Madmallard
.223 Rem
I hope he doesn't run for Governor.
When U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna walks away from Congress next week after six years in office, the Upstate New York Republican will leave behind a GOP that he says has become too intolerant and extreme, drowning out moderates like himself.
Hanna, 65, a fiercely independent voice within the GOP who repeatedly broke ranks to stand up to hardline conservatives, told Syracuse.com in an exit interview that he worries the traditional moderate Republican from the Northeast faces extinction in Congress.
"I never left the Republican Party that I originally joined," Hanna said. "I can only say that they've left me. It's really gone to the far extremes on social issues. They've become judgmental and sanctimonious and authoritarian on their approach to people. They talk about personal freedom, but they also want to define what that is for you and me."
Hanna, of Barneveld in Oneida County, stood out as the only Republican in Congress to support a combination of abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing equal rights for women.
After announcing plans for his retirement, he gained national attention this year when he became the only GOP member of Congress to say he would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president over the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
Retiring Rep. Richard Hanna: GOP too intolerant, extreme on social issues
When U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna walks away from Congress next week after six years in office, the Upstate New York Republican will leave behind a GOP that he says has become too intolerant and extreme, drowning out moderates like himself.
Hanna, 65, a fiercely independent voice within the GOP who repeatedly broke ranks to stand up to hardline conservatives, told Syracuse.com in an exit interview that he worries the traditional moderate Republican from the Northeast faces extinction in Congress.
"I never left the Republican Party that I originally joined," Hanna said. "I can only say that they've left me. It's really gone to the far extremes on social issues. They've become judgmental and sanctimonious and authoritarian on their approach to people. They talk about personal freedom, but they also want to define what that is for you and me."
Hanna, of Barneveld in Oneida County, stood out as the only Republican in Congress to support a combination of abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing equal rights for women.
After announcing plans for his retirement, he gained national attention this year when he became the only GOP member of Congress to say he would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president over the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
Retiring Rep. Richard Hanna: GOP too intolerant, extreme on social issues
