By "they" I presume you mean the Senate Republicans. If so, I agree. What the Senate Republicans have failed to realize is that there have been innumerable signals that 'times have changed'.
IMHO the problem is that far too many Senators were there when the Republicans were the minority. They had plenty of time to play golf and be useless while the Democrats investigated Iran-Contra, etc.
The Republicans - led by Bob Dole (Tax Collector for the Welfare State) and Trent Lott (Sissy-Boy extraordinaire) never got the hang of being in charge! It was all amiable quips and comments and "My good friend the honorable Senator from Massachusetts" instead of Sam Irvin here's how you lead when you have power!
Grassroots Conservatives put our trust in Dr. Bill Frist to change the dynamic! To date that hasn't happened. First we had Jumpin Jim Jeffords thwart us for two years and now Senators Schumer and Clinton may as well be the Majority Leader and Majority Whip!
Orrin Hatch and Arlen Specter are so afraid of losing their tee times with "The Right Honorable Senator from Massachusetts" that they have forgotten why they are there! It's not just the Dems that make me scream for Term Limits. It's the idiots within our own party who refuse to step up to the plate and fulfill the role that history has dealt them.
In the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich was a visionary. He knew what could be accomplished and he also learned several aspects of what the new technology could do politically. Bob Barr learned to understand it early as well. That understanding is what led Congressman Barr to seek the impeachment of Clinton. Barr knew what the Amerian People were thinking and he knew what was right. Additionally, Congressman Barr placed more credence in his oath than in seeking the favor of the enemy.
The new political reality that has been brought about because of talk radio, the internet, CSPAN, broadband communications, 24 hour cable networks (with an Honorable Mention going to Fox News) has changed the landscape of American Politics. The Democratic Party is headed for the ashheap of history. The problem we have on Free Republic is that we see it, read it, breath it and live it and NO ONE in the Senate does!
There is NO ONE in the Senate that has the vision, the grasp of the new political reality because of the new technology, and the leadership skills and principles to make the Senate run. The US Senate makes dinosaurs look current.
When that person comes along and is politically viable to hold the post of Senate Majority Leader! Life is gonna get interesting!
You heard it here first!
TS
My bet is on Rick Santorum!
Whole-hearted agreement!
BTTT!