Republicans have created a monster: Kooks now control Maine GOP

[ProSense]

REMEMBER THE MAINE (PLATFORM)....

Whenever it seems Republican Party officials in D.C. have gone completely over the edge, it's worth keeping in mind that, at the state level, the GOP tends to be even more radical.

Take the new platform adopted by the Republican Party of Maine. (via Digby)

The official platform for the Republican Party of Maine is now a mix of right-wing fringe policies, libertarian buzzwords and outright conspiracy theories.

The document calls for the elimination of the Department of Education and the Federal Reserve, demands an investigation of "collusion between government and industry in the global warming myth," suggests the adoption of "Austrian Economics," declares that "'Freedom of Religion' does not mean 'freedom from religion'" (which I guess makes atheism illegal), insists that "healthcare is not a right," calls for the abrogation of the "UN Treaty on Rights of the Child" and the "Law Of The Sea Treaty" and declares that we must resist "efforts to create a one world government."

It also contains favorable mentions of both the Tea Party and Ron Paul.

This is, just for emphasis, in Maine. It's a state known for its moderate Republicans, and a state that hasn't backed a GOP presidential ticket in more than two decades. If any state Republican Party would seem likely to adopt a sane platform, it's tempting to think Maine would be near the top of the list. Alas, this is not the case.

Dan Billings, who has served as an attorney for the Maine GOP, called the new platform "wack job pabulum" and "nutcase stuff."

That seems like a fair characterization.

As a practical matter, this may not matter. Most voters, in Maine and elsewhere, spend exactly zero time evaluating the parties' platforms, and probably don't know that the platforms exist. For that matter, Republican candidates in Maine are not bound to run on their party platform.

But the fact that the state party formally adopted fringe nonsense as its official platform nevertheless points to another step in a disturbing trend in GOP politics. When even Maine Republicans are radicalized, the party is driving itself off a right-wing cliff.

[Raven]

1. This all fits in with that group of white supremacists who have

been recruiting up there. I wonder what side the 2 Senators will be on.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Maybe Snowe and Collins will read the tea leaves from Utah and jump ship

They sure as hell won't win a GOP primary.

[DJ13]

5. They sure as hell won't win a GOP primary.

More faux Dem Spectors switching to save their butts?

[zulchzulu]

15. They can be voted out by committee based on two-term limits

Granted, it's unconstitutional, but I digress...

[Me.]

3. Didn't They Also Endorse Term Limits?

Which, if they were bound by the platform, would be the end of Collins and Snowe's political careers.

[ClarkUSA]

4. I find it amusing that establishment Republicans are being hung by their crazy base's pitard

I can only HOPE that this happens in other purple states. Sens. Snowe and Collins must be :scared:

[Flaneur]

7. "Hoisted by his own petard."

I think petard is French for firework or small rocket.

[Dr Morbius]

6. Let me get this straight: kooks are running a state's Republican party?

You're sure?

:rofl:

They've always been a little kooky on that side of the aisle, don'tcha think?

:D

[ladjf]

8. Kooks and crooks control the world. nt

[opihimoimoi]

9. Their Arrogance confirms their DeLusion..The GOP got hijacked and they are HELPLESS

Palin and her lot have become a factor in the GOP...,.they need her...like it or not...

[political_Dem]

10. Well, the GOP wanted to get power back so badly

that they are rolling into the gutter to get it. And now, they are realizing that the ugliness they have indoctrinated into their followers is going to come back to haunt them.

That's what happens when you infuse the ignorant knuckle-draggers with power: you get a tyranny out of control led by people who don't know their behind from a hole in the ground.

Stay classy, RNC.

[DCKit]

18. It's ironic that most (R)s are afraid to hold their own town hall meetings.

They really thought they could direct the raw, insane anger they unleashed yet realized, fairly early on that they, as Washington insiders, are at the top of the hate list.

Hey Republics, how's that "Hatey, rile up the insane" thing workin' out for ya'?

[Mister Ed]

11. "As Maine goes, so goes the nation"?

Never have those words been more frightening...

:silly:

[Cha]

12. The gNOp created their own monster that ate them.

[AlinPA]

13. Snowe and Collins are probably being tutored by Inhofe, Coburn and DeMint to get

their public statements in line with the teabaggers.

[zulchzulu]

14. It's the Neo-Whig Party

...soon to be extinct....

[easilynervous]

16. I hope so

I'm still not sure what will happen but I am concerned, especially that the "independents don't seem to be paying much attention". Of course, I will grant that that has a lot to do with what passes for most of US media.

[fishwax]

17. let's hope so

I'm not so confident, but it would be nice to see them completely collapse :)

[Vinca]

19. And to think calling them Mainiacs used to be a joke.