Thread: Yes, it's that bad for the GOP

Yes, it's that bad for the GOP

Debates inside the party highlight the real problem: What is their vision?

By Chuck Todd
Chief White House correspondent and political director
NBC News
updated 12:25 p.m. ET, Thurs., May 14, 2009

WASHINGTON - There are a number of ugly debates going on inside the Republican Party right now.

There is the debate over whether or not there is even something wrong; there’s the debate over whether or not RNC chair Michael Steele should be trusted with making financial decisions for the party; there’s the debate over whether or not the party should come up with an alternative to being just a party for conservatives; and there’s the debate over whether or not all of this is just an over-reaction.

I have no stake in this other than as a junkie who enjoys a competitive political landscape.

And that is what is sad right now for junkies: things don’t even look that competitive anymore.

Barely glimmers of hope
I have yet to find a race where Republicans seem to be on the upswing just for being Republican when the Democrat in the race is an incumbent in some form. Sure, there are some glimmers of hope for the GOP but only in places where Democrats have unique problems.

Think about it: the New Jersey governor’s race is competitive because of a disastrous Democratic situation; the Virginia governor’s race is competitive because Democrats are in a nasty primary food fight and may end up nominating their most polarizing candidate; the Illinois senate race is competitive thanks to Roland “Blagojevichâ€

need to weed out the globalist traitors and those more loyal to the Israeli lobby than to the U S taxpayers.

As a Conservative Republican.... I hope they are not begging for money or support.... it will not happen for 90% of them .. I want them in the unemployment line.

Unfortunately, the only alternative to the Republican Party is the Democratic Party, and in my eyes that is not alternative at all. IMO, our only choice at this stage of the game is to do all we can to fix the party. It would be idiotic to throw the baby out with the bath water at this late stage. To abandon the party now would mean certain disaster where illegal immigration and border security is concerned. Without a doubt, there are a lot more than 10% of the Republicans in Congress siding with us on the illegal alien issue.

Personally, I'll stay with the Republican side of the aisle at this time. After all, it was the Republican portion of the U.S. Congress that staved off the last couple amnesty attempts.

Tbow009 wrote:

need to weed out the globalist traitors

I agree, we do need to weed out the some of the folks (moderates). However, like I said, it would be ridiculous to throw the baby out with the bath water at this late stage. IMO, our best bet is to fix the party, not pray for it to be disolved.

I think our only chance is to bring the Republican party back to the right. The Bush family destroyed the party with their globalist ideas. They were not conservatives. Mitt and Jeb would just be more of the same.

I think our only chance is to bring the Republican party back to the right. The Bush family destroyed the party with their globalist ideas. They were not conservatives. Mitt and Jeb would just be more of the same.

Amen.

Originally Posted by MW

As a Conservative Republican.... I hope they are not begging for money or support.... it will not happen for 90% of them .. I want them in the unemployment line.

Unfortunately, the only alternative to the Republican Party is the Democratic Party, and in my eyes that is not alternative at all. IMO, our only choice at this stage of the game is to do all we can to fix the party. It would be idiotic to throw the baby out with the bath water at this late stage. To abandon the party now would mean certain disaster where illegal immigration and border security is concerned. Without a doubt, there are a lot more than 10% of the Republicans in Congress siding with us on the illegal alien issue.

Personally, I'll stay with the Republican side of the aisle at this time. After all, it was the Republican portion of the U.S. Congress that staved off the last couple amnesty attempts.

Tbow009 wrote:

[quote:3olqwa29]need to weed out the globalist traitors

I agree, we do need to weed out the some of the folks (moderates). However, like I said, it would be ridiculous to throw the baby out with the bath water at this late stage. IMO, our best bet is to fix the party, not pray for it to be disolved.[/quote:3olqwa29]

I am in total agreement with you, and I'm a democrat!!

I am so disgusted with my party, the only thing keeping me here right now is that I must vote againt the creep Arlen Spector in the primary. If the republican party moves in the direction of actually upholding the Constitution and working in the best interest of the American people, I will register as a republican. Otherwise, I need to go to a third party (Constitution or Independent, we'll see).

To quote the line from the movie:

You politicians are so busy trying to keep your jobs, that you forgot to do your jobs!!

NOW DO YOUR JOB, AND SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONLY!!

I wonder about the bias of the author of this article.

There are too many voices like Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney automatically ruling out ideas. To attack folks right now for critiquing the party seems only to undermine the party.

I don't agree with this stupid statement about Rush and Dick and other conservatives. First of all, if the government gave them good idea's they wouldn't reject them. Thank God, they reject the bad bills and legislation, like the Stimulus Bills the Dem’s endorse.

Also, the Republican parties has offered legitimate alternatives to the Stimulus bill and many other horrible plans that the Dem's endorsed. Watch C-Span to verify my allegations. The liberal media doesn’t report that piece of the puzzle.

And every time I hear the word "folks" referring to "we the people", I want to puke. Obama's Communist in Washington have clearly demonstrated that they could care less about America and our people. Go to www.Senate.org and/or go to C-Span's web site to see how the Dem's have voted on issues related to immigration, jobs and services for the American people. Then decide which party better represents us. Clearly it is the Republican party.

Also, now more than ever, we must vote Republican to bring back the balance of power. The Dem. beasts want to have a one-party system so they are doing all they can to throw the Rep. under the bus and disgrace them.

MW, I guess my question would be, why are you so concerned about fixing the republican party? Repubs like Cornyn are trying to give amnesty to illegals. The BIGGEST problem this country has is that too many people think that their only alternative is democrat and republican.

