"RINO, of course, refers to Republicans In Name Only and is the pejorative term used against those who fail to march in lockstep with the so-called conservative base. I used “so-called” because, though the hard-right faction of the party tends to be viewed as The Base, this isn’t necessarily so. My guess is there are now more RINOs than those who, though evangelical in their zeal, are poison to their party’s ability to win national elections."- [1]
A Republican In Name Only or abbreviated as RINO is a member of the Republican Party but doesn't have conservative beliefs. RINO is apparently an insult. [2]
Mainstream Americans think RINO's are quite a bit saner than the right wing of the Republican Party.
Republicans Accused of Being RINOs
- Chris Christie: Got caught getting along with Obama
- Colin Powell: Supports Obama, agrees global warming is real[3][4]
- John McCain: Had a reputation of somewhat of a maverick, voting with democrats on issues like gun control and immigration.
- Jon Huntsman: He believes in science, supports gay marriage, and was appointed ambassador to China by Obama
- Lindsay Graham: Every once in a blue moon he takes a sane stance, such as voting for immigration reform and supporting a ban on torture.
- Marco Rubio: A member of the bipartisan Gang of 8, which aimed to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
- Mitt Romney: People further to the right in the Republican Party considered Mitt Romney a RINO, although he doesn't stand for anything because he's a serial flip-flopper.
- Paul Ryan: Opposes the US-Mexico border wall.[5]
- Lisa Murkowski: Considered not accepting Amy Coney Barrett, although she voted for conformation along with almost every other Republican in the Senate
- Ben Sasse: Occasionally speaking against Donald Trump, even though he always votes along with Trump and the Republicans
Rockfeller Republicans
Rockfeller Republicans are a term more likely used in the fifties and sixties for more moderate and liberal Republicans. This is used much less today.
