GOP on the Ropes

[liberal N proud]

This is a couple of weeks old but still interesting.


Excerpt:
In 2004, a pall of gloom fell over American liberalism. Bush was re-elected against all odds: a quagmire in Iraq and a
faltering economy were not sufficient to bury the Republican Party. In fact, the opposite, as conservative strategists plotted
for a permanent Republican majority. Tom DeLay said "If 1994 was the year we stopped thinking like a permanent minority,
2004 is the year we start thinking like a permanent majority: unified, aggressive, rightfully confident of victory."
Grover Norquist published an article called "The Democrats are Toast" in Washington Monthly.
The Republican coalition was built on at least three parts: the theo-conservatives who hated homosexuality and abortion rights,
the neoconservatives who loved invading oil-ruch backwards countries and the economic conservatives (who were given over
to a dogmatic laissez faire public policy).
These sections hardened over the Bush years, giving no quarter on their various grievances and commitments. They became
petulant. American conservatism was remorseless, and heartless. Bush's approval ratings fell to about 40 per cent (then to 20).
In 2006, the Democrats took control over the legislature. A Democrat won DeLay's seat. Two years later, Obama kicked
McCain's ass. DeLay's permanent majority dissolved.
Bob Herbert wrote: "It's not a party; it's a cult.... This is the party of Limbaugh, Palin, Gingrich and Cheney."
The excecated zealousness of the Republican base prevented the pragmatic Republicans from saving themselves.

http://www.alternet.org/story/140355/

[YOY]

1. To quote the chanting crowd at the GOP convention in 1988 to Bush as he bashed Michael Dukakis.

"Hit him again! Hit him again! Harder! Harder!"

"It's called 'revenge' Lunch Lady." said the garlic bread.