The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
In the Washington Post, Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein have just published a comprehensive attack on the Republican Party. A sample:
We have been studying Washington politics and Congress for more than 40 years, and never have we seen them this dysfunctional. In our past writings, we have criticized both parties when we believed it was warranted. Today, however, we have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies with the Republican Party.
The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition....
On financial stabilization and economic recovery, on deficits and debt, on climate change and health-care reform, Republicans have been the force behind the widening ideological gaps and the strategic use of partisanship. In the presidential campaign and in Congress, GOP leaders have embraced fanciful policies on taxes and spending, kowtowing to their party’s most strident voices.
For decades, Mann (pictured on the left) and Ornstein (to the right), both attached to Washington think tanks, have passed themselves off as above-the-fray, utterly impartial, interested not in ideology but in getting things done. Which is to say, of course, that they reflect, without the smallest flaw or distortion, the conventional wisdom of the mainstream media and the Democratic Party, both of which believe that ever-expanding government is simply the result of responsible governance.
Now here's what's interesting. During the very period Mann and Ornstein deride, the supposed crackpot and marginal GOP has captured the House of Representatives in one of the biggest electoral swings in congressional history, picked up seven seats in the Senate, and chosen to nominate Mitt Romney, who, even though in many ways a remarkably weak candidate, nevertheless is already virtually even with the Democratic incumbent in national polls.
Mann and Ornstein don't have a problem with the GOP, in other words, they have a problem with the American people. "Shut up, sit down, and let people like us run the country." That's what Mann and Ornstein--and, again, the media and Democratic Party--have convinced themselves is the message, the responsible message, to carry into this election year.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Romney may yet win in a landslide.
- Comment (71)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (5)
Comments:
Jan '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
What we have here is a static political analysis that, for self-serving reasons, refuses to acknowledge that America doesn't accept the same assumptions as these ... distinguished scholars.
The first telltale sign is when they assert that the Republican Party has moved away from the center. Of course, "mainstream" and "center" are relative terms. If America moves to the right, the center moves also. But not for these two. They're saying that, hey let's face it, the equidistant point between the two political parties has moved right. And they offer this fact as if, by itself, this condemns the move from where they were expecting (no, demanding) that the center should be. They object that the center isn't where they want it to be.
So sorry to disappoint them. $14 trillion of debt will cause that.
They condemn the Republican Party for not nominating more Chuck Hagels and Bob Michels. How dare we!
- - - - - -
Their foundation criticism of the state of American politics is that it isn't what it used to be, or what they want it to be.
Freedom. What a concept.
Apr '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Studying politics for 40 yrs.? Maybe journalists should have term limits. Just (half) joking!
Jun '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I think this is a good sign. It's a sign that libs in the media fear the Republican party to a certain extent.
No one publishes comprehensive attacks against things they view as inconsequential or inert.
May '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Increased disconnect between the rich counties surrounding Washington, DC and the rest of the country.
When you see nothing but growth and prosperity in your neighborhood you believe the rest of the country is nuts.
Jun '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Nice that the WaPo is publishing scary stories for the Establishment to read around the campfire. "The Black McCarthyite" is particularly terrifying.
Dec '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I wonder how this is going to affect AEI donations.....
May '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Pseudodionysius
We just need to figure a way to get them to trumpet this loudly and repeatedly for the next six months.
May '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Joseph Eagar
How can you believe that?
Professor Rahe told you: 2010. America is still a majority conservative country. Don't look at political parties; look at the way people live their lives and raise their kids.
May '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I read the article and had a good laugh. You mean to tell me they were being serious???
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I couldn't agree more with Paul's comment at #5. Politicians keep making the mistake that moderation sells, but the truth is that authenticity sells.
May '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
As annoying as this column is, it's probably a good sign. You see these sorts of fatuous arguments whenever liberals aren't winning the debate. Jonah Goldberg has illustrated this before.
Edited on April 29, 2012 at 3:39amSep '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Call me beyond optimistic, but in a Facebook group crawling with doom-forecasting, howling-at-the-moon Ron Paul supporters immediately north of the Tampa Bay area, I've wagered a moderately (check that: fairly) expensive lunch that Romney will win this thing going away. Adding intrigue, I've put the over at 54 percent of the popular vote and 315 electoral votes.
Sep '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
My demented lefty (but I repeat ... ) pals are already posting on Facebook, as if it were gospel.
Wheeeeee!
Jun '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I wish I could be so optimistic, but I believe Romney will win. Hope you're right because with those numbers and reasonable coattails we'll stay strong in the House and take the Senate.
Nov '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
I've been doing some of my own informal polling, and as best as I can tell, the left believe running on Healthcare get's them a close victory. And criticizing Obama for continuing Bush era policies in Iraq and Afghanistan ensures another landslide. Meanwhile, those on the right continue to warm to Romney, proving Rob's contention that that won't stay home. The middle? In my informal polling they are angry at Obama over bailouts, Obamacare, and continued wasting of taxpayers money. At the beginning of the primary season I was convinced we had 4 more years of Obama. I'm now starting to think we may just win. Having said that, a Republican majority in both houses and having the White House is more scary than gridlock. I think Republicans will pull a Boehner and that will be disastrous. Anyway, there's 2 cents from a guy living in Socialist Western Washington...
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Adam, my main regret is that I could only hit the like tab once for your comment.
Oct '11
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Adam, it isn't the politicians that make that mistake. Moderation does sell, evidently - to the major donors, professional organizers, party hierarchy, and mainstream media. Through them it sold to the primary electorate. I'd say the moderate did ok - he got the nod.
It does not, however, sell to the broad general electorate. Don't listen to your NASCAR buddies, Mitt - keep turning right.
Nov '10
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Recently I was having a cordial, non-political discussion with a friend who describes himself as a progressive liberal. As we parted ways he said "Keep and open mind, and keep moving left." I replied: "The more open my mind gets, the more to the right I go." He just looked at me, with that dumbfound expression that so many liberals get when you reject their assertion that open mindedness and liberalism go together.
Apr '12
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
Peter,
Great article, but I must quibble with your pessimism.
"Mitt Romney, who, even though in many ways a remarkably weak candidate, nevertheless is already virtually even with the Democratic incumbent in national polls."
Come on Peter, it's right there, you just need to take on baby step and change the "weak" to strong. He's not "already virtually even" despite his weaknesses, but because of his sttrength. My understanding is that Reagan was initially underestimated by Republicans also.
Oh, and Mann & Ornstein are clearly self-important know nothings.
Edited on April 29, 2012 at 5:48amApr '12
Re: The GOP, Evil Empire. (Tee Hee.)
You're not alone Tom. I think this will be huge.