A lack of leadership and no clear, positive message could prevent Republicans from taking advantage of a golden opportunity for big gains in the midterm elections.
The political fortunes of the Republican Party give every appearance of rising from the ashes, like the mythological phoenix of old. Aided by the unpopularity of the radical Democratic agenda and the nakedly overbearing efforts by that party to ram this agenda down the nation’s collective throats, the Republicans are poised to roar back onto the national political scene in November in a way reminiscent of 1994.
Indeed, the talk is generally not about whether the GOP will take back the House, but by how many seats. Regaining control of the Senate, similarly, is viewed by many as an attainable goal for the Republicans. This sort of talk is aided by favorable polling, not the least of which being Rasmussen’s gold standard tracking polls, which have consistently shown that the GOP holds a decent lead in generic preference on congressional ballots — something that bodes quite well for Republican fortunes this fall. Following on spectacular victories in 2009 in which they took back the governor’s mansions in New Jersey and Virginia, there seems to be good reason for this optimism.
However, we should never underestimate the power of the Republican Party leadership to ruin a good thing.
The Republican Party can certainly still blow it and lose in November. Indeed, there are a number of disconcerting trends that potentially point in that direction, and these trends help to reinforce the gut feeling I am getting that the GOP is losing the momentum that it had coming into this spring.
First, there is the squishiness that seems to be nothing short of genetic in the present GOP “leadership.” This ruling caste never seems to miss the opportunity to apologize for a principled stand taken by a truly conservative elected official, to bemoan the resurgence of conservative activism in and around the party, or to condemn some element of their own party in Democrat-like terms. How else can we explain National Republican Senatorial Committee chair John Cornyn’s statements to the press announcing that the GOP might not try to repeal that there health care takeover after all, if they retake the Congress? Remember the health care takeover? The one that a majority of Americans hated? I can’t imagine that this won the GOP any points with either their own base or with crucial independent voters who despised this legislation to almost the same degree that conservative Republicans did.
Exploring Sarah Palin’s Debut Week on Fox News
OK, I’ll admit it, when I first got the news that Sarah Palin was signing onwith Fox News to be a commentator and analyst, I was kind of like…huh(?), but that faded fast. Like many, it came at me from out of the blue, and I follow Sarah pretty closely.
Also, like many, I was concerned about the other efforts she has going on: Things like giving speeches, campaigning for Conservatives, doing charity work, and smacking Barack Obama upside the head on a regular basis. You know, saving the world stuff!
Of course, after the few minutes it took for all of this to sink in, and for me to process it all, I realized that this was, after all, Sarah Palin, the ultimate multi-tasker. Sarah Palin, the woman who is known to have a Blackberry in each hand, and her beautiful son Trig in her arms, all the while being briefed on something else. This is Sarah Palin, who reportedly has a photographic memory, and likes her briefings rapid fire!
The Fox News gig may be the easiest, least taxing job she’ll have!
My second thoughts went to the Great Ronald Reagan, my political hero, and well, one of Sarah’s, as well. Once again, one sees Sarah as nothing less than Reaganesque with this move.
Sarah’s life really does parallel Reagan’s in many ways:
Both grew up in small towns in modest surroundings.
Both played sports and played them well. Reagan played football, Sarah is a championship winning basketball player, and now a competitive runner.
Both went to small, “no name” colleges. And yes, as the left points out, Sarah went to several. Took her 5 years to get her 4 year degree in journalism. That sort of thing is rather common in America, among those who work their way through college, and pay for it all with the sweat of their brow.
Read the rest.
Ever wonder why people become members of the Republican Party? Ever wonder why your neighbor spends hours helping the Party? Every wonder what you should tell your friends when they ask you, “Why are you a Republican?” Here’s your answer…. I Am a Republican Because . . .
- I believe the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
- I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
- I believe free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
- I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
- I believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.
- I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is the government closest to the people.
- I believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
- I believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
- Finally, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.
- Haley Barbour, former Republican National Committee Chairman, c. November 1994
