One Sentence Helps Explain Why the GOP Lost

The final week of the campaign, a last-ditch fundraising email was sent out by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, under the name of actor Kelsey Grammer. It was notable in explaining the Republican loss for two reasons.

The first, and perhaps most bizarre, is a breathtaking oversight. Not once does it ever mention the name..."John McCain." It mentions Sarah Palin, it even mentions Joe the Plumber, but in asking people to donate money to the Republican Party, not one word about the person who is, in fact, leading the Republican Party. If anything screams to the lackluster support of that cause, this omission is shockingly high on the list.

But the other thing notable about the letter speaks to something deeper, something that addresses the underlying reasons beneath the viscerally angry, frightened and often cruel reactions we've seen at GOP rallies around the country. The email asks:

"Will you help stop liberals from seizing total control of our government?"

In one clear sentence, we are given an insight into the conservative mindset. In this simple question, we see more than just a sense of entitlement, almost to the degree of noblesse oblige. It's more even than a fear of change. More than an intolerance to others. It's all that, to be sure -- but above all, we see an aversion of democracy.

At Republican rallies around the country, we heard pontificating speeches about "real" Americans and the true "patriotic" Americans. Yet when some regularly show their supposedly "real" patriotism by no more than hiding behind a small, plastic pin, it is not surprising to discover that those beliefs are just as small and plastic. How puny-minded, dishonest and arrogant -- what occurred on Tuesday at voting booths across America was not "seizing total control." What occurred was the definition of democracy. Its essence. This is what elections are. Seizing control is what a military coup d'etat is. The closest that we've come in America to "seizing" control of the government is Bush v. Gore.

The orderly change in power after elections is what proud Americans are generally most proud of.

After the election, there will be Republicans vocally representing their constituents in the Senate, House and throughout state governments and the judicial system. That's how elections work. Just because you've been in power for eight years, that doesn't mean you don't have to give it up if "We, the People" vote you out because the majority has finally had enough.

Make no mistake, there is no tolerance, thought or grace in the words of that letter. It is a ham-fisted, dismissive effort to stop "liberals," period. Never mind explaining your concerns. Never mind what those liberal ideas might actually be -- like, perhaps, the 40-hour work week, minimum wage, child labor laws, FDIC banking insurance protection (boy, that sure has come in handy these days, hunh?!), Social Security and Medicare -- no, as long as it is "liberal," it must be stopped.

This is not new, of course. Demonizing the liberal viewpoint in total began 24 years ago when Ronald Reagan snidely denigrated "the L word." It helped the Republican Party win some elections, but ultimately corroded the party to the degree that we see today, floundering and empty. A house of cards, built on a house of sand, until finally the weight of reality came crushing it. Even Neil Cavuto on Fox News (!) called out John McCain as having no convictions in his economic policy. Understand the importance of this: we are referring to "no convictions in his economic policy" in the midst of the nation's worst economic crisis since Great Depression.

It must be noted that it was the liberal Franklin Roosevelt who helped get America out of that Great Depression, with his liberal programs -- like the WPA, Civilian Conservation Corps, TVA, FHA loans, and more. Yet, even today, 75 years later, we still hear of "The L word," still begging to stop liberals. It doesn't matter if the idea can actually help America.

Of course, it's impossible to claim you truly put Country First [tm] if you dismiss all ideas that help America simply because they happen to come from an "L."

To be clear, the entirety of conservative philosophy cannot be pinned to one quote. That clarion plea is just a single tenet of a full philosophy. But there's no denying its widespread importance to the GOP's elective failure when we hear it driving the cries and threats of pure hatred and fear at Republican rallies and across stump speeches. The fear exists for many reasons, no doubt, but at its center is the fear of losing the control a party has held for eight years.

There is no exaggeration meant here. It is a fear that is specifically repeated in the email. It is of an importance so deliberate that it is highlighted in the very opening paragraph:

"In 6 days we might wake up to read that Barack Obama and liberal Democrats have seized total control of Washington. "

Here is as plain an expression as possible of the National Republican Senatorial Committee's conservative view: that when others win an election, it is illegitimate. Not only did others seize control but - expressed twice, so there is no mistaking - seized "total control."

To some, hopefully just a few -- but however many, it's one too many -- there is this belief among some conservatives that winning an election is "seizing total control." It's a despicable, reprehensible thought.

"Oh, you know what we mean" is often the disingenuous attempt to smooth over such ignorant attitudes.

Honestly, no, I don't. Just as when McCain spokesman Michael Goldfarb made his smarmy fake-charge about anti-Semites to Rick Sanchez on CNN and then disingenuously attempted to smooth it over continually with "You know who I mean" -- no, again, I don't know what you mean.

All I know is that this is a repeated plea against liberals "seizing total control" of our government. If it means anything other than that, it makes absolutely no sense. If it means precisely that...it makes absolutely no sense.

