Even for longtime Republican, GOP leadership lacking

Frank Sutherland, Las Vegas

Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 | 2:03 a.m.

RINO (Republican in name only) is the label that many of my ex-colleagues, friends and relatives have given me. This is because even though I have been a conservative/registered Republican for more than 40 years, I seldom vote a straight ticket. There are good candidates on both sides, and the issues should take precedent over party loyalty, especially this year.

I’m inclined to cross over completely in November. Looking at the Republican leadership, I don’t get a feeling of confidence. There is Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner, who, every time he appears on TV, I can’t help but see a used car lot behind him.

None exhibits the honesty of Abraham Lincoln, the integrity of Dwight Eisenhower or the patriotism of Ronald Reagan. Throw in our previous leaders, President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, and one has to ask: “Who are the real RINOs?”

Is it the disenchanted little guy — and there are many of us out here — or the big-money boys who are using the party for their personal gain? And when Rush Limbaugh is considered a Republican leader, I have to question the direction in which the party is going!

Being conservative doesn’t mean we question everything the government is doing. There are many problems with the current state of affairs, but as intelligent human beings we should investigate all possibilities and not settle for quick accusations or glib remarks, a typical tactic of right-wing think tanks.

When people call me RINO, I assume it is their way of justifying not thinking completely and that it is an easy way out of having to address the real issues.