Republican ( GOP) Flashcards
GOP values / opinions
conservative attitude on social and moral issues
more restricted governmental intervention in the national economy while protecting American trade and jobs
acceptance of social welfare but a preference for personal responsibility.
GOP shifts
Republicans have moved away from the Eisenhower ideology since the 1980s when Ronald Reagan entered the White House. Reagan moved away from the New Deal, New Look (centrist between liberals and conservatives), and established the identity of the Republican Party as a fiscally and socially conservative party, committed to small government and low taxation (limited government), and the advancement of the agenda of the Christian Right.
shifts following 2016
When Trump comes to power, the Republican Party is further divided distinctly into ‘Anti-Trump’ and ‘Pro-Trump’ (freedom caucus) positions, where Trump’s ideas has detached from the Republican approach and lean to far-right, nativist, ultra-nationalist, right-populist, extreme economic liberal and extreme socially conservative positions.
The NRA and campaign financing the GOP
The NRA gave 54 million in 2016 to electoral campaigns, including $30 million to the Trump
campaign.
Freedom caucus (including Never Kevins):
Freedom caucus (including Never Kevins): Tea Party movement, the conservative populist social and political movement that emerged in 2009, generally opposes excessive taxation and government intervention in the private sector while supporting stronger immigration controls. e.g. Anti-affordable care, Pro-Border Bill (not in Biden’s term), Pro-Travel Ban, Pro-Border wall, Pro-MAGA, Anti-abortion, Anti-gay rights, Anti-federal interference, Pro-deportation (repeal of DACA and DAPA)
Individuals: Donald Trump (not in the caucus but shares similar ideology), Majorie Taylor-Greene (removed from Freedom Caucus in 2023, Rep. from Georgia), Jim Jordan (Rep. from Ohio), Bob Good (incumbent chair of the caucus, Rep. from Virginia, Trump thinks that he betrayed him because he endorsed DeSantis before endorsing him, AP news, 2024)
Moderates (RINO - Republican In Name Only, Never Trump):
typically do not share the zeal of the Christian Right for its goals, and are more pragmatic about the role of the state. They emphasise personal responsibility and personal freedom from government control, criticise government’s role as an infringement on personal freedoms and in the national economy, and promote more traditional values.
Individuals: John McCain (dead, ex senator from Arizona), Susan Collins (senator from Maine), Brian Fitzpatrick (Rep. from Pennsylvania), Liz Cheney (ex Rep. from Wyoming), Bill Cassidy (Senator from Louisiana)
Social Conservatives:
The religious right, ultra-conservative religious response which promotes family values, opposes abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, civil partnership, illegal immigration, and discrimination laws.
Individuals: Mitt Romney, Mitch McConnell (opposes the Ukraine bid, Infrastructure Act, Chips Act, Respect for Marriage Act), Mike Pence (ex-vice president but some evangelicals are now more leaning to MAGA)
Fiscal conservatives:
social and economic liberal conservatives. They support smaller government and laissez-faire policies. Mostly, they support the abolition of estate (inheritance) tax, tax reduction, and cuts in federal expenditure, e.g. Bush’s term: ‘No Child Left Behind’ legislation, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, McCain-Feingold Act (2002), prescription drug benefit to Medicare.
Individuals: Susan Collins (pro-abortion), Liz Cheney (neo-conservative), Lisa Murkowski (Senator from Alaska), Pat Toomey (neo-conservative, ex-senator from Pennsylvania)
Matt Gaetz key quotes
U.S. House of Representatives and Political Views
In Congress, Gaetz has aligned himself closely with the conservative wing of the Republican Party and has been one of the most vocal supporters of Donald Trump. He has consistently defended Trump’s policies and actions, including during the Mueller investigation and the two impeachment trials.
Some of the key positions and actions Gaetz has taken in Congress include:
Support for Trump’s Agenda: Gaetz was one of Trump’s staunchest defenders during his presidency. He supported the administration’s policies on issues like immigration, law enforcement, and foreign policy, and he was a frequent guest on conservative media outlets, promoting Trump’s agenda.
Opposition to Impeachment: Gaetz was one of the most visible opponents of both of Trump’s impeachments. He gave fiery speeches on the House floor, arguing that the impeachments were politically motivated attacks by Democrats.
America First Policies: Gaetz supports Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, arguing for a reduction in U.S. military involvement abroad, opposing long-standing interventions like those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Libertarian Leanings: On some issues, Gaetz has shown libertarian tendencies. For example, he has been a vocal critic of U.S. military interventions and has supported criminal justice reform, including pushing for the federal legalization of marijuana.
COVID-19 Policies: Gaetz has been a vocal critic of many public health measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and mask mandates, and he questioned the efficacy of vaccines in some public statements.
Second Amendment Advocacy: Gaetz is a staunch defender of gun rights and is opposed to any form of gun control. He has a close relationship with groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA)
“The media is painting Khashoggi as a ‘journalist’ rather than a political participant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% opposed to killing people for their politics, but IDK that this is journalism.”
While I unconditionally support the First Amendment, inciting violence against others due to their political affiliation is not constitutionally protected speech.
I strongly support the rights of transgender individuals. I will not denigrate or deny their struggles.
Kneeling for the anthem does nothing to advance solutions to racial injustice, police brutality, or any other social plight. It is a slap in the face to patriotism itself. It is a statement that America as a country is no longer worth standing for.
“We will have a government shutdown and it is absolutely Speaker McCarthy’s fault,” Mr Gaetz said.
“We cannot blame Joe Biden for not having moved our individual spending bills. We cannot blame House Democrats. We can’t even blame Chuck Schumer in the Senate.”
