the collapse of the republican right-wing?

[welshTerrier2]

for some time now, some of us marvelled at how unified the republican party has been ... whatever internal differences they may have had, they always seem to march off to war against the Democrats in perfect lockstep ... however heinous their views may be, and however much disdain we hold for their rigid obedience, nevertheless, we understood that in unity they gained power ...

well, it looks like the days of unity for the republicans are OVER AND DONE ... the article below by EJ Dionne lays out the case on issue after issue ... the seams are ripping apart and the once rock solid republican coalition is collapsing ... the result? a devastating loss of enthusiasm ... the question they're asking over there is: "is this whole mess worth saving?" ... we've heard reports projecting a much lower turnout rate among republican voters ... this really could be the end of right-wing domination of our government ...

that's the really good news ...

what's not as clear is what will fill the void ... we should not take a Democratic tide for granted ... just as the seams are showing on the right, so may they be showing in the Democratic Party ... again, i counsel unity ... but i do so not in a blind, party loyalty way ... i assert that we too suffer from alienated constituencies ... we are absolutely going to make major gains this November and i'm glad we are ... but if we are to strengthen our party for the long haul, we are going to have to find a way to solidify our own "great coalition" ... some will bury their heads in the sand as Democrats make real gains this year; they do so at the peril of the entire party ...

there is a huge difference between winning a "backlash election" and building a sustainable political movement ... some don't care to know the difference ...

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301259.html?sub=AR

Is conservatism finished?

What might have seemed an absurd question less than two years ago is now one of the most important issues in American politics. The question is being asked -- mostly quietly but occasionally publicly -- by conservatives themselves as they survey the wreckage of their hopes, and as their champions in the Republican Party use any means necessary to survive this fall's elections. <skip>

Conservatism was always a delicate balancing act between small-government economic libertarians and social traditionalists who revered family, faith and old values. The two wings were often held together by a common enemy, modern liberalism certainly, but even more so by communism until the early 1990s, and now by what some conservatives call "Islamofascism." <skip>

Political movements lose power when they lose their self-confidence and sense of mission. Liberalism went into a long decline after 1968 when liberals clawed at each other more than they battled conservatives -- and when they began to wonder whether their project was worth salvaging.

Between now and November, conservative leaders will dutifully try to rally the troops to stave off a Democratic victory. But their hearts won't be in the fight. The decline of conservatism leaves a vacuum in American politics. An unhappy electorate is waiting to see who will fill it.

[AX10]

1. There is nothing "good" about the Conservative movement.

Conservatism seeks to bring about all powerful corporations and a family structure in which women have NO RIGHTS. Conservatives will do ANYTHING to bring about these changes, including lying and bankrupting a nation in order to achieve their goals.

[davidwparker]

4. except for pay-as-you-go.

[TrogL]

7. That's fascism

Conservatism has more to do with tradition and small government.

[calimary]

2. So satisfying to read that last night.

If their hearts aren't in it, their feet won't be in it, either, to gallop off to the polls.

It will be MOST illuminating to see what happens in Connecticut next week. I think that's the belwether (spelling?) - THE moment of truth that tells all of America from politicians to voters to the media especially - that the Iraq war is a loser, and if you support it, or want to prolong it, or you support the guy who wanted it and pushed it on us, YOU, TOO, will be a loser. It will be much clearer after (hopefully) Lamont wins decisively.

[EST]

3. Bellwether-I just love that word!

Castrated male, bell around his neck, leading the flock.

[Mz Pip]

5. If the Dems

keep shreading each other we could have a repeat of 1972.

Both parties seem to be in an 'eat your own' mentality. I only hope the Repugs do more damage to themselves than the Dems to their chances.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Party disunity, as for disunity of any group, happens at two points ....

.... at the point dissembly and at the point of renewal.

I suspect what we're seeing is both, but the polar opposites, happening in the two American Parties.

This bodes well for us.

Not so well for them.