Tea party’s challenge: Change what it means to compromise
The theme of this midterm election is clear: Stop the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda of big-big-bigger government now.
The irony is that, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as one big possible exception, the largest projected losses for the Democrats are not in the most liberal wing of the party. The big losers will be among the Blue Dogs, the party’s self-described moderates.
And they’re going to lose because, while they barked loudly about checking the Dems’ more extreme impulses, in the end they always rolled over.
Many of the Republicans set to take their places are, or have been boosted by, tea partiers. They may not be moderates, but they are like the Blue Dogs in that, sooner or later, they will be asked to stand up for their principles — and against the majority in their own party.
That means they will have to work hard to avoid the Blue Dogs’ fate of submission and eventual irrelevance. And they can only do that by changing the language and currency of compromise.
Going into Tuesday, many tea partiers hold the very word “compromise” in contempt. They have built a phenomenal political movement on their resolute opposition to President Obama and the Democrats. They have also firmly warned the Republican establishment not to expect a return to the GOP’s business as usual.
Having risen from nowhere, they don’t plan to back away from either stance.
But political movements that don’t produce results also don’t survive very long. Simple math — along with Obama’s presence in the White House for two more years; six more years if the GOP blows it — suggests tea-party Republicans won’t have the votes to shrink Washington as they wish all at once.
That said, “compromise” doesn’t have to take the same forms that it historically has taken on Capitol Hill.
It does not have to be a vote for an earmark, or an expansion of government here for a reduction of government there.
It could be agreeing to cut spending first, and revisit tax rates later.
It could be a willingness to give up some popular tax deductions in exchange for reform that flattens and simplifies tax rates overall.
It could be agreeing to cut spending in areas they’d tend to protect — the defense budget comes to mind — in exchange for reductions in departments they’d prefer to target.
It could be a resolve to come together temporarily with anyone, even their ideological opposites, who is prepared to finally quash corporate-welfare programs such as farm subsidies for big agribusiness.
It could be the patience to prioritize the regulations that need the most urgent attention and relief, rather than taking a scattered approach to many areas all at once.
In all these areas and more, it could be moving more slowly than desired, as long as the direction is clear and the progress steady. And, of course, having the wisdom to know when to compromise in these ways and when not to budge.
This midterm election has become more of a national referendum than maybe any such contest before it. The flip side is that, two years from now, these congressional insurgents will be scrutinized like no other freshman class before them.
But they should take confidence from the fact that they overcame all odds, and a substantial smear campaign, to reach the threshold at which they now stand. If they do what’s right, the voters will stick with them in 2012.
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137 comments Add your comment
No More Progressives!
October 31st, 2010
12:57 pm
vuduchild
“If they want to reduce debt, then begin with bloated programs in their own backyard and that includes their salaries and benefits.”
Name one or two bloated programs and enlighten the rest of us.
TjAtl
October 31st, 2010
1:27 pm
Google “groupthink” and you’ll get a definition of what is happening at both ends of the spectrum, but is particularly pronounced among the Tea Partiers and conservative “purists”.
Groupthink is a phenomenon born in the absence of considering dissenting opinions, and is blamed for such fiascoes as the Bay of Pigs.
Symptoms of groupthink (Irving Janis 1977):
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
2. Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group’s assumptions.
3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, disfigured, impotent, or stupid.
5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of “disloyalty”.
6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
8. Mind guards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information.
Drew
October 31st, 2010
2:05 pm
All the Tea-Party is essentially, is a coalition of people who will fire anyone who is a mere politician instead of a representative. The Tea Party has endorsed democrats and republicans. If those elected this cycle become more of the same, the tea party (AKA: We the people) have strong enough of a coalition now to vote them out right away. Enough political talking points; we need action to help our economy, reduce unemployment and to make productive changes!
