RNC = Rush-Newt-Cheney? Don’t make me laugh.
posted at 1:52 pm on May 21, 2009 by Karl
Now comes Newsweek’s Howard Fineman with the same old line from the Obama White House:
Right now there are two RNCs here in Washington, side by side. The contrast is instructive.
One, the Republican National Committee, is a clueless self-parody. The other, the (R)ush-(N)ewt-(C)heney tag team, is providing the real muscle as the Republican right begins to build traction in taking on President Obama and the Democrats.
Should anyone connected to the GOP be asked about this sort of “analysis,” the response should be laughter, noting especially that it appears as part of the New Newsweek, re-invented as a house organ for the Obama administration.
After all, the notion that Rush Limbaugh is the face of the GOP is pushed by Obama’s senior adviser David Axelrod and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. The lapdog media immediately took up the meme, even though just 11% of GOP voters say the conservative radio commentator is the party’s leader. (Similarly, the Democrats have been trying to brand the GOP as the party of fmr. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and fmr. VPOTUS Dick Cheney for at least a month.) When this first came up, Ace made this observation:
[T]he media controls the public discourse. This is an issue because they want it to be an issue, and they want it to be an issue because… well, guess. Hint: It’s not because it helps the conservative cause.
Ace also notes — with emphatic profanity — that it is merely an attempt to keep the Right fighting among itself, rather than focusing on the Left.
The Democratic campaign is easy to figure out — Limbaugh, Gingrich and Cheney all perform valuable roles for the Right, but they generally do so as pitbulls, not as the face of a party trying to appeal to a majority of Americans, including a generally apolitical middle that can be turned off by more aggressive figures.
Thus, Fineman is simply carrying water for Obama, Axelrod and Gibbs to even suggest that GOP chairman Michael Steele should be playing the role of a pitbull. His job is to try to present the GOP position without making himself the issue — and to raise money for the party. It turns out that the real RNC is doing pretty well at fundraising — so much so that Obama is having to take time from pushing his left-wing agenda to shake his moneymaker for fatcats in Hollywood and elsewhere.
Indeed, Fineman himself ends up admitting that Obama’s growing problems have little to do with Limbaugh, Gingrich or Cheney:
Barack Obama launched himself to power by promising to rethink – and vastly change – America’s approach to the war. But in the last several weeks, facing the grim realities of his role as commander in chief, he has been forced to backtrack, seeking a political middle course on defense and national-security policy. The president has accepted military tribunals; asserted the state-secrets defense in court cases; and reversed a decision to release photos of interrogation sessions that led to the prosecution of American soldiers. He has maintained parts of the Bush administration’s domestic-surveillance program, and refused to advocate a wholesale review of Bush-era polices on interrogation.
In other words, reality bites. That reality would be reality, regardless of Limbaugh, Gingrich and Cheney pointing it out — and regardless the lapdog press trying to avoid it. Barack Obama’s problems are Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress.
If Republicans had spent the last eight years telling the establishment media that the DNC was led by Keith Olbermann, Dick Gephardt and Al Gore, the media would have collectively guffawed. Accordingly, any Republican getting questioned about Limbaugh, Gingrich or Cheney should laugh at the questioner. Indeed, any “journalist” asking such questions should be mercilessly mocked as a mindless propaganda tool for Barack Obama and David Axelrod. Such people are an embarrassment to journalism and deserve to be embarrassed.
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Forgot the OTHER emerging GOP with Powell, Specter, MegMac, and Ahnold…
Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 1:53 PM
No, they just said it was led by Michael Moore. Remember?
Grow Fins on May 21, 2009 at 1:55 PM
I wonder where he got this idea? From Journolist, or the press-admin dinner parties?
Slublog on May 21, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I think you’re lucky the MSM hasn’t made Glenn Beck the face of the GOP…..yet.
strangelet on May 21, 2009 at 1:56 PM
It is all a bit irrelevant. The dems are doing a great job talking themselves out of future employment on a daily basis, all by themselves.
