Tough Election Leaves GOP In Dire Straits

Politico: Republican Party Seen As Increasingly Out-Dated, In Its Worst Shape Since Rise Of The Conservative Coalition

(The Politico)  This story was written by Jonathan Martin.

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Thumped convincingly in consecutive election cycles, the Republican Party now finds itself in its worse straits since the rise of the conservative coalition - a minority party without the White House, fewer seats in the House and Senate, only 21 governors and full control of just 14 state legislatures.

Most ominously for Republicans, the GOP is increasingly becoming less grand than old - and outdated. As reflected in Tuesday’s results and exit polls, it’s a party that is overwhelmingly white, rural and aged in a country that is rapidly becoming racially mixed, suburban and dominated by a post-baby boomer generation with no memory of Vietnam or the familiar culture wars of the past.

Beyond demography, the party is now, thanks to the outgoing president and some members of Congress, perceived by many voters as either incompetent, corrupt, or just not standing for much.

Even on fiscal issues - for decades central to the GOP’s appeal - Republicans now lag.

In an election focused on the economy like none since 1992, Democrats had the advantage on which party would best address the current financial crisis, limit spending, reduce the deficit and cut taxes for middle-class voters, according to a pre-election survey taken across four battleground states - Virginia, Florida, Ohio and Colorado - by the American Issues Project, a conservative third-party group. Not coincidentally, each of those states - red in 2004 - flipped to the Democrats on Tuesday.

Intermingled with the cries of anguish in GOP circles this week - as well as a fiew choice words aimed at the McCain campaign - there is a common mantra: What do we do now? Interviews with some of the leading figures in the party, many of them representing GOP hopes for a future restoration, answer that question with a consensus that Republicans need not undergo major ideological shifts. Instead, these governors, former governors, and members of Congress say the party must re-embrace its small government roots while striving to embrace the reform mantle and become relevant to the day-to-day concerns of average Americans.

All concede that the party’s once pristine brand name has been tarnished during the Bush era.

“I don’t think we’ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,” said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.

And if a Republican president and Republican-held Congress presiding over a massive increase in the size of government wasn’t bad enough for the party’s image, the shaky handling of the economic crisis this fall by the White House and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill was the last blow to conservative fiscal credibility.

“In the near-term the answer is clearly yes,” admitted Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, when asked if the bailout had hurt the party brand.

“It was a watershed moment,” added former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a vocal opponent of the $700 billion rescue package. “It went against every principle Republicans held.”

The hope now is that this election will offer a political cleansing of sorts, with Democrat dominance providing a fresh opportunity for Republicans to rebuild around new leaders, draw sharper contrasts and articulate conservative principles in a way that they will lead moderate voters who’ve abandoned the GOP back into the fold.

“We’re still a center-right country,” said Sen. John Thune, a South Dakotan who is eyeing a leadership role in the new Congress and is seen by some in the party as presidential timber. “Democrats won those voters in the middle who ought to be part of our coalition.’

With Democrats firmly in control of both chambers of Congress, Thune said Republicans have a chance “to get back on offense”

“I think this is going to be very liberating for Republicans in Congress.”

And Republicans are wastng no time in critiquing some of President-elect Obama’s first moves.

“With the selection of Rahm Emanuel [as White House Chief of Staff] I think Sen. Obama is sending a strong signal of partisanship,” said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. Emanuel has been offered the job, according to Democratic sources, but has yet to accept it. “He’s a hardball player if there ever was one. That doesn’t say much to me about this ‘post-partisan’ presidency.’ ”

But while the GOP does battle with Obama and his liberal allies on Capitol Hill, other Republicans would also like to see the party use this wilderness period to reassert itself at the state level and re-create the sort of coalition of conservative reform governors it had in the 90s.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said the party should take four primary steps: show no tolerance for corruption, practice what it preaches about limiting the scope of government (“There should not be such a thing as a big-government Republican”), stand for working families and small business, and embrace reform.

