Keep Going, Republicans! You're Doing Great!

I have an important message for Michele Bachmann, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the most visible Republicans on the national stage: Keep going! You're doing great! If this was video, you would see me standing an applauding. Maybe holding up a lighter for an encore.

The Republican Party is shriveling faster than Rush Limbaugh on a flight home from the Dominican Republic.

While I believe America only benefits from a robust two-party system, the Republicans aren't really filling their seats at the table. The insufferable centrist Democrats, for better or worse, are covering the power void in an unofficial interim capacity and it wouldn't shock me if there was eventually a replacement party built up around the conservative Democrats and some of the center-right moderate Republicans.

Another theory for another time.

But it's clear that there will either be a clean break in the current party dynamic, or the more moderate, reasonable faction of the Republican Party will begin to seriously assert itself against the wingnuts who are, simply put, cartoonish stereotypes of themselves.

It's this latter group that appears to be scaring away GOP moderates and whatever remains of "intellectual" Republicans like, say, David Frum, David Brooks and Christopher Buckley. Center-right voters are becoming increasingly embarrassed to call themselves Republicans, and party identification has dwindled to 20 percent. And it's not necessarily borne out of an ideological split as much as it has a massive character gap.

Modern "wingnut" Republicans still share many of the core values of classic conservatism, but they've abandoned the all-important character traits of reason, consistency and intellectual honesty. They've entirely navigated their crazy train off the rails, specifically in terms of how they talk about their conservative values.

Call it the Malkinization of the Republican Party. Abandoning these traits frees them up to make the loudest noises possible without worrying about whether the noises actually make sense when assembled in the form of a sentence. The Glenn Beck strategy. If one guy stands on the sidewalk pleasantly handing out political leaflets, and another guy is positioned directly across the street shouting crazy gibberish, who's going to enjoy the most attention? Glenn Beck across the street of course, and it's not necessarily because he's making the most sense. He's just shouting gibberish.

But if polling is any indication, people don't want to be associated with a party that elevates crazy self-satirical wackaloons. Especially when they refuse to be honest about who they are, and, instead, try to keep up a very obvious and transparent masquerade.

For instance, Fox News Channel continues to refuse to admit that they're an extension of the Republican Party. They refuse to admit that the network's news programming has an obvious right-wing slant. Everyone knows it. So why don't they just admit it?

Rush Limbaugh is playing the same game. When he was called out for his race-baiting by the NFL, he refused to acknowledge the fact that he markets in racially-insensitive language in order to play to the darker instincts of his audience. That's his thing and he's a multi-millionaire because of it. But he lacks the class and honesty to man-up to his shtick. The same goes for wingnut stereotype Erick Erickson and MSNBC's resident crank Pat Buchanan -- each of whom described the president's Nobel Peace Prize as the consequence of "affirmative action." But, but, but they're not race-baiting. They're -- well, yes, they're absolutely race-baiting in a way that would make Lee Atwater blush.

This inability to own their rhetoric doesn't help the Republicans and only damages what remains of their authenticity.

And it's this lack of authenticity that gives way to the wide array of contradictions and inconsistencies we're witnessing on the wingnut right. How can President Obama be Nixon, Carter, Mao, Stalin and Hitler at the same time? How can he have a Christian former pastor and also be a Muslim? How can liberals be both communists and Nazis? How can there possibly be Republicans who are attacking the Democrats for fiscal irresponsibility even though the Democrats have suction-cupped themselves to the door of the CBO?

I imagine the whiplash alone is scaring away whole chunks of former Republicans. One minute, they're expected to defend George W. Bush by suggesting that it undermines the troops to attack the commander in chief during a war, and then they're banking around on a dime to suddenly attack the new commander in chief during a war. I'm not sure how anyone can look themselves in the mirror and feel good about being that flagrantly inconsistent.

The same goes for matters of governing. The Republican Party could stand to show a little humility for their recent record. Instead of at least pretending to "grab a mop," as President Obama said this week, they continue to stomp their feet and hold their breath about everything from federal spending to war strategy to -- here's a laugh -- executive power and civil liberties. Suddenly the Republicans care about executive power abuses and the "trampling" of the Constitution, eh? That's rich.

Again, the whiplash must be excruciating.

Meanwhile, rather than debating the policy aspects of health care reform or Afghanistan or the economy, they're attacking the president for asking kids to stay in school, and outing principals and teachers for daring to teach their students about, you know, the President of the United States. Time well spent, Republicans. You'd think these educators were asking kids to worship (in tongues) a cardboard standee of the president.

