A Hole Worth Digging?

After the 2006 midterm election, the Republican Party showed such a dramatic inability to engage in self-reflection - and self-correction - that in 2008, they ushered in a beating without precedent at all levels of government. Now, as the GOP prepares to oppose President Obama's economic stimulus plan, to oppose a president with overwhelming approval ratings and a mandate for change, to oppose a piece of legislation with broad support from a desperate public, it is becoming ever more clear that, from the perspective of the Republican leadership, a hole worth digging is a hole worth digging deep.

Since Election Day, the post-mortem analysis of the Republican Party, by the Republican Party, has been exceptionally superficial. Most GOP officials and conservative opinion makers argued that the party was led astray because of an abandonment of conservative principles. Republicans failed and a liberal Democrat was elected, Republicans concluded, because Republicans weren't Republican enough. It's with that brand of logic that they've begun moving forward.

Having presided over an economic crisis not seen since Hoover, their squabbles with pork and excessive spending in the economic stimulus plan will be perceived as ranging from blindingly disingenuous to outright hypocritical. When the public lost the benefit of a government it could trust, the Republican party lost the benefit of the doubt.

What the party has yet to fully accept is that there are long-term consequences to losing credibility. Long after public opinion had cratered around Republican ideas and officials, long after the scandals, and the crises, no matter the facts, no matter the consequences, the leaders of the Republican Party defended their debunked philosophies and tainted colleagues.

Now, injured and wayward, the Republican leadership has geared up for a fight it cannot win, against a president who, both in mandate and in institutional advantage, enjoys unmatched power. That they cannot see the strategic error they are engaging in, that they are unable to regroup and reformulate, self-assess and readjust, is perhaps the answer to the most dumb-founding of questions. How could the Republicans, who only four years ago spoke of a permanent majority, have allowed themselves to become almost entirely irrelevant?

They have only one playbook, and it doesn't apply.

You don't win a post-partisan argument by being partisan. You win it by being right. If the Republican Party hopes to survive, they need to get on board, the sooner the better. They should stand with President Obama, support his policies and his mission, take credit for some of his accomplishments, and hope, hope, that he one day makes a mistake. Unless and until that happens, the public will continue to treat them like the obstacle they've become - unreasonable and irrational, unqualified and ill-equipped for government.

Comments

[Ted Voth]

All you Repubs keep right on whistlin! 'Say , isn't it dark in here? Out here? Where in H*ll are we, anyway?'

Probably, and about time!

One interesting thing about US political parties? the Democratic (Republican) Party of Tom Jefferson just keeps limpin along somehow, but opposing parties on the Right periodically distintegrate.

Your turn? I devoutly hope so; couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of fellows…

So long, jokers! Don't let the door of History hit you in the fundament!

[Wake-up]

Ah... yea.

Both Parties have dramatically changed over the years and honestly, JFK with his tax cuts, hawkish foreign policies would be in the GOP today.

You really should get - off this we're great and they're the devil... non-productive!

[Disdain]

And what about those 11 democrats that voted against the bill? Are they obstructionists too or do thy get a pass?

[research]

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/01/29/honour_roll_the_11_democrats_who_voted_against_the_stimulus_bill

Total DINO's

All the investment spending critics agree war stimulates the economy.

We give trillions to the total futile attempt to fill the 1000 trillion dollar derivatives hole,

No questions asked.

We agree to Wars, which not only produce nothing, they destroy much.

But invest in stuff that help the average person...OMG endless hand wringing and lip pursing.

Remember that clogged up money channels are the problem. Bank gamblers have too great a debt.

As long as the money flows things can work. but when the music stops?

Invest in America or suffer a great depression at the hands of the bank robber barons.

Your choice.

[Wake-up]

"The Sky is Falling...!"

Every time a Politician says, "We need to rush this through..." or "There's no time to waste..." Beware.

Translation - There's a lot of pork in here and I need to get this through before the American people find out what's actually in it. That is, the special interests groups are lined up with their hands out - This is the case here...

These statements (from either party) should be our cue to demand open transparent review before a vote. I offer as an example the $350B banking bailout that no-one really seems to know where it went.

[Over50WhiteWoman]

It's clear now why they have voted as they have--they are taking their orders from the banks that got the bailout money--and from other big corporations (like Media empires that employ Rush Limbaugh?) See that other article here on HuffPost about the lobbying by the banks for votes against the Employee Free Choice Act. They made 'campaign contributions' to influence Senators' votes on that--and they are probably behind this, too. Funny--when the Illinois governor wants campaign contributions for his governor services, it's called corruption. When Republican Senators do it, it's called Washington politics as usual.