In the end, if anything explains why the Republican Party lost control of Congress two years ago, and lost the presidency in an Electoral landslide this year, one need look no further than the attitude expressed in this letter from the conservatives of the National Republican Senatorial Committee:

They don't appear to appreciate democracy. Worse, they don't appear to even care about democracy. And so, they lost focus, and they lost meaning. And once again, just as two years ago, they lost an election. Big.

On Tuesday, there was an orderly change in power after an election. This is the essence of America. The country will go on. And there will be another election.

That's democracy. That's America. Best wishes to everyone -- liberals, conservatives and everyone in between.

There will be another election.

But until the Republican Party finds a direction and regains the substance that its far-right conservative wing has emptied, the results will be the same.

Comments

[GingersPawPaws]

Well Im not all educated and such However this sure disappoints me with Kelsy Grammer... no more Frasier reruns for me

[AverageJosef]

Beautifully put and perfect!

During the campaign many by the right offended me, one was Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos". This from someone who brags about American values and our founding fathers and all that, yet attempts or perhaps argues for outright manipulation of the voting process. A great example of "noblesse oblige".

[Bitsko]

Well put, Mr. Elisberg. Let's hear more from you.

[MeaghanM]

Did you notice how when McCain gave his concession speech and he spoke of Obama there were people in the crowd booing? But yet when Obama, just 10 minutes later, spoke of McCain in his speech people in the audience cheered for him.

It shows alot about the type of people that were behind each candidate and it made me happy to be behind Obama. YES WE CAN!..and we did!

[helgathewitch]

I did notice that and felt the very same way. I found it very interesting. Mc Cain and Palin encouraged that terrrible behavior from the start. Mc Cain only recently fained being upset by it.

[doctordoubt]

Goes to the entire mind set of this administration. From day one, they thumbed their collective noses at the rules, the laws, the substance of America, How else could this have ended? The extreme right wing, the serious control freaks in the party, can't abide not having control of not just the party, but the country. The really scary thing is, there's a lot of them. Extreme. think of what it means. The whole theory that caught up the young across the country, no fear, comes from not having any consequences, no matter what they do. Dose seem to fit, doesn't it?

[piperlarry]

I agree with the "hiding behind a small plastic [American flag] pin"--most of which are made in China!
GOBAMA!

[appleknocker]

What does Elisberg think "noblesse oblige" means?

[Robert J. Elisberg - Huffpost Blogger]

Elisberg thinks it means precisely what his dictionary says -- "The obligation of those of high rank to be honorable and generous (often used ironically)" In other words, Elisberg thinks it means that this particular conservative mindset feels it has no obligations to society and is therefore entitled to whatever it wants.

Sincerely, Elisberg

[meyek]

noblisse oblige is a two-edged sword, affording deference of the the nobility, while recognizing their obligation to the lower classes. an outmoded notion, especially as regards obligation to those who made their fortunes possible.

[Gnrshrtd]

An insightful article. It made me think of the bitterness I've felt for the last 8 years, and how difficult the re-building will be. Then, for some reason, I am reminded of Mandela's insistence on national reconciliation in S.Africa. He was right, and it worked (for the most part). I am not confident that the R's will even be approachable - but I believe Obama knows there is no time for recriminations. As strongly as I want ACCOUNTABILITY, we need to rebuild the nation first, then . . .

[shades3]

I think that the Bush Administration, from the President, right down to the lowest clerk are afraid that they will actually be held responsible for the last eight years. If the Obama Administration has control of not only the Executive branch, but also the House and the Senate, THAT becomes a real possibility. If a bill is cobbled together, making those responsible stand trial, there would be NO opposition to its passing. I would be concerned, if I was a member of the Bush Administration whose only defence was "I was just following orders."
Where in recent history have we heard that???

[usreporter]

Doesn't a former president have certain immunities? I'm not sure a former head of state can be tried - am I wrong?

[LardGreystoke]

No one is above the law. He can be tried for any crimes he committed - provided anyone has the courage to put justice above politics.

[yerachm]

I am a liberal and I am proud of that fact, because it means that I am a REAL American.

I'll tell you who's NOT a real American:
- People who rail against big government and government spending, then vote in presidents (Reagan, Bush II) who usher in the hugest increases in government and spending in our history.
- People who champion the rights of the unborn but oppose government programs that would provide health care and special services to children.
- People who - how do you account for this? - feel that bringing our troops home means a lack of support for our troops.
- People who feel that any attempt to remove AK-47s from the shelves of gun shops is an affront to God.
- People who trumpet reverence for our liberties, then rejoice when the government tramples on them.
- People who claim to love democracy, then shout "Kill him" and "Traitor" at rallies " and the candidates who refuse to denounce such viciousness.

I remember a song by Phil Ochs from the days of the civil rights movement: "Oh, here"s to the land, you tore out the heart of. Mississippi, find yourself another country to be part of."

I thank God that we are now driving the NOT REAL Americans out of Washington, and back to Crawford and Wasilla.

I know, the NOT REAL Americans will be back. But not for long. Their false piety cannot stand in the harsh light of God"s day.

Jim

[krabby]

Well said Jim.

