It’s kind of a common wisdom that Republicans will do anything to win elections. At the least, they’re willing to bend the rules a lot further than the Democrats. Some people even admire them for that. But, you know, I don’t believe it anymore. Look at them stand by and get decimated without changing a damn thing about their policies or even their rhetoric. They’re like lambs being led to slaughter and there’s almost no fight in them. John McCain is running the most conventional Republican race conceivable. And the congressional incumbents still have not broken with the least popular president in American history.
About The Author
BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
Republicans are fighting for the long-term. So they are willing to lose a few elections. They understand that if they were to run from their core policies (which I abhor) it would hurt support for those policies. They have been incredibly successful over the last few decades by following this simple forumula. When the Dems finally win one, as will probably happen this fall, the Republicans will go back to minority status. They will be just as successful there protecting the gains they’ve made from when they were in power.
I don’t admire Republicans for breaking the rules. I admire them for their political courage. It has brought a lot of Americans over to their side over the years and ensured huge victories for the right-wing agenda. Congrats to them for understanding politics.
core values like skipping the vote on the GI Bill after opposing it and then trying to take credit for its passage?
Hey. I think their core values are reprehensible. They are bloodthirsty heartless jerks. The core value on the GI bill is they will support their conservative Commander-in-Chief in everything he does re the military. They are little authoritarians and G.W. has more than convinced them he has the appropriate mettle to wage war against Muslims on America’s behalf. So whether it be torture, war crimes, or taking away our liberties these little fascists will support the Leader in a time of war against the Islamofascists. That’s their core value. Or their formulation of it. And it is very effective in America to spread hate and fear and promise to blow stuff up to protect us. Especially if we have demonized a people as we have with Muslims and Arabs in general, and Iraqis and Iranians in particular.
But just look at what concessions Jonn McCain had to make to get to be president. He had to become a doctrinaire Republican. Those modern day core issues, best defined by Romney’s platform, or McCain’s current platform, are Republican core values and they demand a candidate hue to them. That’s why Johnny had to support tax cuts for the rich and his other flip flops. Romney was willing to make himself into the standard GOP stooge early on I guess he just didn’t have the personality to appeal to the wingnuts.
my point is that you’d expect them to say anything to get elected (or stay elected), but they’re more willing to disenfranchise voters than they are to split with the president. ‘Little fascists’ describes them quite well. However, I expected a little more dexterity and instinct for self-preservation.
Yeah, the GOP is forcing the lambs to go quietly to the slaughter. The flock has been so culled of free spirits that I don’t expect much bolting for greener pastures.
But, like I say, it serves a long-term goal. It’s not fun for the individual lambs but it’s good for the conservative cause.
you’re so right. ANd Rove is having a tough time coming up with a descriptive for Obama that will stick. Obama a “Country Club chap”? you don’t say.
Quote of the day
Senator Harry Reid(D-Nev.) taunting the GOP and Bush:
“How in the world could anybody be afraid of him vetoing a bill?” Reid asked. “How you can go home and say, ‘I voted no because this weak president, with the weakest political standing since they’ve done polling, I voted because I was afraid to override his veto.’ Oh, come on.”
it’s going to be very interesting to see what sort of evolution/re-alignment the RATpublicant’s go thru after the next election…which in my view, appears to be shaping up as a rout approaching the scale of mcgovern’s loss back in 72.
they’re down to their absolute base…no pun intended…and even the reichwing fundies are abandoning the white ship gop.
interesting indeed.
Isn’t the behavior you describe simply the bully’s MO? Full of fight when they’re winning, off in the corner pissing their panties when they’re not.
Maybe the Republicans figure that their masters have decided that it’s time to let the other corporate/war party have a go.
I dunno. Gordy Smith in Oregon has been doing his best to pretend he’s hardly a repug at all. I think his campaign pulled the ad implying that Obama was endorsing him after it got national attention, but the one with the two old biddies who were dems in the statehouse and claim to be endorsing him is still running. Jeff Merkley is just beginning to get his rejoinders out now.
Not to be too pessimistic, but I think it’s possible that the Republicans, despite the “strong economy” rhetoric, aren’t stupid and realize the whole thing is going to tank pretty soon.
Two reasons not to be in power at that time: