learned Friday afternoon that the RNC would not sign the DNC statement.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/35096.html#ixzz0jQuyTYo7

[Flying Dream Blues]

1. K&R nt

[NotThisTime]

2. Why does the GOP hate America?

[KaryninMiami]

3. K&R NT is correct- there are no words to express my disgust of the GOP. For Shame.

[aquart]

4. Petulant to the end.

[will_in_chicago]

5. Arrogance

So, if someone was injured by the political violence taking place in our country, would Steele still respond the same way? The GOP will be hurt by this response, and I am tired of the GOP's weak responses to what has happened of late.

[James48]

6. It's really sad that our nation has come to this.

When even one of the major political parties refuses to sign a statement of civility.

Sad.

Really sad.

[jillan]

7. If they keep this up, we just might be able to win a majority of the independents back.

[CommonSensePLZ]

13. You're suprised? nt

[sellitman]

8. Maybe the wording was just too complex for them to understand?

:evilgrin:

[caraher]

9. "Civility" is, after all, a 4-syllable word!

"It's a trap!!!"

[Historic NY]

17. they only know one word "NO"

[Marr]

10. They need to sign a statement that the sky is blue, and ask the

Republicans to sign it. I suspect they'd refuse. That'd be a fun prop.

[Dogmudgeon]

11. Rec this story

--d!

[bemildred]

12. Fools. nt

[AnnieBW]

14. They won't even cooperate with the Dems on that!

They really ARE the "Party of No".

[OHdem10]

15. They cannot sign a statement. The Base controls them. They

fear the wrath if they tell tell their base to cool down the
rhetoric.

[Sheepshank]

16. The RNC has a big problem here.

They know full well the politicians have nurtured something that is no longer in their control. They dare not sign anything that shines spot light on something they will never publically condemn.

ETA. The rabid rats have been painted into a corner on this one....I will bring the popcorn while this one plays out.