As you know, I normally loathe to revisit a topic I’ve already discussed at length…but the subject of the GOP’s behavior in these troubled times seems to provide ample fodder for discussion.
I know. They’re “soul-searching,” and “trying to redefine their identity,” and having “growing pains.” And I suppose I could reasonably tolerate these things if only…if only they weren’t engaging in the same behavior, the same politics, as they always have. This week, thousands more people will lose their jobs. States will be forced to lay off workers and cut programs and services, schools will flounder under already paltry budgets, and the same thousands of people who just lost jobs…well, they also just lost their health insurance, creating a secondary “healthcare epidemic.” Oh, and in case you missed it, the same corporate tycoons who are spending the bailout money on bonuses and parties like it were their own “petty cash party fund” just spent millions on Superbowl ads and festivities. Bank of America alone spent $10 million on sponsorships, parties, and a giant “football carnival.” When asked, their calling it their new “strategy.” Sounds a lot like their old “strategy.” You know, the one that landed us in this mess.
Meanwhile, our Republicans continue to fiddle as America burns:
- Having passed the House, the stimulus package now faces a Senate where Republicans seem to be competing for who can speak the most partisan rhetoric in front of the cameras. Jon Kyl of Arizona says we should start the ENTIRE process over: “When I say start from scratch, what I mean is that the basic approach of this bill, we believe, is wrong.” Jim DeMint, R-S.C., manages to completely mischaracterize the bill to play to the conservative base: “[it's] a spending plan. It’s not a stimulus plan. It’s temporary, and it’s wasteful.” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell continues to perpetrate the lie that Republicans have had no input into the process, despite the inclusion of millions of dollars worth of tax cuts and public works projects (and the exclusion of some spending plan items) to satisfy Republican requests: “I think it may be time … for the president to kind of get a hold of these Democrats in the Senate and the House, who have rather significant majorities, and shake them a little bit and say, ‘Look, let’s do this the right way.’ I can’t believe that the president isn’t embarrassed about the products that have been produced so far.” In various reports Republicans have said they are “celebrating,” and “elated,” and “delighted” about their UNIVERSAL DISPLAY OF PARTISANSHIP during the House vote on the bill. Allow me to interject my own descriptors: “shameless,” and “cowardly,” and “childish.”
- Apparently, Obama’s inclusion of the Republicans in crucial decision-making…means nothing to them. Despite reports that he is ready to name a third Republican to serve in his cabinet (Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary would join Defense Secretary Gates and Transportation Secretary LaHood) AND has given assurances that a Republican would be filling Gregg’s Senate seat, protecting the Republicans against a Democratic super-majority…they continue to make DEMANDS. Senator Arlen Specter has stated that Obama should renominate three of Bush’s circuit court judges: “I write to respectfully suggest that, as a sign of bipartisanship, you renominate some of President George W. Bush’s circuit court nominees.” That’s right…the party that is conceding NOTHING to the initiatives of the Democratic president or the Democratic legislators…thinks that President Obama is the one who needs to PROVE THAT HE IS BIPARTISAN.
- McCain, having momentarily shown signs of reason, bipartisanship, and “maverickosity“…has now slid comfortably back into the role of “party hack.” At this point most people have heard the comment President Obama made which leaked out of a meeting with Republicans (don’t wonder long about who leaked it): “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.” Well, ever since Limbaugh has engaged in a non-stop onslaught against the President and the stimulus package, even going so far as to openly hope that the stimulus fails to help the economy. Some Republicans initially criticized Limbaugh’s comments…only to beg his forgiveness later. McCain…well…he has nothing but praise for the radio commentator: “I don’t know why he would do that. Mr. Limbaugh is a voice of a significant portion of our conservative movement in America. He has a very wide viewing audience. He is entitled to his views, and he has a lot of people who listen very carefully to him. I don’t know why that the President would take him on. He’s part of the political landscape, and he plays a role.” Apparently McCain, who has criticized Limbaugh in the past and even called on him to apologize…doesn’t think anyone ELSE should criticize Limbaugh for his views because he represents an important figure for conservatives and a pillar of free speech. Newsflash for Senator McCain: just because you have the “right to express” an idea, does not mean expressing that idea is “the right thing to do.” Limbaugh’s comments warrant criticism from the President and anybody else who chooses to do so.
- The RNC has a new chair: Michael Steele. In a move more politically shameless than the selection of Sarah Palin for Vice President, the Republican National Committee selected one of its only high-ranking minority members for its highest leadership position. He immediately (and predictably) called for increasing the diversity of the Republican Party…and then degenerated into the usual off-putting conservative rhetoric. Here are some fun facts about Steele (credited to Judd Legum):
- He tried to trick his constituents into thinking he was a Democrat in his last Senate run with signs that read “Steele : Democrat” and Democratic Sample ballots.
- He got busted busing in the homeless to distribute his flyers in African-American neighborhoods.
- He has publicly and repeated referred to George W. Bush as his “homeboy.”
- Once compared stem cell research to Nazi scientific experiments.
- Failed the Maryland bar exam the one and only time he attempted to take it.
- Was endorsed in his Senate run by Mike Tyson (yeah, THAT Mike Tyson).
- Defended the former governor’s plan to hold a fundraiser at a “whites-only” country club.
- Despite decrying the Obama plan as “too big” and “too spendy“…the conservatives’ stimulus plan (just released)? Oh, it’s three times BIGGER.
All of this behavior has people asking some big questions. First…don’t they realize that this strategy could REALLY backfire with an increasingly frustrated public? Second…should the Democrats even be making concessions with a group that still acts like they are the majority and who concede nothing? Third…when is the Obama administration going to get fed up and stop making concessions?
Good questions. The answers are: “No, they really don’t,” and “No, they should not,” and “Soon…very soon.”