Changes

'''RINO backers''' are those who profit, either financially or politically, from presenting themselves as socially [[conservative]], but then back [[liberal]] [[Republicans]] just when it matters most. In the [[2016 presidential election]], many RINO backers are supporting [[Jeb Bush]].  

'''RINO backers''' are individuals who financially, politically, or socially profit from claiming that they are [[conservative]], but then side with [[liberal]] [[Republicans]] when it matters most. During the 2016 Republican Party Primaries for President, many RINO backers supported [[Jeb Bush]] or [[Marco Rubio]].  

Occasionally a controversy will flesh out the RINO backers.  One example occurred in September 2012, when the [[media bullying]] of [[pro-life]] leader and candidate for the [[United States Senate|Senate]] from [[Missouri]] [[Todd Akin]] highlighted who sides with [[RINO]] or [[liberal]] positions when it counts most -- on the important social issues.  Seven weeks later, [[Richard Mourdock]] made a similar [[pro-life]] statement that caused more RINO backers to emerge from the woodwork.

Occasionally a controversy will flush out the RINO backers.  One example occurred in September 2012, when the [[media bullying]] of [[pro-life]] leader and candidate for the [[United States Senate|Senate]] from [[Missouri]] [[Todd Akin]] highlighted who sides with [[RINO]] or [[liberal]] positions when it counts most—on the important social issues.  Seven weeks later, [[Richard Mourdock]] made a similar [[pro-life]] statement that caused more RINO backers to emerge from the woodwork. Another example was when Representative [[Liz Cheney]] of Wyoming voted to impeach President Trump, which exposed several "conservatives" as Anti-Trump RINOs.  

A major '''RINO backer''' is [[Karl Rove]], who is promoted by [[Fox News]] and typically opposes the real [[pro-life]] candidates.  Below is a list of RINO backers, and afterward a list of those who stand up for conservative principles.

A notable '''RINO backer''' is [[Karl Rove]], who is promoted by [[Fox News]] and typically opposes the real [[pro-life]] candidates.  Below is a list of RINO backers, and afterward a list of those who stand up for conservative principles.

== Opposed [[Pro-Life]] Leader Todd Akin (or Richard Mourdock) ==

== Opposed [[Pro-Life]] Leader Todd Akin (or Richard Mourdock) ==

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|[[Karl Rove]]

|[[Karl Rove]]

|Karl Rove engaged in demagoguery against Akin by falsely pretending that Akin was drawing a distinction between "legitimate rape" and "illegitimate rape": "After those damaging statements, I mean to try and differentiate between what’s a legitimate rape and an illegitimate rape and believing somehow that a woman’s body would reject a pregnancy if it was an illegitimate rape … These were reprehensible and deplorable comments." <ref>[http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/08/21/karl-rove-rep-akin-should-leave-race-after-deplorable-comments/]</ref>  Rove's [[American Crossroads]] relies on funding from [[Las Vegas]] casino owners, and Karl Rove evidently cares more about money for his (ineffective) [[Super PAC]] than [[pro-life]] values.  More than six months later, Rove was still muttering that Akin's pro-life comment was somehow "reprehensible".<ref>http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/288633-rove-hits-back-after-palins-cpac-criticism-</ref>  In 2014, Rove was a big backer of [[Scott Brown]], who then lost despite the [[conservative]] sweep in other states, including next door in Maine.

|Karl Rove engaged in demagoguery against Akin by falsely pretending that Akin was drawing a distinction between "legitimate rape" and "illegitimate rape": "After those damaging statements, I mean to try and differentiate between what’s a legitimate rape and an illegitimate rape and believing somehow that a woman’s body would reject a pregnancy if it was an illegitimate rape … These were reprehensible and deplorable comments." <ref>[http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/08/21/karl-rove-rep-akin-should-leave-race-after-deplorable-comments/]</ref>  Rove's [[American Crossroads]] relies on funding from [[Las Vegas]] casino owners, and Karl Rove evidently cares more about money for his (ineffective) [[Super PAC]] than [[pro-life]] values.  More than six months later, Rove was still muttering that Akin's pro-life comment was somehow "reprehensible".<ref>https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/288633-rove-hits-back-after-palins-cpac-criticism-</ref>  In 2014, Rove was a big backer of [[Scott Brown]], who then lost despite the [[conservative]] sweep in other states, including next door in Maine.