With that being said, if you don’t like mandated socialist health care, higher unemployment and deficit spending on pace that makes Bush look like a fiscal conservative… than it might be wise to vote GOP
Drew
October 31st, 2010
2:08 pm
Oh brother a liberal calling Tea Partiers, “group thinkers”. Remember “Yes We Can” and all of those slogans that helped elect an incompetent, inexperienced President? If that isn’t “group think” by an emotional, not logical, mass than group think doesn’t exist!
Lil' Barry Bailout
October 31st, 2010
2:30 pm
TjAtl
Google “groupthink” and you’ll get a definition of what is happening at both ends of the spectrum, but is particularly pronounced among the Tea Partiers and conservative “purists”.Symptoms of groupthink (Irving Janis 1977):
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking. (”Elections have consequences. I won”–Idiot Messiah)
2. Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group’s assumptions. (”We have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it”–Nancy Pelosi)
3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions. (Passing an unpopular health care bill)
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, disfigured, impotent, or stupid. (Libbtards reaction to Tea Party folks)
5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of “disloyalty”. (Bye bye Blue Dog Democrats who sold out their principles)
6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus. (Seen any pro-life Democrats in Congress lately?)
7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
8. Mind guards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information. (The Idiot Messiah’s many unelected, unvetted czars)
TjAtl
October 31st, 2010
3:14 pm
Notice I did say that it takes place at BOTH ends, and is equally unproductive. However, I do not see an equivalent “purity purge” taking place on the left as is occurring with the conservatives.
– So quick to throw the label “liberal”. It doesn’t describe me.
TjAtl
October 31st, 2010
3:23 pm
Lil Barry — re: #5
Blue Dogs who may lose in this election will be losing to Republicans, not purged by their own party.
Many of them represent constituencies who are more moderate, or that have been trending more Republican over the years.
No More Progressives!
October 31st, 2010
4:58 pm
Many of them represent constituencies who are more moderate, or that have been trending more Republican over the years.
The American electorate is far more savy and informed with the advent of the internet. No longer do the lefties have a strangle-hold on what we’re told and by who. The Country is center-right, and has been for many years, This awakening is overdue, by some accounts, but welcomed none the less. The trending mentioned may have dormant for some time, but it’s about to rear it’s head this Tuesday. “We, the People,” not me, the president.
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
5:05 pm
Actually, no. One of the two presidents you named have produced unemployment that has been higher in EVERY month if his administration than in ANY month of the other administration.
http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/loozers/jobs.jpg
How quickly does that short-term memory loss kick in? If you remember back, Bush was losing jobs like water going down the drain of a bathtub. Both Administrations have lost jobs. Not just one. Simple answers for simple minds. Too bad life isn’t that simple or we would not have had to suffer a complete meltdown of the economy.
No More Progressives!
October 31st, 2010
6:52 pm
Too bad life isn’t that simple or we would not have had to suffer a complete meltdown of the economy.
If a dim bulb like Barney Fwank can be traced back to the lending fiasco, who’s really running the show?
And by the way, GDP was 2% last quarter. I thought this was the summer of recovery?
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
7:21 pm
And by the way, GDP was 2% last quarter. I thought this was the summer of recovery?
2% is growth. It might not be what people want, but I’ll take 2% over -2% anyday. If you’re expecting a quick recovery, you’ll find the Easter Bunny first.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 31st, 2010
7:26 pm
Bomb Sniffer!
2% is as lame as it gets. It surprises me none that you are satisfied with this, after all, you have a fat pointless government job, so why worry over the plight of the working man? Let them eat their cake, right?
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
7:36 pm
Whiner…
The more things change, the more sour you get. You’re going to die of an aneurism or something. I didn’t say I was satisfied with 2%, so don’t put words into my mouth to try to fit your narrowmindedness. If our government hadn’t allowed our economy to be pillaged over the last 20-30 years in search of “neverending profits”, we would have industry capable of pulling us thru recovery.
My job is so fat and pointless that I wear body armor to work, and avoid most all social networking to avoid family or friends being associated with me. I do my job so that the working man can work. Any time you want to come suit up with us, let me know.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 31st, 2010
7:42 pm
Dude- You could ride in a tank for all I care. How many little old ladies did you stomp on today? How many children did you run through the xray machine? I don’t even think you are allowed to mess with our enemies, that would be discrimination.
