I consider myself a Tea Partier having participated in events, donated to the cause, and generally supported the “movement”. Its no exaggeration to say that the Tea Party gave the House back to Republicans in 2010.
But what did the Tea Party get in return? Boehner promptly did everything in his power to marginalize it and push the people it elected into the background. Its hard to forget or forgive that type of treatment. Its only a bland, generic product with an expired shelf life.
Only results matter. I’ll give the GOP credit only if and when they produce. Remember, it is not called the Stupid Party for nothing. It has an uncanny way of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again and again. IMO this is because they are devoid of any core convictions.
I’m not willing to continue supporting a team that is a perennial loser. Conservatives deserve better.
As to your question of why should the Republicans telegraph their intentions to Obama, it would be to deter him. Clearly, he does not respect or fear the GOP because its all talk and no show. It needs to establish itself as a force to reckon with that says what it means, and means what it say. Instead they are weak, and weakness invites aggression. Always has, always will.
There are MANY things the Republicans could have done to hamper Obama in recent years but they missed every opportunity to do so. That is no way to build credibility. The party as it stands today is a very long way from becoming a respected “premium” brand. Instead, its languishing as a tired, generic product with an expired shelf life that few people are buying. The only reason voters abandoned the other alternative “product” was that it was contaminated and recalled.
Hi Starboard,
Who knows? My wife and I may have marched next to you in the two Tea Party events we attended in Washington.
I thimk we both agree that we need to see action from the GOP pretty soon. The old excuse for inaction (”We only control the House!”) will no longer apply.
I think the new GOP proposal for a one-year continuing resolution with a “carve-out” and a shorter string for Homeland Security is a good proposal because it creates a trap for Obama.
Would Obama dare to veto a continuing resolution that will keep all of government operating a current levels for four months, and keep 95% of government operating at current levels for a year? If so, he really is a “nut”.
And, if he really is a “nut”, it shouldn’t be too hard to get the 67 Senators needed to vote to replace him.
That is, if so many of the Democrat Senators were not themselves “nuts”...
Interesting times...