Yet another civil war in the GOP

October 21, 2006

Guest Post by Michael J.W. Stickings

In case you missed it, over at The Decembrist earlier this month, Marc Schmitt wrote an excellent post on the current civil war (or, more euphemistically, “leadership crisis”) in the Republican Party, specifically in its congressional wing, and “what it means for the next era of American politics”:

I’ve assumed that the narrow Democratic House majority would face off against an extraordinarily disciplined and fierce opposition party, working with the Republicans in the Senate whether minority or not, that would continue to frame the agenda and define the fights much as they did in the early Clinton years. In many ways the modern Republicans are a machine constructed for opposition, and far less effective as a governing party that has to make choices based on consequences. I want the Democrats to win, but I’m terrified of it at the same time. I’m worried that to win they will promise things they intend to “do,” but they will not have the power to do anything.

But — and here things could get really interesting, not to mention seriously entertaining — “[W]hat happens if the Republican structure is not capable of discipline, if it’s riven by infighting and finger-pointing??”

What if, indeed. Are we about to witness the crack-up of the Republican Party? At the very least, are we about to witness yet more Byzantinism from the party that specializes in political bloodletting?

Thoughts?

The Republican party is a tone deaf circular firing squad that is cutting and running from the president and about to suffer the slow death of a thousand cliches.

  • I think, if we’re ever lucky enough to have Rethugs again in the opposition, that they will pull it altogether. The one thing the they all agree on is their need for unbridled power to plunder the country. They will sing in perfect, vicious harmony if out of power and do what they, as you say, do best. The Dems, sadly, will try to work with them and compromise instead of investigating them and destroying what’s left of them–like the Rethugs would do and have done. It works like this because Rethugs have no true beliefs except the pursuit of power and money. They are only attacking each other now because that goal has (temporarily) been put in jeopardy.

  • Frak,

    I have to disagree. Mind you I’m basing it on watching the right in Canada implode after they nearly sank Canada fiscally.

    The one thing the right loves to do is point fingers and they’re each going to blame each other for losing the election. The infighting was vicious (for pols) and it took them more than a decade to form a cohesive force.

    It’s not a circular firing squad, more like the ending to a bad Quentin Tarrantino movie where everyone shoots everyone and one a couple of wounded are left standing.

  • Seems to me the Repubs could go either way. But whatever the right does, the Dems need to define their own agenda — particularly as it pertains to restoring checks and balances, and rationional policy. If the Dems are smart, they can make Republicans look like the party that’s out of the mainstream once again.

  • With Hastert crippled, Deay gone, Boehner attacking other party-ites to maintain his standing and Frist heading to retirement on the campaign trail, it remains to be seen who will ascend to the next generation of party power. Will it be an adult or one of these puerile game players we’re used to having? Either way, Iraq will be an albaross around all their necks.

  • Can we please save this discussion for after the elections? Faced with a party which has previously demonstrated a willingness to do absolutely anything to win, a majority is far from guaranteed. There is going to be massive fraud and cheating on Nov. 7th, be prepared.

  • Actually, I think there would be more Republican infighting if they manage to hold onto the Congress, It’d be a free for all conducted in the shadow of ’08. If they lose, I look for a desperate rally around John McCain, who’ll be designated GOP national leader by his media buds anyway.
    Win or lose, they won’t be listening to Bush anymore.

  • The Republicans are going to freak when they see what happens. The Democrats are going to win in a blowout by default. I know what I am talking about because I am the heart and soul of the Republican Party. It’s the wide open borders translating into what must be a phony war on terror. Democrats will take control but remain losers.

    Cut & Run Republican
    Thirdworld, TX

  • I’m with Shalimar (#8). The Rethugs will do anything to win and they know how to do it. That’s why Karl and the pResident Moron are smiling. They are not out of touch with reality, as they’ve said, they create reality. And they use voter fraud to create votes. From I.D.’s, to purging voters to dirty tricks to Diebold, somehow they will prove the polls “wrong”, I fear.

  • I have a terrible feeling that Frak and Shalimar are correct. We will be looking at massive voter fraud this time unless the coup is exposed and rectified by election day, and I don’t know if that will happen. This is one I hope I am wrong about, but exactly who is watching Diebold?

  • There is going to be massive fraud and cheating on Nov. 7th, be prepared.

    Comment by Shalimar

    That’s so true. It could be weeks after Nov 7 before we know the outcome. I just hope our supreme court doesn’t have to step in and save the republic again.

    What are some of the things the Dems should be ready for?
    1. Which states have Republicans controlling the voting aparatus,
    2. What are the legal channels for challenges in each likely locality?
    3. Should they be prepared for newspaper ads challenging the honesty of certain localities?
    4. Do they have legal teams ready to go into challenged localities?
    5. Which tv stations would be most likely to listen to Dem complaints about the voting?

  • Agreed with Dale. But I’ve been predicting this sort of Republican implosion for months, and with Foley’s Follies, Weldon, Gibbons only added to the go round, it’s almost a certainty. What you will have is an incredible fight for the nominee for 2008, with every group refusing to let the others get the job, because they want someone who won’t give their ideas merely lip service. I expect the votes in the run-up to the Convention to be so scattered that there actually may not be a candidate chosen beforehand and, for the first time since 1952, the decision will actually be made BY the Convention — the way it was supposed to be done, but people younger than me might not remember that this is legitimate. Whatever, whoever comes out with the nomination will turn off so many other Republicans that there is likely to be a Goldwater-style debacle.
    I’d suggest Democrats begin to demonstrate exactly how weak and vulnerable McCain is, NOW, so that he can’t unify the party. Show that the “Straight Talk Express” is really a corkscrew.

  • George Will had a column a while back in which he called attention to what looks like a fatal conflict among Republicans. The “Western Republicans” (essentially Libertarians) value responsible individuality and weak government. The “Southern Republicans” are knee jerk evangelicals who favor huge military and moral meddling in the lives of others.

    When LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act (and the Civil Rights Act) he drove all the bigots out what had been the Southern Democrat wing and into the Southern faction of Republicans. The “Western” kind welcomed them out of expediency. Now they’re paying the price.

  • Perhaps pollsters should use emoticons to express the public mood.

    I like it. Where’s the emoticon for frothing mad and ready to take a brick to a few heads? Sorry, I forgot I was a terrorist hugging, cut and running sissy pants Democrat for a second.

    The only reason I don’t think ReThugs will kiss and make up if they lose the majority (at least right away) is the disputes have become very personal. It’s moved beyond “You disagreed with my proposal to ear mark 15 zillion for a pet project in chambers, you jerk,” to “You told every one I was covering for Foley, you son of a bitch!” Too many elected officials are spoiled brats who don’t know how to handle conflict and hoard grudges like they’re made of gold. We’ve already seen they don’t know what to do when the reporters can’t be shut up with “Sorry, National Security.” How else do you explain some of the wierd and potentially career ending shit people who should know better have said re: Foley Folllies.

    In fact, the press may be another factor in how the ReThugs recover if they lose the majority. Not only will there be blood a-plenty in the water but I suspect many good reporters (they’re out there, trust me) will see this as an opportunity to get back at these schmucks for six years of bullshit answers. Can you imagine some one like Hastert taking the hammering he deserves? Not just taking but tolerating and coming through unscathed.

    Here fishy, fishy!

  • That’s very amusing, Dale. And I think you might be onto something. Perhaps pollsters should use emoticons to express the public mood.
    Comment by Michael Stickings

    Good idea, Michael. What’s the emoticon for giving Republicans the finger?

    🙂

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