We could outsource your job to the freshman class at William and Mary, except they’d probably take a pass on hassling innocent people as make busy work.
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
7:45 pm
Haaaa haaa.. You should be a comedian, but you’d probably be just as lame at that as you are trying to be an internet bully. You don’t have a clue as to what I do, so how do you know where my job can be outsourced to?
Just stick to what you do best. Grumble and groan…
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 31st, 2010
7:50 pm
SC- So the klownshow that is the TSA is like a front for the real work that goes on behind the scenes?
Tell me it’s true.
I dread the day some third world bozo gets caught with a stick of dynamite up his butt, our brilliant government will be spreading all of our cheeks when we get on the flight.
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
7:57 pm
Be careful of what you ask for… You just might get it.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/28/eveningnews/main5347847.shtml
To get his bomb into this room, Abdullah Asieri, one of Saudi Arabia’s most wanted men, avoided detection by two sets of airport security including metal detectors and palace security. He spent 30 hours in the close company of the prince’s own secret service agents – all without anyone suspecting a thing.
How did he do it?
Taking a trick from the narcotics trade – which has long smuggled drugs in body cavities – Asieri had a pound of high explosives, plus a detonator inserted in his rectum.
That happened back in 2009, yet I haven’t heard one person having to spread their cheeks. You really don’t have a clue as to what goes on around you. Good thing that there are people who are watching out for you.
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
8:01 pm
So the klownshow that is the TSA is like a front for the real work that goes on behind the scenes?
There’s so much that goes on, if you’re focused on TSA, that’s like looking at a drop of water in the ocean.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 31st, 2010
8:07 pm
Be careful, SC, the last few bomb plots in the United States were foiled by people like…….me.
Just sayin….
~~~~~
If you want to sum up what it is all about, listen to Ron Johnson, Wisconsin’s newest Senator-
And unfortunately in my lifetime, what I have witnessed has been a very slow but sure drift, and I would argue in the last 18 months just a lurch, toward a culture of entitlement and dependency. It’s not an America I recognize. It’s not an America that works.”
“America is exceptional, and that’s being squandered,” Johnson concludes. “So if there’s one little phrase that tells you why I chose this path, I decided to run for the U.S. Senate because I think we’re losing America. I don’t think that’s overdramatic. I don’t think I’m overstating the case. And I’m just a guy from Oshkosh, a husband and a father. We’re a group of people who refuse, absolutely refuse, to let America go without a knock-down, drag-out fight.”
Meanwhile, Russ Feingold works to give it all away.
Change is a comin, baby.
Southern Comfort
October 31st, 2010
8:26 pm
Be careful, SC, the last few bomb plots in the United States were foiled by people like…….me.
It’s all about being one as a nation. The 2nd Amendment also helps… Especially when you never know who’s armed to the teeth. DHS doesn’t have the manpower to be everywhere at all times, but we always appreciate the extra eyes.
Algonquin j. Calhoun
October 31st, 2010
8:29 pm
You mean if they do what’s white don’t you?
killerj
October 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
What an opinion,I feel sorry for you young man,you truly do not know what it takes to be free of tendency or self indulgence for profit or control over another,I,ll call you a media minion.You suck, Go Tea Party.
Ray
October 31st, 2010
8:41 pm
“And unfortunately in my lifetime, what I have witnessed has been a very slow but sure drift, and I would argue in the last 18 months just a lurch, toward a culture of entitlement and dependency. It’s not an America I recognize. It’s not an America that works.”
And this rationalization for being an anti-Jesus, selfish pr!ck conveniently costs no money – a green light to give fellow Americans the finger and still sleep at night.
Who needs al qaeda when you have the 2010 version of ‘conservative’ right here at home?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
There’s an awful lot of witches out there tonight, just sayin…
Lil' Barry Bailout
October 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
Southern Comfort
5:05 pm
Both Administrations have lost jobs. Not just one. Simple answers for simple minds.
