With Sen. Trent Lott’s announcement that he will resign, there are now 23 Republican Senators and Representatives since the 2006 elections who have announced they are resigning or will not seek another term of office when theirs expires. The chairman of the NRCC tried to put a positive spin on the situation by saying "I don't hear a drumbeat that says 'We're not effective and I don't like it here anymore.'" But of course, who would expect these guys to be openly saying what the real reasons for this unprecedented exodus are. But could it be that these veteran Republican politicians are predicting a Democratic president with an overwhelming Democratic majority in congress in 2009 and just don’t want to be around for it or be humiliated by being unseated.
I think another reason these guys are heading for the golf courses is because they know that after the current president leaves office, the ensuing investigations, indictments, and other revelations about what the Bush administration has been up to is going to be ugly as hell. And I’m betting at least some of them will be found to be up to their proverbial necks in it.
But there’s no denying the eye blinking rate the Republicans are bowing out of the game. Perhaps it’s even deeper yet. I’ve never seen a more fluid pack of Republican presidential candidates in my life time. Front runners are falling back. All of them have problems meeting the “conservative” ideal. And the Christian Right is completely divided on which candidate to support. Could it be that this political party that for decades has prided it self on speaking with a unified voice no longer BE unified?
There’s no doubt the Republican Party is going through an evolution (pardon the expression). But if they want to survive that evolution, they need to be honest about what they truly think about issues. The Republican habit of “speaking with one voice” was bound to come to a breaking point and I think that time is now. For too long the shadow groups within the Republican Party have had to remain silent and pretend to go along with a platform the did not totally agree with. For instance, gay Republicans or pro-choice and pro-gun control Republicans who have had to remain silent.
I think if they were totally honest more than a few Republicans would have to admit they had to hold their noses when they went along with things like attempts at legislating Evangelical morality, or a politically motivated war against a country that had NOT attacked us.
So now the Republicans will have to learn some lessons from the Democrats. Like how do you appeal to a broader spectrum of people? And how to vote for a candidate who you do not completely agree with. The bottom line is that politics are changing and evolving and both parties need to be ready to adapt to a new dynamic. The world is changing faster than most can fathom and our current leader has been asleep at the helm. There’s a new frontier out there to explore and it’s called the future. But to make the most of this new frontier we need fresh, dynamic leadership that does not fear the future, but is ready to take it on and conquer it.
I think we will soon see a new breed of politician on the scene. The old way of governing is broken and a new direction is needed. Tomorrows politicians will be those who bring dramatic new ideas to the table and understand our international role in a modern world.
**********************
Devin Barber, Politics CorrespondentDevin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published weekly to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at http://gather.com/leftoftheright
You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: http://kiwina58.gather.com and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page.
You can find Devin and other Political Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other politics experts at Politics.gather.com.
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Comments: 156
Now we must do away with K- street and the bums will stay unemployed .
I have to wonder, however, how many of them are looking to exit in time to qualify for lobbying when the new administration takes office.
The ship (USS GOP) is sinking and the rats are deserting it. The ship is sinking because the captain (W) torpedoed it.
Let's hope George "I gots me an idea" Bush doesn't come up with his own way to suspend elections.
Great write up Devin!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Bush has, however, done a tremendous amount of damage to the republican brand. But, he didn't do it alone. People haven't forgotten what governance was like under the radically extreme, quasi-fascist, theocratical republican congress was, either. All in all, it is a damning sign of the utter failure of neocon ideology. Virtually every aspect of that failed agenda has been proven, beyond any shadow of doubt, to be nothing short of catastrophic.
Yeah, and that darn guy in the grassy knoll! I'll bet they find out about Bush's affair with the Marsian too, huh Devin?
How you can spit out that garbage and support a party that is led by the Clintons is beyond me.... but then again, nothing suprises me about you Devin.
Have any comment on the latest news with Alberto Gonzalez?
What's that? You say you didn't say the firings had anything to do with performance?
Hmmm...you might want to wipe that grass off your face.
///What's that? You say you didn't say the firings had anything to do with performance?///
Ummmh...what?
I guess with that line of thought, everytime someone gets fired, its a conspiracy! OMG!! I had no idea...
