Quote:
Originally Posted by whell
Nudging the thread back in the direction of the OP, here's an article in today's WSJ that I find quite interesting, and captures more of the sentiment of conservatives "outside the beltway." In fact, I suspect that there are far more conservatives per capita outside the beltway than inside.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...s_opinion_main
I think its fair to say that the shenanigans in Washington by the political class has worn pretty thin on supporters of both primary parties. Meanwhile, the shift to the right at the state and local level in a number of states has produced interesting results and interesting people to watch who may be on the rise in the GOP.
Obama and Romney may not represent the direction of their respective parties, particularly outside the Washington establishment. If so, 2012 and probably 2016 may be years of transition for the GOP as those newer to prominent elected positions in the party build their resumes.
If Obama is not successful in 2012, one might wonder if the same might happen to the Dems: a revamp and retrenchment with new faces with new resumes for 2016 and beyond? |
One of the big differences between Governors and DC politicians is that Governors (of both parties) have to balance the budget and work within the political system to get things done (i.e., they're pragmatists and not ideologues, for the most part).
In DC, most of what politicians is symbolic and devoid of real substance (or even the intent to accomplish anything). They just want to milk the same issues, ad infinitum, to put themselves in a better position to get re-elected and stay on the gravy train.
I think the GOP realizes that virtually none of their "leaders" in DC have a shred of respect from the general public, so they have to let the Governors act as the face of their party if they want to make it look that they're capable of accomplishing anything. Unfortunately, once the Governors (of either party) take positions in Washington, they adapt quickly to its do-nothing, posturing ethic.