——————————-
Be that as it may, my statement stands unchallenged. Unemployment has been higher EVERY month of the Idiot Messiah regime than it was during ANY month of our President Bush’s eight years.
Ten percent unemployment: Only on the Idiot Messiah’s watch.
Ray
October 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
I wonder if any of those lowly people the right likes to pi$$ on are decedents of veterans who’ve lost lives for this Great Country?
Oh, that’s right, in the GOP manual the military is just free labor
Ray
October 31st, 2010
8:55 pm
“Be that as it may, my statement stands unchallenged. Unemployment has been higher EVERY month of the Idiot Messiah regime than it was during ANY month of our President Bush’s eight years.”
That’a right, simpleton, the car’s gas mileage ain’t too good after it’s been wrapped around a pole.
And just how long should it have taken us to walk normal after the rightwing bent us over worse than bin laden?
Moron…you girls just can’t stand the thought of the Kenyan showing your lily white trash silver spoon arses how it’s done
Lil' Barry Bailout
October 31st, 2010
10:08 pm
How what’s done? Blowing through a trillion bucks of borrowed “stimulus” cash while INCREASING unemployment?
No More Progressives!
November 1st, 2010
6:29 am
2% is growth. It might not be what people want, but I’ll take 2% over -2% anyday. If you’re expecting a quick recovery, you’ll find the Easter Bunny first.
2% growth with continuing job loss numbers, and a looming tax increase that will cripple this nation. Great planning. But I admire your optimism.
Throw some more chairs off the Titanic.
No More Progressives!
November 1st, 2010
6:32 am
Moron…you girls just can’t stand the thought of the Kenyan showing your lily white trash silver spoon arses how it’s done.
How what’s done?
Your hero King Barry the Magnanimous hasn’t showed me (and many others) much of anything. What he has shown is that amatuer activists should not be given OJT in the White House.
No More Progressives!
November 1st, 2010
6:33 am
And I’ll ask Ray; how do you know I’m white?
A little presumptious, perhaps?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 1st, 2010
6:40 am
Something else accounts for Mr. Rubio’s rise from a blip in polls against the popular governor in his party, to the runaway favorite tomorrow. He appealed as a different sort of Republican. He kept his pitch upbeat, shunned personal attacks, worked hard to widen support without apologizing for his conservatism, and more noticeably than anyone in this race ran on an unabashed and constantly invoked faith in American exceptionalism.
Which of course means that the left wing goon squad will spend the next two years calling him a racist and neanderthal.
It’s easier than debating his politics…
muslim nucular bomb: muscular bombs
November 1st, 2010
7:13 am
Kyle, dabbit: The problem was never big government, it was zig government, (zig-heil government, that is).
Zeig. Heil!
Run Forrest
November 1st, 2010
8:13 am
Compromise with a progressive liberal is for you to give up your traditions and beliefs and accept theirs. The constitution can be changed by whatever sexual mood the liberals are in at the time. Judges make law that could never pass in congress. Only government can make money and run things. Is this the compromise conservatives face? The repulbicans should continue to be the party of “know” until the democracts rid their party of the progressive liberals.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 1st, 2010
9:49 am
Doesnt matter. Come tomorrow the Dems are in the toilet with their beloved Master Obama. Anyone see the rally where obama was heckled about Aids contributions? How unprofessional of him to chastise the hecklers…he shouldve ignored them.
Obama is to unpresidential.
Jefferson
November 1st, 2010
11:13 am
Reagan’s budget director said you couldn’t put them in a room with the penalty of death and they couldn’t come up with 50 billion in cuts, they would have to cut over 100 billion a year for ten years to come close. He knows and said revenue must increase and its foolish to think otherwise. Adios tax cuts.
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 1st, 2010
5:51 pm
Baloney. The Heritage Foundation published a list of common sense budget reductions that would cut more than $300 billion a year.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/10/how-to-cut-343-billion-from-the-federal-budget