The Last Days of the GOP
The news arrived this morning like the report of a mugging that the Republican Party choice for the 23rd, the sturdy, dull, dutiful Dede Scozzafava, was quitting the campaign for Congress and releasing her supporters without a recommendation. Scozzafava's late decision, with less than 66 hours until the polls open, hints at backstairs deals, whispered pay-offs, promises from Albany, all of which is likely untrue and romantic rubbish.
Scozzafava leaves the race and returns to her New York Assembly seat as a Republican. Not a Club for Growth libertarian "Too Big to Fail!" Republican; not a Tea Party "Mad as Hell!" Republican; not a Fox News or talk radio "We report!" Republican. Just a Republican like me and a few others who pay mind to the fact that the party comes from a philosophy that is tolerant, obedient, respectful, curious, generous, kind, liberty-loving, and not much in fashion just now.
"No one pretends that the celebrity endorsements of novice Doug Hoffman have much to do with the people of the hardscrabble North Country of the (NY) 23rd. The district could be South Waziristan, and the game would be played just as cynically."
What happens to the 23rd? The Democratic Party announced last eve it is sending in Vice President Joe Biden to campaign for Democratic candidate Bill Owen. The Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele overnight endorsed the "business person" Doug Hoffman. The two big dogs, the Republican right-wing and the Obama administration's executive, look to be throwing in cash, muscle, sparkle, and ground troops. There is still no good evidence that the cunning Club for Growth cares a tent peg for the North Country, and this seems appropriate. Whatever the 23rd was, it's a surrogate battlefield now, fought over by the lords and ladies of cynicism from long before there was a burden of party faithfulness and grace. Ronald Reagan called it the 11th Amendment, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican," but that was then, when the party could win 49 states, and this is now, when the party can't win a rotten borough without dry-gulching, and maybe not even then.... (more)
I'm laughing at all you sicko lefties and liberals that populate this site...
its funny reading how you all sort of pump each other up into this phoney line that what is happening is the destruction of the Republicans.... ha ha ha... you are witnessing the death of the Democrats you dolts...
you rode a phoney pile of crap with Obama and the liberal sucking msm and now you are over the cliff as the majority of Americans realize what a bunch of liars and thieves you are...
adios and good riddance...
If you ever stepped outside of your undereducated echo chamber of Fox and Rush, you would realize that nobody is following you teabaggers on your lonely march toward purity and oblivion. Note that "the majority of Americans" voted for Obama--were all those voters phony? You think they're with you now? Hold your breath and wait for your savior, timmy me boy.
Right back at ya.
The Last Days of the GOP is overstated, but a dark shadow has certainly been cast over Mordor by the Nazgul. Or in the case of NY District 23, a comedic shadow has been cast over Fordor by the Nozdruls.
This is a great time to be a conservative. Nothing gets the intellectual juices running more than a frontal attack from the leftist obama ditto-heads, and the necessity to protect our country from their ruinous agenda!
The fact that these idiots are bound and determined to pass a huge health care entitlement that we can't pay for will galvinize the country against them, and we will be back in power in no time. See you in November!
The dittoheads are all on the right these days.
The Hoffman win is a threat to GOP leadership and he will be welcomed with little more than lip service. However, the monster will now demand to be fed and the national GOP will be forced to cater to the extreme of their party. The national GOP is now facing a bloodbath. They will continue to loose seats in the House and Senate and White House. It is even possible the GOP will disappear entirely to be replaced by the new Conservative Party. TeaBaggers have already denounced Lindsey Graham, Huckabee and Gingrich. It won't take long for the people of the 23rd to realize that they have elected a congressman who knows nothing about their issues or his constituency. He will be voted out in his first reelection campaign. My thanks to Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh and Fox. I am especially grateful to Gingrich and Rove. They believe the GOP to be nothing more than a political machine that needed to be tweaked just enough to get more than 50% of the votes. Their focus was upon developing the "base" rather than paying attention to the founding principles of their party and doing the work of the voters. The Democrats now have an opportunity to do what is right for the country for what looks like decades to come.
What? Batchelor writing a column I agree with?
So John, you've finally woke up and smelled the coffee or
manure as the case may be.
Sarah Palin (aka Joan of Snark) was but the first nail in the coffin. And one crazy after another, not to mention their
spokeselephant Rush, & Glenn Dreck keep coming to the forefront for their 15 minutes as examples of the Grand OLd Party.
