Posted on 11/09/2006 9:16:23 PM PST by Zakeet
As they lick their wounds, Republicans are no doubt wondering what went wrong and what to do now. The answers aren't all that complicated: Revive the reform convictions that earned them power in the 1990s, and start that process in the House of Representatives by electing a new slate of leaders.
Twelve years ago, the Newt Gingrich-led Republicans swept into power as reformers who ran against corruption and pledged to make government "smaller and smarter." Somehow, across the years, that conviction was replaced by Tom DeLay and the quest for permanent incumbency, Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis and the "earmark" brigade, and a retinue of Beltway retainers symbolized by Jack Abramoff. The current leadership let it all happen, and if Republicans want a shot at regaining control in 2008 they'll turn to a new generation to lead them.
If we had to pick the precise moment when House Republicans lost their way, it would be three years ago during the floor vote over the Medicare prescription drug bill. So unpopular was the bill among conservatives, and rightly so, that House leaders kept the vote open for an unheard of three hours as they dragooned reluctant Members to vote aye.
The other great symbol of GOP failure is the proliferation of earmarked spending. In 1994 there were 1,500 such projects stuffed into Democratic spending bills, and Republicans called this a fiscal disgrace. This year Republicans approved closer to 15,000 earmarks at a cost of more than $10 billion. The current leadership defended this earmarking even after such embarrassments as the Alaska Bridge to Nowhere were exposed. When they finally agreed to minimal transparency, it was too late.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
I heard someone talking about Pence yesterday. How strong in the running are these guys? Do they have a decent chance of taking over the leadership of the Republican Congress?
What's your point?
He won't remain Speaker, and he's already said he's not running for Majority Leader.
Pence wouldn't do it if he didn' think he had a chance.
I think he's got a good chance. He's well liked, and I think it's obvious things need to be shaken up, and I think the rest of Congress knows that as well.
Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.
My point is that I want to fight! Let's go, come on, what are you? Chicken? Cluck Cluck...lol
Nah, I was thinking that you were saying that Hastert wasn't reelected.
Hastert sucked as a majority leader. We should have gotten rid of him years ago.
Love that Lott hairdo
Before you can have "new leaders" you have to get rid of the "old leaders". The problem here is that they haven't had any leaders at all for years. One can hardly call milquetoasts like Frist and Hastert "leaders". These clowns couldn't lead a lemming into the sea.
Fear Not for Leadership. Lott is trying to make a comeback.
I want a f@#king DMZ.
You cleans up the the mess then ya?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Pence Shadegg, or... could you imagine.. Jeff Flake? :)
lol, or beyond even my wildest dreams would be Ron Paul.
wow, that is an excellent article.
Republicans might also recall what happened to Democrats when they tried to regain the House in 1996 by running with the same leadership and agenda that had been ousted in 1994. Those Democrats failed, despite Bill Clinton's victory at the top of the ticket, because too many voters saw the same old story. If Republicans lose again in 2008, they could be in the minority for a long time
Call your congressman as I did today & urge they choose new blood (my pref. was for Pence + Shaddeg and described Boehner as reaking of K. St.) - you have to do it today though because they're supposedly making a decision this weekend!
Keep your eyes on Bobby Jindal in Louisiana.
Thank you for posting.
Fred Barnes stated last night on SRWBH that Boehner would prevail as Minority Leader. I applaud his position on not accepting earmarks, but he needs to go. The WSJ Editorial is so spot on.
And I'm happy to say that Tom Reynolds, NY-26, is now just going to be a back-bencher in the new House. What a 'frigging porker he was.
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