“I hope there is a strong focus on recruiting candidates for governor as a top priority for 2010,” said Bush. “A reform conservative agenda can be shown at the state level regarding education, health care, and environmental policy while the liberals advocate the status quo, just more of it, in Washington, D.C.”

Two young Republican governors who are being touted by some as future presidential candidates agree, noting that the party must win its way back by appealing to voters on issues on which it has largely been silent in recent years.

“We have to have actual ideas,” said Pawlenty, 47. “The Republican idea factory has dried up. And we’ve got to catch up on the key issues of our times -- health care, renewable energy and education.”

“We need real solutions,” adds Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, 37. “It’s not enough to be just against single payer health care, for example. We’ve got to discuss how we promote private coverage, to apply our principles to the issues that affect people’s lives.”

“The other side is worse,” said Jindal, is “not a very inspiring bumper sticker.”

Translating the theoretical to the practical is key said Rep. Eric Cantor, a Virginia congressman who began a campaign this week to be elected Minority Whip, number two in the party’s House leadership.

“We shouldn’t be talking about lower taxes because supply-side economics is better for Americans but because it puts more money in people’s pockets,” said Cantor. “Where we have to focus is on reconnecting with people across this country where they live.”

But while recapturing the advantage on issues is important. Republicans are frank about the urgent need to also become a party that looks like the nation America is quickly becoming.

Obama won over Hispanics - the country’s largest minority group and target of ardent outreach by President Bush - by sizable margins, gains some in the party attribute to the perception fueled during the immigration debate that Republicans were hostile to Latinos..

Obama also trounced McCain among younger voters - those who represent a powerful voting bloc for decades to come.

“I would suggest that conservatives need to do the math of the new demographics of the United States,” said Jeb Bush. “We can’t be anti-Hispanic, anti-young person, anti many things and be surprised when we don’t win elections.”

“We’re not relevant to people of my generation,” admitted Rep. Paul Ryan, a 38-year-old Wisconsin conservative seen as a rising star on the right.

Ryan said the party had become ossified, emblematic of a despised status quo.

“No more old bulls, no more old boys network, no more just bringing ome the bacon to get re-elected,” he said.

Jindal, the son of Indian immigrants, spoke admiringly of Obama’s new majority

“He built a different coalition than has elected other Democratic candidates,” Jindal observed of the new president’s support from nearly all regions of the country and spanning many traditional divides. “We need to be aggressive for every one of those voting blocs.”

Pawlenty, the son of a truck driver who worked his way through college, is also passionate about the need to put a new face on the party.

“Demographically, culturally, technologically and economically the country is changing,” he noted, while the GOP is “stuck in a 30-year-old feel in tone and image.”

“We need a more forward-leaning, newer, younger, more diverse party. That does not mean that our values and principles get thrown overboard.

“But you can’t be a majority governing party getting almost no support from African-Americans, modest support from Hispanics, with a major gap with women, and decreasing support from modest income Americans.”

The party, Pawlenty concluded, “needs to be freshened up.”

[ixoye_02]

GOP = R.I.P. I hate to say, "I told you so!!!" But if the republicans are to re-attract ex-members like myself, the GOP better reassess the influence of the religious right, whose politics of destruction and hate are anathema for any self-respecting American patriot who supports the Constitution of the United States. If it is more of the same politics as usual, then the GOP will be transformed beyond what Goldwater and Reagan had envisioned for the GOP.

[pr_boxer]

"Dire Straits" thats where the republicans belong, hope they enjoy a very long sojourn there!

[babooph]

The great republicans-[IKE on top of the list !!]-sold out ,by those who encouraged the whaco Christians in for votes,are turning over in their graves !!Ikes grandaughter,Buckley,Powell-all the brains are leaving,only the lowlifes are going to be left.Dumb wars,& massive deficit spending were once "liberal domain"How did they sell the idiot Bush as "conservative ??"

