No.
The fact is that the GOP ran a gambit that had a 50/50 chance of winning when they chose McCain.
Everyone expected Hillary to win the Democratic nomination and McCain probably could have beat Hillary.
No one really expected Obama to get the nomination, or for Obama to be able to pull off the candidacy with any grace, dignity or leadership. They were wrong. When Obama came back from Europe, he came back a different man -- it was like someone had sent him to "finishing school" -- and he came back standing erect, behaving with confidence, having lost all trace of that initial goofiness and self-doubt.
Next to Obama, McCain looked and behaved like a constipated old man talking about yesterday, while Obama was talking about tomorrow. The biggest "tomorrow" talk about McCain -- even among Republicans -- was whether or not McCain was going croak and Sarah Palin would take over.
Obama had "the future" written all over him, and McCain had "yesterday's news" written all over him. No big surprise of what people would choose there.
And it was this same constipated old man thinking that ran the Republican campaign. The only real youth and vigor that Republicans had captured, had been through Ron Paul's leadership. So what did the Republican Party do with Ron Paul & his followers? They kicked him (and them) out of the tent, and wouldn't let Paul speak at the Republican Convention. Did anyone think about the fact that we were throwing out the most internet savvy, the best grassroots organizing, the best fund-raising, the youngest and most dynamic people in this whole election -- even better than Obama's? No. They weren't Neocons, so they were categorized as "left-wing loonies".
I am 55 years old and even I feel like I am talking to "my dad's generation" in dealing with the Republican Party. And that should tell you something.
The principles of Liberty, the Constitution and Limited Government (real conservatism) have a dynamism all their own -- something to capture the imagination of the young. If the Republican Party can't or won't embrace that, then the Republican Party is dead. And it won't be because "third parties killed it", it will be because it died of stubborn, old age!
On the other hand, if anyone here thinks that Obama really "won something" other than the election, then stop and really think about what he "won" -- he inherited the worst pile of crap that just about any president could ever have to deal with -- a world economy in the toilet, al Qaeda, a resurgent Russia and a polarized, fickle populace who has no tolerance for pain. There could never be a worse time for ANY president or Party to have control of the White House and Congress.
Unless Obama and the Democrats can pull off a miracle, long run Obama may just wind up becoming more hated than even George Bush. And if that happens, the question will be whether the Republican Party will be in any shape to take advantage of that, or whether they will still be busy eating their young, pointing the finger of blame and generally too crabby and divided to function. I am hoping and praying for the former, but knowing human nature, it will likely be the latter!
There were many things in your post that I agreed with.
However, this
“And it was this same constipated old man thinking that ran the Republican campaign. The only real youth and vigor that Republicans had captured, had been through Ron Paul’s leadership. So what did the Republican Party do with Ron Paul & his followers? They kicked him (and them) out of the tent, and wouldn’t let Paul speak at the Republican Convention. Did anyone think about the fact that we were throwing out the most internet savvy, the best grassroots organizing, the best fund-raising, the youngest and most dynamic people in this whole election — even better than Obama’s? No. They weren’t Neocons, so they were categorized as “left-wing loonies”.
I am 55 years old and even I feel like I am talking to “my dad’s generation” in dealing with the Republican Party. And that should tell you something.”
-—was simply outstanding. I supported BJ Lawson in the run against David Price (he was solidly trounced) in the 4th NC district. He did not even plan to run until the primaries (he was a huge Ron Paul fan), and the party leadership sort of stood over to the side, horrified that he attracted the youth, the unwashed, blacks, split ticket Obama voters, and other ne’er do wells. His message of liberty, freedom, fidelity to the constitution, rejection of militarism, integrity, fiscal common sense..., all through a netting based on a deep personal commitment to Christ..., they were strong pulls for the most eclectic group of people I have ever seen among Republicans. A sold contingent of black people, tatooed and pierced, button down conservatives, and a WIDE group of people..., but mostly YOUNG people.
I am 53 years old, and I share your feeling that the Republican party is dominated by a bunch of blue haired geezers who are basically dyspeptic hating old churls who can’t figure out if they are conservative because they believe in it or because they are angry that life has moved on and passed them by. Maybe there will be a real time of soul searching among the Pub leadership. I sincerely hope so.
Great post Boka :)
Post of the day!
If there's any good to come out of this, it's that the GOP is now fresh out of cranky old Washington pols like Dole and McCain to be the establishment Republican candidates.