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A '''RINO''' ('''R'''epublican '''i'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly), describes politicians who claim to be Republican but are in fact [[liberal]], and therefore generally debase the conservative winning coalition base of the Republican Party. The term is used to characterize an officeholder or candidate who is a member of the [[Republican Party]], but holds views outside the mainstream Republican Party such as support for raising taxes, abortion as a right, gay rights and gun control. RINOs and Reform Democrats typically come from [[New England]] or West Coast states.  A less-used term is '''cafeteria conservative''', for a person who picks and chooses which [[conservative]] principles to believe, as a person might choose foods in a cafeteria instead of ordering the full-course ''menu'' selected by the chef at high-class restaurants.<ref>[http://www.manp.org/association-spotlight/archives/james-carville-mary-matalin-he-said-she-said James Carville & Mary Matalin: He Said, She Said]</ref>  In contrast to RINO's and cafeteria conservatives, [[movement conservative]]s understand that since conservative philosophy is a coherent whole, it is untenable to discard part of it without discarding all of it.  

A '''RINO''' ('''R'''epublican '''i'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly), describes Republican politicians who are not conservative enough for some critics. The term is a hostile one used to attack Republicans who support raising taxes, abortion as a right, gay rights and gun control. RINOs and Reform Democrats typically come from [[New England]] or West Coast states.  A less-used term is '''cafeteria conservative''', for a person who picks and chooses which conservative principles to believe, as a person might choose foods in a cafeteria instead of ordering the full-course ''menu'' selected by the chef at high-class restaurants.<ref>[http://www.manp.org/association-spotlight/archives/james-carville-mary-matalin-he-said-she-said James Carville & Mary Matalin: He Said, She Said]</ref>  In contrast to RINO's and cafeteria conservatives, [[movement conservative]]s understand that since conservative philosophy is a coherent whole, it is untenable to discard part of it without discarding all of it.

 

The targets of attack argue they follow middle of the road policies and are not liberals; they claim they get results, and insist that without them the Congress would be totally controlled by liberal Democrats and Republicans would rarely have any success. Conservatives respond that in the heyday of "Rockefeller liberalism" in the GOP the Democrats always controlled Congress, and the GOP only took power when [[Newt Gingrich]] launched a national conservative "Contract with America" in 1994, ending 40 years of Democratic control of the House.

== RINOs ==   

== RINOs ==   

*Former Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]]

*Former Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]]

*Former Governor, Senator, Representative [[Lowell Weicker]] of [[Connecticut]]

*Former Governor, Senator, Representative [[Lowell Weicker]] of [[Connecticut]] (who became an Independent)

*Former Governor [[George Pataki]] of [[New York]]  

*Former Governor [[George Pataki]] of [[New York]]  

*Former Senator [[Charles Mathias]] of [[Maryland]]

*Former Senator [[Charles Mathias]] of [[Maryland]]

==RINO Speculation==

==McCain Speculation==

Many people consider [[John McCain]] a RINO but he more resembles a true conservative. Key RINO principles; support for gay rights, support for abortion, support for earmarks- John McCain is against those positions. He has always worked in a bi-partisan fashion, reaching across the aisle. That is where he draws the most ire. His duty to country, his sacrifice to country is second to none, not a RINO trait. His fiscal conservatism, his support for families and a strong military and national defense are in line with conservatives, Reagan Republicans.

Some conservatives distrust [[John McCain]] and even call him a RINO but he more resembles a true conservative. Key RINO principles; support for gay rights, support for abortion, support for earmarks- John McCain is against those positions. He has always worked in a bi-partisan fashion, reaching across the aisle. That is where he draws the most ire. His duty to country, his sacrifice to country is second to none. His fiscal conservatism, his support for families and a strong military and national defense are in line with conservatives, Reagan Republicans.

==See Also==

==See Also==