Fall Of The Republican Party?

[Tyler]

I believe the Republicans will come back sooner than later. Obama won over A LOT (not all) of people simply because of three facts: he's black, he's a very good speaker (as is any Harvard grad), and he promised change. What people fail to realize is that with all the promises Obama made, he will be quick to realize just how little of what he wanted to do is actually possible. When he gets the budget and goes, oh crap, no money...I wonder what people will think of him then. I was in Tallahassee, FL at FSU at the time of the election and was with the Republican club there. While polling students on campus 89% of people who said they were voting for Obama couldn't name his position on a single major issue and said their primary reason for not voting for McCain is because he was too old. I also think that Biden will prove to be a huge faux-paux (however you spell it) for Obama, as he could have chosen MANY better vice-pres.

[clibinarius]

Republicans have a shot because, even though I voted for Obama, he must prove to me he deserves a second vote. If he can't do that, I'm planning on looking good and hard at the GOP candidate. I suspect most Americans hold the same position. After all, George W. Bush will go down in history as the GOP's Jimmy Carter (and I would add, even Jimmy Carter has his advocates). Jimmy Carter encouraged many to go into the GOP for a while. Bush might've done the same. In the case of Carter, it didn't kill the Democratic party, obviously, but severely weakened them for years. In the case of Bush, it won't kill the GOP either.

Another thing which hurt the Democrats was that Reagan's 1986 tax cut to the ridiculously low rate of 29% forcing states to raise their taxes and giving massive undercutting incentives to some areas was written by Dick Gephardt. Democrats became increasingly hard to distinguish on many key issues from their GOP counterparts. Clinton was pro-NAFTA. In 1994, universal healthcare was not passed. In fact, little of the Clinton "agenda" became law. As such, in 1994, there was no real reason to vote Democratic. As far as the GOP is concerned, taxes ARE going up (the question is when) and the debt's exploding. Bush hasn't done anything on the "Social issues" that people tar the Republican Party with. In other words...there was little reason to vote GOP this election, either. I think the Democrats will blow it, too, since they won essentially saying "We're not the GOP" (and in turn not the same guys they were in 1992...). No real core values I see being signed into law. Its not that I'm skeptical of Obama's "Hope"-Hope isn't deeds-as much as I honestly don't know what anyone else in the Democratic party stands for now anyway.

[dafunk5446]

I dont identify with any set political group. If I had to say I was anything I would be more democratic, but I agree with alot of the older republican ideals.

Even the term "conservative" has been co-opted by these wackpots.

Yeah I dont understand the conservative statement- What is conservative about wanting fully automatic weapons in every home, spending trillions of dollars on war, and wanting every other religion/different belief purged from the face of the earth? Kinda seems like very anti conservative thoughts to me.

I believe the Republicans will come back sooner than later. Obama won over A LOT (not all) of people simply because of three facts: he's black, he's a very good speaker (as is any Harvard grad), and he promised change. What people fail to realize is that with all the promises Obama made, he will be quick to realize just how little of what he wanted to do is actually possible.

This could have been said about any politician at any point in time. The only difference this time around was that the stakes were much higher.


Im sorry Politicians are scum, doesnt matter what side of the fence they are on (demo's or repub's). They are not in this game for me and you, they are in it for themselves. The only difference is how much they are in it for themselves.

[kikkoman1231]

Yeah I dont understand the conservative statement- What is conservative about wanting fully automatic weapons in every home, spending trillions of dollars on war, and wanting every other religion/different belief purged from the face of the earth? Kinda seems like very anti conservative thoughts to me.

It's not conservative at all. It's neo-conservative. Neo-cons typically are people who pillage and burn for their own interests, and are typically fakes and demagogues in the process. These types of politicians lack ingenuity and have their own cynical means of "getting ahead".

Real conservatives like Goldwater and Reagan believed that their powers should be binded by the constitution. But of course, this route is too contemporary and classical for others to believe simply because this is a "new era" or that "times are changing" or there's a new situation that no other group in history has experienced. What bull. Progressives and fiscal liberals are pieces of crap, in my view, as they believe new growth or new policy is without consequence. These are the real pigs, imo.

Im sorry Politicians are scum, doesnt matter what side of the fence they are on (demo's or repub's). They are not in this game for me and you, they are in it for themselves. The only difference is how much they are in it for themselves.

Well, we the people have voted them in. So in turn, most of the American populace are complete and utter retards for electing these people into office. I understand your frustration, but we are responsible for who represents us in office. This is and always has been the government of the people, and to believe that there's no candidate or politician plying his or her trade for us is complete nonsense.

We voted the same people who voted for bail-outs, foreign aid, and NAFTA. You know what we need to do. Vote them out!

If that's not an option, you run for office!

[dafunk5446]

Real conservatives like Goldwater and Reagan believed that their powers should be binded by the constitution. But of course, this route is too contemporary and classical for others to believe simply because this is a "new era" or that "times are changing" or there's a new situation that no other group in history has experienced. What bull. Progressives and fiscal liberals are pieces of crap, in my view, as they believe new growth or new policy is without consequence. These are the real pigs, imo.