WHENCE CAME SO MUCH VENOM FROM MR. BATCHELOR? HEAVY-DUTY ANGER. IF THE 23RD IS POOR, BLAME MR SCHUMER AND HILLARY AND THE STATE LEGISALTURE. I THINK THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT ASTIR IN THE LAND. IT BLOWS A FRESH BREEZE. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT REGARDLESS WHO SUPPLIES THE MONEY?
Great, hope mitney runs. The phony Xtian fundies will eat him and his six wives alive.
When the Moose Lady and Carnival leaves town,
Mitt Romney will emerge as a legitimate Republican Nominee
for President.
Romney has no chance of being nominated. He has remained silent about district 23. Huckabee did the same and has been denounced as a RINO. Teabaggers too stupid to have noticed his lack of participation. But they will remember.
What makes you think he will do better in 2012 than he did in 2008, Sophia?
Oh, that would be so great. The birthers and teabaggers will excoriate him as a Mormon they consider Satanic and the rest of us will numbly watch the cartoons of the vacationing Mitt, robotically tooling down the highway with his dog strapped to the top of the family car, hosing it down at pit stops.
As much as I enjoy the comedy stylings of Tea Baggers, Birthers, Rush, Beck, Palin, etc., I cannot understand where the intelligent Republicans are in all this. Ashamed and hiding in intimidation? Are the holding back waiting for the crazy henchmen to succeed so then they can come out of hiding, jump out and yell, "Surprise! We're back!"
Since no one has come out strongly against these crazies and there antics, I am left to assume there is no one in the republican party with any leadership skills.
The sideshow has taken center stage.
Granite - I don't know about intelligent Republicans, but the reasonably intelligent ones bailed out and are hanging out with the Democrats and Independents at least in terms of voting. Not all of them certainly.
I suspect Charles Krauthammer is still a registered Republican and votes that way, but I also suspect that he's in 'internal' or 'mental' exile from the reality that is the current Republican party, waiting for less-activist conservativism to make a comeback.
Granite: A lot of intelligent Republicans have left the party and become independents - or Democrats. I have seen a lot of their stories here in various DB threads.
The sideshow has taken center stage because Republicans have nothing else to offer. The lack of a Republican health care reform bill is just one sad example of this.
I was with you until you went to Health Care, the Conservative/non Republicans do not want Government Run Health Care, and we do like the Republican view of what the bill should be. You just don't know what it is because you don't watch fox and the government run media doesn't show it.
WE are all against the Dems Health Care Bill. The Dems have not accepted any input to the bill from the Republicans. Truth be known if the Rep were in there wouldn't even be a discussion about Health care.. and we know that..
As I started to read this article, I asked myself if I really wanted to continue. I agree there's alotta BS going on up in the 23rd, but ya gotta admit it's become one of the best stand-up routines in years. That being said, the comedian of the hour is now John Batchelor, cause none of you bitches on the left has the moral high ground when it comes to this topic.
Come on folks, seriously look at the kinda lopsided hit job the dude comitted to internet ink... Hell all you gotta do is change the names to Soros, MoveOn.org, or John Dean (to name a few) and you will have penned an article by the GOP.
Exposed for what it is, I can't help but think Batchelor is auditioning his perverse writing skills in an effort to attract the attack dogs over at MSNBC, i.e.,Olbermann or Madow . One can only hope before his misbegotten political harmony fades in to discord, he doesn't try to run over a few safety patrol guards in the cross-walks too.
Spartann - Interesting. I couldn't help but think that Stanley Crouch helped Batchelor write this article. And District 23 sounds like a science-fiction movie with Jim Carrey in it.
"...cause none of you bitches on the left has the moral high ground when it comes to this topic."
Excellent post Spartann... truer words were never spoken!
Also, has everyone forgotten already about the President himself trying to oust the sitting Gov of NY in order to run someone more favorable to the President in next year's election?
Or how about what's going on in NJ... where Jon Corzine's campaign is more or less being run by the Obama administration, and Corzine himself is propping up 3rd party candidate Chris Daggett's campaign in order to bleed votes from Christie because there's no way Corzine wins in a 2-man race with Christie.
It is highly hypocritical of the writer to accuse national conservative figures of influencing a state election, when the Dems are doing the exact same thing, backed by the most powerful man in the world, the President himself!
I agree with Spartann, this political muzak is better left to radio where thought faculties are not required.
But I did not think his campy gossip was on par with Olberman or Madow, I was thinking of a dumbed down Maureen Dawd.
They're all betting on this race because it's Republican Territory....
Not One Democrat has Won that District in 140-Years!!
It will be interesting to see who wins the election. All politishinz are dirt bags. Giving up your integrity goes with the job. You do the bidding of Money & Power or you are out. We need to
DUMP THE 535.
I should make a bumper sticker.
michaelslevinson.com
Or turn it back into what it was - not a full-time job.
I can't think of anything that entertains me more than watching the death of the republican party.
The hatred, the shouting, the ignorance, the lies.
I absolutely love it.
It is heartwarming - like sunshine on a cloudy day!
I sit here and have watched this match up for a while --
how I long for the days of the teddy kendenys and the jessey helms --
2 men that stood as far apart as the east to the west but the thing that you knew was WHERE they stood !!!
Ok so that is the reason Iam an Independant for the reason I will NOT have anyone to tell me how to vote
too may times I have seen a canidate step up and spew the partys logo and vote JUST the opisit
he may be not well spoken but you dont have to guess where he stands ---the rino R and the libiral D if you lay them down side to side and remove their I.Ds you couldent tell them apart it is time the R party quit pandering to the Iwill reach across the Isle canadates and look for people that have REAL BACKBONES AND CONVICTIONS
In order to make political gains in recent years, at a national level, the Republican party has courted the far-right. They have used the far-right as a political weapon (tea parties, town halls etc.) but now those chickens are coming home to roost. This is what the military calls "blowback". Had to happen eventually.
I am an independent, and I agree with you too. A conservative not a republican
Which I fear will happen to the Democratic Party for not only courting the far Left but allowing it to hijack the party.
I cannot believe how many Democrats have not learned the consequences of allowing fringe fanatics to take over a party!
Once the holy rollers and neocons infiltrated and hjacked the Republican Party it was only a matter of time before it would degenerate into the Bush/Cheney abomination the nation endured for the last 8 years.
Wake up Democrats! The so called "progressives" at MoveOn.Org, ACORN,
Huffington Post, DKos are NOT Democrats! They are to the Democrat Party what the neocons and Religious Right are to the Republican party; the crazies in the basement who have debased each party's platform.
@nortonclybourn, what's pathetic is your inability to counter argue my position with any semblance of rational discourse.
For all the ridicule that the far Left heaps on the far Right, both sides share the same psychology, if not ideology. The ignorant and misinformed foot soldiers being lead by the nose by a shamelessly duplicitous leadership.
If you were an educated individual with a thorough knowledge of American Political history you would know exactly what I'm talking about.
I am an indepentent and I agree with you.
What the Hell are you talking about? Your fear of ACORNS is truly pathetic.
What a pleasure to watch conservatives self-destruct!
Alan... I think you are confusing "conservatives" with "Republicans". While Republicans aren't exactly a popular brand these days and have a low party ID in most polls... according to the latest Gallup poll, it just so happens that roughly 40% of voters identify themselves as "conservative" these days, and 36% identify themselves as "moderates"... but only 20% of voters are proud to call themselves liberal... good luck on getting 40% of the country to "self-destruct" lol!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/123854/Conservatives-Maintain-Edge-Top-Ideolo gical-Group.aspx#
The hard truth of the matter is that it's the conservatives who are sick and tired of choosing between Democrat and Democrat-lite. It's the same as choosing between Bud and Bud-Lite... you have a choice between piss and watered-down piss... not exactly something to get enthusiastic about.
If Scozzafava didn't have an (R) next to her name, you'd never know she was a Republican, judging by her record, and you sure as hell wouldn't confuse her with a conservative. The last straw was when the GOP's so-called "leaders"... Gingrich, Steele, etc., threw their support behind Scozzafava because they preferred that voters embrace a false sense of party unity by voting for the "safe and moderate" choice, as opposed to voting for their core beliefs. The RINOs put party above principles (as usual), and the conservatives soundly rejected them.
I look forward to the day when this country can proudly be a one party system. Democracy is only for fools, and the AlanD2 knows it!
Sorry, Hon - AlanD2 is not anti-Democracy. If the Republican party were decent and reputable we'd welcome the balance. As it is, y'all are just thugs and robbers.
What a pleasure to watch conservatives self-destruct!
I look forward to the day when this country can proudly be a one party system. Democracy is only for fools, and the AlanD2 knows it!
Sorry, Hon - AlanD2 is not anti-Democracy. If the Republican party were decent and reputable we'd welcome the balance. As it is, y'all are just thugs and robbers.
