Today's GOP

[icenine]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

That's far too neutral an analysis. Where's the boogeyman?

Regards,

D-Ray

In the closet of course, where else?

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by icenine

In the closet of course, where else?

Hiding in the woodpile with the evil labor unionists and the godless Marxists? Sorry but I think it is an integral part of the answer as to how the far right views their opponents.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by icenine

What I really think has happened is this
The recession was(is) structural not cyclical....the economy was overstretched like a rubber band. Because of the information revolution jobs have slipped away...outsourcing,etc...blame who you will. The economy is forever changed.

The traditional blue collar base that each party has shared since maybe the Nixon years (and consolidated by Reagan) is cast adrift. Perhaps neither party will be able to answer to their needs like the old days. So in this vacuum the Republican Party has lost the center it needs. The Democrats still cling to the minority voters, the "dispossessed" among us, and of course the traditional sort of educated "elite" but it is a bit better shape because of demographic changes. The Party that can adapt to these changes will last. Appears the party of Jefferson has a head start, for the time being.

Excellent post.

[icenine]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Excellent post.

Thanks!

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by icenine

What I really think has happened is this
The recession was(is) structural not cyclical....the economy was overstretched like a rubber band. Because of the information revolution jobs have slipped away...outsourcing,etc...blame who you will. The economy is forever changed.

The traditional blue collar base that each party has shared since maybe the Nixon years (and consolidated by Reagan) is cast adrift. Perhaps neither party will be able to answer to their needs like the old days. So in this vacuum the Republican Party has lost the center it needs. The Democrats still cling to the minority voters, the "dispossessed" among us, and of course the traditional sort of educated "elite" but it is a bit better shape because of demographic changes. The Party that can adapt to these changes will last. Appears the party of Jefferson has a head start, for the time being.

That was an astute analysis Icenine. Now, how do we get more choices than big government or big government?

[icenine]

Originally Posted by bhunter

That was an astute analysis Icenine. Now, how do we get more choices than big government or big government?

Well if big business cannot lift the pond....since maybe the manufacturing class may be disappearing, along with white color jobs being made redundant or outsourced, what other choice will we have? You cannot expect government to go away completely, and the private industry will do what it does the best, make profits.

[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?

[finnbow]

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.

[merrylander]

If Christie and Walker are the "New face" of the Republican Party it really is in trouble.