Republicans dig in as the Party of No, decide to oppose everything

[ProSense]

In Saying No, G.O.P. Sees More Pros Than Cons

By JACKIE CALMES
Published: October 15, 2009

WASHINGTON — The numbers are striking: Of the 217 Republicans in the House and the Senate, only one, Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, has publicly supported a health care overhaul along the lines President Obama seeks.

The Republicans’ opposition is a remarkable display of the unity emerging against the broader Obama agenda as a dangerous expansion of government. That stance is popular with, even demanded by, the party’s narrowed conservative base.

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Republican incumbents “have far more to lose,” he said, “by having the Republican base conclude that they’re just throwing in the towel and compromising on a big-government agenda.”

After recent defeats, Republicans are down to 40 members in the Senate and 177 in the House, or 40 percent in each chamber. They are largely reduced to the party’s base of mostly Southern and rural states and beholden both to the conservative activists there and to the cable television celebrities those activists follow.

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THE OPPOSITION PARTY DECIDES TO OPPOSE....

The NYT's Jackie Calmes added that the Republican strategy on this exposes the party "to criticism that they have become political obstructionists with no policy agenda of their own. And that could keep them from extending their appeal to the centrist voters who are essential to rebuilding the party's strength nationally."

Perhaps, but the GOP seems willing to take the risk. The hope is that frustrated voters will just oppose the majority, regardless of whether Republicans have been intellectually-stunted obstructionists with no ideas of their own. For all I know, that may very well work.

But here's the point that the article overlooks: the more Republicans adopt an attitude of "whatever it is, we're against it," the less reasonable it is to expect the White House to forge bipartisan majorities. The minority is the opposition party, which is, as its name implies, supposed to oppose what the majority wants. What's wrong with that? Nothing.

But there's something very wrong with the idea that the president and/or his allies are somehow failing in their responsibilities if they come up short on convincing those who don't want to be convinced, and prefer a scorched-earth strategy to constructive cooperation.

[gorfle]

1. The Republicans have no credibility anymore.

Republican incumbents “have far more to lose,” he said, “by having the Republican base conclude that they’re just throwing in the towel and compromising on a big-government agenda.”

The simple fact is, and I wish the Democrats would make more of this hay, that the Republicans just have zero credibility when it comes to talking about "big government" and "big spending".

You choices are simple:

You can choose welfare projects for Iraqis and Afghans and whoever else we decide to invade next, or you can choose welfare projects for Americans.

[ProSense]

2. "Republicans just have zero credibility" Zero:

Beck’s Attack On Obama Adviser Ignores Right-Wing Interest In Mao

Did The Authors Of New Muslim Conspiracy Book Steal Documents From A Muslim Organization?

Maddow Calls Out Americans for Prosperity President: ‘Parasite Who Gets Fat On Americans’ Fears’

[niceypoo]

4. Get rid of the Department of Homeland Security

That is a good place to start cutting 'big government.'

[TomCADem]

3. The Problem Is The Networks Give Republicans A Free Pass

For example, Republicans get a free microphone to bitch about President Obama's health care proposals, but are never asked what they would propose as an alternative, and they get off scott free for insisting that they aren't simply for the status quo.

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Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

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ABC's "This Week" — David Axelrod, White House senior adviser.

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CBS' "Face the Nation" — White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel; Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

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NBC's "Meet the Press" — White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett; Sens. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.; California first lady Maria Shriver; John Podesta, head of the Center for American Progress.

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CNN's "State of the Union" — Emanuel; Kerry; Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.

"Fox News Sunday" _ Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Arlen Specter, D-Pa., and John Thune, R-S.D.; Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman.

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[Number23]

5. The moral of this story also seems to be: "Wanna kill your party quick? Get rid of your centrists."

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. I want to know:

What do the Republicans stand for? What are they promoting that's supposed to be better than what President Obama is proposing or already doing? WHAT is their plan to save this country from the economic mess that they themselves created during the past 8 years? What have they done during the past 8 years that a majority of people would want to go back to? More endless "wars of choice" (a la Iraq)? More tax cuts for the wealthy class? More deregulation of businesses? So, far, all I'm hearing from them is "No" to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING proposed by President Obama/Democrats and no alternatives other than warmed over Reagonomics in regards to economics and Cheneyesque "war on terror" bromides in regards to foreign policy. In short, nothing to crow about yet the corporate media STILL gives their tried-and-failed ideas endless credibility that they clearly don't deserve while demanding nothing short of a detailed and foolproof blueprint from President Obama and Democrats in Congress about how they plan to go about fixing the economy, reforming healthcare, preventing/eliminating terrorism, etc and then endlessly smearing them when they do share their ideas. :puke:

[opihimoimoi]

7. The GOP has destroyed its creds and respect by taking the Draconian Steps of NO ..They are BULLIES

who EXPLOIT....by cheating, lying their ass off, and stealin....

Take a look at How they choose their Leaders...that gives us a big clue as how they are at 19%....

Cronies and Peters are NOT LEADERS....

GOP GROUP of PETERS/Ploiters