Vashta.Nerada on May 21, 2009 at 1:57 PM
If not (R) (N) and (C) who IS leading the charge?
N O – O N E ???
~
Rob Harrison has it right!
http://www.conservatives4palin.com/
“What they fail to understand is that when you care who gets the credit, that sharply limits what you can accomplish—and the more you care, the more limited you are. Hurting Gov. Palin may well increase the chance that Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush or Tim Pawlenty wins the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, but even more, it increases the chance that Barack Obama wins the 2012 general election. The only politicians who profit from attacks on Sarah Palin are Democrats, and the only party that is helped is the Democratic Party. Republicans of influence, be they in office or in the conservative media, need to grow up, shut up, and stop trying to run down Gov. Palin. Not only is it wrong, it’s only going to hurt them and their preferred candidates and causes, not help them: the knife they plant in her back is the knife in their own. Republicans acting like Democrats only profits Democrats.”
Hal-9000 on May 21, 2009 at 1:59 PM
But, but, but… they are just like surgeons! Morley said so!
Vashta.Nerada on May 21, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Actually, I agree with this statement on its own.
shick on May 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Meanwhile, the stimulus package – which if not passed immediately would have destroyed the universe – is working wonders.
lorien1973 on May 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Yes on Dick!
No on Newt!
Never bring a knife to a gunfight!
old trooper2 on May 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
The face of the GOP is Palin, Jindal, Rubio, McCotter, Bachmann, etc.
Rush, Newt, and Cheney are the wisemen of the GOP.
jencab on May 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
(S)pecter, (P)owell, (A)hnold, (M)egMac?
Steel on May 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
This is why I keep my SPAM blocker on my computer up to date…so I do not have to read their articles or statements.
WashJeff on May 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
It must be hard being “the face” of the GOP when there are 3-4 others (depending on which day it is and who said what).
Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
+100
Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
+1. Dems like to refer to them publicly because their efforts to demonize all three have succeeded, and they want to cash in on that success. But on their merits, these three make a pretty good brain trust for conservative principles (esp. Rush), innovations (esp Newt) and competent management (Cheney). Now compare these three to the brain trust of Olbermann, Pelosi, Gore. See any difference?
Splunge on May 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
If nothing else, it rocks the liberal world.
I think of just promoting it to watch their heads explode.
right2bright on May 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
If it was P-RNC (Palen, Rush, Newt, Chaney) I might buy it.
huckleberryfriend on May 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
You have to remember that the MSM/DNC is effectively a liberal echo chamber.
They only talk to each other, and they honestly begin to believe each other’s propaganda.
MarkTheGreat on May 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Rush, Newt and Cheney seem to me to be a 3 pronged attack on the Libs in arena of ideas in the US. The only forum that
the Dems cannot control…because of the US Constitution.
Not even the Lib press has this much fire power….in this area.
Go R. N. C.!!!!
dec5 on May 21, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Can you smell the wonderful aroma of desperation? The Tea Parties, the California vote against raising taxes, the pro-life majority, the Pelosi debacle, the Gitmo debacle, the Chrysler and GM socialism — and now the utter smackdown of Glorious Leader by Cheney. The Democrats are scared witless.
John the Libertarian on May 21, 2009 at 2:08 PM
OMG!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!! SPAM…. LOL…. I am choking…. this is great!!! Thanks, you made my afternoon!
HomeoftheBrave on May 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses. – Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
OhEssYouCowboys on May 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
And how seriously did the MSM — or most Americans — take that? Thanks for making my point.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I have zero problem with the Rush Newt Cheney RNC. Whats the hubbub? That three of the most successful and virulent champions are actually standing up to the new sainted one.
The gloves have got to come off or soon enough we will be the biggest province of the Chinese Republic east of the Pacific.
Armando on May 21, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Was that ever a coordinated effort right out of the White House?