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|[[Ron Johnson]]

|[[Ron Johnson]]

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|[[RedState|redstate.com]]

|[[RedState|redstate.com]]

|"This is abhorrent, ignorant, idiotic, foolish, blindingly stupid…Akin must go." <ref>[http://www.redstate.com/neoavatara/2012/08/19/todd-akin-must-go/]</ref>

|"This is abhorrent, ignorant, idiotic, foolish, blindingly stupid…Akin must go." <ref>[https://www.redstate.com/neoavatara/2012/08/19/todd-akin-must-go/]</ref>

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|[[Ann Coulter]]

|[[Ann Coulter]]

|"This selfish swine, Todd Akin, is going to hurt the Republican Party." <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/ann-coulter-todd-akin-selfish-swine_n_1824510.html]</ref>

|"This selfish swine, Todd Akin, is going to hurt the Republican Party." <ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/ann-coulter-todd-akin-selfish-swine_n_1824510.html]</ref>

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|[[Mitt Romney]]

|[[Mitt Romney]]

|"Todd Akin’s comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country." <ref> [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election-2012/mitt-romney-pushes-rep-todd-akin-drop-race-lets-deadline-calls-furor-a-bit-overreaction-article-1.1141698#ixzz24TyqMN9X] </ref>

|"Todd Akin’s comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country." <ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election-2012/mitt-romney-pushes-rep-todd-akin-drop-race-lets-deadline-calls-furor-a-bit-overreaction-article-1.1141698#ixzz24TyqMN9X]</ref>

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|[[Paul Ryan]]

|[[Paul Ryan]]

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|[[Sarah Palin]]

|[[Sarah Palin]]

|Falsely implied that Akin was staying in the race based on "self-desire": "So you have to step aside ... from your self-desire to get in there and serve and do what you believe is right, and you have to, in a sense, take one for the team, and you have to step aside, hand the mantle to someone else." <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79976.html#ixzz24Twr7RsW] </ref>

|Falsely implied that Akin was staying in the race based on "self-desire": "So you have to step aside ... from your self-desire to get in there and serve and do what you believe is right, and you have to, in a sense, take one for the team, and you have to step aside, hand the mantle to someone else." <ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79976.html#ixzz24Twr7RsW]</ref>

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|[[Rush Limbaugh]]

|[[Rush Limbaugh]]

|perhaps fearful of losing an advertiser, even though he's already made millions by pretending to be [[conservative]], Rush piled on with the [[media bullying]] against Akin. Limbaugh called Akin's comment "stupid" and then, illustrating Limbaugh's foolish self-centeredness, declared that "If I had demanded Akin drop out, he’d be gone."<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80003.html#ixzz253Tv1IjT</ref>  Limbaugh said, "What I think Mr. Akin should try to realize here as he makes his decision is that all of these things that he truly cares about will be much easier to make happen if we win the Senate and the White House and hold the House this November.  He must put the nation and its future ahead of everything else that he's considering.  And I hope he comes to the right conclusion."<ref>http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/08/21/akin_s_remark_was_stupid_and_untrue_now_he_must_put_the_nation_s_future_first</ref>

|perhaps fearful of losing an advertiser, even though he's already made millions by pretending to be [[conservative]], Rush piled on with the [[media bullying]] against Akin. Limbaugh called Akin's comment "stupid" and then, illustrating Limbaugh's foolish self-centeredness, declared that "If I had demanded Akin drop out, he’d be gone."<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80003.html#ixzz253Tv1IjT</ref>  Limbaugh said, "What I think Mr. Akin should try to realize here as he makes his decision is that all of these things that he truly cares about will be much easier to make happen if we win the Senate and the White House and hold the House this November.  He must put the nation and its future ahead of everything else that he's considering.  And I hope he comes to the right conclusion."<ref>http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/08/21/akin_s_remark_was_stupid_and_untrue_now_he_must_put_the_nation_s_future_first</ref>

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|[[Michelle Malkin]]

|[[Michelle Malkin]]