MW, I guess my question would be, why are you so concerned about fixing the republican party? Repubs like Cornyn are trying to give amnesty to illegals. The BIGGEST problem this country has is that too many people think that their only alternative is democrat and republican.

Part of fixing the party definitely includes getting rid of the handful of amnesty supporters in the RP, however, that doesn't mean we should replace them with Democrat because that would only increase their power. It's easier to get rid of a handful of Republicans than it is to get rid of a whole flock of Democrats, don't you think? I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared silly at how the balance of power in the Congress has shifted so far left. We're in serious trouble, and at a minimum we need more balance in the Congress.

Have you checked the makeup of the U.S. Congess lately? Right now our only choice is Democrat or Republican (choose a side or keep dreaming). The two Independents in the Senate caucus with the Democrats. We're in a crisis situation now - there is no time to attempt a complete remake of the U.S. Congress because another amnesty attempt is right around the corner. Furthermore, future amnesty attempts will continue to be a serious threat while the Democrats control the Congress.


Excerpt from the 2008 Republican Party Platform:

Immigration, National Security, and the Rule of Law

Immigration policy is a national security issue, for which we have one test: Does it serve the national interest? By that standard, Republicans know America can have a strong immigration system without sacrificing the rule of law.

Enforcing the Rule of Law at the Border and Throughout the Nation

Border security is essential to national security. In an age of terrorism, drug cartels, and criminal gangs, allowing millions of unidentified persons to enter and remain in this country poses grave risks to the sovereignty of the United States and the security of its people. We simply must be able to track who is entering and leaving our country.

Our determination to uphold the rule of law begins with more effective enforcement, giving our agents the tools and resources they need to protect our sovereignty, completing the border fence quickly and securing the borders, and employing complementary strategies to secure our ports of entry. Experience shows that enforcement of existing laws is effective in reducing and reversing illegal immigration.

Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents. As long as jobs are available in the United States, economic incentives to enter illegally will persist. But we must empower employers so they can know with confidence that those they hire are permitted to work. That means that the EVerify system—which is an internet-based system that verifies the employment authorization and identity of employees—must be reauthorized. Aphasedin requirement that employers use the E-Verify system must be enacted.

The rule of law means guaranteeing to law enforcement the tools and coordination to deport criminal aliens without delay — and correcting court decisions that have made deportation so difficult. It means enforcing the law against those who overstay their visas, rather than letting millions flout the generosity that gave them temporary entry. It means imposing maximum penalties on those who smuggle illegal aliens into the U.S., both for their lawbreaking and for their cruel exploitation. It means requiring cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement and real consequences, including the denial of federal funds, for selfdescribed sanctuary cities, which stand in open defiance of the federal and state statutes that expressly prohibit such sanctuary policies, and which endanger the lives of U.S. citizens. It does not mean driver's licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law.

We oppose amnesty. The rule of law suffers if government policies encourage or reward illegal activity. The American people's rejection of en masse

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=78545


[quote]Democratic Party 2008 Platform Language on Immigration:
Renewing American Community (quoted from the Democratic Party 2008 Platform)

“America has always been a nation of immigrants. Over the years, millions of people have come here in the hope that in America, you can make it if you try. Each successive wave of immigrants has contributed to our country's rich culture, economy, and spirit. Like the immigrants that came before them, today's immigrants will shape their own destinies and enrich our country.

Nonetheless our current immigration system has been broken for far too long. We need comprehensive immigration reform, not just piecemeal efforts. We must work together to pass immigration reform in a way that unites this country, not in a way that divides us by playing on our worst instincts and fears. We are committed to pursuing tough, practical, and humane immigration reform in the first year of the next administration.

For the millions living here illegally but otherwise playing by the rules, we must require them to come out of the shadows and get right with the law. We support a system that requires undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, pay taxes, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. They are our neighbors, and we can help them become full tax paying, law-abiding, productive members of society.

At the same time, we cannot continue to allow people to enter the United States undetected, undocumented, and unchecked. The American people are a welcoming and generous people, but those who enter our country's borders illegally, and those who employ them, disrespect the rule of the law. We need to secure our borders, and support additional personnel, infrastructure, and technology on the border and at our ports of entry. We need additional Customs and Border Protection agents equipped with better technology and real-time intelligence. We need to dismantle human smuggling organizations, combating the crime associated with this trade. We also need to do more to promote economic development in migrant-sending nations, to reduce incentives to come to the United States illegally. And we need to crack down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants, especially those who pay their workers less than the minimum wage. It's a problem when we only enforce our laws against the immigrants themselves, with raids that are ineffective, tear apart families, and leave people detained without adequate access to counsel. We realize that employers need a method to verify whether their employees are legally eligible to work in the U.S., and will ensure that our system is accurate, fair to legal workers, safeguards people's privacy, and cannot be used to discriminate against workers.

We must also improve the legal immigration system, and make our nation's naturalization process fair and accessible to the thousands of legal permanent residents who are eager to become full Americans. We should fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy that hampers family reunification, the cornerstone of our immigration policy for years. Given the importance of both keeping families together and supporting American businesses, we will increase the number of immigration visas for family members of people living here and for immigrants who meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill, as long as appropriate labor market protections and standards are in place. We will fight discrimination against Americans who have always played by our immigration rules but are sometimes treated as if they had not.â€

I'm proud to say that I'm a Conservative first and a Republican second.