Slublog on May 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM
And it’ll be the Chinese who are driving the cars, while we ride our bikes.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM
why yes, yes it is….
you better hope he even leaves us some change…
sven10077 on May 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Sounds good to me.
Sure beats Dingy Harry, Nancy, and the Communists
cntrlfrk on May 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Of course the RNC is outraising the Dems right now, so what is that about?
Sounds like Newt, Rush and even Michael Steele are doing okay.
Mr. Joe on May 21, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Smells like roses to meh.
;)
strangelet on May 21, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Rush and Cheney are consertives, not R’s. Big difference.
L
letget on May 21, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Cheney has changed the dynamic out there. He is kicking ass. The Donks are scared.
Believe it.
Bruno Strozek on May 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
What’s not true about that? Yeah, the RNC part is a bit corny, but these 3 are doing yeoman’s work to energize the base, albeit not as official RNC spokesmen.
Buy Danish on May 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
They’re the GOP, alright. Group Of Posers.
Daggett on May 21, 2009 at 2:23 PM
That’s NOT the point…the point is YOU took it seriously.
We look at you and see any moderates (Powell, Frum) are being purged from the party, and if Rush gets offended, he gets an apolo.
We hear what you’re sayin’ Karl.
The media doesn’t have to tell us, you are loud and clear.
strangelet on May 21, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Howard Fineman is to Newsweek what Lawrence O’Donnell is to MSNBC. Both are bankrupting their respective employers into oblivion. If there were two analysts on the face of the earth that were more hideously evil as these two, they are yet to be found. They were selected as the two individuals (alive) that people wouldn’t spit on if they were on fire.
volsense on May 21, 2009 at 2:25 PM
FIX YOUR FONTS!!
michaelo on May 21, 2009 at 2:25 PM
RushNewtCheney* are not currently elected and are probably not running for anything anytime soon. Hence, they have nothing to lose by being outspoken. I find this a hilarious distraction that the Dems have distracted themselves with!
*No greater threat to mankind since ManBearPig!
Brat on May 21, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Actually I wish Cheney was leading the GOP. We’d be winning, and libtards would be sent to Club Gitmo for their daily waterboarding.
Iblis on May 21, 2009 at 2:27 PM
LOL…I’ve heard the same thing ever since I was old enough to know what I was hearing. Of course, any and every poll that would show that the GOP) is pulling even is an obvious outlier. Doesn’t fit into the accepted narrative.
Fact is, people just don’t dig the Democrat agenda.
ddrintn on May 21, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Pretty sure that’s a function of the widget that promotes things from the Greenroom, and will mention it to the appropriate people.
For those who absolutely cannot stand the format glitches, there’s always a link at the very end to the original post, which is “clean.”
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Rush-Newt-Cheney-Rove are doing the job that Steele should be doing.
moonsbreath on May 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM
What’s this “Newsweek” you speak of?
/Kindling.
bluelightbrigade on May 21, 2009 at 2:37 PM
After his last speech, I’m willing to cut him some slack.
Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM
“the Republican National Committee, is a clueless self-parody”
Yep. Where’s the leadership? Non-existent, the party is rudderless, left making lame “official statements” about how they want to call the Democrats socialists. What about really striking a hard, concerted line against Obama’s policies? Little more than fundraising email fodder, that’s all I’ve seen this amount to so far. I think the national leadership really is too entrenched in go-along get-along inside the Beltway mannerisms and wouldn’t know how to stand up against a sock puppet. They need to stop trying to create a new face on the fly and trying to appeal to “the voters” until they get back on solid footing. The only communicating Steele should have been doing is INTERNAL, not external.
EasyEight on May 21, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Quite the opposite. Rush-Newt-Cheney-Rove are doing the job Rush-Newt-Cheney-Rove should be doing. Steele should be non-controversial and collecting checks. He’s doing the latter and working on the former. There’s plenty of room for the good-cop, bad-cop dynamic.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Why Karl,
I am shocked, Shocked! at this assertion…
I mean, the MSM is independant and fair minded…right?
and, ya wanna see the cool bridge I just bought in Brooklyn..?
