Barack Obama is not the source of GOP’s problems
House Speaker John Boehner is feeling besieged, and I can’t say I blame him. When Nancy Pelosi handed him the speaker’s gavel two years ago, shortly after the success of the 2010 mid-terms, the prospects for the Republican Party looked bright. Now, by Boehner’s own admission, it is fighting for survival against a president who this week used his inaugural address to lay out an aggressive policy agenda.
As Boehner put it in a speech Tuesday at the Ripon Society in Wisconsin, Republicans face “an environment that is going to be far more hostile than anything that I think we’ve seen for a long, long time.”
“And given what we heard … about the president’s vision for his second term, it’s pretty clear to me that he knows he can’t do any of that as long as the House is controlled by Republicans. So we’re expecting over the next 22 months to be the focus of this administration as they attempt to annihilate the Republican Party.
“And let me just tell you, I do believe that is their goal — to just shove us into the dustbin of history.”
There’s an odd tone of aggrievement in Boehner’s words, as if he can’t quite believe that Obama would actually dare to take advantage of Republican weakness, as if doing so were somehow unfair and unseemly. You hear that tone often from conservatives these days. (See Michael Gerson and Charles Krauthammer and David Brooks). It’s as if the universe has gone badly out of whack, and they can’t quite wrap their heads around it.
In fact, their dismay is almost poignant, coming after years of scorched-earth politics from Republicans who were determined to make Obama’s destruction their No. 1 goal.
House Speaker John Boehner, right, accepts the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame’s Distinguished American Award last August..
In a sadly funny aside, Boehner told the Ripon Society about inviting his friend Lou Holtz, the conservative and eternally optimistic former football coach turned analyst, to Washington to give a motivational pep talk to Republican freshmen.
“And before he went over to talk to them, he came over to my office, and he was moaning and groaning. I said, ‘Lou, would you stop it? We’re Americans, we’ll figure this out!’ And I had to spend 15 minutes giving Lou Holtz a pep talk!”
The truth is, Obama lacks the ability or leverage to shove the Republican Party into the dustbin of history. He isn’t even the GOP’s primary enemy.
A political party is like a business or a football team or any other entity operating in a highly competitive field. It can, for a while, refuse to make small, month-to-month, year-to-year adaptations. But adaptation will be forced upon it nonetheless. If the internal culture is resistant to change, if those changes are not allowed to happen gradually, organically, then they will come all at once, in a veritable cascade.
That’s where the Grand Old Party stands today. Obama may serve as a convenient villain, but if Republicans focus on him as the cause of their woes, they focus on the wrong thing. The truth is that most of the party’s problems are of its own making.
If Obama is trying to marginalize you as extremist, stop proving him right. If minority voters and female voters look at you with suspicion, stop giving them confirmation of their fears. If young people perceive you as being as out of date as a rotary-dial phone, stop trying to re-create the 1950s.
Adapt.
Otherwise, the dustbin awaits ….
– Jay Bookman
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502 comments Add your comment
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
10:08 am
Lou Holtz is a dumbass who ought to stick to musings on O lines and QBs.
By the way, how’s that Manti Te’O story coming? HahaAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH.
ESPN. What a sump of corruption.
Adam
January 24th, 2013
10:08 am
bookman parrot: when did fiscal responsibility become crazy and extremism???
TRUE ANSWER: When “fiscal responsibility” became a phrase with no action from the right to back it up, and the left proceeded to be more fiscally responsible than the right.
I know, I know. You will laugh and act as though it’s not true. But how do you explain even the HERITAGE FOUNDATION putting up a graph showing the spending becoming basically a flat line for each year Obama has been in office?
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:08 am
skipper
January 24th, 2013
10:01 am
All of the above posts are the reason I am in independant. One does not have to be dogmatic on every position, and each party has gome a little too extreme. Forget the “fringe” fruit-cake parties, but it would be cool for there to be a real common sense party that came up with real feasable solutions without having to espouse extreme right or left wing muck.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
YOU may call yourself an Independent, but to the talk radio listening FOXBOTS that make up the hard core far right wing fanatics, you are a librul, socialist, Democrat who is lying.
And there in lies the problem. At this moment in time do YOU as an Independent want to support those lunatics? I know I don’t. Can’t say I’m exactly happy with the Democrats OR our President, but they and he are head and shoulders above the current alternative offered by the damn Republican hard heads.
It’s not like we have a viable option. The Libertarian Party was doing ok until Harry Browne died and Boortz, who had become a pretty good spokesman for them, threw them under the bus for a pay off from the Republicans. other than that, who do we have? What options do we have?
guy
January 24th, 2013
10:09 am
DannyX Cons may not have a plan to fix this country’s problems but crats are in charge and it’s only getting worse. I blame both for not wanting to cut spending. I don’t understand why no one will make the tough choices to try and right the ship. Us going back and forth really changes a lot also. Have a great day!
