In Their Era of Demise, Republicans Still Have Time to Change

One thing everyone has to look very closely at right now is the collapse of the Republican Party. Its leadership on Capitol Hill has been silenced thanks to the Rush/Steele fight. Even the Christian Right is fed up with the BS coming from the so called leaders of the party.

Steele, the man who ran for the Senate never mentioning he was a Republican, is the worst sort of namby pamby idealog to head a party. It’s obvious from his constant statement retractions and clarifications that he has no ideology. One minute he’s pro abortion, the next he’s not. He challenges the far right (a good thing) then apologizes. How can Steele possibly lead the Party when he obviously has no platform, no firm political stand on any issue?

He can’t.

In spite of their Stim Package protestations, most Repubs couldn't wait to feed at the Stim trough - including every member of the Oklahoma Delegation except Coburn (who never brings home the bacon - not even a Little Smokie).

The party has no direction. It has no voice because the Evangelical and the Far Right wings of the party have shouted down the more moderate (sane) elements - people who want to be Republicans because they believe in the basics of the party - less government, fewer taxes; less government. These people have been driven away by the strident, overbearing tactics of Rush, the Evangelicals, the Far Right and the people who still demand that Reaganism be viable in the 21st Century (which it's not)

Republicans are famous for imposing a 100 point test to potential members - and if you don't answer all questions correctly (anti abortion, anti tax, pro Christian right) you can't be a Republican. Republicans destroy their own at a rate that mimics genocide these days. They're so busy being non-inclusive they are blowing a real opportunity to rebuild the party and re-take control of the government.

Those who seek something in between Rush on the Right and Nancy on the Left have been effectively neutralized (or so disgusted they re-register as Libertarians). They have no place to go so they float in the Diaspora of the Middle - not liberal enough to be Democrats, not correct thinking enough to be Republicans.

Republicans are missing an incredible opportunity to reinvent themselves, recast their essential doctrine in 21st Century terms, reach out to the less fanatical of the voting public and work, not for 2010, but for 2012.

It is essential to get some new blood in leadership because the current republican leaders couldn't find their way out of Mitch Park in the daylight.

In order to be the party of 2012 Republicans need to say goodbye to Rush and the Radicals (sounds like a 60's band), bring in the moderates and for God's sake, bring in some new, real leadership that is not wedded to the 20th Century (or earlier). McConnell, Boehner, Steele and their ilk need to be shown the door. Their leadership and commentary has mortally wounded the Republican Party. They serve no useful purpose except to divide and confuse.

Division is no longer a viable political party tactic.

It's time for the Repubs to reinvent themselves, re-dedicate themselves to a set of political, social and moral principles that include rather than exclude.

If not, they will die like all other third parties.