[FORLOMC]

Sorry, once a Republican but never again. Ok at least not for the next 30 years. Bush, Cheney and Maverick, lost me forever......

[RenoSage]

I think many of us are former Republicans. Let us not forget the years that Congress was conservative, as was the Supreme Court as well as the President. Which is why we wanted to
throw the rascals out.

[Bitsko]

Re the Supreme Court. This nation dodged a bullet on that issue on November 4th.

[lisakaz2]

Aversion to democracy for sure, but I dunno about "noblisse oblige" since these self-styled "to the manor born" types don't believe in actually helping anyone but themselves. Noblisse Oblige actually refers to the sense of obligation the aristocracy felt to their charges (serfs or tenants). When have I seen any of that from these rethuggies?

[Robert J. Elisberg - Huffpost Blogger]

As I noted to another comment above, I was using my dictionary's definition that noted the phrase is often used ironically. But for the un-ironic among us, you are spot-on correct. RJE

[Snickerdoodle2]

Republicans fear and loathe those "Godless liberals" yet they freely help themselves to such things as "liberalized" divorce laws. . . .Ahem, McCain, this means you!

And women's right to vote: Remember how the right-wingers predicted that this would destroy the American family?

The list goes on and on, and it serves to dramatize how hypocritical Republicans can be, how "Do as I say, not as I do" so many of them are.

[irishgawdess]

You're referring to the authoritarian leadership style. John Dean writes about it in "Conservatives Without Conscience." Here's a link to an article written by John Dean that lists the traits of authoritarian leaders and authoritarian followers: http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20081031.html

The article is entitled, "The Evidence Establishes, without Question, that Republican Rule Is Dangerous: Why It Is High Time to Fix This Situation, For the Good of the Nation," written on Oct. 31, 2008.

Same article, a little easier to read: http://www.scoopit.co.nz/story.php?title=Dean_Authoritarian_Conservatism_Dangerous-1

Surprise, Surprise! John McCain, Sarah Palin, Bush 43, Cheney have personality traits that fit into the authoritarian leadership and follower lists. Many who attended the rallies of McCain, and especially Palin, fall into the authoritarian follower category.

[larry278]

Will the neo-cons, fundies & assorted right wingnuts stop the W, et al have no convictions rap when US Courts start finding W & Co plus accomplaces of treason incident to the war on [of] terror, Iran, Afghanistan, Gitmo? Would they be satisfied if International Tribunals found W & accomplices guilty of war crimes, genocide & other crimes against humanity? US Courts may sentence people convicted of treason to death. International Tribunals's highest penalty is live; a life sentence means 30 years at the most. W & crew would be out in 5 years. Besides Europes's prisons are safe & clean; their prisoners have access to good medical care, wholesome food, clean & sturdy clothes. Prisoners in Europe have their human rights recognized. US prisons are US prisons.

[tjhannink]

Republicans lost because they were not tolerant of the people that disagree with them; they instead branded them as "unamerican".
You can call me a liberal, elitist, etc.. and I will accept your opinion based on the fact you might have been brought up differently that me and have a different perspective on life. But no one has a right to call me "unamerican".
I completed my tour in the military, pay my taxes and vote in every election. To say that "I don't care about my country" because of my political beliefs is an insult that I find hard to accept and very difficult to forgive someone for.
I appreciated John McCain's concession speech, but I think I, as a liberal, am due an apology.
I encourage everyone to listen to the right wing media (Rush, Hannity, Fox) for a day and make a note of their advertisers. They are the enablers of this type of political discourse. Hold them accountable; I am.

[Masterbasser]

Great post. As a veteran of the first gulf war and an unabashed and unashamed liberal, I salute you for your insightful views and courage.

[TheBlackCat]

I'm the wife of a veteran, taxpayer, and voter, and someone who has done extensive volunteer work in my community via United Way and the Rotary Club (while holding down a full time job), and I echo your sentiment completely. I had my conservative mother in law tell me i was unamerican...and then some probing quickly revealed that I had done more volunteer work in the last month than she had done in her entire life (despite being twice my age).

[Digeeedad]

Hannity will continue his current whine to his audience that "liberals are trying to silence silence the voices of TRUTH"!

I agree that some sort of concerted and organized effort needs to be mounted to at least "rein-in" Hannity and Limbaugh's hate-filled and divisive daily deluge!

Besides encouraging everyone you know to listen to these guys on occasion, PLEASE also encourage them to go to Hannity's website and visit his Forums, in particular "Washington Politics".

There you will find the uncensored world of the Hannity hate-filled and bioted "asssociates". The past few days have seen terrible topics, posts and replies there. Since Obama's victory more and more overtly racist posts are surfacing. By Hannity's own "standard of association", and his urging his listeners to visit his website and Forums he should be held accountable and accepting of its content. Why would any advertiser wish to be linked with THIS?

[Bitsko]

My late father fought in the Marines in the Korean conflict, was a sergeant for 25 years in his beloved Air Force, and was a lifelong progressive who brought his kids up to respect their fellow human beings and to fight for social justice. Keep on keeping on, tjhannink!