In today's post, I would like to describe who the American politicians referred to as RINO or DINO are.
The acronym RINO stands for Republican In Name Only. It is used to describe politicians whose views are not conservative or simply different from the current party line. Similarly, DINO is used to define people who, despite belonging to a democratic party, have at least some conservative views.
The fact that such persons exist results mainly from the majority electoral law that is in force in the USA and forces parties to represent a wide range of views. RINO or DINO may also be people who, due to failures in the opposite party moved to the other party or represent a given party in a state that has long been ruled by the opposing party.
The person generally regarded as RINO was the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 John McCain, while the DINO was called Joe Lieberman, Al Gore running mate in 2000 presidential elections.
Until very recently most politicians in the Democratic Party would be considered conservative by European standards (except in Poland perhaps). Now they do have a few true left-wingers (Bernie Sanders being the best known) but the majority of the party is still far from progressive in social terms.
OdpowiedzUsuńWe have to remember that Americans are spooked by the very mention of socialism so the European version of conservatism, with its liberal approach to lifestyle issues (e.g. gay rights and abortion) and general acceptance of welfare state would be unacceptable for them.