For Republicans, the best of times and the worst of times
Republicans look to be on the verge of dramatic gains in this year’s mid-term elections.
It’s a dramatic reversal for the GOP, and a joyous one for conservatives terrified of (and infuriated by) the Democratic Party’s agenda.
Just two years after their near-collapse following Barack Obama’s election, Republican leaders are poised to retake the high ground.
By any measure, it’s a remarkable accomplishment — in some ways more breathtaking a revival than the 1994 revolution led by Newt Gingrich.
But it’s also a period fraught with danger and uncertainty for Republicans, with deep schisms that raise questions about the party’s future agenda.
Consider Alaska, where the Republican Senate candidate has now dropped into third place behind the Democrat and a write-in candidate.
Consider Colorado, where the GOP’s candidate for governor is running so far behind that Republicans could lose their “major party” status.
Consider the fact that the Republican Party itself is now woefully underfunded and disorganized.
The GOP is being outspent and outhustled by a pantheon of conservative outsider groups — many of them bankrolled anonymously.
That’s been a huge help in this year’s campaign, but it makes forging an actual policy agenda very tricky indeed.
Consider the fact that the conservative movement’s most charismatic leaders — Sarah Palin being the first among equals — are deeply problematic figures, distrusted by many Americans.
Consider the fact that on several major issues — from gays in the military to environmental policy — Americans are deeply uncomfortable with the GOP’s positions.
Consider, finally, that the GOP is surging to power on promises that appear irreconcilable, assuring voters that they will protect entitlement and defense programs, while also cutting government spending, shrinking the deficit, and cutting taxes.
In the short-ball game of American politics, these factors are being eclipsed for the moment — and fair enough.
At present, Republicans don’t have to govern; they just have to win.
And by any measure, it’s better to be on top and struggling with internal divisions than trying to sort through the mess while wandering in the wilderness.
But the GOP’s travails suggest that after November, they are likely to face a far more challenging political and cultural landscape than the one they claimed in 1995.
Tags: election10
I predict that to the extent the Republicans are successful on Nov. 2, they will soon come to regret their success because those who vote for them will demand immediate results.
Their problems will be compounded by divisions as to what those immediate results should be.
Sad to say, it doesn’t really matter if we are talking about Democrats, Republicans or Independents, Americans have become the “Daddy, daddy, give me, give me, give me but don’t raise my taxes” party.
I’m not betting on the Repubs doing anything great this time around. There are too many trying to ride the Tea Party coattails without having a clue what they really mean. I predict some modest gains, but no real upset.
{ete. truer words were never spoken. Gimee, gimee, gimee, or in the language of New Orleans, “Where’s mines?”
The biggest gain will be the neutralizing of Obama’s super majority.
Let Obama prove his agenda in debate, not by fiat.
Also, the Democratic party is being torn apart by Obama. The far left doesn’t think he is left enough, and the moderates think he is too radical.
The difference between 1994 and now is that we were not in a depression in 1994. Today it is not just cultural issues and grandstanding; today the average person can see failure, they know if they have a job and health insurance or not. So whoever wins better hope things get better.
Reporting in from Washington DC, seeing some museums and getting ready for the Rally to Restore Sanity.
Apropo of that, JDM Obama does not have a super-majority. Do you know what a super-majority is?
By the way look for my sign at the rally: “NPR STAFF”.
Whoa…I would think the big question is what will the Democrat Party do…especially if they lose 50+ seats.
I should remind you that Dems rose to power in 2006 with nothing better than we are not Bush and accomplished nothing leading up to 2008.
Also, all of your examples can be flipped around on Democrat leaders. But, you are right. It will be interesting.
khl says, “Do you know what a super-majority is? ”
Umm. The number of people who are going to vote against Obama, Reid, and Pelosi next week!
‘By the way look for my sign at the rally: “NPR STAFF”.”
As my kids would say – Hilaaarious!
Have a great time Knucklhead!
Knucklhead,
If you are serious, great idea!
If you are serious, have you thought of wearing a costume so you look like some big shot at NPR.
I wouldn’t ask you to go in drag if you’re not a woman like the current NPR president. Maybe some other overpaid NPR big shot.
I think NCPR is great but I think they pay too much to get programs from NPR.
Here’s what the GOP will do: Endless investigations, leading to a trumped-up impeachment of Obama over ACORN or Ayers or Wright or somesuch, which will lead to him being thrown from office if the Senate is Republican-controlled, or acquitted if the Dems hold on.
It will be a bright shiny object that will distract the media and allow nothing to get done, except for ensuring that the rich grow richer.
It’s the playbook.
Obama deserves to be impeached because the Dem’s are incapable of playing hardball politics. Remember the concern of the Republicans back in 2006? If Dem’s get elected they will try to impeach President Bush! We need to get the Dem’s to promise that, if elected, they will leave the President alone. Of course the Dem’s went along with this, probably because they thought there were more pressing problems that needed to be addressed (and because they can’t play hardball).
Now Darryl Issa is sounding the ‘we need to impeach the President’ megaphone. Why? Because President Obama is the most corrupt President to ever hold office. Any evidence of that claim? Nope. But since when does evidence matter to conservatives? Yes, there will be plenty of investigations. I’m really hoping to see the investigation into the climate change “hoax”.
PNElba and me both: “I’m really hoping to see the investigation into the climate change “hoax”.”
Obama needs to be impeached just like Bush did. Funny both left and right get all hysterical about their guy getting charged for the garbage he did. It isn’t going to happen guys, and it shouldn’t. This is the same stuff we heard from the left claiming the “Bush will never leave office! He’ll declare martial law if he needs to to remain in office!” Change Bush to Obama and that’s what I’m already hearing from the ninnys on the right.
Thanks Mervel, I had a great time. Too bad you all couldn’t be there to join in fun activities like “Jump-rope With a Muslim” and doing the Wave and making various noises for the guys from Myth Busters.
Looks like the rally turned out well. At least no one had their head stepped on.