Nice to see you in the game Karl. More voices like yours need to be heard on Obammy and his media shills…
Best Wishes
RocketmanBob on May 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
I’m not seeing what the controversy is here. Yeah, normally Fineman and Newsweek aren’t worth paying attentionto , and there is certainly the usual MSM narrative to distrust. But Fineman is basically reporting a fact: Rush, Cheney and Newt (though I’m not sure Newt has been anywhere near as vocal) have been doing what the leadership of an effective opposition party ought to be doing. He’s praising these guys, and I think we should be as well.
The RNC, and the other national Republican committees, have made the keystone copes look like a well-oiled machine in comparison. Rush and Cheney have actually managed to make dents in a very powerful armor, something the actual RNC has failed to do.
In this particular case I don’t think Fineman is necessarily playing the part of an Obama lap dog. Stranger things have happened, I know (hey, even Bill Maher has written an op-ed today that I agree with), but he’s actually making an astute political observation. Steele and the RNC have been inept, and they have to do a better job opposing Obama’s policies. I don’t think he’s advocating that the RNC be as ruthless or as unguarded as Rush and Cheney, and you know what, he’s – GASP! – right.
paulzummo on May 21, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Ok, so what party are these three great American in. THAT’s the party I want to be a part of.
stenwin77 on May 21, 2009 at 2:50 PM
We WISH they were in charge of the RNC.
Queen0fCups on May 21, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Why do liberals insist on telling Republicans what they should be doing? Doesn’t that make Republicans do just the opposite, or is it just me?
After Obama and the Dem Congress are done Pi _ _ ing in the punch, Newt, Rush and Cheney = a liberal arse whippin in ’10. That’s the reason they’re wetting in their pants over these guys.
orlandocajun on May 21, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I think that the MSM and the echo chamber are the only real obstacles to filleting the lefties/libs/morons..if the message can’t get out en mass or is methodically ridiculed or distorted, they may be able carry on the scam for another term and by that time it will be too late to turn around, and Gramsci/Cloward-Piven/Alinsky/Marx destroyed another society.
Itchee Dryback on May 21, 2009 at 2:56 PM
If I heard Michael Steele saying half of what these four say, I would have no problem in giving money to the RNC. Since Steele is wishy-washy, I tell the RNC to take my name off their list. I don’t believe I’m alone in this thinking either.
moonsbreath on May 21, 2009 at 2:59 PM
strangelet on May 21, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Grow Fins on May 21, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Working overtime.
Obama needs to hire 149,998 more trolls to make his 150,000 employment numbers true.
portlandon on May 21, 2009 at 3:01 PM
What you are not seeing is:
1. Different people have different jobs to do in a political party or movement;
2. The RNC is not supposed to be a pitbull against the administration (leave that the Limbaugh, Gingrich, Cheney, Boehner, etc.) It’s mostly supposed to raise money — which it’s doing better than the DNC at the moment.
3. The DNC/MSM is bent on making people who do not appeal to the middle the face of the GOP.
4. Either Fineman does not get 1-3, or is actively enabling the Dem campaign on this point. Probably the latter. His opening takes statements that many would agree with, but uses them to advance an argument that does not hold up (again, only 11% of GOP voters see Limbaugh as party leader).
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Just out of curiosity, who are the “moderates” in the Democrat party?
Is supporting partial-birth-abortion and voting against the infant born alive act a “moderate” position?
How about issuing a hasty and reckless presidential directive to close GITMO without an exit plan?
Knee-capping senior bond creditors and calling hedge funds “vultures”?
Global warming hysteria and other sacred and economy- destroying envirowacko ideas?
Socializing America’s businesses?
Quadrupling the deficit with “stimulus” spending (which only helps the unions) and confiscatory “wealth spreading” taxation?