Thank you for opening my eyes... Douglas you are so smart!
Hey, all it will take is another "terrorist attack" huh ?
Some of you on the Right might not want to face it, but the Republican Party has been coming apart. Like Clark Kent said, neocon style Republican policies have been catastrophic for America and the people know it and the backlash in 2008 is coming and these guys know it. And that, more than anything is why theyu are bailing out now.
Why are all these Republicans leaving? Well, some are indeed rats deserting a sinking ship. Some may not believe they can be effective given what will come out about the Bush government if a Democratic president is elected. What we've seen and been horrified by already is simply the tip of the iceberg. Some I think are quitting in disgust and more because they are part of what will be discovered. Lots of reasons actually.
The problem is that the Democrats thus far have shown themselves incapable of keeping even small and non-controversial promises such as working a five-day work week. They scream about pork and transparency and then load bills with billions of useless amendments and try to hide it. What makes anyone think they will suddenly become effective? They've sold out at ever turn. We need real change not more of the same under a different name.
It will indeed be interesting.
It's just so strange - Rumsfeld, Rove, Karen Hughes, Gonzales....why are they leaving now? They could have waited until the official changing of the guard...
But apperently, the VOTING PUBLIC was not totally convinced that these policies weren't working, just not convinced they were working either. It really seems like the '06 elections were not the refutation of conservative policies that liberals want, only the wish for new leaders since the Republicans were getting complacent. Now that the democratic congress has been nothing short of a joke, and the Iraq war is improving because of Bush's leadership and in spite of the democrats, it would be more than a fair assessment to say that if things keep progressing as they are RIGHT NOW, Republicans will win big in '08. I am not saying I am sure, only that it seem like a fair assessment based on the election results of the past two years.
But then again, libs don't beleive in analyzing anything, just trying to see how they can use the results for their own gain....
Thank you Carolyn for keeping an eye on the government for me...
Your ability to stay positive in the face of recent events and trends is a testament to your tenacity and loyalty to your beliefs. But we shall see next year won't we?
Yes we will... Its all conjecture anyway. Things can change extremely fast and results can be completely unexpected... The voting public is very, very fickle.... but hey, thats what democracy is all about, right?
Denny:
Are you serious? You actually looked for that on Webster online? How long did that take you? lol...
Now why would you think you can do that to me, and me "not" respond, in kind ? Huh Dr. kaye
Come on Dr. kaye, I thought you had a PHD in English. But you can't even understand what I wrote. I'd demand my money back for Joes garage and University, if I were you.
Hey I'm "not" the one that has a PHD in English or Literature, or whatever it is today.
Sorry, I forgot to answer this one. I "know" that I finished2 years of college. Just basics though. I don't have any degrees or anything, like you Dr. kaye.
First did you mean would "BE" over, and second I haven't read War and Peace.
I understand your frustration, but bantering with Rich Kaye is like trying to have a discussion with an ill tempered billy goat. All he understands is that if you don't understand something, or don't like something... butt heads with it. I've showed Rich's comments to some of my Republican friends and they roll their eyes in disgust.
Rich Kaye is a nut job whose views are so far out even Republicans find him insane. His constant irelevent personal attacks against me and his sophomoric attempts at out intelectualizing me, along with the fact that he virtually never posts a coherent comment only serves to prove he has no argument except to attack and impugn. He must have been one of those tactile deprived children who inevitably end up Manic Depressive with Bi-polar disorder. Constantly humiliated by his inapropriate attempts to garner attention leaving him with the inability to maintain personal or romantic relationships.
Dr. kaye, Dr. kaye, bowed his head and ran away.
That was my point. Only a moron would try to suspend . . . oh SH*T!!!!!!
Well I see it's turned into an ad hominem free for all and typos are fair game. There is no Freekin' way Kaye has a Doctorate. Universities are notoriously Liberal, ask any GOP member. Besides . . . the level of comments I've seen don't even justify a Community College education.
Incidentally, fine humor requires an educated mind.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Its called reason and logic. We look at the facts. I know, I know, how elitist of me, right?