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
10:09 am
Part of the problem with that strategy is what I call the “uncle tom” syndrome the left wing media and the dimlibs use against minorities, esp African Americans, who espouse any beliefs in opposition to them.
See Clarence Thomas, Herman Cain, etc.
Oh my goodness! Here’s another non-black person telling black people what he/she/it believes that black people should think about stuff that he/she/it knows nothing about!! Yay!!! Hooray!!!
I know it may slip your notice, but what you’ve just said equates to a man, who’s never carried a child or gone through childbirth, telling his pregnant wife who’s been in labor for 20 hours to, “Buck up and take it! It can’t be that bad!”
Sideline Dude
January 24th, 2013
10:09 am
I’ve supported the GOP for the last 30 years but the current direction & strategy of the party has left me behind. While I abhor Czar Obama’s left wing policies of take it from me & give it to someone else & could never support it, I’m rethinking what I will support in the future. Maybe it’s time for a more moderate party that will get us back to center.
John Glosso
January 24th, 2013
10:09 am
I’d say the Republicans pulled off a plan that worked too well. In 2010 they promoted the Republican Tea Party. The first part of the plan was to drop Republican from the name. That worked great. Some people joined the Tea Party without realizing they were joining the Republican Party. Second they said cutting spending was their top priority and yet excluded defense cuts, thereby leaving only wildly unpopular cuts on the table. This, too, worked well. But not for long. Two things happened. Tea Party politicians arrived in Congress and realized they were expected to cooperate with the Republican caucus. They didn’t. The American public figured out if the Republicans — Tea Party and all — had their way, America’s federal government would only be capable of imprisoning people and fighting wars. Victim of a hurricane? Too bad. Flood? Sorry. Tornado? Tough love for you. Education? Debt for life. Health care? Get a job, ya bum. In sum, Republicans executed a plan perfectly. And Americans simply don’t like it at all.
Granny Godzilla
January 24th, 2013
10:10 am
bookman parrot
January 24th, 2013
10:02 am
to Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 24th, 2013
8:53 am
when did fiscal responsibility become crazy and extremism???
.
.
.
when it is enacted using failed supply side economics.
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:10 am
It’s not that bad Jay, only two years ago they blasted the Libs! The California style politics of the left will wreck America just like it that state!
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:11 am
Fred
Don’t call someone a liar and not at least give where exactly you think the lie is. In the MSN article that I referred to? Or that OBama ran a campign that diverted attention away from the real problems at hand? He even stated in his inaug speech “Can’t touch entitlements”. Everyone knows you can’t fix the economy if you don’t . MAybe that’s a lie too? Perhaps you wouldn’t recognize a lie if it hit you in the face.
Paulo977
January 24th, 2013
10:12 am
Jay…”Adapt.
Otherwise, the dustbin awaits !!!!!!!
___________________________________
WELL SAID …
Doggone/GA
January 24th, 2013
10:12 am
“What I would like to see is the centrists of both parties to form a third party.”
Not gonna happen. And you’re still missing the point. If the GOP is GONE, then a “3rd party” will still be the SECOND party.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 24th, 2013
10:12 am
parrot, keep trying to claim that the GOP is about fiscal responsibility. Its false and its part of your deception. But you know that. You can’t keep cutting taxes and expect to pay your bills. You can’t keep voting in spending for military and starting wars and cut taxes and pay your bills. We’ve gotten through a tax increase over the objections of the crazies and the Dem party is the party of fiscal responsibility having proposed spending cuts AND increased revenues. But you knew that when you made your childish false claim.
appleseed
January 24th, 2013
10:13 am
As some who post on here blame Obama for all the ills.The organizer proves he is far more capable than his predecessor.Not being born with the silver spoon he knows how to improvise,improve,and maneuver.We need an amendment so he can run 3rd.term.
Simple Truths
January 24th, 2013
10:13 am
I agree with Jay’s post. The problem usually begins with the person in the mirror.
Adam
January 24th, 2013
10:13 am
Checking in after the dictator gets another 4 years
Right, because a dictator would have let you continue to talk bad about him and would have put up a 50.4% popular vote victory instead of, oh say 90%?
Idiot….
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:13 am
A quick review of past Presidential elections shows the Repubs have won fairly once since 1988, when George H.W. Bush was victorious.
The election of George W. Bush in 2001 was an coronation by the US Supreme Court; the election for the second term was marred by further dirty tricks in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Voters were required to stand in line for up to 8 hours, polls were close early and the disenfranchisement of young and minority voters.
The Repubs have resorted to using gerrymandering to consolidate power at the state level, ensuring victories for the House of Representatives at the state and national level.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
10:14 am
Teo got caught up with a catfish. Its been happening for the past few years, people going online and pretending to be someone else.
A few years back, if you remember, there was this middle aged housewife who went online and pretended to be a teen boy so that she could harass her daughter’s foe. The little girl ended up killing herself over it.