The banks are running a huge scam on the public dime--and then using the funds to lobby Congress for their own pet projects. No wonder the Republicans came up with the TARP idea. And no wonder the banks have refused to say what they did with the TARP money. It seems a logical leap to assume this is the reason the R's voted against this Plan. They have their orders. If they keep this up--we may get an entirely Dem Congress in 2010.

[S Rapparose]

The time for decrying Borrow and Spend policies was the last 8 years not now. The Republicans seem to be in a time warp.

[CitizenAdvisor]

Thank you for posting that. It's not just me.

The Republican party is responsible for systemically plundering the coffers of American government. They spent trillions of dollars on an illegal and unwarranted foreign occupation, with much of it going into the hands of Halliburton. They spent millions on financial institution "bailouts" that, to the degree they have been accounted for at all, have bought new jets, luxurious vacations, and million-dollar bonus payouts. They did all did this without so much as a single complaint, without improving the lives of ordinary Americans so much as one iota. But let the Democrats suggest paying for education, of all things, and then complain that "it does nothing to stimulate the economy"? It's beyond the pale. Of course, there are also things in there that go against some of their more idiotic principles­--principl­es that fly in the face of reality and common sense, but principles nonetheless. But it still clearly the case that this stimulus package will do more for the economy, for our security, and for the world in general than any of the trillions they have spent to date. That they are too witless to see it and the same time too stupid to stand down in the face of a fight they cannot win suggests that they are most likely in for another drubbing in 2010.

[dianhow]

You're welcome. Repubs may try to run Palen in 2010 ! I hope they do- since she will likely
lose big. We get the govt we deserve- We must be well informed voters. Read, research-don't believe radio talk show hosts, or rumors. They all have an ax to grind.
Try www.factcheck.org www.snopes.com www.polifact.com Always check your facts

[Disdain]

I'm curious, what exactly will this "stimulus" package do to improve our "security and the world in general"?

Time for a utopia check, Peter Pan.

[berrycooda]

Depends on what the stimulus is going for.

If it is another give away to the places who are not accountable for
how they are spending it.
The last bailout for the banks was partly used to buy up other banks instead
of what it was supposed to be for.

Now AIG wants to pay their people a bonus to stay with their company.
Enough people are without jobs, and I doubt if the AIG employees will be
eager to give up their position if they don't get paid to stay.
Another big waste of money.

Instead of carelessly blowing it again, give some to each state and make them
accountable how they use it to put their people to work.
When you are down and out, you will dig ditches in order to make money.

Also, the way things are going, some of that money better be put into food
banks because a lot of people are going to go hungry.

It shouldn't be used for things that Congress should be voting on in other areas.
Just more pork...Save the pork for the food kitchens.

And it shouldn't be used for something that won't help before 10 years go by.
WE NEED IT NOW.

[jackbutler5555]

I hope Obama never stops trying to accommodate the GOP -- without surrendering principle. Thinking voters will be impressed with his ongoing attempt to diminish partisanship. Some of Obama's supporters here would have Obama do the very thing that would endanger the outcome of future elections.

[dianhow]

5555 I agree- and I do get your point. Voters have been impressed with Obama's class act -thats why we so many of us voted for him. But trying to accomodate the GOP- may be a losing battle. They will try to stab him in the back every chance they get. After the GOP caused most of this crisis- they don't have the b___s to step up and try to fix it. It seems to me that the media does not inform us of all the lies that were told in the last 8 years. Could it be because the media is owned by huge corporations ? I hate to think that's the case. Repubs just get me so mad ! Lets all hope and pray Obama stays safe.

[jackbutler5555]

The swing voter -- the only voter that matters and the part of the electorate that doesn't pay much attention to politics -- will decide whether this Republican strategy will work. And by the time the next election rolls around at the end of 2010, they won't recall a thing about January 2009. During the next two years, the GOP can adjust its stands to advance its political interests. When the Republicans in the House and Senate exploited the Bill-and-Monica dramatics, the voters at the time said they overreached. But the Republicans didn't do too badly in the election of 2000. Political amnesia is a given.

[Brandino]

Has it escaped Republicans that leading economists have said that tax cuts are not the way to put money back in the economy? So why do they keep wanting to push more tax cuts? Not enough for their rich buddies?

[dianhow]

Arianna- I'm so angry. Obama extended an olive branch to the GOP- and they chopped it off. What a bunch of ingrates- They made this mess with their Deregulation and greed- now they won't even help stand up and try to fix THEIR MESS. I hope the American public sees through this fiasco.
To borrow from Gov Blago - ' The GOP have NO " testicular fortitude ' They are setting Obama up-HOPING he will fail- just like Rush. What despicable people. Pres Obama should NOT appease / cajole the GOP any further. He won a decisive victory. No more Mr Nice guy- President Obama MUST use his POLITICAL CAPITAL- GO for it Obama !

