Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
The American Spectator holds a symposium, starring Dick Armey, Fred Barnes, Michael Barone, Jim DeMint, Jim Geraghty, Phil Klein, Grover Norquist, and more. Jim Antle kicks it off:
Is the Republican party ready to regain power? Probably not [...]. Yet it is a risk conservatives have no choice but to take.
It's true enough that this is the big leagues, and it's time to measure up. The real question is whether Republicans can agree, in time, on an affirmative approach to governing that can command broad -- or broad enough -- popular support. Conviction and guts are necessary, but when it comes to Congress, they're not sufficient. In addition to those endowments, Republicans need a good measure of political savvy and policy chops. None of these things are out of reach. Yet it's difficult to leap so high when in the midst of a vast shift -- from a party driven by the rhetoric of opposition, and the political opportunities it creates, to a party organized around the logistics of legislative work and the strategy required to push back constructively against a President unbowed.
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Jun '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
I'd recommend that a Republican US House study what Chris Christie is doing in New Jersey, and just do it on a bigger scale. Of course that means beginning with two years of gridlock, but in this case, gridlock is good.
May '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
I'm worried less about the shift from being an opposition party, and more about the shifts that squishes from sea to shining sea will make once they've won in November. I'm sure every state has its fair share of opportunist candidates who would be sweet, centrist aisle-crossers instead of cost-cutting Tea Partiers were the political waters flowing differently.
Our best hope isn't a Congress controlled by the GOP, but a GOP Congress with an engaged electorate holding its feet to the fire!
May '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
I'm with etd. If Congress is gridlocked they can't do anything TO us.
Then they should join Ricochet and get some good ideas.
May '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
It depends on whether the incoming class stays true to what elected them or they are "co-opted" by the entrenched Washington statist class.
May '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
I'd take odds that they'll screw it up. Jason nailed it. If a GOP Congress accomplishes anything whatsoever of long-term benefit, it will only be because We the People have held their feet to the fire and threatened them, in a credible way, with political unemployment if they cave. If there is a "Conservative Spine" it isn't in Washington. It's in the People.
Aug '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
All the hand wringing is proof positive that Republican leadership is "not ready for prime time". Especially this year - if the path is not obvious, boys, then get out of the game.
It's not all that difficult - forget politics; govern with principle. Pledge to the electorate that you will actually listen to them and not the DC Media, NY Times Editorial Page, etc. And, then, surprise them and actually do it! Support only legislation that is EXPLICTLY within the powers granted in Article I; Pledge to oppose legislation - ALL Legislation - not consistent with those powers, including every single spending bill that is not enumerated in Section 8. Then, have some spine for once. Throw it back at the DC crowd when the "obstructionist" charge is leveled. No "deals"; No "bipartisan"; No "reaching across the isle"; no "squish".
If the Republicans would actually govern for The People rather than governing for themselves, they would maintain a majority until they once again had to learn this lesson.
Jun '10
Re: Are the Republicans Ready to Lead in Congress?
If Reagan were here, he'd love the Tea Parties. Recall that he didn't much care about winning over Democrats in Congress. He went over their heads "to the boss." That only works if "the boss"--the Public--is listening. And the existence of the Tea Parties, all these grassroots organizations popping up, prove that the boss is listening. What's missing is a Reagan.