These things happen — I’m just sad that Teo got caught up in the middle of it.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:14 am
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:02 am
Yipee! All the gays will be able to marry, no one will own guns(except the crims) and as they are kicking our front door down in the middle of the night we will wait patiently for the police to arrive. What an awesome world! Oh, wait I forgot, because the economy sucks we had to cut back on the police force and fire fighters and guess what folks, the police arent coming to the rescue anytime soon. Fend them off with the butter knife until the police get there. O I forgot can’t own kives either.Take a kung-fu class or something. LOL! After all if some disturbed individual kills some school kids with a knife then shouldn’t knives be outlawed too? I guess we’ll have to register our hands as lethal weapons if we take karate. Just a thought
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Just a thought? Where? I didn’t see one. I saw a bunch of hyperbole and FOXBOT lies stung together in one long irrational paragraph. No where did anything in that post come close to resembling a thought………..
GT
January 24th, 2013
10:15 am
joe entitlement is a rural politician who has no real constituency representing himself on a public stage, as a representative of a fandom population when he is really speaking for himself, berating leaders who have the national support. This politician is totally living off entitlement since he represents no one, gets paid for representing someone that doesn’t exist and takes cheap shots at people the country as a whole support. Not a bad benefit package if you can get it.
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 24th, 2013
10:15 am
And these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth
Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist
Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn’t say sh@t
That’s why I ain’t vote for him, next one either
I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful
And I believe in the people.
.
Even though Ron Paul wears his pants like
a white man..his soul is clear
unlike the Democrat toad man.
The republicans can’t get it up like
any man.
Put the Violent State Behind thee like a good man.
.
Lupe Fisco.
Adam
January 24th, 2013
10:17 am
Can’t say I’m exactly happy with the Democrats OR our President, but they and he are head and shoulders above the current alternative offered by the damn Republican hard heads.
THIS
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:18 am
monty: You whole post was a lie. Pick a part. President Obama is the Messiah? Lie.
As long as the rich pay more in taxes everything will be alright? Lie
Got the sheeple to look one way( the rich should pay more) while the debt grows ever deeper? Lie
Obama is the biggest liar(vodoo magic)politician ever. Lie
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 24th, 2013
10:19 am
“Barack Obama is not the source of GOP’s problems”
That may be true ………. he’s only a symptom.
Liberalism, like a slow moving cancer, is the source of our nation’s problems.
Coasting
January 24th, 2013
10:20 am
I wish liberals would stop telling republicans what they need to do. Rather we should be encouraging them to embrace the policies that put them in their hole to begin with. TEA PARTY 2016!!!!!
Adam
January 24th, 2013
10:21 am
Everyone knows you can’t fix the economy if you don’t . MAybe that’s a lie too?
You got it. It’s a lie. The economy has nothing to do with reducing payments for Medicare or “reforming” it the way the right wants to. On the other hand, if you put rhetoric into action by closing loopholes and introducing price negotiation, you might have an actual effect on the health care market, which will increase the economic wellness of the majority of Americans.
Uh Huh....You Reap What You Sow
January 24th, 2013
10:21 am
You REAP what You SOW:
Boehner should knw that “Life is like a boomerang.
Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us
sooner or later, with astounding accuracy. “
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
10:22 am
“The California style politics of the left will wreck America just like it that state!”
Yep, California style politics- Republican Hollywood actors, Ronnie and Arnie.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:22 am
Oh my goodness! Here’s another non-black person telling black people what he/she/it believes that black people should think about stuff that he/she/it knows nothing about!! Yay!!! Hooray!!!
Well you DO know that you colored folks need us white folks to tell you what to think. Especially you colored WIMMINS………………….
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:22 am
Eary in the morning and Fred’s head is already about to explode!
Adam
January 24th, 2013
10:23 am
Scout: Liberalism, like a slow moving cancer, is the source of our nation’s problems.
Wrong.
Liberalism is the only reason you have rights, SPORT.
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
10:23 am
Granny Godzilla
January 24th, 2013
9:55 am
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
9:37 am
I think, as a nation, we have to decide on some big ticket items:
Correct
1) Do we want more federal spending on the so-called entitlements? A better way to put this is to ask why should you have to pay for anything I have? If we do, we’re ALL going to have to pay a lot more in taxes.
entitlements or paid for earned benefits, you best be more specific
Let’s take SS and Medicare off the table for now. You’re right, those are “paid for” even though they’re bleeding money left and right.
I’m talking about the redistribution of wealth we have through our tax/social policies. If you’re not paying anything on your 1040, then you shouldn’t be receiving a payment from the taxpayer for things like the EITC.
You should not be able to use an EBT card for anything other than basic food purchases and only at a grocery store….not a quickie store or fast food. I was at an autozone the other day and a sign on the door said “WE ACCEPT EBT CARDS”.