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|[[Reince Priebus]]

|[[Reince Priebus]]

|Priebus said the Party would not support Akin financially. "[H]e could be tied. We're not going to send him a penny."<ref>http://www.redstate.com/2012/08/27/priebus-on-akin-he-could-be-tied-were-not-going-to-send-him-a-penny/</ref>

|Priebus said the Party would not support Akin financially. "[H]e could be tied. We're not going to send him a penny."<ref>https://www.redstate.com/2012/08/27/priebus-on-akin-he-could-be-tied-were-not-going-to-send-him-a-penny/</ref>

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|[[Mitch McConnell]]

|[[Mitch McConnell]]

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|[[Scott Brown]]

|[[Scott Brown]]

|"As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin’s comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong. There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking. Not only should he apologize, but I believe Rep. Akin’s statement was so far out of bounds that he should resign the nomination for US Senate in Missouri."<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>

|"As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin’s comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong. There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking. Not only should he apologize, but I believe Rep. Akin’s statement was so far out of bounds that he should resign the nomination for US Senate in Missouri."<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>

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|[[Jeff Flake]]

|[[Jeff Flake]]

|"I oppose abortion, but exceptions must be made for rape, incest and to protect life of the mother. Cong. Akin’s comment was wrong. #azsen"<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>

|"I oppose abortion, but exceptions must be made for rape, incest and to protect life of the mother. Cong. Akin’s comment was wrong. #azsen"<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>

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|[[Dean Heller]]

|[[Dean Heller]]

|"Todd Akin’s comments were unquestionably inappropriate and absurd. He should not be the standard bearer for the Republican Party in Missouri."<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>  ''And who is Dean Heller?'' He was ''appointed'' as Senator from [[Nevada]] by the Republican Establishment, rather than being elected by the people to the position.

|"Todd Akin’s comments were unquestionably inappropriate and absurd. He should not be the standard bearer for the Republican Party in Missouri."<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/20/todd-akins-macaca-moment/</ref>  ''And who is Dean Heller?'' He was ''appointed'' as Senator from [[Nevada]] by the Republican Establishment, rather than being elected by the people to the position.

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|[[Charles Krauthammer]]

|[[Charles Krauthammer]]

|[[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]]

|[[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]]

|Despite previously spending nearly $350,000 to defeat [[Dem]] incumbent [[Claire McCaskill]] before Akin won the Republican nomination, the Chamber of Commerce then refused to support Akin in the general election against McCaskill.

|Despite previously spending nearly $350,000 to defeat [[Dem]] incumbent [[Claire McCaskill]] before Akin won the Republican nomination, the Chamber of Commerce then refused to support Akin in the general election against McCaskill.

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|Connie Mackey and the [[Family Research Council]]

|Connie Mackey and the [[Family Research Council]]

|Never wavered from their support of Todd Akin throughout the [[media bullying]]; the Council's president, [[Tony Perkins]] called the [[GOP]] treatment of Akin "suspect".<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/21/tony-perkins-gop-treatment-of-akin-suspect/</ref>

|Never wavered from their support of Todd Akin throughout the [[media bullying]]; the Council's president, [[Tony Perkins]] called the [[GOP]] treatment of Akin "suspect".<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/21/tony-perkins-gop-treatment-of-akin-suspect/</ref>

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|Missouri Delegates to the [[Republican National Convention]]

|Missouri Delegates to the [[Republican National Convention]]

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|Congressman [[Steve King]]

|Congressman [[Steve King]]

|"I think this election should be about, how did Todd Akin vote and what did he vote for and what did he stand for. And in this case, I'm seeing the same thing -- petty personal attacks substituting for strong policy."<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497428-503544/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/</ref>

|"I think this election should be about, how did Todd Akin vote and what did he vote for and what did he stand for. And in this case, I'm seeing the same thing -- petty personal attacks substituting for strong policy."<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497428-503544/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/</ref>

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|[[Rand Paul]]

|[[Rand Paul]]

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|[[Tony Perkins]]

|[[Tony Perkins]]

|"Todd said he misspoke. He apologized for it. And so now I think it’s time to move on.”<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80049.html</ref>

|"Todd said he misspoke. He apologized for it. And so now I think it’s time to move on.”<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80049.html</ref>

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|[[Pat Buchanan]]

|[[Pat Buchanan]]