Does a "favorable" view of Bush mean that they support everything that he has done?... or does it just mean that they approve of the overall leadership he has provided? I would agree with the second, not the first. Thinking people would do the same, unfortunately those are few and far between on this thread....
///Well I see it's turned into an ad hominem free for all and typos are fair game. There is no Freekin' way Kaye has a Doctorate. Universities are notoriously Liberal, ask any GOP member. Besides . . . the level of comments I've seen don't even justify a Community College education.
Incidentally, fine humor requires an educated mind.///
Will you ever post something of substance, or do we all have to constantly read your ad hominem attacks towards others which apperently you think are beneath you? Your ability to jump in and out of conversations without saying anything of importance is amazing...
Three posts and what profound point have you made? And for the last time, this is an "OPINION" column. You keep crying about facts like I was a news reporter or something. When two people are debating something like... lets say... what the effects of FDR's policies were on the country. Just what those effects were are a matter of interpretation. You seem to think your interpretation qualifies as fact, and my interpretation is somehow incorrect or non factual. You see, that makes no sense.
I'm sorry issac, I thought you were smarter than Dr. kaye. For your information, it's called sarcasm - a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain. Websters online.
and did Dr. kaye thank you for sticking up for him on my artical tonight. You really put "me" in "my" place, huh ?
BTW, jerk, respect is something you earn, not demand. If you intend to "start" the nitpicking, be man enough to stand up "to" the nitpicking. Where was the respect to my daughter when you posted "all" those derogatory remarks about her. And the respect to my wife when you said "can I get the broad's number" You don't "deserve" respect. Maybe when "you" show respect to others, someone might just show it back.
"Now, as for the doctorate/masters issue. I planned on writing something to the effect of "having studied for a doctorate". After seeing a mistake - deleted the post and put down what is accurate."
"And a doctorate in literature - I may not take the time to . . . ...more
Rich Kaye, December 3, 2007, 12:29 PM EST"
Yep, I can see where you can get confused.
"Why would I care if you get emailed? (trust me Ive started and sold three internet business - and currently run one - i know exactly how developers set up these kinds of sites)"
Next he'll be telling us that Gore didn't invent the internet, he did.
"I see no comparison between your obvious intellect and Dr. kayes attempt at intellect" Now THATS funny." Thanks, I thought it was too.
I feel bad that you obvioulsy were a failure in that department, so I'd like to help her with it."
To bad your "education" didn't teach you common sense. BTW obvioulsy, is spelled obviously. And stupidy is spelled stupidity. And I didn't use spell check or Websters online.
The typos do tend to make you look stupid (apperently).
And you have proven to be highly conservative and have NEVER agreed with even the principles or the intentions of liberal thinking.
This makes you comes across as an extremist.
Liberals are willing to admit that extremists speak for liberals without their support. At least their convictions don't infringe upon the rights of individuals.
What is ironic is that NEOCONS like yourself are ignorant of the fact that the extreme side of conservative thinking IS NEOCONS, religious nutjobs, racists, xenophobes and strict constructionists.
The fact that your party is willing to endorse or support people like Pat Robertson, Strom Thurmond, Jim Bakker, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity who have obviously done everything in their power to divide this country into "patriots" and "traitors" or "God's children" and "sinners" or "worthy residents" and "criminal aliens" should slap you in the face like a woman done wrong.
The fact that it doesn't is why liberals are so mad.
Everyone, this is the dumbass that wants "respect". Any body fell like giving him any.
"That was the point of the comment - to have some respect for others." Do you believe those "others" include you. Not from this Gather member. I do respect others. I respect those that actually have some humanity to their character. Something that your are seriously lacking. So keep believing that you are "better" than me and others, in your little mind. This to will be disproved. I only wish that I could be present, when someone denies you a promotion, or refuses to do business with you, or the many other ways to humiliate you that "will" eventually come your way, because you are who you are. An elitist. That's the nice thing about being in my own business. I can tell jerks like you, "I don't need your business." And I have many times.
So Dr. kaye, keep exposing yourself to us here on Gather as the classist that you are. People are catching on to you. I'm here for the long haul. There is "nothing" that you can say, that means "anything" to me. You "are" what's wrong with America, Dr. kaye.
