"Moderate" Republicans? Really?

by: Adam L

Tue Oct 18, 2011 at 09:15:00 AM EDT

But sadly, the perception exists right here in NJ with some very "unmoderate" Republicans in the House, especially on the votes and issues that really matter.  Take "environmentalist" Leonard Lance, or "moderate on environmental issues" Frank LoBiondo or "moderate" Rodney Frelinghuysen (who is in the "Republicans for Environmental Protection" group), whose recent votes on three key......wait for it.......environmental bills did more to discredit their undeserved reputation than any other series of votes.

Much like the rest of their party, Lance, LoBiondo and Frelinghuysen relish at the fake persona they have created for themselves (see Bush, George W.) while fooling the "swing" constituents with meaningless votes.  The three bills - the "TRAIN" Act, which would indefinitely delay the clean-up of toxic power plant pollution; H.R. 2681, which prevents clean air standards that lower mercury and other toxic air pollution from cement plants; and H.R. 2250, which would prevent standards to reduce toxic pollution from industrial incinerators and boilers at power plants.

If one is going to position themselves as "reasonable about" or "sympathetic to" or "in favor of" making it harder to die from harmful toxins in our air, then bills like this should be no brainers to support.  All three of these Representatives have at least attempted to demonstrate an interest in the very things they just voted against.  If there was any issue that these three would get "a pass" on from the extreme right wing for their vote, it would be this one.  The problem is that all three of them face uncertainty either in their bid for reelection or the prospect of losing their seat as a result of redistricting and therefore have to pander to the unreasonable and militant wing of their party.

Environment New Jersey has called them out on this, and you can too if you click on their ad here at Blue Jersey.  Their press release is here too.

And don't even expect a Republican's definition of "moderate" to be anything close to what "moderate" actually is.