A Year After Romney Loss, GOP In Even Worse Shape

[DonViejo]

CHARLES BABINGTON – OCTOBER 28, 2013, 10:06 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A year after losing a presidential race many Republicans thought was winnable, the party arguably is in worse shape than before. The GOP is struggling to control tensions between its tea party and establishment wings and watching approval ratings sink to record lows.

It's almost quaint to recall that soon after Mitt Romney lost to President Barack Obama, the Republican National Committee recommended only one policy change: endorsing an immigration overhaul, in hopes of attracting Hispanic voters.

That immigration bill is now struggling for life and attention in the Republican-run House. The bigger worry for many party leaders is the growing rift between business-oriented Republicans and the GOP's more ideological wing. Each accuses the other of bungling the debt ceiling and government shutdown dramas, widely seen as a major Republican embarrassment.

The problems don't end there.

Polls show the GOP nominee trailing in....

full article:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/a-year-after-romney-loss-gop-in-even-worse-shape

[gopiscrap]

1. welcome to DU

[KurtNYC]

2. A party divided cannot stand

A common problem with "angel investors" like Romney is that they get leadership by having the money, NOT by rallying the troops. There was no buy in by the GOP faithful as Romney was quickly seen as elitist, out of touch, and too Mormon. He got votes against "the black guy" but that isn't the same as connecting with the voters.

I think the lesson of 2012 for anyone in politics is that being against something only gets you so far. Ultimately you have to stand FOR something that people can rally to. The shutdown is very similar -- at the mass scale it just says "NO" without ever saying what "yes" would be and that just isn't enough.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. The closest thing the GOP has right now to a national leader for their party is Ted Cruz.

Chew on that for a moment.

[DetlefK]

4. The business-wing should ask the Tea Party-wing exactly one question:

"What are the projections how your candidates will fare in 2014 and 2016?"

The demand for hard math will make the teabagger-heads explode and the business-suits win.

[Myrina]

8. Pfft to hard math. They will gather 'round Pat Robertson & pray for victory.

n/t

[NCLefty]

5. There's still plenty of time before 2016 for them to turn it around.

Don't be complacent.

[AndyA]

6. I hope the GOP just keeps doing what it's been doing.

More exposure for Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Louie Gohmert, Rand Paul, Michele Bachman, and all the other crazies. Most Americans know these extreme views are harmful to the country, and when things like shutting down government happen--with nothing to show for it except widespread damage to the economy--they are less likely to vote for these nuts. Even if these people aren't in their district, they don't want their party to have enough control so these extreme views, which do not represent most of America, can have any say over the direction our country takes.

The Democrats aren't perfect, but they're still a lot better than any of the other options. Hopefully, the Dems will move more to the left going forward to show there truly is a difference. We really need to emphasize the contrast with these extreme views on the right.

Please...more Sarah, more crazy talk, and more extreme stunts. Let's see how low the GOP and Tea Baggers can go in the polls!

[Dopers_Greed]

7. Their problem, you see...

Was that Romney wasn't right-wing enough

[Coyotl]

9. And they are the do nothing party

[Blue Owl]

10. They're down to just a few binders of women

[UCmeNdc]

11. Don't forget that make sure women cannot vote idea.......

Fresh from the state of Texas.