Posted on 01/16/2007 12:59:21 AM PST by Aussie Dasher
At a recent meeting of the House Republican leadership, members of the new minority party looked around and realized they were entering unfamiliar territory: Only one of them -- Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio -- had ever served as a member of the minority party on Capitol Hill.
"We're all still finding our way," said Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, the Republican Conference vice chairman.
The power shift has created its own internal struggle among Republicans.
The younger pit bulls want to go after the Democrats quickly and without remorse. Some of the older Republican stalwarts prefer sitting back and allowing new Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her party members to have their moment in the sun and govern accordingly.
"It's in flux right now as to kind of what direction we take and how we operate now that we're in the minority," said Rep. Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina.
"There is a group of us who think we have to throw down the gauntlet and be on the offensive from the very beginning in battles from Day One," he said. "That's the only way we are going to get back in the majority. Then there are others who say we need to let them have their time."
Several Republicans confirmed privately that more than two-thirds of House Republicans are favoring a slow approach, while a minority of members think the attacks on Democrats should come rapid-fire.
Already, some say the opposition has been too quiet in allowing Democrats to pass key elements of their initial agenda.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Why is it that it is always the GOP "stalwarts" who want to "just get along"? The Deomocrats surely do not and never have. Most conservatives I know, do not wish to take such inaction. Playing the game did not serve said stalwarts very well last year.
These stalwarts' position that makes them in minority. It doesn't mean I'm for Pit Bulls all the way. We don't want to imitate Dims: take any position as long as it's against the opponent. Let us be more aggressive but selective. Let Americans know that there is a 'opposition' party in Congress.
I'm with the pit bulls, too.
I want to see more confrontations like the one between McHenry and Barney the other day.
Yeah. This is a problem. If the older 'Pubbies want to sit in their rocking chairs while the Dems complete the demise of the Republic of the United States of America, then they need to be sent home. We NEED more 'Pubbies who aren't content to allow the Dems run over them and use them as door mats.
This is the reason that the 'Pubbies come across as spineless. FWIW, we need to have more Republicans who will go toe-to-toe with the Dem opposition in the same way that the Dems did when they were in the minority. Pelosi became Speaker by encouraging the Dems in the House to stonewall everything that the Republicans tried to do. IMO, turnabout is fair play.
WTF???????????????????
How many of you bit bull supporters said when the dems lost control of Congress and began sabre rattling to shut up, the repubs had won, it's our day in the sun.
It doesn't work that way. The ones who have never been part of the minority will either get used to whatever crumbs and golf dates the Democrats toss them, or they will get so frustrated with their own party, they'll leave. Unless you are under 40, you're not likely to live long enough to see the Republicans in charge again. Even if you're young enough, there probably will not be a US by then unless it's a 2nd reincarnation.
What's Bill Sali up to? :)
It could be that the Stalwarts think the democrats will implode if left to their own devices and will not be able to use the Republicans as an excuse for their failures. Already we are seeing the democrat's utter fecklessness on Iraq.
At first, I was with the pit bulls. Now, however, I think both the Stalwarts and the Pit Bulls have it right. Let the democrats hang themselves with their far left agenda (like instituting the fairness doctrine, cutting funding tot he troops, and raising taxes) and then lower the hammer on them.
Says who? If you want to surrender to invaders, wimps and traitors, that's your choice. But, as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
I'm with the pits, too.
We should be going for Pelosi jugular at every opportunity.
Let the Pit Bulls do their thing. The stalwarts can sit back and watch. Then see who gets re-elected in two years. My money is on the Pit Bulls.
No one is talking about you or me. The elected Republicans are who was being discussed. They have a 40 year track record to prove that they are much more comfortable "going along to get along." The longer they stay in D.C., the more they are willing to take the crumbs the Democrats toss them and the more they frustrate the newer members who ran to promote a conservative agenda. When they had power, they preferred to make compromises with the Democrats and try to appease them. All that got them was right back to where they started and where they are the most comfortable...in the minority where they will take what the Democrats give them and sit quietly while racking up the years toward their cushy pensions.
On that point, we agree. That's why we need to start pulling the tickets on those who are comfortable in their rocking chairs. I'm tired of elected Republicans who are accustomed to being doormats! I want my Republican representative to be ready, willing, able and anxious to take the fight FOR our Republic to the Democrats and stop letting them wipe their feet on conservatives, the Constitution, and our sacred Republic!!
" That's why we need to start pulling the tickets on those who are comfortable in their rocking chairs."
That's easier said than done, DM. We're all for people in other districts pulling the tickets on THEIR reps while we return ours to office because of the pork seniority delivers.
Yeah, I know, I'm very familiar with the THRO movement of the 90s that fizzled when push came to shove.
* - THRO means "Throw the Rascals Out"!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.