[berrycooda]

Maybe the 650 pages contained a lot of "pork" and that is why Congress
is looking so happy and criticizing partisan (which they know a lot about)
politics for not signing on to a wasteful stimulus pkg.

It needs to work now, not 10 years from now.

[Mikecoatl]

Can you be bothered to explain how more GOP tax cuts is going to help the economy, when it's the GOP's fault that we're in this mess to begin with?

[Geria]

The refusal of republicans to vote for the Stimulus Package indicates an inability to get their minds around the scope of the disaster they have wrought for the nation. All spoiled rich boys who protect the wealth of other spoiled rich boys, they cannot comprehend life on any other level but getting their own way all the time, having their failures and inadequacies papered over, forgiven their crimes and given a second chance, and a third and a forth, etc. Democrats still can't handle them. Since their votes aren't needed to pass democrat's legislation, democrats should move ahead boldly to deal with the nation's economic and financial crisis without republican participation. Give the rich boys a chance to grow up. If they filibuster, let them do it, but on a Thursday and with the promise to continue all weekend!

[suzc]

I would agree if you said both Repubs and Dems are "spoiled rich kids protecting the wealth of themselves and other spoiled rich kids." It looks to me like Pelosi is rubbing Repubs noses in it, after Obama left no uncertainty that is not what he wants. And Repubs would have been MUCH smarter to vote FOR the package, which was going to pass anyway, and THEN start chipping away at the pork in it. SOMEBODY needs to tell Americans what actually IS in it and HOW it will be creating any new jobs. 600,000 in construction? When? Where? How? I don't see it. But I also don't see either side in Congress being useful or helpful or showing ANY leadership! (ACTUAL leadership would be freezing their own wage/bene packages for five years!!!!!)

[dianhow]

The details are still be worked out. Details will be on recovery.org once it passes.
Yes- DEms & Repub are all rich. Thats not my point. Although Obama earned his as an author. My point is: the POLICIES of the Repubs, since Reagan, have catered to the wealthy- Obama inherited a huge mess- not of his making- so that has forced us to consider things we normally would not have considered.

[dianhow]

Yes Yes Yes I'm so mad. Please folks - Let's bombard Obama at www.whitehouse.gov and tell him he MUST NOT APPEASE / CAJOLE The GOP any longer. NO more Mr Nice GUY. President Obama extended an olive branch- and the GOP chopped it off ! The GOP does not respond to or respect 'niceness' or being bipartisan-thats not how they operate ! They are ruthless. Thats how they kept power for so long. We have to fight fire with fire ! Thanks- now I feel a bit better. PLease let Obama know what you think..

[writerroz]

I e-mailed the Republicans at their National Committee, and told them they're either slow learners or evil & greedy since they haven't learned their lesson from the voters' rejection of their candidates and Bush failed policies. I fail to understand why otherwise, educated and knowledgable persons are working their way to destroying their party in their attempts to stop President Obama's changes. I told them that if they don't agree with such sewer dwelling persons as Coulter, Limbaugh and others on FOX, they need to tell them to "SHUT UP." Maybe they're afraid of the rath of their slimey members.

[atoonce]

They are only solidifying their base, which is a bad strategy, because you only win by convincing the middle-road of voters. The only reason W won was because the Right-Hate Media snuck up on America and enough people fell for their lies before the rest of us caught up, got organized and exposed them. The bad economy was only the straw on the back of all the catastrophic mistakes that W made. So the conservatroids and "moderate" Republicans all got dragged down by the millstone that was W in the last election.

[Mikecoatl]

Very well said!

[snakepliskin]

I think the author is almost right. Yes, the Republicans have squandered their opportunities over the past 14 years. The ridiculous part of the ineptness is that they would agrue for fiscal conservatism and make the "right' points, then turnaround and let GWB have his way. Now we have to 'Pay the Piper' and Obama, Pelosi and Reid are Piping pretty good right now. The Democratic policies for 'Fixing' the economy are ridiculously childish. Read about FDR and you will find out Obama is trying to do. ITs not about fixing the economy, its about implementing more government regulation and Liberal program that will cost us a butt load of money in the future and take away many of the freedoms we have today. Obama is issuing 'Pain Killers' to the people, not a 'Cure'.

