GOP Senator: "We Haven't Learned "

The Republican U.S. senator sits glumly across the restaurant table.

"I don't think we have learned much from the election in terms of what people want to see," he says. "We have the same gridlock."

By the "same gridlock," he means that party hard-liners, both Democrats and Republicans, will remain in control of the machinery of Congress. And that means more of the same. It means more politics as usual -- especially in his party.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Mover]

I kind of like the method the author is employing here.

He knows a Huff regular more then likely has an unnatural disgust for Newt Gingrich, so he plants a picture of him next to this article, even though Gingrich had and has almost nothing to do with the topic. Since the talking heads have been giving lots of wind to Governor Jindal, they display him with the hated one to help forestall any future national aspirations he may have.

Now, pile it on with a fictional conversation featuring a dimwitted, but concerned GOP "senator".

Hurray, the perfect article.

[2876]

Of course you haven't learned anything. Half the Republicans want Palin to run in 2012

[Cambridge9]

Let her run. It would provide some great laughs while we retain the People's House!

[peacegurl48]

Putting a person of color who spouts the same far right, hateful, narrow agenda will not win them votes.

[OBXartist]

"We have to talk about education, family, and moral issues like gay marriage and abortion."

Still? Man, these guys just don't get it. How about leaving your moralizing at home and actually getting some things done in Washington, instead of just getting in the way? I suspect what the Repubs will do is try to stymie Obama and the Dems at every turn in order to portray the new leadership as ineffective and turn the advantage back to themselves. The same old Washington game of thinking it's all about scoring points as Repubs or Dems instead of actually governing the nation. Pathetic.

[beartrack]

Many very insightful comments about what is wrong with the GOP and what do "they" do about it. Folks, there is nothing they can do----it's about a lack of character.

[jalyn]

I find when politicians (repubs here) are trying to fix their broken machine, they just want to go out and buy a new one. They won't take the trouble to look inside it and find out what's broken. Too much of a bother to take a look into the fabric of the country's needs for themselves. Instead, they depend on polls and whatever new issue of the day works in their favor. Bottom line is politicians should start using a bit of compassion for their fellow man again. Then, solutions can begin to happen and the party can prosper. Case in point.......President-elect Obama and Democats.

[Mover]

All political parties scan the polls to decide what they will support and what they will run away from. If it isn't going to help them stay in office, they don't care about. Anyone who thinks differently is fooling themselves.

This applies to the president-elect as well.

[leeman79]

You're right, you haven't learned. Quit trying to force a failed ideology down everyone's throat. Quit attempting cart before the horse economics. Stop trying to roll back individual rights. Quit dividing, in the name of religion. Quit advocating war, when you personally have never served, and don't ever question another's patriotism because they don't agree with your shallow, mindless plans of destruction.

[Mover]

I find the article to be more of a flight of fantasy than any reliable insight into the Republican Party's state of being. Frankly, it reminds me of a fantasy conversation in a mystery novel. After all, it does not name the senator.

If it was a real US senator, he needs to stop pandering to the media and stand up for his beliefs. If this is an example of his beliefs, his constituents need to know it.

[socalgal59]

These republicans don't get what"s wrong with their party: it's not about a return to core conservative values, harnessing the power of the internet to reach young voters, or kicking the old white republican men to the curb--it's about progressive middle class social and political idealism.

Americans are idealistic...passionate in their middle class values, especially when it comes to economic and social opportunity, equality, and justice. Their values are more aligned with democrats then republicans.

Republicans are led by corporate and social elites obsessed with personal gain. Secretary of Treasury Paulson's handling of the financial crisis--saving his corporate buddies while turning his back on homeowners and the autoworkers--is the embodiment of the Republican party's anti-middle class ideology.

Worse, the republican way was never a simple matter of middle class apathy, but all out war on policies designed to boost corporate profits while destroying the middle class. For decades republicans fought hard to crush middle class interests: livable wages; fair labor practices; affordable drug and healthcare; food, drug and product safety; free trade agreements that are fair to American workers; tax relief for the middle class; excellent and affordable education; and a secure social security system. The middle class will not tolerate government working against their interests.

Promoting young, non-White republicans is futile as republicans of any age and race are still republicans. Until they experience a paradigm shifting social and political epiphany, the GOP will continue to be marginalized by middles class Americans.

[Wilbur]

I beg to differ with the first sentence of your third paragraph. I would aver that the GOP is led not so much by corporate and social elitists as they are led by theocratic, Bible-thumping, womb-worshipping Jesus freaks.

Wilbur

[HeevenSteven]

There are two Republican parties and they don't socialize together. As Wilbur says below the bible thumpers and the greedy me first anti-tax crowd you address.

[HeevenSteven]

The fact that Gingrich is the guy they think is going to resurrect them proves his point.

[RoseBlue]

You know that something is fundamentally broken with a party when its candidate of choice for presidency is Sarah Palin.

[jacobomorales]

because you are stupid!!!

[FR]

ANOTHER picture with that worthless has-been should-stay-buried Gingrich?

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Its time for him to find another wife, isn't it?

[Excitedforfuture]

"The perception among Hispanics is that the Republican Party is the party of the rich," he says, pausing. "And, in many ways, it is."

Whatever gave this guy the impression that Hispanics were the only ones?

It sounds to me like they just want to change the perception that people have of republicans in order to get elected. They say nothing about actually changing their views.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

They want to change the perception of their brand.The three R's are their party standard,Rich Racist Republicans,how can they change that without losing their followers,seriously?I know it's not true across the board but it's a significant portion of their support.

[jamespatrick101]

While I have yet to vote for a Republican presidential candidate, I would never rule it out. (I'd consider Gary E. Johnson, former Gov of New Mexico, for example). Regardless, I am disgusted by seeing and reading all the venom coming from Democrats directed at Republicans lately (e.g. "Rich Racist Republicans") .

Make a case for or against policy if you want people to take you seriously. Attacking people in the manner in which you did is vile. You are no better than the people you are attacking.

Democrats are obviously emboldened by Obama's victory, as they should be, and that's great. But show it by setting a good example. Follow Obama's lead. Stay out of the gutter and above the fray. Don't drag your party in the gutter where you are.

Obama has 4 years to prove he's right, that there is a better way. And I hope he does. Because I, for one, am sick of the cynicism based on personal non-political attacks. But, if your comment is a sign of things to come, I doubt the "change" your candidate champions will have a long shelf life.

Battering the opposition as you believe they have you, retribution, will win you no support. So if your opinion is the prevailing opinion, and ends up being the vocal opinion, I doubt Democrats will be able to retain the support of the independent voter come 2012, which would also mean the White House.

[TKDuff]

Maybe if they come up with better ideas on national healthcare, compassionate immigration and criminal laws, save the jobs of the working Americans not just the CEOs, Pro-choice.... oh wait that means they have to go against the grain.