Now I'm tired and I'm going to bed. We "can" continue this latter.
///Three posts and what profound point have you made?///
Ummh, you responded to it already. Did i not discuss the election results and what the implications are? Did you not comment on that?
///You keep crying about facts like I was a news reporter or something. When two people are debating something like... lets say... what the effects of FDR's policies were on the country. ///
I never said you were completely wrong on FDR's policies, only that if you insist on holding a certain view, you should have some sort of facts to back it up... But apparently, your opinion should be more valuable to me than any facts... is that right?
///I'm sorry issac, I thought you were smarter than Dr. kaye. For your information, it's called sarcasm - a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain. Websters online. ///
Oh! Denny you are such a joker... I just figured you were being honest, should I not assume that anymore?
Oh, did I just use sarcasm?
///The typos do tend to make you look stupid (apperently).///
Unfortunately for you, your entire posts make you look stupid.
///And you have proven to be highly conservative and have NEVER agreed with even the principles or the intentions of liberal thinking. This makes you comes across as an extremist.///
Where did I say this? Could you quote that? I bet Denny could, he's really good at that. I think liberals have good intentions, but they completely lack the intelligence needed to sucessfully put into action a plan that will support those good intentions. Is that fair enough?
///What is ironic is that NEOCONS like yourself are ignorant of the fact that the extreme side of conservative thinking IS NEOCONS, religious nutjobs, racists, xenophobes and strict constructionists.///
It should be "are neocons", because what followed was plural. Are you calling me a racist? I guess people who look at the constitution with absolute authority for our laws should be in the same class as "xenophobes"... Yeah, real tolerant there Doug...
///The fact that your party is willing to endorse or support people like Pat Robertson, Strom Thurmond, Jim Bakker, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity who have obviously done everything in their power to divide this country into "patriots" and "traitors" or "God's children" and "sinners" or "worthy residents" and "criminal aliens" should slap you in the face like a woman done wrong.///
Well Dougi, if you knew anything about Christianity, you would know that "God's children" physically refered to the Isrealites of the Old Testament and spiritually refers to the Christians of present, and that ALL Christians beleive we are ALL sinners. I don't know how any of these commentators have tried to divide this country into Jews and Non-Jews (which include the Jews as well), but I am sure you have an explanation. And regarding immigration, I thought there were only LEGAL citizens, and ILLEGAL immigrants... If someone isn't here legally, then they are illegal, which would make them a criminal and NOT a citizen. If they are here legally, then they would be worthy of the title of "citizen". I don't see why these definitions are so hard for you to understand, but then again, you just made them up, so maybe you should have thought through your post a little more...
Douglas, you are a prime example of the liberal thought that expressing tolerance is the ultimate good in this world.... except towards those who disagree with you... Then they are labeled as racists, xenophobes, or...my personal favorite, "strict contructionists"(that last one really gets me fired up!)...
Oh, did I just use sarcasm?" Again issac, thank you. I can be a joker sometimes. And since you don't understand "sarcasm", yes you did. Would you like me to point out "where"
"Yeah, real tolerant there Doug..." yea, you are the "king" of tolerence yourself, huh? "sarcasm" Since you have such a problem identifying sarcasm, I thought I'd do you a favor and point it out when I use it. Will that help you iiissac.
Oh, Dear GOD in Heaven . . . That's the funniest pablum puking comment I have ever heard from you! Well 'apperently' . . . ummmmm . . . Doctor (*snicker* ) . . . you'll never read anything 'of substance' from me since anything of reasonable, rational intelligence is Waaaay beyond your ability to comprehend. For somebody with your clear mental deficit who has virtually never said anything of importance . . . well . . . at least since you last told your mom that your diaper needed changing . . . to ask anyone if they can say something of importance is nearly hysterical! The only difference between you and you buddy Lex is that he has a modicum of humor in his puerile comments and keeps them short . . . you tend to use 10 times as many words to make the same absurd comments which lack humor but which you think make you seem educated. They don't.
Devin: You slipping? Where's the DB1s?? ;)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
I saw this morning that Romney and Giuliani mixed it up during the last Republican debate over Romney's landscaper having illegal immigrants working at Romney's residence. Boy is this a repeating theme or what. How many high up government officials have had their careers unraveled by this dirty little secret? All I have to say is that if this is the best the Republicans can come up with, it's no wonder that party is falling apart.