I think we really need to re-evaluate those receiving disability. Once you get it, we don’t re-evaluate your need. If you legitimally need it, ok….but we’ve had a lot of folks becomming disabled lately as unemployment runs out.
And those are just the tip of the iceberg.
4) Are we going to create a tax/regulatory climate in this country that is favorable to business? Look at California where companies and people are leaving due to the taxes in that state.
based on the market we already have such a climate
Respectfully disagree. There are lots of business leaders who said they don’t know what Washington is going to do so they are afraid of hiring, expanding production. etc.
5) Are we going to have a government that adheres to the Constitution? And yes, this would include discussions on the Second Amendment.
already got one
Respectfully disagree. Sen Diane Feinstien is going to introduce legislation to ban/limit/register pretty much anything with a clip/magazine of more than 10. that’s an infringement.
7) Can we have a media that is non-biased? That includes both conservative and liberal. I just want to hear the facts of a story. I’ll make up my own mind.
nope, not while the media is the hands of 5 or 6 mega corporations
AGREE!
JamVet
January 24th, 2013
10:24 am
I never thought I’d write this, but after reading Jay’s article, it hit me that the GOP is just like the Nebraska Cornhuskers of 2002.
The offensive game had become much more sophisticated and the Huskers were still trying to run the option. The outcome was several years of terrible times in Lincoln (relatively speaking of course.) Exacerbated by the George W. Bush of college football coaches – Bill Callahan.
There is at least one glaring difference though, the Huskers are on the way back! And the GOP is on the way down.
A double win for this Nebraska liberal!!
GT
January 24th, 2013
10:24 am
This weak support of the Republican Party and their posturing of no compromise when they are now at the mercy of the Democrats is like watching bank robbers trying to shoot it out with the cops who have them surrounded. It is only a matter of time before they are dead unless they lay down their guns, pun meant, and surrender.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:25 am
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:13 am
A quick review of past Presidential elections shows the Repubs have won fairly once since 1988, when George H.W. Bush was victorious.
The election of George W. Bush in 2001 was an coronation by the US Supreme Court; the election for the second term was marred by further dirty tricks in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Voters were required to stand in line for up to 8 hours, polls were close early and the disenfranchisement of young and minority voters.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
See? Insanity isn’t limited to the Right wing fanatics. THIS type of crap is what we have to look forward to if the Right doesn’t pull their heads out of their collectives asses and stop the insanity. If there is no one SANE around to stop the left wing nutcases, where will we end up?
I’m REALLY mad at the Republicans right now for being so stupid and not giving America the balance that we need……….
STL-MO
January 24th, 2013
10:27 am
Great article
The President is NOT the cause of their problems… they need to take a look in the mirror to see the real problem.
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:29 am
Fred
Obviously you don’t understand sarcasm. We’ll leave it at that.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 24th, 2013
10:29 am
Adam:
We have the right to “self-destruct” and we are doing just that.
J. Hughes
January 24th, 2013
10:29 am
Losers tend either to cry a lot or deny a lot.
Yogi Berra: “I never blame myself when I’m not hitting. I just blame the bat and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn’t my fault that I’m not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
Vinny – 9:54 –
U.S. stocks rose, briefly sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index above 1,500 for the first time since 2007, as an unexpected drop in jobless claims and better- than-forecast earnings offset a slump in Apple Inc. (AAPL)
heh.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-23/u-s-equity-futures-drop-as-apple-posts-slowest-sales-since-09.html
oh, and leading economic indicators are up, too.
suck it.
bubba
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
when the GOP began selectively enforcing the Constitution, it lost its moral highground. On one hand, they preach that the laws enacted or to be enacted by Obama are unconstitutional, and on the other hand, they want Christian teachings to decide what goes on in our personal lives. I am a conservative, and I am tired of Republican hypocrites.
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
don’t this sound a lot like the libs sounded in early 2009 ?
hayden1946
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
Nice to know that ajc.com is now listing your opinion column un “headlines”…
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
from the same article
A report today showed claims for jobless benefits in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped last week. Applications for unemployment insurance payments decreased by 5,000 to 330,000 in the week ended Jan. 19, the fewest since the same week in 2008, the Labor Department reported in Washington. Economists forecast 355,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey.
Real Scootter
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
Not gonna happen. And you’re still missing the point. If the GOP is GONE, then a “3rd party” will still be the SECOND party
I agree it’s not going to happen Doggone.You are missing my point though.I’m not talking about the GOP or the Dems being completely gone,hence my idea of centrist from both parties being the third party.
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
@Fred
Regarding my post, please point out the insanity (fallacy) of my statement.
Kenny
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
If I’d known the hit piece was written by that liberal goon, I’d not have even clicked on it. His don’t deserve to be on the front page of a reputable paper.
