"You see how the Democrats refuse to cooperate with the Republcans on all issues and then blame him for the most partisan administration in history. That's how you appear to me."
How you appear to me is as part of a majority, but not a crushing majority, who has played a bad hand, refuses to admit a mistake, and is determined to silence opposition in his own ranks - to compel obedience.
It is not going to work.
Rather, THAT is the tragedy that will split the Republican Party for a generation and probably destroy our majorities in both houses.
I CAN'T back down, because everything I believe in depends upon gaining control of the Supreme Court and using that control to dismantle the atrocities that Court has inflicted on America, starting with Roe v. Wade. And I cannot accept "Trust me" on the very CORE of my beliefs.
You CAN back down, because there are plenty of other nominees who would be acceptable to you and to me both, that would cause no dissent within the ranks, but would instead provoke a fight with the other side...a fight in which we would be united.
But you WON'T back down, because for you it's become a matter of authority within the party and pride. The orders have been issued, and even if they are not brilliant we will all shut up and obey (damn us!), or be shown our place.
What that does, is show me the door.
Because I cannot back down on this. This is IT, THE WHOLE GAME, the Supreme Court. It's not comparable to any other act or policy. It's WHY folks like me have gritted our teeth and grumbled - but not defied the party - on massive deficits, massive increases in entitlements, and open borders on two continents. All of that could be endured in order to get TO THIS PLACE. Well, we're here, but the President is playing this one like a political game instead of the Waterloo Battlefield that it is, for one side or the other.
So, you're not going to back down, even though you CAN with no lasting damage to yourself or the party. I can't back down, because it would mean leaving to chance the most core of all core positions I have.
And that means civil war.
It's a civil war you will win, because - as the numbers show - it's probably 2/3rds v. 1/3rd. Although it may well turn into 60/40 by the time its all over.
At the end of it, you'll still be in command, of a broken party. And the real enemy will win.
BUMP!
How you appear to me is as part of a majority, but not a crushing majority, who has played a bad hand, refuses to admit a mistake, and is determined to silence opposition in his own ranks - to compel obedience.
While I admit the President was dealt a bad hand, I think he has played it well. You can't make two jacks into a flush.
The reason it seems the other side wishes to silence you and compel obedience is that it is YOU who is making the unreasonable demands.
What you want cannot be achieved right now...the political landscape does not allow it, yet you still would split the party seeking the perfect before the good.
Like the Dems who fight W at every turn then blame him for partisanship, you resist the fact that political realities (read spineless senate) force W to compromise and then blame him for not appeasing you.