Fineman: A food fight in the Big GOP Tent

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7967628/

I’m wondering if we haven’t just witnessed a turning point in politics. Years from now, when we look back on the “Gang of 14” deal, will we see it as the moment when the tide of conservative Republicanism crested?

American public life moves in cycles. A generation ago, Lyndon Johnson trounced Barry Goldwater. But Goldwater’s 1964 crusade unleashed energy and ideas that inspired the New Right-Republican movement, which eventually reached its zenith in George W. Bush. He unified the libertarian, religious and corporate cadres of conservatism under his GOP banner.

Is the wheel turning again with another bold Texan in power? Hard to know, of course, and the Democrats won’t rise in some mere hydraulic fashion. They need to find vision, ideas and charismatic leaders, and none of them seem to be in great supply. But the line of products – call them “Bush Right” – suddenly is looking like what marketers call a “mature brand.” There are signs of age, strain and overreach, internally and externally.

A generation ago, voters turned against the Democrats for the excesses of their welfare-state, big-government thinking. Washington WASN’T the answer to everything.

But, voters may conclude, the Bible isn't either. They could turn against the GOP if they think the party is sacrificing the American tradition of pragmatism and respect for scientific progress – on, say, stem-cell research – in favor of religious fundamentalism, however sincere. Take a look at some of the key supporters of stem-cell research: Nancy Reagan, to name one – not to mention corporate executives who don’t want to see research money and energy drift away to other countries. Two religions are in collision, one of them secular and scientific, the other Biblical.

[Pirate Smile]

1. Ha. I just read your sig line. Funny and scary at the same time.

Yes GOP, let the intra party war begin.

[Gloria]

2. Blah blah blah....I still think it's a setup...that the 6 Repugs in the

gang are not solid at all, that they will be welcomed back into the fold after being threatened some more and that we can rely on the Democrats to cave as usual.

How many Democrats voted for cloture on Owens? (17 didn't) How many Republicans? (all)

[rodeodance]

6. I think the Rupugs in the Gang want some carrots from Bush.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. If what he is writing is the case

folks the pendulum is swinging, HARD.

[rodeodance]

4. Perhaps--perhaps as Derrida would say.--on the hand Fineman

has not been to take too many punches at the Bush Administration--

[gumby]

5. Howard The Duck sez

quack, quack, quack.

(and btw, BoyGeorge still looks stunning in his ermine)

[Beetwasher]

7. FUCK YOU, YOU WHORE!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Man, this type of tripe really gets my fucking hackles up:


"They could turn against the GOP if they think the party is sacrificing the American tradition of pragmatism and respect for scientific progress – on, say, stem-cell research – in favor of religious fundamentalism, however sincere."

How the fuck does Howie know it's SINCERE????? What a fucking douche. As if politicians haven't been phonily wearing religion on their sleeves since politics was invented. What piece of shit he is. And for this too:

"A generation ago, voters turned against the Democrats for the excesses of their welfare-state, big-government thinking. Washington WASN’T the answer to everything."

Way to go Howie. Way to push the Repub talking points and propoganda. Bush, SINCERE. Dems, BIG GOV'T WELFARE LOVERS.

Fucking asshole. What piece of slime.