Dave
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
Democracy: “the tyranny of the majority” deal with it – or leave.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:22 am
Eary in the morning and Fred’s head is already about to explode!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
LOL you are too funny FOXBOT. Early in the morning maybe to YOU who just got up from your all night partying, but I’ve been up since 2:30. It’s more like after “afternoon” for me.
As for my head exploding? Why would it do that? Because the silly lies that your fellow FOXBOTS have posted? They didn’t post anything new. It’s the same stupid hate filled impotent anger filled junk that lost you folks the last two Presidential elections and my head never exploded then. Hell I haven’t seen a new or original post from you FOXBOTS since the first day I read the posts here………
td
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
The GOP controls the House of Reps and will continue to do so until 2020.
The GOP currently holds 30 governorships
The GOP is in total control of 24 state legislatures
The GOP is in control of at least on chamber in 6 state legislatures.
The GOP is 4 seats short of control of the Senate.
It appears to me that this is a totally bogus argument about the demise of the GOP.
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
bubba
January 24th, 2013
10:30 am
Rino ?
Old timer
January 24th, 2013
10:32 am
The problem is the media……lots of things go UN or under reported…..
LawDawg
January 24th, 2013
10:32 am
A pep talk from Lou Holtz? Warning GOP: Those seated in the first two rows may get wet. The rest will just hear incomprehensible TTTHHHHHing noises.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:33 am
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
@Fred
Regarding my post, please point out the insanity (fallacy) of my statement.
++++++++++++++++++++++
All off it. You need a tinfoil hat.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
10:33 am
skipper
January 24th, 2013
10:01 am
Clearly we are on the same team. We have by any measure the most arrogant president…it is likely this arrogance that will be his downfall in his second term. Interesting article from Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2013/01/23/the-arrogance-of-the-obama-administration-will-bankrupt-us/
In addition, we have a GOP who’s idiocy has led to a microcosm of our dysfunctional government today.
One party tells us with suspect data that we are somehow on the mend and the fact that our outflows exceed our inflows by some 40% is irrelevant. The other party tells us….well, that they only traditional irrelevant views predictably financed by lunatic fringers..
Granny Godzilla
January 24th, 2013
10:33 am
right wing extreme
I’m talking about the redistribution of wealth we have through our tax/social policies. If you’re not paying anything on your 1040, then you shouldn’t be receiving a payment from the taxpayer for things like the EITC.
respectfully disagree, if you don’t make enough money to hit the threshold above which you are not required to pay income taxes….you deserve a break
You should not be able to use an EBT card for anything other than basic food purchases and only at a grocery store….not a quickie store or fast food. I was at an autozone the other day and a sign on the door said “WE ACCEPT EBT CARDS”.
It would be nice if there was an IGA or Kroger on every street corner, but a convenience store within walking distance allows those with out wheels to walk and get bread and milk
Respectfully disagree. There are lots of business leaders who said they don’t know what Washington is going to do so they are afraid of hiring, expanding production.
respectfully disagree right back at ya’. yea, some business leader are “ascared” but again….the market shows reality
Are we going to have a government that adheres to the Constitution? And yes, this would include discussions on the Second Amendment.
already got one
Respectfully disagree. Sen Diane Feinstien is going to introduce legislation to ban/limit/register pretty much anything with a clip/magazine of more than 10. that’s an infringement.
respectfully disagree back at ya’ again. its called being “well regulated”
RGB
January 24th, 2013
10:33 am
To most of the libs who post here, their main concern is embarrassing and defeating Republicans. Lately, that hasn’t taken too much effort.
However, Democrats have been in charge of the federal government for several years now and their results and performance should terrify anybody of any party. The trajectory of the country is both downward and breathtaking.
Unfortunately, the intramural D vs. R squabble is the lone focus of most liberals since they get more stuff (goods, services, and power) when they beat the Republicans.
That which was good about America is escaping rapidly like water down a bathtub drain.
Congrats libs.
Old timer
January 24th, 2013
10:34 am
And in many states run by republicans…..they are getting it right! I will say…not GA. Our republicans are just like the decorates before them….
Old timer
January 24th, 2013
10:34 am
Democrats
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 24th, 2013
10:34 am
We have the right to “self-destruct” and we are doing just that
Oh I agree. The party with the birthers, hookers, and other extremists have the right to destroy their party if the sane portions of their party will not stand up to them. They don’t have the right to force the country to go along with them.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:34 am
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:29 am
Fred
Obviously you don’t understand sarcasm. We’ll leave it at that.
++++++++++++++++++++
Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, and the first excuse you FOXBOTS use when called on your ignorant rhetoric and lies.
I’ll leave it at THAT.
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
10:35 am
“It appears to me that this is a totally bogus argument about the demise of the GOP.”
This coming from the person that posted about 1000 comments claiming Democrats were in for a November butt kicking.
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
10:35 am
LOL you are too funny FOXBOT. Early in the morning maybe to YOU who just got up from your all night partying, but I’ve been up since 2:30. It’s more like after “afternoon” for me.
