Posted on 02/14/2013 5:54:09 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Inside the cozy enclaves of GOP bonhomiehunkered at the tables of see-and-be-seen Washington restaurantsRepublican leaders are sourly predicting a party-busting independent presidential bid by a tea-party challenger, like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., in 2016.
To them, the GOP apocalypse looms larger than most realize. Dueling State of the Union rebuttals and Karl Roves assault on right-wing candidates are mere symptoms of an existential crisis that is giving the sturdiest Republicans heartburn.
And yet, the heart of the matter extends beyond the GOP. My conversations this week with two Republican officials, along with a Democratic strategist's timely memo, reflect a growing school of thought in Washington that social change and a disillusioned electorate threaten the entire two-party system.
Seem like a lot to swallow? Allow me to describe my last few days at work.
Between bites of an $18.95 SteakBurger at the Palm, one of Washingtons premier expense-account restaurants, Republican consultant Scott Reed summed up the state of politics and his beloved GOP. The party, he told me, is irrelevant.
He cited the familiar litany of problems: demographic change, poor candidates, ideological rigidity, deplorable approval ratings, and a rift between social and economic conservatives.
Its leading to some type of crash and reassessment and change, said Reed, who ran Bob Doles 1996 presidential campaign and remains an influential lobbyist and operative. It cant continue on this path.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Something to keep in mind.
We can only hope! But I must say that these people ‘inside-the-loop’ are definitely slow learners.
Our national parties, and their state affiliates, engage in a battle to pick up followers from the factions. Sometimes a large faction will shift from the Demos to the Reps, or vice versa. More frequently small factions do that without being noticed.
There is a fringe around the poles ~ virtually depopulated. it is not a middle filled with undecided voters.
It's like a business partner who comes in every day and knee's you in the balls and yet criticizes you when you express your desire to leave stating that the rival company will gain the upper hand.
The Great Whig Party has Spoken!
They don't want Conservatives in their party and we don't want to stay.
Not after the way the Treat Sarah Palin(stupid!), Michele Bachmann(crazy!), etc etc etc etc
Ya ever notice how much Millard looked like Alec Baldwin?
Scott Reed a leader of the GOP? He's a joke.
I half way expected to see the local volunteer fire department out there hosing them down.
Ever think about growing a pair of balls?? I don't remember ever seeing them split!
What a bunch of tools.
Well if we are going to split, let us do so right away.
Give us time to re-establish a base of real support, and start to organize for a take-over election.
Stay or go. But let us make up our minds quickly please.
This article reeks of an exercise in social engineering. Divide and conquer is the name of the game here. Although from recent events, the republicans are bent on purging the conservatives from their ranks, to appeal to moderate republicans of course. It almost seems like the republicans are content with playing the part of minor opposition within the party. Go along, get along, and get a piece of the ever shrinking pie, country be damned.
“You are correct. The author of this piece, Ron Fournier, is a rabid, agenda-driven Marxist. Something to keep in mind.” I don’t think a lot of these people on this thread understand what you are talking about. The old ‘Divide and conquer’ battle plan only work when about 5-7% of the opponents side buys into the notion that losing is winning. They are fools. I never ever thought we had so many that could be led around by left wing trolls and talked into not voting and letting Obama back in the oval office. God help us all.
Here’s another take on the state of the party:
“That’s it in a nutshell, isn’t it? “
You said it, and don’t forget the “pink milk”.
“It’s like a business partner who comes in every day and knee’s you in the balls and yet criticizes you when you express your desire to leave stating that the rival company will gain the upper hand.”
I saved that one and will laugh every time I read it or think about it!
Does this mean the establishment GOP capitulating SOBs are starting to pay attention?
Republican leader.
That’s a contradiction in terms.
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