The Real GOP Bench Is Hiding From the Ones on TV and Radio
Today's USA Today/Gallup poll shows the GOP with lower party favor than it has had with voters since before Watergate (i.e. people like the party less than during Nixon's resignation.)
The most recognized figures "leading" the party are: Limbaugh, former VP Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich, who has not held office for over a decade and left in an ethics scandal, and John McCain, who has barely opened his mouth since losing the election. RNC Chair Michael Steele is only viewed as a party leader by 1%.
So now that we've listed the people that have been on the talk shows since the election, let's dig deeper. Where are the other voices of the GOP. Do they exist?
Yes. Any Republican who wants a political future is waiting this out. Let the unelected wing of the party fight the food fight over Sotomayor, the Budget, the economy and the two wars. This is the best strategy for any Republican who wants to be president or not get knocked down by the Limbaugh-oso. It is not the most responsible or active strategy, and not the one that helps re-frame the policy debate at a pivotal time for the country, but it is the safest path.
Pawlenty is putting a toe in the water. Palin is finding the water too cold. But wait till the Democrats make a mistake or two and the real Republican bench will appear. Just like last decade when the Democrats took time to shake out the short list, that is happening to lower level politicians around the country in the GOP. You'll know their names when the unelected wing goes too far (soon) or the Democrats make a few strategic mistakes in a row (time line unclear -- that's the beauty of news) OR Republicans see an opportunity to make 2010 competitive.
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I think you're right. Any intelligent conservative who wants to be significant in the GOP at some point has to know that right now there's just far too much blood in the water, and speaking up will only make them shark bait. But, I have little doubt that eventually they come back...jus
I suspect that one of the reasons that the Republicans are continually criticizing President Obama on every little word he utters or every little act he performs, is partially because many of them still cannot accept the fact that a descendant of one of their ancestors' slaves is now holding the highest office in the country, and was preferred by the people over one of them! They just simply cannot accept the fact that the rest of the world respects President Obama and that the United States is now held in higher esteem around the world due to him.
Graciousness and gentlemanly/womanly conduct is not part of the Republicans’ make up. But then, what more can one expect? After all, the chieftains in their group are Limbaugh, Hannity, Glen Beck, Gingrich and Cheney. Gingrich had to leave in ignominy following scandals; yet he speaks as though he is a moral authority on everything. He has absolutely no shame. Limbaugh is a recovering (perhaps?) drug addict who has no moral voice, or at least should not. Yet, all the Republicans bow to King Limbaugh! Alas, what has this country come to?
Is Democracy still the system of government in the United States?
Judging by the words and deeds of the Republicans, it appears that they do not believe in the Democratic process, nor do they seem to care that the people have spoken, and have elected Barack Obama as President. Having been in office only a few months, he has not had time to even scratch the surface on the pile of mess that Bush/Cheney have left in their wake. Yet the Republicans are incessantly analyzing and criticizing President Obama for every little word he has or has not said, and every little deed he has or has not done in these short few months, and in very strong terms, using very hateful language.
The Supreme Court appointed George W. as President even though the people elected Al Gore in the 2000 election. Despite being quite justifiably disappointed, the Democrats accepted Bush after he took office and allowed him to be President and deferred to him, perhaps more than they should have. In fact, some of the damage Bush/Cheney inflicted upon this country and indeed upon the world could have been at least slightly reduced had the Democrats spoken up and dissented more. At the very least, the Republicans seem to have absolutely no respect for the President or for the office of the Presidency. But looking further and deeper, what the Republicans are now doing is serious disruption and almost borders on mutiny, insurrection, and insurgency.
Wow!
You just figured that out, didn't ya' honey?
You are just too smart for us!
Boy howdy!
Jeb Bush is waiting in the weeds. You'll be hearing from him after the elections next year.
Of course. He removes FL, and takes both NC and OH out of our colums. He puts AZ back in the GOP side and makes CO a dangerous bet. VA might be too close to DC for him, and the upper mid west is too progressive for him. But it slams to door on expansion in the west. We hold NV and NM but we drop any pretense of ID and MT SD ND WY. We hold the west coast all the North east and it is a tighter race than McCain. Or the reality of 2010 solidifies and we hold NC, lose FL, hold OH, lose IN, hold CO, NV, NM, Pick up AZ and MT. It is interesting.
J
There are some worthy, moderate Republicans out there (Crist comes to mind) that voters could be persuaded to vote for. Democrats were only able to hold the executive branch for 4 years after a corrupt, career-republican president resigned in disgrace.
But because of the reprehensible behavior of the unelected, and elected, mouth pieces and has-beens for the past year (hell, the past 30 years), I will never, ever, vote for a republican again. And I will actively campaign against any who pretend to represent me.
Pawlenty is a posturing little man who makes a habit of jumping in front of the cameras at every "photo opportunity". No one will take him seriously if he is stupid enough to take a run at the GOP nomination.
"Pawlenty is a posturing little man who makes a habit of jumping in front of the cameras at every 'photo opportunit
You have effectively described every politician. Congratulations.
I'm just glad I'm a member of the party that's smart enough to buy all the guns and ammo.
I'm sorry, but I fail to see any humor in this statement. Was it intended to be in jest? Because if not, it's just scary.
Use it on yourself. Do the world a favor. Seriously.
Now is that progressive?
The democrats always implode shortly after gaining power. I don't see why this instance should be any different.
Trailer needs cleaning..
Yeah, except that we continue to do it right this time, the internet has unified large chunks of the party that usually didn't even talk to each other, we will out spend the GOP 10 -1 in the 2010 elections and we crushed you guys in two cycles. Hold on to the hope that we implode, because if we don't the GOP might go the way of the whigs.
J
Interesting take Ms. Donahue. There is one voice which has been very loud lately and which you didn't mention: the Veep's daughter, Li.z Ch.eney. Obviously her main motive at the moment is saving her dad from disg.race (at "best") or prose.cuti
Is Liz Cheney the gay daughter..
And Ms. Donahue hits it on the head - Republicans are gonna' let talking heads fight it out in the media.....
Again, a moderately successful President Obama will keep any Republican challenger away until 2016......
Jeb Bush. Oil and tobacco money. Watch and wait.
Interesting take Ms. Donahue. Their is one voice which has been very loud lately and which you didn't mention: the Veep's daughter, Liz Cheney. Obviously her main motive at the moment is saving her dad from disgrace (at "best") or prosecution at worst. Do you see her playing a role beyond that?
Careful. They could have some "charismatic" person waiting in the wings.
The Republicans' problem is that they let their rabid base get so powerful that it is almost impossible to win a Republican primary in most districts unless you are one of the wingnuts. The base is the active, powerful part of their party, and they all know that no Republican is winning a primary without them. And we all know how popular the Republican base is in the rest of the country.
An interesting theory, but I don't see anyone 'on the bench' with enough star power, let alone money, to make it past the few big names that will most likely be in the running. I mean, look at Jindal--they gave him a tiny chance and he self-imploded. Haven't heard from him since, have we?
No, it's going to be Palin, Gingrich, that sort who keep the spotlight.
Fine by me---they're highly entertaining and completely unelectable.
Alot of Them are nothing but,
"Republican Cowards"..
RNC = Republican National Cowards
Wait until President Obama screws this country up like G W Bush did then watch out America Republicans will march to victory!
You give Obama too much credit. Nobody could *possibly* screw up the this country as much as Bushco did.
I think you place too much faith in humanity, and the simple matter is the average voter has the attention span and memory of a goldfish. If four years from now the economy is still hurting, and we are still in Afghanistan and Iraq, it could be competitive again.
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