Posted on 08/23/2013 2:02:24 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
With another presidential cycle starting in just two years, battle lines are being drawn - not between the two parties, but within the Republican Party itself.
Interestingly the differences being aired this summer seem less about ideology than approach: Whether compromise with Democrats is ever okay; even more broadly whether government can or even should try to solve problems through policy or lawmaking. So while most Americans reflexively say they want "something done" there's plenty of difference in defining what that means, and these debates have huge potential to shape the GOP's brand in 2014 and certainly in 2016.
It's playing out now - as a raft of reliably conservative Republican senators have drawn 2014 primary challenges or the ire of tea party and other groups angry about the budget deals including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, Lamar Alexander in Tennessee, Mike Enzi in Wyoming and Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.
And it is affecting top leaders who are mentioned as Republican presidential candidates in 2016. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie framed the party's choice of direction as about "winning" (read: coalition building, when needed) or not, if it instead chases ideological purity. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has warned Republicans not to be seen as "anti-"everything. (On the Senate side Alexander, for his part, responded to his challengers much in the same vein as Christie, drawing lines between speech-making and his desire for action.)
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
“It’s playing out now - as a raft of reliably conservative Republican senators have drawn 2014 primary challenges”
I think the authors meant “reliably squishy Republican senators.”
You’re right, upchuck, Grahamnesty’s censure should be notice to him that it’s going to be a different ballgame next year.
LOL!!! Good point! However, I think we should have a good reason to drink heavily but, in reality, any occasion will do (e.g. it's Friday, the laundry is done, the laundry isn't done, it's Tuesday, you got a new car, your old car died on the side of the road, your mother-in-law went back home, it's Thursday, you graduated from college, your last kid moved out, etc., etc., etc.!!)
Nonetheless after the 2016 election with the likely field the RNC is putting up, we'll have an even better reason!!
i’ll eat to that, having very little wine right now
-Christie 2016-
‘If you’re gay you have to stay that way’
-Cruz 2016-
‘It’s Canada’s Turn’
-Bush 2016-
‘So what if Einstein said it’s insane?’
If a business as usual Republican wins their primary in 2014, then a third party candidate should be waiting to run in the general election.
I personally believe in a double barreled conservative approach with one primary candidate and one third party candidate waiting in the wings in case the RINO wins the primary.
“Nonetheless after the 2016 election with the likely field the RNC is putting up, we’ll have an even better reason!!”
Given what the gop is (not) doing, I’m not sure our livers will make it to 2016.
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