[quatermass2]

I **WANT** an exchange of ideas, healthy debate, discussion, dialogue, a "loyal opposition". What happened under Bush was a complete smackdown of any discussion, and immediately resorting to their paid shills on talk radio to label anyone who wanted a debate as "traitor", "Saddam-lover", "appeaser", and the rest. If the GOP wants to regain its membership, it WILL have to change that approach. I hope it does.

[formrusmcsgt]

They were in dire straits BEFORE the election:

McCain advisers were also upset with the Alaska governor for setting up what she thought was a call from French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The call, which turned out to be a prank from Quebec radio hosts, was not cleared with the McCain campaign and some saw the effort to set it up as evidence of her future presidential ambitions.

A Palin ally involved in setting up the call, however, suggests McCain advisers had ample time to object given the call was on her schedule for three days.

Two McCain sources also say Palin did not know Africa was a continent and could not find it on a map. A third source, a Palin ally, says that was a miscommunication.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

[erich_1-2009]

Dire Straits?

Let''s see...
We know the last two elections were almost a dead heat.
This election is closer in popular vote and electoral college than Clinton vs. Dole or Clinton vs. Bush Sr., super landslide of Bush Sr. vs. Dukakis, then you have the two landslides of Reagan, a very close election between Ford and Carter, before that a super landslide 65% to 35% Nixon vs. McGovern...

Seems to me between President Bush pulling this Bail-Out deal, and Senator McCain being a bit too moderate for the base, and not as flashy as Senator Obama, a 6% difference in the vote and an equivalent amount in the college for the Republicans in the both of the losses to President Clinton...I think the Republicans did pretty good.

When libs in my Office call Senator McCain an "old f_a_r_t" and Gov. Palin and "air head," it just shows the hatred like the other posters below. That''s what leftist Democrats spew out - hate speech.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[lovegetpeace]

Dear GOPs,

Before the year 2042, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau, LEGAL Hispanics will become the Majority race because of High-Negative Birth rate among Anglo-Saxon Whites and High-Positive Birth rate among the LEGAL Hispanics in America.

Because of the GOP deportation of our Undocumented relatives, Hispanics will, with the help of our Black Friends and Neighbors, make the Republican Party disappear without a Fight unless you folks grant their wishes to live the American Dream just like your ancestors or you did when coming to this country.

[erich_1-2009]

CBSNewser?

That is like Sig Heil Left!

[bjcone8559]

Funny how McCain has instantly returned to the old John we used to know and love as soon as the election was over. He obviously was under the control of the republican ''handlers'' as he campaigned. The name calling and the lies were totally out-of-character for him. The republican party has gone so far to the right they can''t see the center. It is apparent that many of the republicans in positions of power are beginning to understand that their careers may be in jeopardy due to this mindset. Look for republican senators and representatives to start moving to the Libertarian party. I predict that the republican party will be reduced to just the religious right very soon.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[incog-nito]

LOL. Republicans say they need new ideas, then in the next breath rehash the same old ideas that never worked and got them where they are in the first place. Letting the "free market" magically take of everything out of the inherent "goodness" of corporations, is a recipe for disaster. Government is supposed to represent ordinary folks, and act as a counterbalance to powerful corporate entities whose sole motive is the bottom line (which is fine, by the way). The problem is when government gets on the side of big business, then ordinary people lose.

[bjcone8559]

LOL. Republicans say they need new ideas, then in the next breath rehash the same old ideas that never worked and got them where they are in the first place. Letting the "free market" magically take of everything out of the inherent "goodness" of corporations, is a recipe for disaster. Government is supposed to represent ordinary folks, and act as a counterbalance to powerful corporate entities whose sole motive is the bottom line (which is fine, by the way). The problem is when government gets on the side of big business, then ordinary people lose.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by incog-nito



EXACTLY!!!!

That is the reason labor unions were formed in the first place. Think about it.

[misswasilla]

Poor babies. . . .