Didn't you think Romney had a good response to this attack by Guiliani in the last debate? Or did you not watch it? Aren't you a POLITICAL correspondent, not a DEMOCRATIC correspondent?
Romney stated that he hired a gardning firm to take care of his house, and they hired the illegals. Now, his question to Guiliani was "If you see someone working in your yard that has an accent, as Americans is it our right or our duty to check their papers?" Isn't that pretty discriminatory?
What do you think Devin, is that a legitimate question? Will you answer it?
More garbage.... even less maturity... and still the ability to write a whole pragraph without even touching on the subject. Anyone surprised?
///That's the funniest pablum puking comment I have ever heard from you! Well 'apperently' . . . ummmmm . . . Doctor (*snicker* ) . . . ////
Did you just laugh at your own joke while calling me a doctor (where you got that from I'll never know)?
I understand what you are saying, but do you seriously think a politician has time or is interested in doing so? I mean, would you?
///BTW, here are some more comments you can "chase" after to "prove" that you're "smarter" than me.///
Why would I want to do that? You do a great job without me....
The soul searching is however inadequate so far. In fact, you are seeing a bunch of republicans disown Bush and say he is not a true conservative. But none of them felt that way when he was riding high in term #1. The Evangelical led social issue voter bloc has crumbled a bit, and I don't think they know what to do about adjusting their platform.
The martial law act to which I was referring was passed on Oct 17, 2006. Just before the last election. So it was a Republican congress that passed it. Thanks for calling it to my attention though. I realized after reading your post it had to be before the election to have slipped through with only the smallest ripple.
When I have more time I will see if I can find the write-up on the detention camps. When I became aware of those I jokingly said to a friend that it was probably just a boondoggle to give Halliburton something more to steal from us. I was kidding. Then I did some checking and voila! guess who has the contract?
For 13 years the Republicans have been taking advantage of the bully pulpit to yell the sound bite that "the Democrats have no plan." But like most of what comes out of the mouths of Republican politicians, it just wasn't and isn't true. The Democrats do have a plan and here it comes you Right wingers... better hold on cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
" A Chicken In Every Pot!"
The Real UnderDog!
///The Democrats do have a plan and here it comes you Right wingers... better hold on cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride.///
What does that mean? You don't even know, do you?
///With some of the lowest sustained approval numbers and a clear majority of Americans decreeing that the country is headed in the wrong direction, I think a lot of Republicans are baffled about what direction they should take now. ///
Devin please, how does this support your opinion that the country is shunning conservative principles... especially when recent elections say otherwise? Hell Devin, I'm a conservative and I think this country is headed in the wrong direction... How does that fit into your synopsis?
I hope you don't live your life scared out of your mind about this stuff. That bill has something called oversight. If you wish, you can argue that Bush was wrong for signing that bill, but nonetheless if this country were ever to turn into a dictatorship, it wouldn't be because of THAT bill.
Under that bill, all Mr. Bush has to do to totally suspend the constitution, the congress, and everything else is to declare a state of national emergency, declare martial law, and order out the military to enforce his decree. Unless the military commanders refused to do so (which could happen) they could then begin rounding up people such as me who protested and put them in the Halliburton camps.
Do I think that will happen? To be honest, no I don't. I also don't believe that the so-called oversight would have any more impact than does the requirement that the government show just cause and get a warrant before they eavesdrop on private telephone conversations or snoop into other personal parts of the lives of average citizens. Heck, they even wanted Amazon to turn over records of what books people order.
As to your second question, I don't think Republicans are shunning conservative principles, but they are rejecting neocon ideology. And I think the term neocon is oxymoronic because there isn't anything "conservative" about those guys. What they are is a bunch of war mongering "borrow and spend" radicals that managed to hijack the Republican Party. And now their absolute failure has left the Republican Party in shambles. Not only does the next president have an overwhelming job ahead to repair the damage this president has caused, the next generation of Republican leaders too have a lot of work ahead of them repairing the damage the neocon's have done to that Party.