Apologizing for America every chance you get?
Denouncing capitalism?
Calling CO2 a “pollutant”?
Neo-malthusian science advisors like John Holdren?
9/11 apologist Rosa Brooks in the Pentagon?
Socialist Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor?
Socialized medicine with rationed care?
Buy Danish on May 21, 2009 at 3:08 PM
I’m sure you’re not alone. That’s one of the reasons I wrote this. I would urge you to consider that Steele’s job is really more to promote the GOP, to sound nice (even when critical of Obama), and to raise money for GOP candidates. If you are mad at a lack of sharp organized attacks on the Dems, you may want to look at the GOP House and Senate caucuses. If you don’t want to give money to the RNC, be sure to tell them it’s because GOP officials and candidates are not getting their acts together.
In the meantime, the RNC can do its job, while those who have more freedom to be sharp and critical — Limbaugh, etc. — can do theirs.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I don’t think Fineman is saying that (R)(N) or (C) are “party leaders”. He’s saying they are “providing muscle”. MoveOn and Code Pink aren’t “Party leaders” but they “provide muscle” to the Dems. But I get your point that the official RNC is not meant to be controversial.
That being said, I completely disagree with his assessment of Michael Steele’s speech as “listless” and “empty”. Indeed, it was a magnificent speech and the first really positive thing I’ve seen Steele do.
Buy Danish on May 21, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Cheney scares liberals — the movie …
tarpon on May 21, 2009 at 3:18 PM
——-Reagan
Pale N
—BeCk
TheSitRep on May 21, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Sounds like the name of a band.
Daggett on May 21, 2009 at 3:22 PM
2. The RNC is not supposed to be a pitbull against the administration (leave that the Limbaugh, Gingrich, Cheney, Boehner, etc.) It’s mostly supposed to raise money — which it’s doing better than the DNC at the moment.
I only half agree with this. While the RNC can’t go as far as Rush or Cheney in opposing Obama and the Dems – and for that reason, that’s why I agreed with those who though branding the Dems as Socialists was a stupid – it most certainly is the responsibility of the opposition party to firmly make the case against the party in power. And while fundraising is important, how you put said raised money to use is even more important. Otherwise, we’re talking about the underwear pants gnome method of political calculation.
1. Raise money.
2. ?
3. Win elections.
3. The DNC/MSM is bent on making people who do not appeal to the middle the face of the GOP.
Well, yes, but it doesn’t follow from this that what Fineman is suggesting is irrational. He is not saying that Cheney/Limbaugh ought to be the face of the GOP, but that the GOP would be wise to be a little more aggressive and emulate, to some degree, the Cheney/Limbaugh model. And unlike you, I don’t think that the model has been entirely unsucessful in inflicting at least some political damage on the GOP.
paulzummo on May 21, 2009 at 3:26 PM
The entire point of juxtaposing the RNC with (R),(N) and (C) is to spin them as the “real” party leaders. He inconsistently used “Rush” because (L),(N) and (C) doesn’t work.
Agree that Steele’s last speech was good, but I’d be happy if I never heard from him, really.
——-
Separate, but related point:
Prior to Obama winning the nomination, the Dems had Howard Dean as chairman of the DNC. The true-believing Left loves Dean, but he had no appeal to the middle, so the Dems were quickly content to keep him away from the public.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I don’t think that the model has been entirely unsucessful in inflicting at least some political damage on the GOP.
Very unfortunate typo. I meant to type Obama there at the end.
paulzummo on May 21, 2009 at 3:36 PM
While the RNC can’t go as far as Rush or Cheney in opposing Obama and the Dems – and for that reason, that’s why I agreed with those who though branding the Dems as Socialists was a stupid – it most certainly is the responsibility of the opposition party to firmly make the case against the party in power. And while fundraising is important, how you put said raised money to use is even more important. Otherwise, we’re talking about the underwear pants gnome method of political calculation.