It''s tough being a Republican: so completely out of touch, incompetent, corrupt, and "just not standing for much" -- as well as simply flatout dim-witted, blind and nearing political extinction.


Meanwhile, back in reality, the borders of the blue-state party are ever-expanding. It''s a beautiful thing.


Welcome, all, to Third Millennium America!


(Those of you who don''t wish to participtae may feel free to sit in a corner, suck each other''s thumbs and cry.)

[thinkTruth2009]

Great article. The GOP just doesn''t get it. I left the party 8 years ago because it had become a party of crazies who really do not care about America. They proudly wear their plastic patriotism while they do dirty deals and politicize every move.

"Thune said Republicans have a chance ''to get back on offense''"
Comments such as Thune''s above reveal the thinking of the GOP. This is why the GOP will become a party of the past. They ask how do we attack "the other side" instead of how do we work with"the other side - for the good of America". This entire election season, the GOP focused more on hatred and their opponent rather than focusing on the real issues and what McCain brings to the table.

And Republicans are wastng no time in critiquing some of President-elect Obama%u2019s first moves.
Well, they can critiqe away. In 2010 & 2112 we will again vote for the party of the people as the GOP diminishes to fragments: a good thing.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[heuristic1]

Ah! The Republicans in turmoil? In decline? In anguish? This just warms my heart! You are dirty and discredited for a reason. You fell into the gutter and became a permanent resident there. An ugly, snarling Rudy Gulianni and a bigoted Sarah Palin have become the public faces of the GOP.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, Hurricane Katrina, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[renonv5]

Those poor babies!!! Give it up boys, you''re going down.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, Hurricane Katrina, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[iphyt4u]

It''s a good party for scared older white guys. Especially those that have over a million in assets. They''ll make up lies, and carry out character assisinations to push their agenda.

[iphyt4u]

WTMJ 620 am in Milwaukee was already blaming Obama for the stock market decline. Hey republicans, get a life, and come up with some ideas.

[liberalpatri]

The GOP needs to forget Ron Reagan''s discredited ideas about de-regulation and trickle-down economics. If Republicans would re-cast themselves as Barry Goldwater libertarians and as Theodore Roosevelt environmentalists, it would help them, too. Spending more time telling voters what they are FOR rather than on character assassination of their opponents would help them a great deal, as well. And the smaller government and fiscal responsibility messages should continue to resonate. (Blaming McCain for these election results would be a big waste of time, however. McCain was their best hope this year.)

[steeepe]

Maybe the GOP should think about secession. They could take the red states and start a new country. Only problem is they would be crippled by poor education, high obesity rates, low economic activity, and reliance on evangelical fanatics to guide their development.

I just sincerely hope that the next time the republicans come sayshaying in with their "tax reduction" siren song (as they surely will), people will remember that they are really talking about tax deferral.
Now, our children and their children will get to pay off recent republican "tax reductions".

[actiscenei]

%u201CWe%u2019re still a center-right country,%u201D said Sen. John Thune...

What the helll is this moron talking about? There is absolutely nothing in the election results that backs that statement up. If he doesn''t think this country has shifted to the left of center with the Democratic sweep, what on earth do the people need to do to convince this imbecile otherwise.

"Center-right country"? THAT''s why the Republican lost; they can''t even recognize their own country!

[ioweign]

Sarah Palin''s Clothes: GOP Lawyer Dispatched To Alaska To Retrieve Some

#####


Imagine working your arse off for your law degree...

getting hired by the GOP...

and then getting this for a case...

I cannot find any reason to change my long held conviction that FDR hit the nail on the head when he called them "economic royalists" back in 1936. They will not abandon their core agendas of making the rich richer, and the priveledged even more priveledged.
I suspect they will continue to do what they have always done. That is, take up this issue or that issue as camoflauge to hide those true core agendas they''ve always had.

[bhappy2-2]

After Tough Election, GOP In Trouble

Headline should say "After Tough Election, America In Trouble" because we are.

