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Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

The Birthers and Beckers Triumph Over the GOP

In what may well come to be seen as the culmination of the death throes of the Reagan Republican party, the first echoing retort shot across the media today as the cracks in the GOP began to give way to calving chasms and massive bergs sheared off the weathered cliffs.  The ability of Michael (“No, really! I’m, like, hip to your happening shizang my home young gentlepersons!”) Steele and the GOP “leadership” (or is that “GOP” leadeship?) to maintain anything like coherency even among the reduced ranks of Republican membership is not only in retreat:

It’s in hiding.

In the special election in the 23rd Congressional District race, Dede Scozzafava – the Republican candidate – quit the race today after hearing that she is being out-polled by the Conservative Party candidate that Alaskan blogger Sarah Palin is supporting.

How much longer can the GOP pretend to be able to present a viable image as a serious contender for national leadership?  At this point, even as an opposition party it is questionable – representing neither the views of the moderate right (like myself and most righthanded Mooses) nor the Palindrome Constitutionalist Flat-Earthers who are driving its agenda.

Does anyone really think that the GOP will have reorganized itself sufficiently to be a real threat of taking control of the houses of Congress in 12 months?  Does it seem even vaguely reasonable to see the party rallying 50%+1 of the population to take the white house in a campaign that will need to start in 12 months?

This Moose doesn’t think so.


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91 comments

  1. HappyinVT

    Wow!  I read at TPM that the RNC would declare victory if Hoffman had won over Scozzafava.  Actually, they would have declared victory even if Owens had won with under 50%.

    It will be interesting to see what happens if Corzine and Deeds lose.  Deeds, barring some miracle, looks like he’s destined to lose big.  Folks in VA say he’s been a really bad candidate.  Corzine and Cristie are really close but folks say NJ always polls close and then the Dem pulls ahead in actual voting.  And, apparently, last night a Corzine aide/staffer was arrested on drug charges.  Not good timing.

    I got a bit lost in the weeds but I guess my point was that Republican successes in these races could, while not necessarily really indicative of the overall state of the party, could at least make the Dems a bit defensive.

    Can the Republican party hold together with Palin, Pawlenty (who is moving more to the right every day), Huckabee, et al as the standard bearers?  Will someone step up and say, “enough.”  It doesn’t appear Gingrich has the cache anymore.  Is there an “unknown” moderate who would be tolerable to the base while bringing back disillusioned Republicans?  I don’t know.  Huntsman looked like a viable candidate but would he be willing to face off against his boss in the 2012 GE?  Somehow I doubt it.  Canter hasn’t shown any leadership and he’s made a couple of stupid comments in the healthcare debate.  Who else is out there?  With the primary season starting earlier and earlier someone needs to step up soon.

  2. John Allen

    repeat this performance in every congressional district in a blue state. Please, please, please, pull the party hard to the right. That could completely turn around the prospects of the minority party during the 2010 elections. Only a massive failure in 2010 and again in 2012 will get the party leadership to wake up.

  3. Hollede

    I have watched the republican party pull this country so far to the right, since I returned to the US in 1979, that I am pleased as punch to see them beginning to implode. IMHO the radical left of the 1960’s and 70’s soured most Americans on liberalism and by association, the Democratic Party, that we were left out in the desert for the last 30 years.

    I see the same thing happening to the radical right now. If the over the top insanity can cause a massive retching sound from the vast majority of Americans, I hope we can move the center to a true middle ground. Americans are more progressive than we give them credit for, and a sane and courageous liberal alternative can effectively redefine American politics for the better.  

  4. canadian gal

    much about this – but this is not good news for the politics of the US. for every yin there must be a yang. and the teabaggers and their grody ilk ain’t either.

  5. GMFORD

    I suspect they’ve always pandered to the far right fringe but it hasn’t gotten the air time it does these days.  

    For decades they’ve been able to push a racist message to racists and a family values message to theocrats while at the same time telling the fiscal conservatives they’re all about low taxes and small government.  

    The Bush regime kept the media flooded with the talking points of the day which was basically pre-written copy.

    Now these various factions are emboldened by getting air time.  Moderate republicans think the party has recently gone crazy but I don’t think it’s all that recent.

  6. DTOzone

    I don’t know if it helps this late in the game, but whatever works;

    Scozzafava released the following statement at 2 :06 p.m.:

    I want to thank you for your support and friendship. Over the past 24 hours, I have had encouraging words sent to my family and me. Many of you have asked me whom you should support on Tuesday.

    Since announcing the suspension of my campaign, I have thought long and hard about what is best for the people of this District, and how to answer your questions. This is not a decision that I have made lightly.

    You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it’s about the people of this District.

    It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same.

    It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh’s lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to provide the leadership and continuity of support to Drum Country just as John did during his tenure in Congress.

    In Bill Owens, I see a sense of duty and integrity that will guide him beyond political partisanship. He will be an independent voice devoted to doing what is right for New York. Bill understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first.

    Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday. To address the tough challenges ahead, we must rise above partisanship and politics and work together. There’s too much at stake in this election to do otherwise.

  8. creamer

    is that we reach for too much too fast and fail. When I listen to those who rant about Obama continuing to reach across the isle, or not moving radicaly enough in regards to climate change or financial reform, it seems they have forgotten about the other 65 percent of Americans who don’t agree with them. I don’t believe its proper for one portion of the electorate to dictate to the majority what policy should be, I also don’t thinks its politicaly wise. That ledge gets pretty narrow when you ignore all dissenting voices.

     

  9. rfahey22

    Especially with Hoffman’s possible loss tonight, but I’m not sure.  Assuming that the Democrats have fallen out of favor by 2010/12, then Republicans may have a decent shot simply because they represent an alternative to the current regime.  I think tonight’s elections show that the Republicans can succeed, even in this environment, under the right conditions and with the right candidates.  

    That said, the Republican presidential candidate is going to have a hell of a time pleasing the Palinites without coming across as batshit insane to the rest of the country.  That person is probably going to have to do the whole “wink wink, nudge nudge” routine to get the crazies to the polls, but I can’t think of any potential candidate that would be able to pull it all off successfully.  

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