Yes this was the point I was trying to make that Neo Conservatives are not the "conservatives" they say they are. Like my next statement said it doesnt matter what side of the fence they are on they all have their problems.

Well, we the people have voted them in. So in turn, most of the American populace are complete and utter retards for electing these people into office. I understand your frustration, but we are responsible for who represents us in office. This is and always has been the government of the people, and to believe that there's no candidate or politician plying his or her trade for us is complete nonsense.

We voted the same people who voted for bail-outs, foreign aid, and NAFTA. You know what we need to do. Vote them out!

If that's not an option, you run for office!

I agree, the average American has no idea what is going on. Yes, this a government for the people and by the people, but the people do not have much choice in the matter. We are a two party system with no option outside of those parties, and there is no way to deny that. Sure we have other options on paper, to choose from but those groups will never be elected by the majority. People are stuck with a lesser of two evils situation. Sure there are some people who are in this to help the commen people, but for the most part they are in the lower levels of government far from places of power to make a difference. The politicians who are in the places of power are for the most part catering to special interest groups and lobbyists, and looking after their own skin. That is what I meant by being in it for themselves.

As for the running of office, I would consider it. But, I understand that the things that need to be done, wont happen. The corporations and banks would not allow the kinds of changes we need. It would be a futile effort.

[kikkoman1231]

I agree, the average American has no idea what is going on. Yes, this a government for the people and by the people, but the people do not have much choice in the matter. We are a two party system with no option outside of those parties, and there is no way to deny that. Sure we have other options on paper, to choose from but those groups will never be elected by the majority. People are stuck with a lesser of two evils situation.

This is the truth, but if people were much more informed and much more interested in politics and how our country works, there would be rioting right now. We don't even know our own Constitution, let alone our state and local laws!

Even Joe Six-pack doesn't know simple macroeconomics. In an election where Americans rated the economy as a top priority, they voted for Obama, who doesn't know squat about the economy. I could go on, but I don't want to rant about economics.

Sure there are some people who are in this to help the common people, but for the most part they are in the lower levels of government far from places of power to make a difference. The politicians who are in the places of power are for the most part catering to special interest groups and lobbyists, and looking after their own skin. That is what I meant by being in it for themselves.

Well, the reason why lobbying and special interests groups are so enticing for politicians is because if said politicians approve of certain policies, he or she can add to his or her constituency and get voted in for another term. Personally, I think this should be the only regulation in campaigning, because contributions from groups always undermine those who are not organized, say like you or I. I am in complete agreement with you.

As for lower levels of government, that's where most politicians start! Some were chairs of the school board, like Sarah Palin; some were county comptrollers, like Roland Burris, but most politicians have come from a privileged background.

As for the running of office, I would consider it. But, I understand that the things that need to be done, wont happen. The corporations and banks would not allow the kinds of changes we need. It would be a futile effort.

Information is the greatest gift. At least go and spread the word about your policies.

[Mephysteaux]

I'll admit I'm a Republican myself....but I lean towards the fiscal conservatism more than the religious conservatism.

I really think the party needs to split...having a religious conservative party, and a fiscal conservative party.

I think that's already sort of true to an extent. Libertarian party is generally fiscally conservative and socially liberal, with a general "government should interfere with it's citizens personal and financial business as little as possible" at the core of its beliefs.

I'm a registered Republican, but I think libertarianism holds truer to my beliefs. I have differences with the Republican party, but I generally vote Republican because I believe a fiscally conservative agenda will benefit the country more so than a fiscally liberal agenda, and while I think there are some social issues that need attention, I think that keeping the economy good is a more pressing issue.

Anyway, I'm disappointed McCain didn't win, but I can still understand why it happened. There's been a Republican in the White House for 8 years, a slightly sub-par Republican in my opinion, a terrible one in other people's. People want something different, that's natural, and I think having 2 parties share control is much better than having one party have it all. Yes, Republicans are going through a rough patch, they're down but they're definitely not out. Like, Obama's "landslide" victory over McCain, I think he got 52% of the popular vote, compared to 51% that Bush got in 04. The party does need to refocus, get its act together, and there will be another Republican president by 2017, sooner if Obama falls short of expectations. Plus, the Republican base isn't moving. Most Republicans will vote Republican and most Democrats will vote Democrat no matter what. Conversely, 4 years of Carter led to 8 years of Reagan and 4 more years of Bush Sr, but the Democratic party was far from dead, and look at them now, 20 years after Carter left office.

[Dylank0010]

just to reply to hippo masters first post about guns per household correlating to what color the state swings. I'm from Maine which has been a blue state for as long as I can remember and basically everyone has CASES of guns. We lack the livestock just because of 94% forestation and lakes/ponds/swamps, but just thought I'd throw that in there. Dems can like guns too, although I'm not one of them. I just love guns.

[Will_Evo]

Just a small note...Republicans and Democrats are here to stay..neither one will allow the other to dissolve...as long as those two remain the majority's, they depend on each other. If Republicans are no more..it leaves space for a new majority, with a weaker relationship to the dems, which can result in them losing seats.

-Evo

[ilikemyusername]

has this country ever been in good shape after a republican leaves office ?
not in a long time.
when will they learn....