[cbsnewser]

%u201C''I don%u2019t think we%u2019ve done a good job in the last two cycles of defining what Republicans are,%u201D said North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.''"

Yes, you have--we just don''t like you. Take your pick of what the GOP has come to represent--racism, sexism, lying for power, warmongering, fascism, looting the treasury for their friends, Hurricane Katrina, abuse of power, demolishing the middle-class... The list goes on and on. GOP, go back to the 12th century where you belong.

[idnnsg]

"With Democrats firmly in control of both chambers of Congress, Thune said Republicans have a chance ''to get back on offense''.

It doesn''t appear that the republicans CAN learn from their mistakes, does it? John McCain and Sarah Palin were constantly on the offense, and where did it get them? This country is tired of the mudslinging, corruption, lies, and incompetent cronyism. We want a government that works for us, not one that tries to tear us apart. If the GOP can''t learn this lesson, they are finished.

[legacyabq]

"it%u2019s a party that is overwhelmingly white, rural and aged"

Dont forget evil, stupid, selfish and war-loving CBS..

[legacyabq]

"it%u2019s a party that is overwhelmingly white, rural and aged"

Dont forget evil, stupid, selfish and war-loving CBS..

[hsinco-2009]

Repugs still think the private sector is the ONLY answer. And it is not.

The private sector usually costs more, is less efficient and is largely held unaccounted.

Yes, there are some things that the private sector does well, but I remember as a kid when utilities were "owned" as a co-operative and utility costs were priced correctly. Now with privatization, we pay far more.

[erich_1-2009]

Below is how close the Presidential election was:
Florida 2% Obama
N.C. 0% Obama
Virginia 6% Obama
Ohio 4% Obama
Indiana 2% Obama
Missouri 0% McCain
Nebraska 5% McCain
N.M. 5% Obama
Add Missouri''s totals, Nebraska''s split vote,
and turn those 6 very close States, McCain has
270, and a win.

[legacyabq]

"coalition of conservative reform governors it had in the 90s."

Conservative - REFORM?!?

What the hell is that?!?

Those terms are, by definition, mutually exclusive.
Conserve the past.. The Aristocracy.. The lie-oriented public policy.. Marketing-inspired speeches and public behavior specifically designed to GIVE IMPRESSSION of moderation, not deliver it..
Get rid of scumbags like Karl Rove and talk about constitutional preservation and they''ll be on right track..
FISCAL CONSERVATIVES????
PROTECTER of CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS????

Are you kidding me?? This aspect of the right died with Nixon, and is nothing but a lie/memory for the Christian Jihadists and frankly fascist-business interests that make up the modern GOP..
The GOP, once respected, is now a cancer on this country, Patriot Act and Albert Gonzales are the most satanic assault on American values in recent memory..
American values are not MORAL values, idiot republicans, American values are values of freedom and opportunity!!

Liberty!!

Go away and form your own country if you GOPigs don''tlike the constitution, or old people/children who are starving, or anything standing in your way of becoming sickeningly rich at any cost, including your very SOUL..
Dont forget to pray to your god, scum..

[farouk7]

Get In The Back Of The Bus..Now Its Your Turn

Posted by theblackman9 at 08:43 PM : Nov 06, 2008
______________________

You''re one pathetic white man trying to make people think you''re black. I feel sorry for idiots like you.

[farouk7]

Posted by erich_1 at 08:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008
_________________________

Give it up, close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes.

[incog-nito]

Add Missouri''''s totals, Nebraska''''s split vote,
and turn those 6 very close States, McCain has
270, and a win.

Posted by erich_1 at 08:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008

That close? Really? Do you want a recount?

