Today is a day of mourning for all DUers

[GoBlue]

Feb 28,1854: The Republican party was founded by a coalition in Ripon, Wisconsin.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/onthisday.aspx

[Charlls]

1. DUers also need amusement and fun

[Wonk]

2. Um, whatever. You'd prefer a one party system?

[Fenris]

3. They were considered the liberals

Political identity changes all the time, so to say that the Republican Party of 1854 is like the Republican party of 2004 is false. The Democrats at that time were pro-slavery and became more so over the next six years.

[proud patriot]

4. Actually that was a different republican party

The once honorable republican party has been hyjacked
by RADICALS . Neither Lincoln or T.Roosevelt would
have anything to do with today's repukes .

Nothing about the Crime Syndicate that is the republican
party of 2004 is Conservative .

[kskiska]

6. Hell, even Eisenhower

would want nothing to do with the present GOP. I doubt that Gerald Ford is crazy about it, either.

[KC21304]

13. Or Barry Goldwater. He denounced most of them before he died.

[flamingyouth]

7. Very true, very true

Both of those gentlemen are spinning in their graves right now. Well said! :hi:

[number6]

8. hitting the nail on da head, BRAVO

;) :thumbsup: to proud patriot

[flowomo]

5. There was and may still be

a group called The Ripon Society... liberal Republicans before they pretty much went extinct... this was back in the 60s and 70s. Anyone know if it's still around?

[proud patriot]

9. Not that I know of flowomo, Welcome Underground

:hi:

[iverglas]

12. I was curious

It seems the answer is yes: http://www.riponsoc.org/

The Ripon Society is a moderate Republican research and policy organization dedicated to a common sense, pragmatic system of governance.

... The Ripon Society is striving for political change now and in the future. Our goals are clear:

Limited but Effective Government

A Free-Enterprise based Economy

A Strong, well-maintained National Defense

A more Equitable Tax System

Social Tolerance

Conservation of Natural Resources

Noting the last two -- republicans with a conscience? (I don't know, it's the first I've heard of them.)

Perhaps something like historically "Red Tory"ish but recently deceased Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, now also absorbed into the hard right: fiscal conservatism/social liberalism is what it's often referred to as in the US, I believe, although that description is no more illuminating than any other self-applied political label. ;)

.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

17. We would probably still disagree

But perhaps find consensus on the "Social Tolerance" & "Conservation of Natural Resources" areas.

The Ripon Society is probably treated as the mad aunt locked in the attic by todays GOP.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

18. Ripon Society advisory board.

...I see Orrin Hatch is on this list.

SENATORS
Lincoln Chaffee
Susan M. Collins
Chuck Hagel
Orrin Hatch
Pat Roberts
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter
Ted Stevens
 
REPRESENTATIVES
Judy Biggert
Sherwood Boehlert
Michael N. Castle
Howard Coble
Vernon J. Ehler
Jo Ann Emerson
Mark Foley
Tillie Fowler
Rodney Frelinghuysen
Paul E. Gillmor
Benjamin A. Gilman
Porter Johnston Goss
Kay Granger
James C. Greenwood
David L. Hobson
Steve Horn
Amo Houghton
Nancy L. Johnson
Sue W. Kelly
Jim Kolbe
Steve LaTourette
Jim Leach
Jerry Lewis
Jim McCrery
Constance A. Morella 
Michael G. Oxley
Tom Petri 
Deborah Pryce
Jack Quinn
Jim Ramstad
Ralph S. Regula
Marge Roukema
E. Clay Shaw, Jr. 
Christopher Shays
Bill Thomas
Fred Upton
 

 
 
 

[Redneck Socialist]

10. Exeter, NH would beg to differ with you.

http://www.dnh.mv.com/ipusers/lionmedia/tuck.html

October 12, 1853

[Journeyman]

11. Mourn the founding of the party that made Mr. Lincoln President?. . .

never. . .

[theshadow]

14. The "Little White School House."....

where they founded the GOP is still there, too. The Rippin Good Cookies plant and Ripon College are other major attractions.

http://ripon-wi.com/ripon-wi/little_white_schoolhouse.asp

[coloradodem2005]

15. Totally different republican party.

My how the times have changed. After TR, they became the conservatives and we, the progressives. Though Eisenhower was okay.

[Lab Owner]

16. Michigan claims Repubs were founded here

Not that it matters