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|[[Victoria Jackson]]

|[[Victoria Jackson]]

|“The Todd Akin thing was so blown out of proportion — it’s a joke. How many times do people get pregnant from rape? It’s point zero zero one percent. It’s a joke. I read lots of articles. I know people, because I’m 53. I’ve know a lot of people, and I’ve actually never known anyone who got pregnant from being raped.”<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/08/31/victoria-jackson-todd-akin-rape-abortion_n_1847852.html</ref>

|“The Todd Akin thing was so blown out of proportion — it’s a joke. How many times do people get pregnant from rape? It’s point zero zero one percent. It’s a joke. I read lots of articles. I know people, because I’m 53. I’ve know a lot of people, and I’ve actually never known anyone who got pregnant from being raped.”<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/08/31/victoria-jackson-todd-akin-rape-abortion_n_1847852.html</ref>

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|[[Jill Stanek]]

|[[Jill Stanek]]

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|[[Jim DeMint]]

|[[Jim DeMint]]

|Released a joint statement with Santorum saying "Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the U.S. Senate. Todd will work to stop reckless spending, stop the out of control debt, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, support our military and defend life at every stage." Funding Akin with the Senate Conservatives Fund he founded. <ref>http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/santorum-demint-endorse-akin/</ref>

|Released a joint statement with Santorum saying "Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the U.S. Senate. Todd will work to stop reckless spending, stop the out of control debt, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, support our military and defend life at every stage." Funding Akin with the Senate Conservatives Fund he founded.<ref>http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/26/santorum-demint-endorse-akin/</ref>

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|[[Mark Levin]]

|[[Mark Levin]]

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|[[Rick Perry]]

|[[Rick Perry]]

|Catherine Frazier, Rick Perry's press secretary, wrote in an email that "Perry supports Todd Akin, a conservative Republican, over Claire McCaskill, a Democrat."<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-support-todd-akin-legitimate-rape-comment-missouri/story?id=17332911</ref>

|Catherine Frazier, Rick Perry's press secretary, wrote in an email that "Perry supports Todd Akin, a conservative Republican, over Claire McCaskill, a Democrat."<ref>https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-support-todd-akin-legitimate-rape-comment-missouri/story?id=17332911</ref>

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== Other comments ==

==Defended Never Trumper Liz Cheney==

 

==Never America First Caucus==

{| class="wikitable"

{|class="wikitable"

!Individual

!Individual

!Comment

!Comment

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|[[Dick Morris]]

| [[Adam Kinzinger]]

|"I think that story is a big plus for Romney right now because the story is not that some kooky Republican Congressman running for the Senate said something stupid. That was the first story. Now the story is that the responsible leaders of the Republican Party – Romney and McConnell and Ryan and all of them – are piling on Akin to withdraw and he won’t. And that really sends a message to pro-choice women that they don’t have to be afraid of Mitt Romney, that they don’t have to vote for Obama because of that."<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/2012/08/23/morris-akin-story-now-big-plus-romney</ref>

| Never Trump [[RINO]], Adam Kinzinger has said "Republicans who join 'America First' caucus should be stripped of committees."<ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/house/548788-kinzinger-republicans-who-join-america-first-caucus-should-be-stripped-of</ref>

| Never Trump, [[RINO]], Peter Meijer harshly condemned the formation of the group.<ref>https://twitter.com/RepMeijer/status/1383229254188421121</ref>

| Anti Trump, Liz Cheney said in response to the group that "Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage. Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate."<ref>https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1383170349202821129</ref>

|  House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy said "America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion. The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles."<ref>https://twitter.com/GOPLeader/status/1383158647266611203</ref>

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|[[Rick Scott]]

| [[Nancy Mace]]

|"I clearly disagree with what he said."<ref>[http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/gov-scott-practices-monday-night-rnc-speech-condemns-akin-rape-comments Gov. Scott practices for Monday night RNC speech, condemns Akin rape comments] The Buzz, ''Tampa Bay Times'', August 21, 2012, retrieved September 7, 2012.</ref>

| South Carolina's representative said "This is a joke, right?"<ref>https://twitter.com/NancyMace/status/1383257067276750856</ref>

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==See also==

==See also==

* [[:Category:Rino backers]]

* [[:Category:RINO Backers]]

== References ==

==References==

[[Category:politics]]

[[Category:Republican Party|*]]

[[Category:Rino backers|*]]

[[Category:United States Politics]]

[[Category:Moderate Republicans|*]]

[[Category:RINOs|!]]

[[Category:RINOs|!]]