But while there are several reasonable voices emerging from the twisted wreckage of the Republican Party, the current leaders don't appear to be taking the hint and are, instead, doubling down on the crazy. Make no mistake, I'm happy to see the Democrats flying solo, as aggravating as they might be sometimes. But, as I wrote earlier, I tend to view the Democratic squabbling as the interim two-party system in lieu of any sort of reasonable Republican opposition.

Meanwhile, keep going, Republicans! And buck up, little troopers. There's at least one thing you have going for you. Contrary to nearly every poll, Chris Cillizza from the Washington Post says it's been a good year for the Republicans. And there's always TIME Magazine's Mark Halperin who seems to always believe that positive news for the president is, instead, negative news for the president. As Republicans, you should appreciate and cherish how insanely upside-down that is. Congratulations. Ass-backwards support is better than no support at all.

Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog! Go!

 

Comments

[profproof]

republicans just won the governor races in VA and NJ of all places, i don't think that shows a shrinking republican party

[breeze81]

the rep are all turning to conservatives... 40% libs 20% thanks to Obama...

Obama is destroying the dems party..... the conservatives are going to clean house,,,

[Jennifer Pohl]

"We conservatives are submitting our movement to some of the most unscrupulous people in American life." - David Frum, Bush's former speech writer.

[Timothy2700]

EXCELLENT!!!

THANKS FOR A GREAT READ!!

[rejoyce5]

If Republicans are so bad why are the upcoming Governors races so close and the Dems might loose?? .

[sheikwil4]

hey rejoyce5, don,t be so sure of that, the polls had then Senator obama winning new hampshire, but he didn't. so don't bet on the rethugs winning the governor seat other than maybe retaining the ones they already have.

[village idiotz]

I think what is happening to the Republicans is that George Bush and then John McCain managed to completely alienate the libertarian portion of the previous conservative coalition with the Iraq war, the relentless attacks on civil liberties and TARP. While not numerous and hardly a significant factor in the general election, some republicans figure if they start talking fiscal responsibility and say the word Socialist enough times they can win a primary with the Libertarians help without pissing off anyone else in the Grand Old Party. Of course, this is completely incoherent from what they were saying nine months ago, but back then they didn't think they needed the Libertarians since Bush got re-elected without them. Notice the absence of the word "Liberal" among republicans these days. Many libertarians think of themselves as Liberals or Classical Liberals.

[tiredofit10]

Well said, this article should be placed in all Republican congressional offices and statehouses so that they can make them get their acts together. Fox News and Rush Limbaugh , Glen Beck are lost causes, and this from a liberal democrat!!!!

[Bluegrass10126]

Bob.

You are the best.

Informed, to the point and entertaining as well.

Thank you.

[logologic]

Thank you, Bob. You said it all.

[fourpatts]

The reason Fox News does so well is that it treats conservative values seriously, unlike MSNBC on the far left and the news operations of CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN & NPR, which strike many conservatives as mere cheerleaders for the president and liberal values.

[Hoosierbrad]

Conservative values like respect for our constitution, civil liberties, and fiscal responsiblity? How did they report on these issues during Dubya's two terms? That's right, they ignored Republican values to cheerlead a Republican.

[hackerblaster]

"The Republican Party is shriveling faster than Rush Limbaugh on a flight home from the Dominican Republic."

This was just WAAAAY too funny!

And yes, the Republican party is imploding and they just keep up the same craziness. After Palin put her support behind a Conservative Party member instead of a Republican one it made me hope she jumps ship and goes to that party. And all her crazies can go with her ensuring Democrats will be in power for decades to come.

But as their party shrinks into total insignificance we get closer and closer to equality for all in America. I can't wait!

[BBinMT]

It's kind of a "reap what you sow" scenario for the Republican party. They made conscious, thought-out efforts to align themselves with certain groups that, at this point in history, are really coming back to haunt them. Thirty to even forty years ago, they knew they didn't always have the numbers to advance their agenda so they actively sought to campaign on hardline social/cultural issues that they didn't really care about. In a changing world, most of those who still cling to those archaic ideas, are seeing it all slip away, and they are becoming crazy with fear. The lies just keep getting bigger, the number of people trying to keep the party alive has dwindled down to an uneducated, psychotic base that the party can't control, yet can't abandon.

