G.O.P.’s Hopes to Take Senate Are Dimming

The New York Times ^ | October 12, 2013 | JEREMY W. PETERS

[Kenny]

WASHINGTON — Next year was supposed to be a prime opportunity for Republicans to retake the Senate. And for a while, everything seemed to be breaking their way: a wave of Democratic retirements, a fluke in the electoral map that put a large number of races in states that President Obama lost, a strong farm team of conservative Senate hopefuls from the House.

Then the government shut down. Now, instead of sharpening their attacks on Democrats, Republicans on Capitol Hill are being forced to explain why they are not to blame and why Americans should trust them to govern both houses of Congress when the one they do run is in such disarray. Complicating the prospects, the grass-roots political force that has provided so much of the energy for conservative victories over the last four years — the Tea Party — is aggressively working against Republicans it considers not conservative enough.

As a result, many Republicans are openly worrying that the fallout from the fiscal battles paralyzing the capital will hit hardest not in the House, which seems safely in Republican hands thanks to carefully redrawn districts, but in the Senate. Republican infighting, they say, has given Democrats the cover they need to deflect blame and keep their majority.

“The Tea Party benefits when the energy is focused on the Democratic Party and their agenda,” said Brian Walsh, a Republican consultant and former strategist for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “What’s concerning is a select few groups trying to turn that fire inward on the Republican Party. And that is not helpful.”

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Whenever I want unbiased, clearcut reporting, I turn to the NYT (NOT.)

[EBH]

Yes, the GOP sights on the Senate are dimming. There is a new star rising called The Tea Party. It will be a Tea Party controlled senate in 2016

[marygam]

Wow! The Slimes is so concerned about our wellbeing.

[Dapper 26]

I’m sure the NYT is REAL interested in the GOP’s future.

[The Antiyuppie]

I’d call this wishful thinking. Some “safe” seats might not be as safe as they might hope. Democrats are getting their yearly sign-ups for health insurance at work, too.

[The Antiyuppie]

If you want to see what 2014 might look like, go find some YouTube videos of the news from Election Night, 1980. The usual shills are just short of crying on-screen.

[TLI]

Complicating the prospects, the grass-roots political force that has provided so much of the energy for conservative victories over the last four years — the Tea Party — is aggressively working against Republicans it considers not conservative enough.

Not possable.

TEA Party is losing ground, faiding fast, doesn't matter, etc.

According to this it has been for years now...

11 December 2012
Out of Step with America, Tea Party Power Fading
http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/21482-out-of-step-with-america-tea-party-power-fading.html

November 29, 2011
Buyer’s remorse? Poll shows tea party support fading
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/29/news/la-pn-tea-party-poll-20111129

August 12, 2011
Tea party fortunes are fading even as its star Michele Bachmann shines
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0812/Tea-party-fortunes-are-fading-even-as-its-star-Michele-Bachmann-shines

April 17, 2012
The once formidable Tea party is fading fast
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/americas-political-pulse/2012/apr/17/once-formidable-tea-party-fading-fast/

June 21, 2013
Tea party influence on immigration reform is ‘weaker than ever’
http://www.voxxi.com/tea-party-weaker-immigration-reform/

April 22, 2012
Is the tea party still relevant?
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-04-22/politics/35452164_1_tea-party-express-signs-tea-sal-russo

January 23, 2013
Did A Fading Tea Party Lead Boehner To Abandon Spending Cuts For Debt Ceiling Increase?
http://www.ibtimes.com/did-fading-tea-party-lead-boehner-abandon-spending-cuts-debt-ceiling-increase-1034004

August 14, 2011
DNC: ‘Terrorist’ Tea Party Clout Fading Fast
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/dnc-terrorist-tea-party-clout-fading-fast#.UkxKq721b1s

Humm... the only thing I see faiding is the ink in the older headlines.

[SoFloFreeper]

Oh look, they quoted from a “Republican” consultant right off the top.

How nice of the NY Slimes to show concern about the electoral chances of the Republicans.

[Vigilanteman]

The key difference between the New York Slimes and Pravda is that Pravda would criticize the Politburo once in awhile.

[skinkinthegrass]

!

[Intolerant in NJ]

“All the News that Fits, We Print” (courtesy Mad Magazine)

[jmaroneps37]

Why don't they quote Nate Silver? He says GOPers hold the House. Since the issues will be the same and there are 5 Democrats sitting in states even Romney won maybe our good friends at the slimes are talking through their ashes.