Competing Brands of Republicanism

[steven johnson]

The two visions of the future, centrist versus ultraconservative, are being played out in the Republican party. They reflect larger societal trends where a plurality of Americans consider themselves conservative. Conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans comprise the swing block in congress. This bloc threatens to derail Obama's grand vision of a more egalitarian society.


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's centrism in California appeals less to the Republican Party base than the resistance push of Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
By JOHN HARWOOD
Published: July 27, 2009

...Mr. Schwarzenegger ...His blend of fiscal conservatism and social moderation produced two lopsided election victories in the blue-state colossus of California...Yet that formulation has proved more successful in campaigns than governance.

Mr. Schwarzenegger has appealed directly to Californians - most recently in springtime ballot initiatives designed to attack the deficit by capping spending and raising taxes. Voters shouted "No!" - forcing last week's deal to cut spending on state services so deeply that even the governor declined to declare victory.
The results have estranged him from both sides, producing Bush-like approval ratings of under 40 percent.

Inside the Capitol, Mr. McConnell has a different Republican message: stick together in resisting Mr. Obama's ambition.

He continued, "And the assumption that doing health care is going to help the economy, which the president's been selling, is utter nonsense." That message gains traction with every new caution from the Congressional Budget Office, every tick up in unemployment, every slip in Mr. Obama's approval ratings.



Competing Brands of Republicanism

[zbdent]

1. in this battle to the death, a double loss for the Republicans

would be a win-win for America ...

if only the Dems would capitalize on it, and VOTE FOR SOME G*DDAMN THING ...

[cyclezealot]

2. Can the GOP base convince the US, they are not freaks.

Because many of them are. A party whose red meat is the likes of Sarah Palin & Alan Keyes is a freak show.. They might pretend the likes of Mitt Romney to be mainstream, but that would not sell to the GOP base.. Mitt has to sign onto Grover Norquist's demands in order to be a serious candidate. Should the American people be informed, that alone should be grounds for defeat. Or at least, I'd hope so.

[OHdem10]

3. Careful analyst point our that when the "internals" of polls are

carefully studied, it is found that only 25% (twenty-five percent)
of Americans agree with that Ultra RW Conservatism. Think about
it--that number approximates the Republicans base. Not even all
Republicans.

We all make, I include myself when we permit the Republicans
to get on TV and mouth over and over ....this is a center-right
country. There are miles of difference between a person who
is in the center politically and may lean to the right of center
and Center Right.

Center Right means you are way over on the Right and the next
category is far-right.

Words matter. Yes Tom Delay and GWB ran a center right to far-right
government. I do believe the voters voted for change.

Do not get suckered in.