1. Raise money.
2. ?
3. Win elections.
I generally agree with this — but in your example, #2 probably has something to do with GOP officials and candidates. I think that at least some of the flack Steele gets is better directed at the largely ineffectual House and Senate GOP caucuses.
[Fineman] is not saying that Cheney/Limbaugh ought to be the face of the GOP, but that the GOP would be wise to be a little more aggressive and emulate, to some degree, the Cheney/Limbaugh model. And unlike you, I don’t think that the model has been entirely unsucessful in inflicting at least some political damage on the GOP.
Here we disagree. To the extent that he’s suggesting the GOP should be more like Limbaugh, et al., he’s doing so from the perspective of thinking it would actually turn off the mushy middle. To the extent that the GOP should be sharper, but less sharp than Limbaugh, I would again say that is the job of officials and candidates, not the RNC.
And I don’t even think Fineman put that much thought into it. I think he just took the Axelrod talking points and slapped himself on the back for coming up with the (R), (N) and (C) part himself. Maybe Gibbs will give him a gold star on his forehead.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 3:38 PM
I understood it, while noting its potentially Freudian aspect.
Karl on May 21, 2009 at 3:39 PM
You’re probably right. Let’s see if Fineman’s meme gets picked up on the Sunday Shows and MSNBC.
If Steele only made speeches and never spoke extemporaneously I’d be delighted. He is awful when not on script. At least I got a good idea of what his guiding principles are, and they are spot on.
Slightly O.T. – Shep Smith is just read an email from so-called ‘staunch lifelong Republicans’ who claim to have gone to motor vehicle office today to change to the Dem Party cause Cheney is such an outrage. It’s like a MOBY email, but Shep is so unhinged about waterboarding he’ll believe anything.
Buy Danish on May 21, 2009 at 3:40 PM
I don’t think they are turned off as much as they are smitten by Obama and can’t make the connection between liberalism and the decline in our standard of living.
The unapoligetic R-N-C is our only hope against a populist president that sends chills up their legs. The more we can contrast the gobble-dee-goop of the opposition, the better. They don’t call it the “right” wing for nothing.
mike_NC9 on May 21, 2009 at 3:46 PM
it’s likely a MOBY email….
Buy Danish on May 21, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Shoot….that’s their senior internship.
bluelightbrigade on May 21, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Huh. What’d he do, run a homo whorehouse out of his basement or something?
Akzed on May 21, 2009 at 4:25 PM
A bit different than liberal fantacy land where Obama’s fool hearty lefty sheep dwell.
Their throats will be the first to be slashed.
saiga on May 21, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Looks like the DC-NYC chattering class are running the same playbook they ran on Palin.
The more Rs desperately cling to finding another Reagan (he’s gone) and things that will never happen, like outlawing abortion, the easier you make it for them.
Concentrate on fiscal matters, national security, things that affect every single American. That’s more than enough to knock down the house of cards Obama lives in.
Moesart on May 21, 2009 at 5:31 PM
People lite,we sent newsweak in the knees a CMS months ago and now they want me to try it again for free.
Think I will do so to run up costs.
Col.John Wm. Reed on May 21, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Neo GOP: Graham, Olympia, Powell
Christian Conservative on May 21, 2009 at 7:12 PM
….
Grow up, Nishi.
TheUnrepentantGeek on May 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Nancy Pelosi is the leader of the Democratic Party. Pass it on.
Jim Treacher on May 22, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Will a Monica be involved with this (white) house organ?
jdkchem on May 22, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Your mother did not abort you because?
jdkchem on May 22, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Yup, the Republican Party led by “moderates” has been doing a bang up job. You know the types. The guys who “suspended their campaigns to fly back to Washington to cross the aisle and vote for the Stimulus Package on behalf of the American People”… or … The guy who switched parties after voting with the other side for years after it became clear he could no longer win as a Republican… or … The RNC Chair who has proven time after time after time that he is a total dill weed.