[kansas1946]

%u201CWe%u2019re still a center-right country,%u201D said Sen. John Thune, a South Dakotan who is eyeing a leadership role in the new Congress and is seen by some in the party as presidential timber. %u201CDemocrats won those voters in the middle who ought to be part of our coalition.%u2019
***********************************
We are a center country leaning to the right. Unfortunately, your party Senator Thune is a far-right party. Your party has focused on nothing for the last eight years but supporting Bush on everthing including bad policy, and abortion, and bashing ***. If you think you can keep the middle, or even the middle-right with an agenda like that, then you are in worse shape than you thought.

[downtowner97]

This is what happens when the president ignores the will of the people. It''s called backlash.

[roadsterboy]

The REAL reason the country rejected the Repigs is that they CLAIM to be the party of the working people then give HUGE tax breaks to Corporate America and the super rich, they also are devisive, religiously infested, fear-mongering, race-baiters, intolerant and the list goes on.

Until they see themselves for the disgusting pigs that they are, they are doomed, HOPEFULLY for a generation or ten.

[aerhed]

Hey anyone rmember the know-nothing party? How about whigs? Fremont was the first repub, Lincoln the second. Don''t forget Teddy. Whazzzup?

[kansas1946]

Add Missouri''''''''s totals, Nebraska''''''''s split vote,
and turn those 6 very close States, McCain has
270, and a win.

Posted by erich_1 at 08:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008

%u201C*********************************
Or suppose that California supported McCain, and Missori could make up their mind, and everyone in Iowa didn''t vote, and it rained really hard in Maine, and......if if if....

Not even close...

[downsteamjim]

The best thing about the election for Republican Party is that John McCain will no longer be a candidate for Prez. He can go back and sit with Ted Kennedy and continue his push for liberal policies such as illegal immigration etc.

[roadsterboy]

Add Missouri''''''''''''''''s totals, Nebraska''''''''''''''''s split vote,
and turn those 6 very close States, McCain has
270, and a win.

Posted by erich_1 at 08:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008

IF IF IF, if my aunt had B A L L S she would be my uncle, get over it.

[tlparp]

Add Missouri''''s totals, Nebraska''''s split vote,
and turn those 6 very close States, McCain has
270, and a win. ----------------------

Posted by erich_1 at 08:42 PM : Nov 06, 2008
_____________________________

And if about 5 million people had voted for McCain instead of Obama, and if Sarah Palin weren''t such a doofus, and if a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn''t bump his butt. That''s a lot of ifs.

[nmsuip]

The Democrats are accused of "tax & spend." But Republicans & the Bush Administration practiced "spend & spend," thus abandoning their fiscal conservatism while embracing increasingly radical social conservatism to the point of delusion ("I don''t trust Obama. I have read about him and he''s an Arab."). The inmates are running the asylum so to speak, as the extreme right hijacks the Republican agenda. Witnessing the McCain campaign, the "maverick" had left the building and the only thing they could offer were specious attacks on Obama. People are sick of being governed by fear, so the Republicans lost. Unless they restore their balance closer to center (more fiscal conservatism, less social conservatism) the only hope they have will be if Obama & the Democrats screw up royally. I voted for Obama but I also acknowledge that he has risks (so did McCain). The easy part is over for Obama- now that he''s got the ball he''s going to have to run it downfield.

[jaykay3141]

Teddy Roosevelt - a Republican who established the national park system and fought to regulate contaminated food and drugs.

Ike - a Republican who warned against the dangers of the military-industrial complex.

Goldwater - a Republican who said politicians should keep out of citizens'' private lives.

Nixon, disgraced as he was - a Republican who proposed national health insurance.

THOSE are the Republicans I grew up with and why I was a member of the party for so long. Why not now?

Bush, Cheney, Rove, Palin - Republicans who trampled civil rights, shredded the Constitution, spewed hate against anyone who''s "different", sent the deficit into outer space, and equated dissent with treason(*).

They''re gonna have to work VERY hard to get me back.

(*) "When George Dubya says, "We Is the Master Race", we Heil, Heil, Heil, right in G. W. ''s face"
(apologies to Spike Jones)

[blindhowlin]

Guess Republicans were not the "real" Americans they thought they were.