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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

SR: GOP taking ugly turn

In an editorial Sunday, The Spokesman Review Editorial Board said:

The Republican Party is at a crossroads and, increasingly, the road less traveled is the one marked by moderation, civility and clear-headed leadership.

Pessimism, paranoia and fear should be met head on, not pandered to, but instead of reviving a “Morning in America,” the party of Ronald Reagan tempts the twilight.

It’s happening nationally and locally, and Republicans who think the bloviating with blow itself out are in denial. A party that once stood for free trade, a strong economy and wise budgeting now seems more concerned with fringe issues — real or imagined — such as the loss of sovereignty and the “hordes” of immigrants and refugees from the “wrong” religion.

In the past, the bullying, ill-informed comments of someone like GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump would be treated as radioactive gaffes. Now, he doubles down, knowing his fellow Republicans won’t respond because they don’t want to antagonize his angry constituency.

But silence is a mistake. Waiting for Trump to go into remission is unwise. Espousing watered down versions of his views — Trump lite — is worse. More here.

Agree/disagree?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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