Not Speaking Inglis

While Republican voters in primary runoffs in South Carolina yesterday rewarded Nikki Haley and Tim Scott, they also massively punished GOP Rep. Bob Inglis for not being ideologically pure enough.  Inglis was crushed by Tea Partier Trey Gowdy.  Steve Benen:

It wasn't close -- despite having represented the area for 12 years, Inglis lost by a ridiculous 42-point margin, 71% to 29%.


Given the one-sided nature of the results, it's tempting to think Inglis must have been caught up in some devastating scandal, since incumbents in good standing just don't get humiliated like this often. But Inglis' only crime was taking on a moderate, pragmatic tone, which led Republicans to revolt.

I emphasize "tone" because Inglis had a very conservative voting record, and scored well among the far-right organizations that grade lawmakers on their positions.

But Inglis expressed a willingness to work with Democrats on energy policy; he urged his constituents not to take Glenn Beck too seriously; he thought Joe Wilson was wrong to heckle the president during a national address; and he said his main focus as a lawmaker was to find "solutions" to problems. Last year, Inglis said the Republican Party has a chance to "lose the stinking rot of self-righteousness" and "to understand we are all in need of some grace."

And as a result, Republicans turned on Inglis and he lost by 42 points. He was a conservative Republican in a conservative Republican district, but the GOP base decided he simply wasn't right-wing enough for their voracious appetites.

Republicans don't like opposing viewpoints, do they?  They absolutely ended Inglis's political career because he dared to work with the hated, enemy, evil Democrats.  He dared to criticize Glenn Beck.  Despite his solidly conservative voting record, he was politically flogged for his lack of "purity".  He didn't just lose narrowly, he was completely annihilated.

That's what Republicans do to their own who don't toe the party line.  Bob Inglis, the latest victim of the Hoffman Effect.  There's no room for conservatives, much less moderates.