[dianhow]

Repubs dragged down by W ? Oh Poor babies - W ' made them do it ' Liberal Govt that will cost us a butt load of money you say ? Bulletin : Bush has ALREADY spent that and then some ! Dems want some $$$ spent to help regular folks for a change .Reagan / Repub policies of deregulation got us here. Obama has already put limits on lobbyists-made govt more open- and froze salaries of his staffers. W had a Repub congress his first 6 years. The 700 B bail out was on his watch. Sec Paulson said ' give me the 700 B- no questions asked.' Paulson was CEO at Goldman Sach's- we know who's side he was on-don't we? Bush & Congress were not fiscal conservatives-they ran up huge amounts of debt - with 2 wars- huge tax breaks to wealthy folks . Cheney's Halliburton made billions in Iraq-some for work never even done ! Worst part : Bush & Rice got a memo from the CIA in Aug 2001- before 9/11 -that said : ' Bin laden was determined to HIT INSIDE THE US.' Bush did nothing !! Some of our troops had t o beg for more armor and supplies. Bush & McCain voted NO many times on increasing benefits to veterans. Its all documented. McCain & Bush voted multiple times AGAINST an increase in the minimum wage. Illegals are allowed here for 1 reason - to provide fat cat CO's cheap labor. Don't

[snakepliskin]

YOu make some good points, Kind of. If you agree that the republicans and bush made terrible mistakes in managing our country and more specifically our economy, then why would you pass Obama's stimulus when no one has been allowed the time to read it. Also, why would you pass something that doesn't 100% stimulate jobs. Read the bil, blog it onthe net, or whatever, just read the bill. The Dems are in control and they are doing what the Republicans did with bush. Let him have whatever he wants. Its a mistake and congress has to check this dude, just like they should have checked Bush.

[Mikecoatl]

If you want to talk history, lets look at more recent history. Which president left us with a stable economy and a $200 billion dollar SURPLUS? And which president left the economy on the brink of ruin and a DEFICIT approaching the neighborhood of one TRILLION dollars? Those are questions you can't answer due to your astonishing ignorance of history. Because I HAVE read about FDR, and I haven't read anything about him taking any freedoms (with one unfortunate wartime exception). The only freedom anyone stands to lose under Obama is the freedom to be a greedy sociopath.

[snakepliskin]

FYI, calling all 'Kool Aid' drinkers from Clinton's past. There was never a surplus in the budget. Look at our National Debt chart and you will see every year during CLinton the National Debt rising. If so, then how can you have a surplus? You can't. Check out this link http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2009/01/19/us-national-debt-chart/

FYI, It wasn't the president who defrauded the people out of trillions of dollars, it was Insurance companies and banks. Not because of deregulation, but lack of enforcement and unethical behavior. Our system doesn't work if people are willing to do criminal acts concerning areas of public trust. That's why we do what right when no one is looking. These crooks did not abide by that motto. Stop blaming Bush, I'll stop blaming Clinton and we can move on.

[JGI]

Recent Republican financial irresponsibility notwithstanding, this bill is an awful example of non-stimulative trans-generational looting and will be recognized as such. No, they can't stop it, but they can go on record as opposing it, and that will be the first step in returning to power. I don't think Americans fundamentally want their government to borrow money to spend on liberal causes.

I had thought Obama was working to avoid the kind of excesses which characterized Clinton's first two years, with an eye towards maintaining a Democrat majority in both houses. But this bill is a naked smash and grab, so now I'm not so sure.

[gabemill]

"I had thought Obama was working to avoid the kind of excesses which characterized Clinton's first two years"

The "excesses" of Clinton??? You mean back in the old days when we had a surplus and 20 million new jobs?
In case you've been in a coma over the last 8 years, you should know that we've just survived the attempted hijacking of the US Constituti­on....talk about excess!!!

Yes, the Repubs will oppose everything they don't initiate. Being idea challenged (beyond tax cuts, that the pros say are ineffective), they have become obstructio­nists....n­ot real beneficial for the country. The time of ideology over country is over, my friend.

Get a grip......

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/opinion/29thu1.html?th&emc=th

[Wake-up]

The Clinton "surplus" was the people's money, not the Gov. and W gave it back to the people, who originally over-paid. Also, W had 52 straight months of growth, minor deficit spending growth (which is about to be significan­tly'up-ed'­)

"Hijacking the Constitution"... I'm getting tired of this one... Example please?

"The time of ideology over country is over, my friend." What exactly do you think half of this stimulus bill is? It's left-wing ideology... "STD Education" is a great example... a few hundred million... I guess they're proposing a Dept. of STD's!

The GOP has plenty of solid ideas, you-all (and Congress for years) either don't like them, don't want the GOP to succeed or just wanted to keep W down so they could get the whitehouse... take your pick, I'd say all of the above...

Get a grip - the NY Times is not an unbiased source and hasn't been for years...