Schism and Tension in the GOP

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Former Rep. and DLC Chair Harold Ford was on MSNBC's "Hardball" yesterday, and Chris Matthews brought up the leaders in the Republican Party. According to a transcript from my reader Hoosier Paul, Ford had this to say:

"I think it also speaks to the schism and the tension in their party right now. They can't decide if they want to go the Paul Ryan/Eric Cantor route, which seems to be slightly more substantive and mindful of the fact that the country is looking for answers, and substantive answers at that, or if they want to go the Rush Limbaugh/Palin, and some would argue, even now, the Rick Perry approach, which borders on asinine...."

I can appreciate where Ford is coming from here. In fact, there's probably a few competing factions in the GOP, at least with regards to the future direction of the party. Rush Limbaugh recently told the CPAC audience that the right should "stop assuming that the way to beat [the left] is with better policy ideas," pointing to the Republican contingent that isn't especially concerned with "substantive answers."

What I find noteworthy about Ford's remarks, though, is that he named Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Eric Cantor (R-Va.) as examples of those who take policy matters seriously. These two, Ford suggested, are the kind of lawmakers who can give the Republican Party some substantive heft.

The problem, of course, is that if Ryan and Cantor are going to be the substantive backbone of the GOP in the coming years, the Republican Party's future is likely to be quite bleak.

Ryan, for example, recently insisted that the Obama administration's proposed budget is "worse than Europe's" budget (as if the continent has just one). He also proposed a truly insane five-year spending freeze to respond to the global economic crisis and described a massive tax cut for the wealthy, dropping the top rate to 25%, as "progressive." In fact, Ryan helped craft the House GOP caucus' budget alternative, which tried to lower the deficit by passing trillions of dollars in additional tax cuts. On taxes, spending, Social Security, Medicare, energy policy, Ryan's plan wasn't just wrong, it was demonstrably ridiculous.

And by all appearances, Cantor is slightly worse, not only endorsing Ryan's approach -- including the belief that the way out of a recession is deep federal spending cuts -- but also taking the lead in opposition economic recovery efforts in February. Best of all, this week, Cantor's office unveiled a Republican "solutions center" for Americans concerned about job losses, the housing crisis, and their savings. Every question led to the same response: tax cuts, spending cuts, or tax cuts and spending cuts.

Ryan and Cantor are prepared to take the lead on crafting "substantive answers" for the Republican Party? Here's a challenge for them: name one.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

According to a transcript from my reader Hoosier Paul, Ford had this to say:

Sounds like you are stretching to cop a feel.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I'm done with politics. It ruins everybody career except for politicians.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm done with politics. It ruins everybody career except for politicians.

No don't become cynical. That's the easy way out. These are complex problems this country is facing and we need meaningful debate, not rhetoric and fear mongering.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm curious why Dimcraps are so worried about the direction of the Republican party. Aren't they convinced yet they have the future all sewn up?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm curious why Dimcraps are so worried about the direction of the Republican party. Aren't they convinced yet they have the future all sewn up?

Of course...because the Rethuglicans are never concerning themselves with the Democratic Party.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm curious why Dimcraps are so worried about the direction of the Republican party. Aren't they convinced yet they have the future all sewn up?

Of course...because the Rethuglicans are never concerning themselves with the Democratic Party.

Your new handle suits you will. It's like you're calling yourself the Colonel of Sh!t so I don't have to.

[fozzie 41]

I'm curious why Dimcraps are so worried about the direction of the Republican party. Aren't they convinced yet they have the future all sewn up?

Know your enemy.

[c_and_a 0]

I'm curious why Dimcraps are so worried about the direction of the Republican party. Aren't they convinced yet they have the future all sewn up?

Know your enemy.

And I thought only right wingers were secessionists. One sentence can speak volumes.

These things are cyclical, just a few years ago people were debating the end of the Democratic Party. Again, politics are incredibly cyclical. Many independent conservatives such as myself are hopeful that the GOP will go down in flames and a real conservative, libertarian-type party will emerge, while Democrats and lefties think that they won't be facing opposition anymore.

Both are wrong. The GOP will be back, and we'll still have two relatively bad parties to choose from.

[c_and_a 0]

I'm done with politics. It ruins everybody career except for politicians.

No don't become cynical. That's the easy way out. These are complex problems this country is facing and we need meaningful debate, not rhetoric and fear mongering.

Please, if you're not cynical than you're not paying attention. If American politicians kept their promises and had the real interests of the people at heart, we'd be living in the closest thing you can to a utopia by now.

But it is just more self-serving #######, on both sides.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm done with politics. It ruins everybody career except for politicians.

No don't become cynical. That's the easy way out. These are complex problems this country is facing and we need meaningful debate, not rhetoric and fear mongering.

Please, if you're not cynical than you're not paying attention. If American politicians kept their promises and had the real interests of the people at heart, we'd be living in the closest thing you can to a utopia by now.

But it is just more self-serving #######, on both sides.

You have unhealthy idea of what cynicism should be.

[alienlovechild 75]

These things are cyclical, just a few years ago people were debating the end of the Democratic Party

Right but during the first 100 days of the most popular president in years. One would think there would more of a focus on Obama (there is a lot though) instead of on the party that lost. Liberals are desperate to find a lightning rod such as Limbaugh, Palin or Steele. . . There was nothing like that in 2000 or 2004. The media didn't look for the "leader" of Democratic Party. If there such a hunt, who was crowned leader?

Again, politics are incredibly cyclical. Many independent conservatives such as myself are hopeful that the GOP will go down in flames and a real conservative, libertarian-type party will emerge, while Democrats and lefties think that they won't be facing opposition anymore.

I've heard that for years but a real third party has NEVER won anything at the local, state or Federal level. The last to do so was the GOP when it emerged in 1850s.

[mawilson 2,133]

Former Rep. and DLC Chair Harold Ford was on MSNBC's "Hardball" yesterday, and Chris Matthews...

I stopped reading after MSNBC and Chris Matthews.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Former Rep. and DLC Chair Harold Ford was on MSNBC's "Hardball" yesterday, and Chris Matthews...

I stopped reading after MSNBC and Chris Matthews.

He's a hell of a lot more palatable than listening Sean Hannity on Fox News.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Former Rep. and DLC Chair Harold Ford was on MSNBC's "Hardball" yesterday, and Chris Matthews...

I stopped reading after MSNBC and Chris Matthews.

He's a hell of a lot more palatable than listening Sean Hannity on Fox News.

True. I generally change the channel when Hannity comes on, the same as when Oberman comes on. I like Matthews. He used to sub for Rush on occassion.

Edited April 19, 2009 by Mister_Bill