I got off of work at 2 this morning so my day is still young !
Why
January 24th, 2013
10:35 am
I am confused why any of you are so in love with Barack Obama and his/the Democratic policies. What in anything that he and the Democratic party really makes you feel confident that things will turn around (economically).
In what other historic example has Socialism worked and what makes anyone think that running on “fair share” platform is going to improve things.
I have no political preference and am not affiliated with any party, but I just don’t see this as being a solution. I gladly accept anyone’s point of view from this stand point and convince me that we are headed in the right direction.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
10:35 am
td
January 24th, 2013
10:31 am
What does that matter if they are almost internally polarized as much as the two parties in general? What is the message? It is too inconsistent to result in any effective political mojo at present.
bubba
January 24th, 2013
10:36 am
I am most definitely a RINO, because we true conservatives understand the meaning of the Constitution.
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:36 am
The idea that you can spend your way out of debt is alive and well, I see. As long as we have the credit card and keep upping the limit, we’re good! Wink, wink! Sorry, kids, and grand kids. We couldn’t do the right thing! We’re like drunken sailors at a strip club with our monthly pay in hand.We don’t want anyone telling us to leave the club and stop the partying. Hard to feel sorry for the guy the next morning when he’s hung over and broke. Hello Greece!
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
10:36 am
“We have the right to “self-destruct” and we are doing just that
Oh I agree. The party with the birthers, hookers, and other extremists have the right to destroy their party if the sane portions of their party will not stand up to them. They don’t have the right to force the country to go along with them.”
exactly.
we’ve just popped the popcorn and are enjoying the show.
Uh Huh....You Reap What You Sow
January 24th, 2013
10:36 am
@Coasting
January 24th, 2013
10:20 am
I wish liberals would stop telling republicans what they need to do. Rather we should be encouraging them to embrace the policies that put them in their hole to begin with. TEA PARTY 2016!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“encouraging them to embrace the policies that put them in their hole to begin with?”
How do you encourage people who are incorrigible?
TEA PARTY 2016?
TEA PARTY 2016?
The Tea Party is the most incorrigible, hate filled group of
people on the planet.
In 2016 the Tea Party will have to contend with the Black and Brown
Movement.
barking frog
January 24th, 2013
10:38 am
Fred ™
Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor
………………………………………………….
thus it has the widest audience…..
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:38 am
@Fred
It appears my “insanity” has struck a nerve in that you fail to understand and/or understand historical facts.
Too bad the tin hat you offered me fits you too well.
Me
January 24th, 2013
10:38 am
The GOP is dead wrong about any goals to annihilate the GOP, but most DEM most certainly do support the annihilation of extreme GOP which controls the party, so that moderate “sane” politicians can again govern the GOP. Our best years were when we had a balance of power in congress, and each party had to compromise in the middle to get things done. This all or nothing of the extreme GOP has done nothing but create uncertainty in the markets for many years now, and more recently done nothing but harm every American’s financial standing.
We need a government that regulates where it is truly truly needed, and steps out of the way where regulation is not truly needed and restrains commerce. We need a government that helps those in need when they truly need it, but does not restrain the success of those who make good use of such help. We need a government that does not waste resources and tax money but instead spends every tax dollar wisely and with accountability and measured outcomes.
The GOP brought this on themselves, so I am comfortable with the GOP loosing standing in congress, as with that comes more the emergence of moderate republicans, and a returned to a congress that works together. The GOP will never be eliminated, its not possible, in every society there are a spectrum of politics, spanning from conservative to liberal. So eliminating the GOP as the speaker put it, is not possible, what is possible is eliminating the GOP as it is currently constituted and returning it a more sane, moderate conservative party that is truly interested in serving the taxpayers who elected them that they are serving the party line.
I am against a congress that refused to work together, and takes extremist, all or nothing views, and from day one announces that they want our government to fail as it was elected. That’s the current GOP.
I am all for a congress that has two parties, that work together to serve the interests of the American people.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
10:39 am
Why: “In what other historic example has Socialism worked ”
The sequence of your statements indicates that you think Barack Obama is a “socialist”, as though he is some kind of left wing leader or something.
In reality though, he is a center-right leader who in comparison to an increasingly far-right, extremist Republican party merely looks leftist by comparison.
But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Chris
January 24th, 2013
10:39 am
Truth is, in this day of in the can media and billion dollar campaigns… Obama does have the leverage to shove the Republican Party into the dustbin of history…. and if you think the two party system is bad, wait until you have one super party to contend with. You think you’ll just be able to stand up then and say, wait, wait enough listen to me, I voted for you back then. Read what it’s like in those countries without any credible opposition. You really think we’re too special because of our constitution to avoid that ? How’s the fundamental Bill of Rights doing these days ? 1st Amendment – there are things we say that now can be called criminal. 2nd Amendment – no question under attack. 4th Amendment – Think TSA. 6th and 7th Amendment – We now have the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allowing the government to target citizens and keep due process from them. 8th Amendment – Again NDAA. 10th Amendment – Ever expanding Federal Government taking power from the states and the people.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:39 am
RGB
January 24th, 2013
10:33 am
To most of the libs who post here, their main concern is embarrassing and defeating Republicans. Lately, that hasn’t taken too much effort.
