Do you think that the GOP has now been split at its seams?

[NNguyenMD]

Between Social Conservatives and "Process Conservatives"?

If it did, then American has officially earned a third party of fundamentalist nutcases. Kind of ironic since I always imagined the next third party to be a progressive one.

But it won't suprise me to see both Dems and Repubs having to work together in order to fight off these assholes.

[Iris]

1. Why would we have to work with the Republicans?

They would be losing their one little segment that gives them their slight edge over Dems. in election after election.

[xchrom]

2. no

social conservatives aren't stupid.
they have no where else to go.

and besides -- there are plenty of repukes who are very good at plucking their strings and making them dance.

half the activism you see is as much about being manipulated by folk who care nothing for tham as any thing else.

[supernova]

3. No, not yet

It will take another couple of events of this magnitude to make an effective, practical split in the cohort.

But this one went a looooonnnnnnggggg way. They are going to smart over judges (their own) for quite a while.

[salin]

18. agreed - this just made the fissures visible

and some on the other side of the fissure (the non religious right) a lot more aware of how tenuous the "coaltion" between them really is.

The ascension of the repubs in the past 20+ years as been an confluence of several major special interests - that could agree on some tenants - the social conservatives (growing more theocratic and demanding by the day), the business conservatives - moderate and fiscal minded, the libertarian economic conservatives - on the surface like the business conservatives except wanting no social investment which the business conservatives recognize a need for in terms of social stability and a healthy consuming class, and the old cold warriors now dominated by the neocons. The latter groups used the religious ones once Pat Robertson figured out how to coopt and politicize churches into an active voting block. But now, it appears that this group - now empowered - wants all the power. Making some others uncomfortable.

Like the split between business conservatives/traditional and libertarian conservatives (finally becoming more clear over the issues of Social Security and HUGE deficit spending) - but not yet so uncomfortable to be a full out rift - just a visible fissure.

Like you I think it will take a few more events to make the fissures split into ravines risking becoming chasms. I used to think that we at best could see the admin turned back - but that the GOP stranglehold (they have done such a good job at consolidating and abusing power and obfuscating what they are doing so folks keep voting for their empty rhetoric) overall. But, I don't think those in power yet see it, these now visible fissures combined with the bull in the china shop actions in DC begin to risk a major upheaval in the GOP altogether.

[Az]

4. Not in the long term

The machine they use is still in place. At worst they may have tarnished the individuals that took an active roll in this recent crisis and failed to satisfy the right people.

There is no chance that either the econ cons or the religious right are going to come to the left because of this. The best case scenario is the religious right diappears from the voting public. Though the right's control of the media will continue to pound on the issues and draw most back in.

There is talk amongst some in the religious right community to move to a conservative state such as South Carolina and effectively take it over. Then they would susceed from the Union and form their own Christion Nation. This event may inspire more to think like this.

[evlbstrd]

6. The word is "secede."

Sorry, but I've seen that misspelling in a few other posts, and it's kinda irritating.

[Az]

7. Heh, I have been wandering about with the spelling on that one

I seem to have a neurotic irrational rejection of spell checkers. Thanks for the heads up.

[beyurslf]

9. Is their anything we can do to help them in the creation of their

little country? I say as soon as it is done, we give one year amnesty to anyone who wants to get out of there or into there and help them relocate. Once it is done, we build a great big very tall wall around the whole state/country and forget they exist.

[kliljedahl]

20. At least 50' tall

Then we fill it with water, just a thought.


http://www.kliljedahl.net

[ktowntennesseedem]

5. They've been split for some time, held together w/duct tape & prayer.

But even duct tape looses its adhesive when overused, and there are plenty of us offering prayers of our own that they will go ahead and come unglued.

[H2O Man]

8. No.

It would be nice, but it hasn't happened. My father used to tell me that more than any otrher group of human beings in history, republicans stick together. They may have infighting, but not to where it has done significant damage. The Bush/neocon group had consolidated power.

[Iris]

10. Yes, but not everyone who votes Republican IS Republican.

Libertarians, Independents - I doubt these folks are going to go along with a gov't. that interferes to this extent in people's personal lives.

[H2O Man]

12. That's true.

In fact, some democrats may vote for specific republicans every now and then. But I think the question was about republicans per say. And I don't think there is any evidence the party is experiencing any significant division.

[Iris]

13. The whole party is made up of divisions.

Until now, someone has been able to keep that fact a secret or keep the divisions ignorant about each other.

I liken it to 2 different radio stations here in Atlanta - one is 96 Rock - whose morning show "Regular Guys" were so vulgar they were finally fired and the other is a station going futher up the FM dial called "The Fish" -which is touted as "safe for the entire family." I'd say target markets for both of these stations vote Republican, but they are polar opposites. It just can't keep up forever.

[H2O Man]

14. While I hope you are correct

the fact that so many people voted for Bush/Cheney last November suggests otherwise.

[mcscajun]

11. No, that would be far too much to hope for...

...they're already spinning like tornadoes trying to blame Dems for what's gone on these past two weeks.

"Activist Judges" still means "Liberal" to them, no matter how many FACTS get in the way. :grr:

There are some defections, though, and every one is a good thing. Each one, wake one.

[northamericancitizen]

16. Good thread. nt

[mmonk]

15. No

they are too close to total control and semi-permanent dictatorship to split.

[Discord]

17. I think they are walking closer to the cliff.

I say we help push em off it.

:evilgrin:

[ElectricIron Sweeney]

19. Never split at the seams

They are seamless, and the more they eat the more they shit.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Off Topic Note

My mom's kidney surgeon has the same name. Same first initial, same last name.

Just thought it was serendipity worth noting.
The Professor

[NNguyenMD]

22. haha thats very cool, its actually a pretty common last name for

Vietnamese people.

I was born and raised in the US so my Vietnamese history is pretty bad, but a few centuries ago the first emperor or king of Vietnam to unify the country was named Nguyen, so in honor of him all of the citizens changed their last name to his. At least thats the story as I remember it. Anyways it was nice meeting you =)

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Yeah, I Know

I know three different Vietnamese people with that surname. (Well, four now, counting you.)

All were born there, but have been here since toddler-age. So, they're americans solely, for all practical purpose. Only one of them can even speak Vietnamese.

They all live in the same town as my mom, which is where i grew up. I live about 20 miles away, now.
The Professor