Alan... I think you are confusing "conservatives" with "Republicans". While Republicans aren't exactly a popular brand these days and have a low party ID in most polls... according to the latest Gallup poll, it just so happens that roughly 40% of voters identify themselves as "conservative" these days, and 36% identify themselves as "moderates"... but only 20% of voters are proud to call themselves liberal... good luck on getting 40% of the country to "self-destruct" lol!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/123854/Conservatives-Maintain-Edge-Top-Ideolo gical-Group.aspx#
The hard truth of the matter is that it's the conservatives who are sick and tired of choosing between Democrat and Democrat-lite. It's the same as choosing between Bud and Bud-Lite... you have a choice between piss and watered-down piss... not exactly something to get enthusiastic about.
If Scozzafava didn't have an (R) next to her name, you'd never know she was a Republican, judging by her record, and you sure as hell wouldn't confuse her with a conservative. The last straw was when the GOP's so-called "leaders"... Gingrich, Steele, etc., threw their support behind Scozzafava because they preferred that voters embrace a false sense of party unity by voting for the "safe and moderate" choice, as opposed to voting for their core beliefs. The RINOs put party above principles (as usual), and the conservatives soundly rejected them.
In order to make political gains in recent years, at a national level, the Republican party has courted the far-right. They have used the far-right as a political weapon (tea parties, town halls etc.) but now those chickens are coming home to roost. This is what the military calls "blowback". Had to happen eventually.
Which I fear will happen to the Democratic Party for not only courting the far Left but allowing it to hijack the party.
I cannot believe how many Democrats have not learned the consequences of allowing fringe fanatics to take over a party!
Once the holy rollers and neocons infiltrated and hjacked the Republican Party it was only a matter of time before it would degenerate into the Bush/Cheney abomination the nation endured for the last 8 years.
Wake up Democrats! The so called "progressives" at MoveOn.Org, ACORN,
Huffington Post, DKos are NOT Democrats! They are to the Democrat Party what the neocons and Religious Right are to the Republican party; the crazies in the basement who have debased each party's platform.
What the Hell are you talking about? Your fear of ACORNS is truly pathetic.
I am an indepentent and I agree with you.
@nortonclybourn, what's pathetic is your inability to counter argue my position with any semblance of rational discourse.
For all the ridicule that the far Left heaps on the far Right, both sides share the same psychology, if not ideology. The ignorant and misinformed foot soldiers being lead by the nose by a shamelessly duplicitous leadership.
If you were an educated individual with a thorough knowledge of American Political history you would know exactly what I'm talking about.
I am an independent, and I agree with you too. A conservative not a republican
I sit here and have watched this match up for a while --
how I long for the days of the teddy kendenys and the jessey helms --
2 men that stood as far apart as the east to the west but the thing that you knew was WHERE they stood !!!
Ok so that is the reason Iam an Independant for the reason I will NOT have anyone to tell me how to vote
too may times I have seen a canidate step up and spew the partys logo and vote JUST the opisit
he may be not well spoken but you dont have to guess where he stands ---the rino R and the libiral D if you lay them down side to side and remove their I.Ds you couldent tell them apart it is time the R party quit pandering to the Iwill reach across the Isle canadates and look for people that have REAL BACKBONES AND CONVICTIONS
I can't think of anything that entertains me more than watching the death of the republican party.
The hatred, the shouting, the ignorance, the lies.
I absolutely love it.
It is heartwarming - like sunshine on a cloudy day!
It will be interesting to see who wins the election. All politishinz are dirt bags. Giving up your integrity goes with the job. You do the bidding of Money & Power or you are out. We need to
DUMP THE 535.
I should make a bumper sticker.
michaelslevinson.com
Or turn it back into what it was - not a full-time job.
They're all betting on this race because it's Republican Territory....
Not One Democrat has Won that District in 140-Years!!
As I started to read this article, I asked myself if I really wanted to continue. I agree there's alotta BS going on up in the 23rd, but ya gotta admit it's become one of the best stand-up routines in years. That being said, the comedian of the hour is now John Batchelor, cause none of you bitches on the left has the moral high ground when it comes to this topic.
Come on folks, seriously look at the kinda lopsided hit job the dude comitted to internet ink... Hell all you gotta do is change the names to Soros, MoveOn.org, or John Dean (to name a few) and you will have penned an article by the GOP.
Exposed for what it is, I can't help but think Batchelor is auditioning his perverse writing skills in an effort to attract the attack dogs over at MSNBC, i.e.,Olbermann or Madow . One can only hope before his misbegotten political harmony fades in to discord, he doesn't try to run over a few safety patrol guards in the cross-walks too.
neverlate: we can't pay for the health care entitlement why? Because your party took this country down a hole.