However, Democrats have been in charge of the federal government for several years now and their results and performance should terrify anybody of any party.
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Wow. Do you really believe that lie? Pray tell which “several years” have teh Democrats been in charge? Was it when the Democratic President George Bush was in office 4 years ago with a Democratic house and Senate? I mean I remember TWO YEARS when Obama (a Democrat) had a Democratic House and Senate, but that was over two years ago and was ONLY for two years.
Just damn. Where do folks come up with this stuff from?
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
10:41 am
Something both cons and liberals need to get into their thick heads:
Barack Obama is a right-wing figure. Period.
saywhat?
January 24th, 2013
10:43 am
Quick question for all. If the current Republican party base are not extremists, what proposed right wing policies DO you find too extreme? Same question for those on the left.
RGB
January 24th, 2013
10:43 am
“Center-right” “leaders” do not move government’s share of GDP from 18% to 23% in a few short years.
Nor do they take ownership positions of substantial size in automobile companies (while subordinating bond holders so as to empower unions) and financial institutions while accelerating their control of home mortgages and student loans while denying energy producers market entry.
Jay
January 24th, 2013
10:44 am
“It appears to me that this is a totally bogus argument about the demise of the GOP.”
Maybe you should email that thought to Boehner. He could use the encouragement.
Oh, and cc Lou Holtz, too.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:44 am
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:38 am
@Fred
It appears my “insanity” has struck a nerve in that you fail to understand and/or understand historical facts.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Please provide even ONE “fact” to back up your whacked out conspiracy theories. Bush beat Gore in Florida. It was proven in every fake recount the Democrats could come up with. You lying about it doesn’t change the facts. The Supreme Court didn’t hand anything to anyone.
please provide some facts to back up your irrational rantings. I’ll wait. You don’t mind if I don’t hold my breath do you?
You sound as nutty as the Republican idiots with their irrational hatred of Obama. You knwo that don’t you?
Charles
January 24th, 2013
10:44 am
I think Americans are tired of both parties. I also find it funny Democrats are using Obama’s election as a sign of complete rejection of GOP’s politics. Let’s actually take a look at the election actually showed us.
2008 Obama won with 52.8% of the Popular Vote. 2012 he won with 51%. His popularity was actually dropping. 52.8% and 51% of the Popular Vote is by no means a landslide victory.
Though the GOP’s loss is an obvious sign that Americans are not happy with their policies, such a small margin of victory, barely over the “Majority” mark does not indicate strong approval of the Democrat’s position either.
Honestly, looking at the difference between 2008 and 2012’s elections, and the fact the GOP has not changed their policies and are doing the same tired crap, it shows that Americans are not happy with either party. They just keep ping ponging between the different parties. I think the litmus test actually stands for the next election on the Democrats. They are the ones who will have to change their policies for the better in the eyes of the public or 2016 probably will go to GOP. This is the problem. Both parties are not changing their stances, and thus we’ll continue the same trends we’ve had since JFK. Democrats get elected for 2 terms, then Republicans.
In short, there have been no real changes, just the same BS from Washington. So blind sheep following their parties will always point out that the other party is “Doomed”. Ironically, I remember hearing the same rhetoric from Republicans after the 2004 election. But Obama is in the White House now. If Democrats want to make their speculations a reality, they best learn from the mistakes of the Republicans.
LIBERAL Progressive and damn proud of it.
January 24th, 2013
10:46 am
The “johnnyrebs” of the world will keep them in the hole they’ve dug for themselves. They’ll get no sympathy from me.
Aquagirl
January 24th, 2013
10:46 am
Republicans think if you’re on food stamps or working a minimum wage job, it’s what YOU’VE done. YOU made bad choices, YOU did this, YOU did that, blah, blah, blah.
When the Republican party is failing then it’s not THEIR fault. It’s Obama, or dumb voters, or dumb women, or dumb minorities who are trapped on the Democratic plantation. Never what the Republicans are doing.
Gotta love that party of personal responsibility.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
January 24th, 2013
10:47 am
Yea’ thats what we need Jay, two political party’s with exactly the same platforms and policy’s. Then why have two party’s? Be like all the other dictator countries. Have one GREAT LEADER like N. Korea, China, Cuba, and many others. That type government is so succesful. I’m sure all you Obama, followers would love that. Chris Matthews, Rachal Mad-cow, and all the MSNBC media. could have an hour a day to go worship a stature of the “GRAET ONE”.Mathews could get his “tingles” up his leg every day.
