Posted on 01/30/2013 12:53:04 PM PST by Kaslin
The 2012 presidential campaign is over, but not for President Obama. The community organizer turned Senator turned president, who ran on hope and change in 2008 and its antipode character assassination in 2012, has no intention of putting politics behind him. Rather, he is seeking to wage a total war against the Republicans for their political immiseration.
Total war is a two-pronged approach to battle: first, mobilizing the entire population for the war effort; and second, targeting the entire enemy population, not just its military. Examples from World War Two include German submarine attacks on merchant ships and passenger ships, the blitz over London, the Allied bombing of Dresden, and the use of atomic bombs against Japan.
Following his reelection, beneath the veil of his public bipartisan insouciance, Obama’s actions adumbrate his intention to wage total war against the GOP. The signs could not be clearer.
First, the fiscal cliff. On the heels of his re-election victory, Obama ignored fiscal reality and refused any spending cuts or entitlement reforms. He then refused to negotiate and ignored the recommendations of his own fiscal commission, and then accused the GOP of bad faith and worse motives.
Then, the president gave the most partisan and least conciliatory inaugural address in recent memory. An address bereft of good will and chock full of straw men and obloquy for the opposition, the president made clear that his mission will be the expansion of the welfare state, the destruction of his opposition, and the establishment of a permanent class of government dependents. The era of big government is back, forever.
Further, the Obama campaign apparatus remains active. The Obama Victory Fund 2012, in partnership with Obama for America, the official campaign vehicle, continues agitating and organizing on the president’s behalf under the guise of a new entity, “Organizing for Action,” most recently asking email recipients to call Congress in support of Obama’s gun control legislation.
What can we expect from Organizing for Action? Given that former Obama campaign Chairman Jim Messina is chairman of the new group, Organizing for Action augurs more of the same from the 2012 campaign: mud slinging, character assassination and class and race divisions.
Obama’s second-term cabinet appointments reflect this reality. This year, Obama has nominated cabinet appointees known not for their bipartisan accomplishments, respected reputations, or independent judgment. That was 2008, when Obama nominated Larry Summers and Ray LaHood and retained Bob Gates. The second term cabinet is shaping up to be a coterie of loyal attack dogs (Kerry, Hagel, Jack Lew, etc.) who will report to the political central command, the Oval Office, and with dispatch carry out Obama’s sorties against the GOP.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that Obama is eschewing the Clinton model of triangulation and consensus. There will be no negotiating with Congressional opposition, and therefore no large scale accomplishments like welfare reform or a balanced budget in Obama’s second term. What is the GOP to do?
First, recognize the total war that is upon them. In the face of an all out assault on the GOP, now is no time to go soft. The GOP must realize that the campaign for 2014 is already under way, and the GOP is again playing from behind in terms of organization, fundraising, and momentum. (See Organizing for Action, above).
Second, the GOP must speak as a more cohesive unit, and include new mouthpieces outside the District. Accomplished Republican governors who have wrestled with the policies at issue in Obama’s second term (immigration, healthcare, gun control) must be part of the national conversation. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are known entities. New voices with successful records must be relied on to combat the Obama assaults.
Third, on specific legislation, the GOP must speak first and speak often, and frame their positions in terms of practical, positive results for all Americans of all races, genders, and income levels. If the 2012 election proved anything, it’s that rhetoric and demonization trumps substance. Therefore, the GOP must improve the rhetoric used to convey its ideas.
Total war ends when one side has been pummeled into total submission and loses the will to fight. For the GOP and for the future prosperity of the country, losing the will to fight is not an option. The only way to survive Obama’s assault is to resist him often and prevail in the 2014 midterms. In the interim, the GOP must man the barricades, because the battle is joined and will not cease until January 20, 2017.
Well damn it, fight back.
I might not like 0’s politics, but I respect what he is doing. If the GOP is willing to die, then why not?
Amen.
I called Boehner’s office. His spokeswoman said he had wet his pants and was crying so he couldn’t come to the phone.
I thought destroying the other party was the entire point of party politics.
was he sucking his thumb or his bottle?
It’s not the GOP, It’s everyone.
They FEAR not being liked by the NYTimes.
They FEAR being called partisan.
They FEAR being called names.
In sum, they are not leaders. They are players, nothing more.
Where are the Andrew Brietbart types? Where are the Conservative leaders who are willing to go on blatantly biased talk shows and FIGHT for truth, justice, and the American way?
I do not fear Obama. I fear that we are utterly leaderless.
No kidding. This is lame. No one wants to get behind whiners and hand wringers. Stop apologizing for what you believe and stand by it. Either you think conservative principles are compelling in and of themselves or you don't. Either you think a human being is there at conception or you don't. Either you believe contraception and homosexuality are moral, ethical choices or you don't. Either you believe this country should stand with God or you don't. Either you believe in government controlling our lives or you don't. Decide. Or keep quiet.
And, just like Bill Clinton, he is paying ever more attention to internal politics and demonizing conservative Americans while ignoring the real enemies all Americans face. Look for another 9/11 sometime during or soon after this term. No doubt that will also be “Bush’s fault.”
The GOP fluffs on the Federal level might well be pushed into irrelevancy by Obama’s strategies. There are principled people on the state level ready to step over their lifeless bodies and continue the fight.
If - and that’s not a big if in my opinion, given the criminal levels of collusion between the so-called MSM and Obama - the GOP loses the House, America is truly doomed. The House majority represents the last defense between the makers and the takers. If the enemy gets inside the wire, and takes our firebase, the end will be upon the American Experiment.
That’s the excuse they make for him but he’s a double agent who wants to destroy us filthy conservatives who give him so much trouble.
It’s best to ignore crazy people ,maybe give a few bucks for smokes and beer
If - and that’s not a big if in my opinion, given the criminal levels of collusion between the so-called MSM and Obama - the GOP loses the House, America is truly doomed. The House majority represents the last defense between the makers and the takers. If the enemy gets inside the wire, and takes our firebase, the end will be upon the American Experiment.
The best way to fight back (besides voting and reducing your tax burden by all means available) is to simply do what the doctor ordered when we had an American president: live within your means, save money, and plan for the future. With the exception of items ordered off dollar menus (just food, and only $1 items; I bring my own soda), I must say that both my personal consumption of goods and services, and that of my family, has fallen dramatically. Things like Friday night pizza, eating at restaurants, movie theaters, etc. are things of the past; we’re paying down debt, and as for those people losing their jobs as more and more people tighten their belts: Who cares? I know for certain that most were Obama voters; now diners and such in my area have laid off many Obama voters (or closed outright). For those innocent people caught in the economic boycott crossfire, my family and home simply take precedence over their perch in the service economy.
I would call it a badge of honor to be disliked by the NYT and piss them off !
> They FEAR not being liked by the NYTimes.
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