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December 16, 2006
Circular Firing Squad - GOP Style
In recent years, political insiders and the media have enjoyed watching and discussing the Democratic Party and its various factions engage in very public recriminations against each other over lost elections and other missed political opportunities.
As the out of power minority party in recent years, Democrats have seemed less like a unified opposition than a group of siblings who just can't get along. The DLC was taking the party too far to the right, liberals were pulling it too far left, etc. Meanwhile, Republicans, while certainly not unified on every issue, kept their dirty laundry private, and presented a united public front.
And according to the GOP playbook, the political press took this contrast and ran with it -- highlighting Democratic disarray and Republican discipline at every opportunity. No doubt the perceived difference pervaded public consciousness (at least somewhat) and helped shape public attitudes about the two major parties, to the GOP's benefit. The public saw a firm, determined Republican party, and agree or disagree it had a clear agenda and message. But the Democrats? They couldn't even get their own internal house in order, so how on earth could they competently lead America in such dangerous times? You get the picture.
Well, occasionally events intervene to change the dynamics (and perception) of a situation. The November 7th election was such an event. Republicans lost control of the Congress, numerous governorships and state legislative seats across the country -- a stern rebuke of GOP leadership over the last several years.
The press, however, has been slow to catch on to the new political environment. In the election's immediate aftermath news stories seemed to continue with the aforementioned "Democrats in disarray" theme. Readers will recall the seemingly endless attention paid to the Democrats' intra-party battle over the Majority Leader position and the chairmanship of the important House Intelligence Committee. It was if nothing had changed.
Well, the press is slow these days (after all, it only took them three years to finally start asking tough questions about the Iraq War), but they seem to be coming around.
In the wake of the deteriorating situation in Iraq, the Baker Hamilton report and Henry Bonilla's disastrous loss in the 23rd Congressional District of Texas race, even Paul Burka is beginning to see cracks in that facade known as GOP unity. His editor, Evan Smith, has a fascinating interview with former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey in the upcoming issue of Texas Monthly. Armey apparently pulls few punches, and reserves some special comments for his former Texas colleague, Tom DeLay. (It's been a long time, but evidently Armey hasn't forgotten about DeLay's failed coup to take him out as Majority Leader a decade or so ago.)
Additionally, today brought news that former Georgia Republican Congressman (and Clinton impeachment heavy) Bob Barr is defecting to Libertarian Party, citing "disillusionment" with the GOP on issues like spending and privacy.
Looks like Republicans are setting up their own circular firing squad.
Posted by houtopia at December 16, 2006 04:53 PM