Steve
January 24th, 2013
10:47 am
The goal of any party is to represent the interests of the majority so much so that they get elected. Not to define an agenda and try and make the majority adhere to it. That’s not democracy. I vote for whoever I believe will lead this country the best. Be it Democrat or Republican. I think the Republicans just lost touch with the main stream of our society and need to reconnect with it and embrace change. I believe they will. The Republican party is not the enemy, we need a two party state to remain a healthy democracy. Let’s not loose site of that. Two healthy parties representing the idea’s, thoughts, aspirations and dreams of American’s.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:48 am
@Fred – Where do folks come up with this stuff from?
Ok, Fred, tell us what has hussein obama done in four years? Raise the national debt? You disagree? Raise spending? You disagree? More people on welfare? You disagree?
Real Scootter
January 24th, 2013
10:49 am
It’s the same stupid hate filled impotent anger filled junk that lost you folks the last two Presidential elections and my head never exploded then. Hell I haven’t seen a new or original post from you FOXBOTS since the first day I read the posts here………
Easy there Fred,your head is going to explode!
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:49 am
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:36 am
The idea that you can spend your way out of debt is alive and well, I see. As long as we have the credit card and keep upping the limit, we’re good! Wink, wink! Sorry, kids, and grand kids. We couldn’t do the right thing! We’re like drunken sailors at a strip club with our monthly pay in hand.We don’t want anyone telling us to leave the club and stop the partying. Hard to feel sorry for the guy the next morning when he’s hung over and broke. Hello Greece!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And the lies and ignorant talk radio/FOXBOT rhetoric just keep coming. Old, used up lies that lost you the last election………..
Greece? Really? You DO mean the same Greece that has had a 3rd world economy for the last 2500 years or so right? I mean THAT is the one the talk radio and fox idiots keep using to convince the brain dead morons that listen to them that the US economy is equivalent too…….. the Country that was a “World Leader” about a thousand years before Jesus was invented? THAT Greece? he one who’s major income for 2500 years has been from Ox dung and olive oil? THAT Greece?
Lust damn. Well I’ll give you one thing, as much BS as you produce we may well be on track to having BS a major cash crop…………..
Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:49 am
@Uh Huh….You Reap What You Sow – “The Tea Party is the most incorrigible, hate filled group of
people on the planet.”
yeah right, they want lower taxes, more jobs and less government! Wow, sounds just like our Founding Fathers.
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
10:49 am
“Let’s actually take a look at the election actually showed us.”
let’s.
who voted for Republicans?
old white guys. NOT a growing population.
women, youth, and minorities all went Dem. And they’re the growing populations.
And what came out just yesterday? that a majority of Americans want to keep abortion Legal and support the RvW decision. What’s in the GOP platform? not that.
so, yeah. keep doing what you’re doing, GOP …
mbtc
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
Jay you have perfectly describes the political reality as I see it too. A big WORD!
Karma is a b!@#ch.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
Today, ya’ll are in the mood to write the pubs obituary. We’ll see how things go after Feinstein, et al, get finished ramming through gun control and after reality sets in regarding the ACA. How did things work out for Carter and his control initiatives? Will we see history repeat itself?
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
Charles: “I think Americans are tired of both parties”
That’s too bad for them, as they’re kind of stuck with them, aren’t they?
Chad Littleton
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
Boehner’s comments are particularly ironic when you remember that it is the REPUBLICANs that have openly and persistently stated that their goal is to create a permanent REPUBLICAN majority. Too funny.
curious
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
Medical costs are spiraling out of control and this began long before Obama.
Reckon we need to look at other countries to see how they do it?
Otherwise we should just drop Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare.
If you can’t afford to buy insurance or pay cash, then that’s just tough.
j rev
January 24th, 2013
10:50 am
@ JohnnyReb
51% is a majority, and much more of one than the GOPs mandate that they still seem to be claiming.
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
10:51 am
“they want lower taxes, more jobs and less government! Wow, sounds just like our Founding Fathers.”
yep. more jobs. EXACTLY what the FFs fought for.
monty
January 24th, 2013
10:52 am
Since the libs are the only ones with brains, I’ll sit back and watch as they fix the coming economic collapse. On second thought, I don’t have that much time to waste. Have fun kicking Repubs, while it last. Like a madman stomping out the bag of manure (on fire) on his front porch while thieves break down his back door and rob him blind. Oh, and that’s simply an anaolgy Fred~~
Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:52 am
@Fred – Greece? Really? You DO mean the same Greece that has had a 3rd world economy for the last 2500 years or so right?
Fred, you need help. We’re talking about the last 4 years. Please defend the numbers. 16+ trillion in debt, up 6 trillion in 4 years. Welfare is up, jobs are less, taxes are up. Please more defending.
Michael
January 24th, 2013
10:52 am
Boehner’s remarks reminds me of that story of the man that looked in the mirror and saw a dirty face and picked up a wash cloth and started scrubbing the mirror.