[Dengold]

I am a Conservative, and I would like to have a national political party that not only shares my views (freedom, limited government, personal responsibility, free markets, etc.) but actively speaks out for and champions those views. Today's left-leaning Republican Party fails that test in almost every aspect. When Republicans run a genuine Conservative like Ronald Reagan, they win. Even when they run a pseudo, pretend Conservative like George W. Bush, they win. Every time they run a marshmellow Moderate/Liberal Lite like John McCain, they lose. But what's galling beyond belief is how stupid they are in failing to see these obvious facts. When I see elected Republicans criticizing Glenn Beck (see Lindsey Graham) while hiding under their desks from President Obama or Senator Harry Reid, I want to puke. You folks on the Left don't appreciate how lucky you are to have your elected politicians actually fighting for your views. I have almost no one in "my" party.

[Snowball]

Keep it up, your doing exactly what Bob was talking about in his article.

[wethepeople3884]

Name me two left-leaning republicans outside of Snowe and media figures currently? I can't even name one and Im not so sure olympia snowe is going towards the center because of her actual policies or as some sort of political maneuver to give the republicans a single avenue to negotiate. Because we all knew five months ago no other repubs are voting for this reform bill or likely any for that matter

Further name me two liberal policies enacted by Bush and dont say massive spending because clinton actually curbed the deficit before Bush destroyed it.

[wethepeople3884]

And mccain voted for bush's policies something like 96 percent of the time. That is a moderate or a liberal? A liberal would be someone that did not support the bush tax cuts or continuing the war in iraq after we all learned it was a charade or trying to do something about out of control costs of healthcare or trying to stop pollution in some way. What liberal policy does mccain currently support. Id love to know. Your view is a relic of the past and your party hopefully sooon will be as well.

[imfedup]

Yep. St. Ronald was a real peach:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2101829/

[UKOH]

While I agree with this article I think the conclusions represent the current exagerated wishful thinking of liberals. It is certainly true that a huge majority of Americans are disgusted with the antics of the wing nut right wing - but it does NOT seem to be stopping them voting Republican when it comes to actual races. E.g. Virginia governer race and Harry Reid's senate seat; Harry is polling behind ANY Republican.

This is extremely disturbing. The current crop of GOP leaders, if they ever came to power, would make the Cheney / Bush regime (deliberately in that order) seem like a text book example of centrist moderation in comparison.

What is happening in reality is that the Dems are performing both government and responsible opposition. The "blue dogs" are the opposition and the rest are the government. The GOP ideas? (Ha!) If they have any at all they are simply not relevant any more.

[nosmiley]

I agree with the article, too. However I don't think it's accurate to use Harry Reid as a normal, run of the mill Democrat. Because of his present roll, he's in the news a lot more. He professes to speak for the party at times, when the party disagrees. He's caused a lot problems for democrats.

[RenoSage]

Harry Reid is in the news a lot because of his position as majority leader of the Senate.
Anybody who is out in front is a target. I remember when Gebhardt and Gingrich were
there making obligatory statements. I remember how negatively I felt about them.

Harry Reid has done a lot of good for Nevada. Nevada would be the loser if and when
he is replaced. And if he is replaced by a Republican, there goes progress. All the
Republicans can think of is "cut taxes for those who should be paying more taxes".
Nevada has no state income tax so homeowners are hit harder than other states.

[sheikwil4]

as the polls showed already, they are not always right, the polls said obama won new hampshire, wrong, hillary won it by a wide margin and then gave her false hope, the polls had hillary running against mccain, wrong, the polls had mccain as winner after bringing on mrs. crazy from alaska, wrong the american people voted over whelming for President Obama and the delegates embarrassed mccain by a wider vote than the popular vote. so don't count your chickens just yet.

[Cosatjockomo]

If the Reps decline too much, the dems will prop them up again. The last thing the Dems want is to be accountable for the state of our country. They need the Reps to blame things on.

[nosmiley]

Exactly. Especially since the Republicans performed so well in the previous administration.
For some reason, the folks that voted Republican, have no memory of the Bush/Cheney era. Do you remember Dwight Eisenhower, or was he before your time? Do some research, and you'll see he was the last Republican to balance the budget. Democrats have six or seven times. He also was the guy that told us to beware the military-industrial complex. Today's Republicans can't do anything unless it involves allowing the military-industrial people to have a monopoly, or an unfair advantage. Think -- Bush signed, no competition drug plan , Halliburton, etc. . Or Cheney's top secret meeting with the energy people. Exactly what would a vice president say to a bunch of power company CEO's, that the public should never know the details? I'd really like an answer to that.

[wethepeople3884]

Now the repugs are making preconditions about a possible future treaty or multiple treaties to re-initiate nuclear dismantling. They want widespread modernization of millitary weapons. Of course - because we didn't just spend 2 trillion dollars on wars. This party is just the most counter-productive entity on earth right now.