Letter

I'm no RINO

Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
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I have closely researched the constitution and bylaws of the Republican State Committee, and nowhere do I find a provision for designating registered Republicans as RINOs (Republicans in name only). So who is it that has the authority to make such a designation?

The RINO designation is being bandied about by certain self-appointed Reagan Republicans as though they have the sole claim to be real Republicans. Was it not Ronald Reagan who popularized the phrase "the big tent," under which all Republicans to the left or right were welcome? Now we have this shrinking minority of so-called Reagan Republicans claiming that they have the authority to tag certain members of our party as RINOs.

I have been called a RINO because I do not always march in lock step with all that my party dictates. I am registered Republican, and I challenge anyone who does not like it to try to remove my party designation. They will have a fight on their hands that they will lose.

RICHARD L. FORTIN

Manchester

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As always

The ubiquitous "anonymous" people chime in.

Guess what? I am a Democrat and don't believe in everything in the party platform. That makes me a thinking human being and not a sheep.

mbeck's picture

Touchy aren't we?

Hey Richie, maybe you object to the use of the label RINO - because you are one. Lots of RINOs in your next of the woods.

Anonymous's picture

If the only way you can deny it is to say it doesn't mean anythi

then you have an extremely weak case.

Anonymous's picture

RINO's are easy to identify

The New Hampshire Republican Party has a state party platform. You may access it online at http://www.nhgop.org/0708platform.aspx. If you believe in and support most of what the platform says, then you are a Republican. If you disagree with most of what the platform says, then you are a RINO. A Republican who believes in what Democrats believe in, and who habitually votes for Democrats, and who votes with Democrats if he or she is an officeholder, is not a Republican. He or she is a "RINO". It's as simple as that.

Anonymous's picture

If you want an income tax or a sales tax

you are a RINO.

I might be a RINO because I am a GOPer who is against the war, against the bailouts, against the wasteful spending in DC (and Concord) and am pro Constitution.
But I hold the GOP to a high standard... Gold Standard you might say.. or Goldwater standard.

Anonymous's picture

Don't miss this