I’m really really glad that people like Rush, and Newt and Cheney aren’t running things in today’s Republican Party! They would want to remember Reagan after all and isn’t it time to “leave Reagan behind”?
sabbott on May 22, 2009 at 7:38 AM
The GOP is a mess – like they said on Scarborough today – it parellels the way most of the Democrat Party was in the late 60s – very radical – so Far Left the general population rejected them.
This is happening to the GOP – the general populace is seeing it as very radical and very Far Right.
As long as the Party gets hijacked by radicals – the longer it will lose.
AprilOrit on May 22, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Sure. Rush, Newt and Cheney not only work together 24/7 to manage the GOP, they are good friends who have all kinds of weird adventures together. And they all live in the same house, like the Beatles in HELP!
el gordo on May 22, 2009 at 8:39 AM
“If Republicans had spent the last eight years telling the establishment media that the DNC was led by Keith Olbermann, Dick Gephardt and Al Gore, the media would have collectively guffawed.”
Sounds like a great idea, Karl. Why don’t they turn it around on the dems? The GOP remains overly meek and timid, sadly. Like a whipped dog shivering in the corner. DD
Darvin Dowdy on May 22, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Republicans acting like Democrats only profits Democrats.”
Hal-9000 on May 21, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Bravo. This is so manifestly obvious, it’s remarkable that it even has to be said. Yet so many “Republicans” fail to heed this truism and set about eating their own. Then the MSM complains that the social conservatives are trying to drive the “moderates” out of the party. This is a demonstrable lie, but it’s their lie and they’re sticking with it. The truth is that the “moderates” are demanding the social conservatives be silenced and acquiesce to their philosophy. When that doesn’t happen, they cry like petulant punks and threaten to run home to mommy Obama. I say: let them. Their departure can only strengthen the Republican Party because their ultimate aim wasn’t the party anyway. Their aim was to turn the Republican Party into a Democrat mini-me. Guaranteed epic fail.
SKYFOX on May 22, 2009 at 8:45 AM
What exactly is so radical about the modern GOP? Did we nominate the right-wing equivalent of McGovern? No, we nominated Mr Bipartisanship whom liberals promptly called a senile cancer-ridden cripple.
Position by position, policy by policy, we are moving in the mainstream. Yes, we are demonized by, well, David Axelrod and drones like you. And the media have given up any pretense of objectivity.
But that does not make it reality.
By contrast, the most radical elements of the Democrat party are in control of the party and the country. Obama is arguably to the left of McGovern, Humphrey or LBJ.
Even pointing that out is called radical now, but we are merely calling a spade a spade.
A doubling of the federal debt is what it is.
Politicizing the census is what it is.
Intimidating lenders is what it is.
The White House singling out private citizens for attack and ridicule is what it is.
The Dems channeling billions to groups that will help them get elected is what it is.
Nationalizing the car industry is what it is.
Badmouthing your country in front of foreign autocrats is what it is.
Ignoring strategic allies like India is what it is.
Ignoring Iran is what it is.
Breaking campaign finance laws is what it is.
Signing trillion dollar laws overnight and installing nationalized health care without any transparency or debate is what it is.
Threatening conservative voices with censorship is what it is.
It´s called corruption. It´s called radicalism. It´s called stupidity and lying and breaking of campaign pledges. Most of it is unprecedented.
If you want us to ignore all that you´re out of luck. But it´s your country too, isn´t it? Stop whining about the Republicans. We are not the ones making a mess. We are the ones who must stop it.
el gordo on May 22, 2009 at 8:59 AM
I forgot a few, e. g. starting a witchhunt against former government officials, ruining their lives in the process – it is what it is.
el gordo on May 23, 2009 at 6:09 AM
The first question that should come out of one’s mouth if asked about this story is “Is Fineman on JournoList?” It sure sounds like it.
seanhackbarth on May 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM