Senate GOP leader says party must change

If the GOP, by some miracle, finds some honesty in their political rhetoric and actions, a few of their lost sheep might return. Mr/ Bush did them in and virtually destroyed the Republican party. A total replacement of the good ole boy network to a more 'people' oriented and friendly approach might help them.....but then they'd be Democrats!

So long as "Barack the Magic Negro" and "Star Spanglish Banner" are considered humorous by the contenders for the RNC chair, the Repubs will be in the minority for a very long time.

schwannomin, unless your Al Sharpton why would anyone be offended about about "BarackThe Magic Negro"? If you had ever heard the song you would know it is only a dig at him. Maybe your just regurgitating talking points? I think the main lesson here is not to listen to Dems when they offer advice on how to rebuild their opposition.

Have I heard the song? No. And neither have about 250 million Americans. But, I bet a whole lot of Americans heard these were titles of songs distributed by a candidate for the chair of the party. If that's not spectacularly stupid PR, there is no such thing. That Saltsman even thought this garbage was funny is evidence of just how out of touch the party is. Another thing the majority of Americans understand is that there were more cowboy hats at the RNC convention last year than black people.

So long as this is the party of white heterosexual men (and, to a lesser extent, women) the party will forever be the minority. And rightofcenter, I'm fine with it.

Just for the sake of argument, how many Americans saw John McCain use air quotes when referring to women's health? How about the number of people who heard Ann Coulter refer to single women as the cause of all of America's social ills?

I fully understand what McCain was getting at, but he was just stupid, stupid, stupid to refer to women's health in such a way.

And nobody knows what Ann Coulter is getting at. That woman is a nut job. But the beauty of the party is you guys let the nut jobs be your spokespeople.

Ah, you don't want to talk about why the GOP is losing its majority status? You want to bash Obama and the stimulus plan. Something that is not even the topic of this article or the message board.

The fact is you guys lost this election. The fact is you lost in 2006. And as the demographics of the country continue to shift, we can expect immigrant and black bashing to continue to drive your party into a weakened minority position. McConnell is right. The party does have to change, but Mr. Saltsman is still a candidate for the chair of the party! Ann Coulter still sells millions of books! Rush Limbaugh is still followed by millions of people! That is not change anyone should believe in.

Yep the 800 billion Bush spent and the trillions lost in a war to no where has produced an economy and jobless rate we can be proud of. How much did it cost in lost wages for workers in the last 8 years of GOP madness. Make the rich richer by billions hundreds of billions and they will let some trickle down get real GOP. Your V.P. candidate is married to a high school dropout as is her son now in the military and her daughter a teenager who has a baby out of wedlock and her mother was a pregnant unwed mother as well. That Paqlin is a real symbol of family unity religious leadership a real gem. And McCain the veteran hater who has failed his fellow soldiers from vietnam till today. GOP has nothing left Fear mongering didn't win and America wants a chance to reestablish family values and religious principals.

What party sold us an uneeded three trillon dollar war based on subversion and duplicity and now tells the nation, the crushed middle class and small business does not need a federal help? They continue to spew, "we should continue trickle-down supply-side economics"!

I rest my case! RIP GOP!

Don't forget the vulgar spectacle of Wall St. biggies awarding themselves huge bonuses after going, hat in hand, to the govt and begging for welfare because of their screwups.

Somehow I don't think any of them can be called dems, or libs or left wing. Greedy, thumb their noses at the rest of us incompetents seems more apt.

As long as Coulter, Rush, Hannity and the rest do all they can to divide us with their juvenile name calling and polarizing blather the repubs can go straight to hell. They sound more like agitators looking for another civil war than serious commentators.

The GOP has put the American People in this financial mess, from getting involved in a war we need not have had, deregulating the rules to pad their pockets, greed, dishonor,

racial distortion, very pathetic and in the name of God no less. Hippocrates, pathetic

delusions and an unnecessary arrogance. Palin and your band of disturbing lies, may you be buried in the s..t that you shovel.

No worse that what you lefties shovel.

for reseachplz--Read the bill: It is full of pork like a pigs A##. It is just more ridiculous spending by The demorats. Very little in there is any help to the immediate economy, and what little there is won't help for years. Another example of the Dems doing their level best to not only control the American people, but destroy America as a whole.

Even Republicans are tired of Republicans-

Hey Right of center. Why don't you find some black people and call them magic negros and let me know how many teeth you have left

Jake - Excellent point!

Hey jake, why don't you ask the liberal that came up with the phrase?

Since none of the GOP party voted 'Yes' to the stimulus package, I would certainly hope that they too will reject every penny that is sent to their districts or states once the stimulus package is approved and executed. I like to see how the citizens of their districts respond to their overwhelming rejection of any governmental assistance of job creation in their states/districts when clearly everyone is loosing their jobs.

Sounds like a winner if we would be exempt from the raise in taxes when the bill comes due.

reseachplz wrote:

Rightofcenter.....why don't you "read" what is in the plan...there is NO pork laden, unless as most re-pus's think if it's to help American people than it's pork...to build a bridge to nowhere is not. Good bye fear mongering, American haters GOP...go back under the rockfor which you came

Seriously.... have YOU read the 647 pages?

readthestimulus dot org/hr1_text.pdf

And your definition of pork must be very dissimilar to many others. There may not be an overabundance of bacon in it, but surely even someone as venomous as you appear by your response would have to agree that $335,000,000 for the study of STD's will not help the economy one iota.

If you believe that figure to be incorrect and just urban legend and rightwing republican propoganda, then you have most definitely not read the stimulus package.I am 100% for a package designed to boost the economy, to help the workforce, to assist those who have lost houses, to help people get jobs and recover, but there are way too many parts of the bill that are really superfluous and going to causes that should be addressed separately

May I suggest a little reading first. Here it is in a very nice spreadsheet format detailing where the dollars will go:

spreadsheets dot google dot com/ccc?key=pV-c6t5fOVmNorqMpHvnCMw

So, according to Rush - Obama's win was "about Race, All about Race - does that mean the Repubs, your preciosu party is now guilty of the same thing????

What will Rush do now that a Black man is in charge of the White House AND the RNC....he may just have to go commit suicide...one could only hope - then the world would be rid of that disgusting drug addicted pig who does nothing but try to divide our country with his hate rhetoric!

The question is -what will the Dems do if they can't play the race card?

Trying to put a new "face" on the GOP. Perhaps they should have made a Hispanic" choice, since they will be the key in future elections.

What is venomous about being concerned about expanding entitlement spending in a "stimulus package"?

"Sounds like a winner if we would be exempt from the raise in taxes when the bill comes due"

Ok, we'll let You Republicans pay off the enormous debt that you put us in to, fair enough.

you angry liberals are too much stelle is a sharp guy and you should be concerned.

LOL, An AA token for the Grieving Old Party of rednecks and their god, guns, and gays.

"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" - WOW, it not about the color of the skin (except to the GOP), it is about the policies & helping Americans get ahead? He is right about one thing, the GOP party needs to change. As long as "Rush" leads the party, it will never change - good luck with that!

The GOP policies gave us the Great Depression II & the Great Depression I - they will never change.

Rich,

This angry liberal hopes he is a sharp guy. We need to work together to find solutions to some serious issues that have obviously not been addressed the past eight years. I hope the man is thick skinned, I can't believe the bigots in this country will like this man any better just because he is a Republican than they like the President.

As an Independent right of center I believe this is a good start to redefine the Republican party. Rush and the Fox puppets have almost destroyed what was once a party of the people. I believe the right wing fundamentalist should start their own party and let the Republicans move toward the center. The extremes either left or right do not represent the majority of the people.

Eleven Democrats along with all of the Republicans voted "no" on the House version of the "stimulus" package. That was a bi-partisan vote.

Nevertheless, the "stimulus" package was passed in the House by only Democrat votes. That's highly partisan.

So, the "no" vote was bi-partisan while the "yes" vote was purely partisan. Maybe there's something wrong with that plan, like way too much pork and not enough stimulus. But as a country, we'll never make progress until all (or at least most) of the mindless hatred, such as that on this website, ceases.

You people need to emerge from the swamp of irrational hate.

you angry liberals are too much stelle is a sharp guy and you should be concerned.

Yes, seriously what's with all the Democrats posting here being so riled up and mad? I could understand it in 2004 after Bush stole Florida and the position, but geesh people take a chill pill.

I am actively perusing the spreadsheet and hope that I'll soon uncover where Pelosi hid the funding for the millions needed to supply Librium to all of them. Gotta be in there somewhere otherwise we're in for a boatload of trouble in this country with 57,000,000 sore winners running around with anger issues.

You white guys have had your chance to screw-up the country.... Now it's time for the black guys to screw it up!

Now all we need is a song like "Steele, the token for the broken"

I think the Democrats will be doing the most to get the Republicans back in the majority.

I've listened to Steele. Good for him. I like him.

You white guys have had your chance to screw-up the country.... Now it's time for the black guys to screw it up!

Not meant in a racist way at all, but judging by how well the black guys handle the affairs in their countries in Africa, I would surmise that nothing much will change.

In other words, politicians of ALL races are equally incapable.

Steele is a very smart man and only the Democrates have something to loose with this choice...but it is not about Democrate or Republican...it's about getting the right people in place to leed this country in the right direction and I think that this is a good step forward!

Rightofcenter It's too bad that you are not intelligent enough to know when to use "your" (possessive of you) and "you're" (contraction of you are). See post #1.3. Well perhaps you're not completely lost -- you did use "their" correctly, instead of "there". Seems like "iggorance" is rampant - especially in the GOP these days.

Lets see, the Democrats bring a great man to lead our country and become the first President of color and then the Republicans feel a need to have a token person of color so they seem in step. I find it appalling that the Republicans are so racially "fair weather" thinkers.

What you guys see as bigotry is nothing more than disliking someones political beliefs. I would have voted for that BLACK man Brian Steele over McCain any day. Liberals are the ones who divide this country up by race, class or any other group they can create. That keeps the people from uniting and gives them the opportunity to pander to the special interests of each group.

Voter in LA-just checked up on your claim that $350,000,000 in the stimulus package is for the research of STD's maybe you should read the bill instead of spewing Flush Rimjob's talking points before you take others to task on it. The bill actually gives the stated amount to the prevention of HIV/AIDS, STD's, viral hepatitis (Hep C) and tuberculosis. This is notably different than what you claim. If you think that the prevention (and treatment) of these diseases will not benefit the economy then you're deluded or maybe just ignorant. STD's and other infectious diseases are 2 of the 9 leading causes of death. Not to mention they result in unnecessary disease burden, loss of work hours, loss of productive, wage earning members of society, disability costs that run into the billions, and adding additional stress to our already overtaxed healthcare system. Not to mention that the prevention, and treatment, of these diseases does employ many clinicians and allied healthcare workers. And you think this is just pork? Were not just talking about treating the genital warts on your shriveled penis which has probably infected several women and will result in cervical cancer, infertility, and unknown suffering. You need to learn some serious reasoning skills.

Dude the only pork on this posting is between your ears. And please do us another favor and wear a condom so you'll prevent the spread of your genetic code.

They - 1

The other they - 1

Fisherman114, I agree, Bush did destroy the Republican party but not to worry, Obama will do the same for the Democrat party

Wake up, Mr Steele: it's your Elephants doing the obstructing. If you guys prevent anything being done to salvage the economy you destroyed over the last 8 years, we all go down the toilet together.

As long as the Republican Party remains so conservative, so right of center, they will be further marginalized. America is leaving the extreme dogmatic ideologies (right and left) behind for a very pragmatic cetner. The more it is educated, the faster this process will happen.

Look at the results of the presidential election, and note that the states were divided along the same line as the Civil War for heaven's sake.

While I like that the new RNC leader is more moderate than the other contenders, and is a qualified individual, the selection is tokenism. As for the comment about ending Republican obstructionism, good luck.

For those of you who seem to be way off topic....this blog is about Michael Steele!!! This is a good move for the Republican party. Mr Steele is a very intelligent man and a great selection. Read up in him and I think that you will agree. For those making rude comments about the Rep party choosing him to keep up with the Dems for choosing Obama because of race, you are idiots!

You white guys have had your chance to screw-up the country.... Now it's time for the black guys to screw it up!

Not meant in a racist way at all, but judging by how well the black guys handle the affairs in their countries in Africa, I would surmise that nothing much will change.

In other words, politicians of ALL races are equally incapable

Voter in la,

How can the above statement not be racist?

I wish the guy well. He's got a job not many would want to take on. Of course, he'll be paid well for it whether he succeeds or not.

See how silly the republicans are? They put Palin as VP just to attract Clinton female supporters, and now Steele to attract minorities. What they don;t realize is that most of America is not that stupid! They need quality, not genetics. They must understand, that Blacks truly did not vote for Obama because he is black but because they honestly believe in him, as well as the majority of America. When Jesse Jackson ran, the support among the black community was not as strong. People do not only care about female or se, they care about integrity, competence, passion, and solutions. Until the Republican party understands that, everything that they try to do will not work.

Extremely well put clarke ong

No kidding Reaganomics didn't and doesn't work. Well, it has worked for the rich, big money, corporations, and the religious right.

I am not half as afraid of BIG government as I am of BIG oil, BIG corporations and BIG influence on BIG government. How about Wall Street that was investing your money? Where was the oversight when they were paying out the bonuses and buying the jets? When the lobbyist has more power than me, that is wrong.

Spend the money making jobs for working people. We need to work. We need money to ever hope to have it to spend again. The GOP cares about protecting their big money friends, the "right wing", and their jobs.

Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me"

Think of that next time you watch another family get tossed out of their home or a child get kicked off of medical assistance. Think of that when your husband comes home layed off. Think of that when you take home your "to go" package and you walk by the homeless man.

Perhaps we could consider the unborn the least of our society, and quit volitonally dismembering them.In this regard, the Republican party is the party that has best supported these precious little ones.

Regarding Rule #3 I would say that as long as abortion is a legal form of birth control, we do not "support" the least. Killing innocent unborn babies is the worst example of "whatsovever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

God bless America: sigh- when did abortion become part of this conversation? you one issue voters are something

Robbin-358688 You wrote this in response to a pro-life comment "you one issue voters are something." How do you know that author is a one issue voter?

And If anyone chooses to be a one issue voter, I can't think of a better issue to promote than pro-life because without the right to life, all other issues are meaningless. Why don't you know that?

manuremaven said:

"I am not half as afraid of BIG government as I am of BIG oil, BIG corporations and BIG influence on BIG government."

Then you obviously have never studied history.

Big oil, big government, big money... I am most afraid of big phuchups.

OMG!! I didn't mean to fire up the Pro-lifers!!

They can so easily disregard any and all other forms of suffering and injustice in the living world.

I am sorry.

you didn't mean to manuremaven lol.... they were probably pro war also

Interesting choice. I guess the fundamentalists may not carry so much weight after all in the Republican Party. The RNC has a pro-choice chairman now. One can only imagine what some right wingers might be thinking. Congratulations and good luck, Mr. Steele. You are going to have your hands full with the Republican base.

All presidents DO something "right" for some, not for others.

Get on your Marx. Get set. Stop.

Rule #1 for the new party......Reagonomics doesn't work. You mean economics? Capitalism is the only economic system that has ever worked. Even in a dictatorship, the black market is what thrives and it is based on capitalist principles. Name a country that has done more good for the world than the US and it's capital system? Taxing by the government is a drag on capitalism. Regulations by government are a drag on capitalism. Drags on capitalism are drags on the economy. I guess most of you will start screaming "corrupt CEO" but what made that possible? Look to government.

Rule #2........Good government can be small, or good government can be big. Give an example of a "good" big government. Our founding fathers understood that government must be kept at the least possible size. The Constitution is very specific about the limitations of government and leaves everything else up to the states. We have lost sight of this. Probably as a result of the fine liberal education system we have. The larger the government the greater the graft and waste. Are you trying to tell me you are satisfied with the graft and waste in our government? I do not advocate no government, just the least government possible. I believe we could do with a whole lot less.

Rule #3........We shall be judged on how we support the least of our citizens Support must be defined. I support my kids but there comes a time they must support themselves. I would do them a disservice if I failed to train them to take care of themselves. Do you argue that our present social programs are designed around creating self dependancy? The American Dream use to be about making your life better by working hard, developing your skills and knowing you were free to do so. What is it today? I see people who think they "deserve" everything. Isn't that the word that is always used? They deserve a "living wage". They "deserve" health care. They "deserve" a break today. If most people were standing in line for what they deserve, I think most would step out of line.

As for Mr. Steele, this base member wanted him to run for President before O was even mentioned.

Rhonda-to answer your question about why doesn't Robbin know that all other issues compared to the right to life is meaningless is because Robbin is probably smarter than you. You see life is cheap, plain and simple. GW proved this by causing and unnecessary war resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and a few thousand of our military. Read your history, human life has been a bloodbath. It's now an excess of human life and meeting all their needs that is laying waste to our planet and may result in our own self destruction. The eradication of a few unfinished fetal cells is meaningless and may actually be doing some good. A good 30% of those pregnancies would probably end in miscarriage anyway. And for those that don't I doubt you're willing to adopt, feed, clothe, educate, or provide them with a loving home So before swallowing all the simpering, christian rhetoric and lies fed to you by some preacher who's milking your wallet, brain, and doing god knows what to your kids, or having sex with the local gay escort, pray for wisdom.

Pedro - Maybe your abortion would have been for the better?

Phillip-you go first. I'm already a productive, wage earning, tax paying, and highly valued member of society. Are you??

I always thought that smaller government thing was pretty dumb.Government should be the exact size it needs to be to serve the citizens effectively. As far as this huy getting elected to the head of the RNC I say so what. There has to be a major change in this party and no matter who is the head of the RNC thats not going to happen. Less face facts. Right now nobody knows what consevatism is any more. Second Republicans only goal is getting the rich richer and the poor poorer. Their message means nothing when they voice it. They say one thing to get votes and do another. What did the evangelicals get or the right to lifers or the Catholics under Bush. Nada. Zippo. Once the voted for him he forgot they existed. What did conservative swing voters get? A smaller government and a balanced budget? Nope the git an ever growing government and the national debt went up 100%+ under Bush.

Old sayng if talk the talk you better walk the walk. Case in point Bohner of Ohio the whip in the House under Bush who pushed budgets through the house and help run up the huge defecits is now knocking the recovery bill. He says something like we do not want our grandchildren to inherit our debts. Well the debt on the new stimulus will not be sent to our grandchildre or great grandchildren try maybe our great great grandchildren. Bush took care of the other two with his 5Trillion + defecits and more to come.

Now Mr Steele is the leader of the Republican party's RNC. I hear he ran in his state and could not even mention he was a Republican. Wonder if he will mention it now?

Pedro - Have been from day 1 (conception day). Let me ask you a question since you brought it up. What is the difference between 1 cell dividing and becoming two, two cells dividing and becoming 4 and 1 billion cells dividing and becoming 2 billion?

As to my comment, I was merely agreeing that maybe society would be better off with the destruction of certain births. It's your theory.

Manure.... in one paragraph you say you're afraid of big companies and in the next you want to spend money to create jobs. There must be a disconnect somewhere in the space between your ears! Companies are all about jobs! 'Big oil' hires, and pays very good wages, to thousands if not millions of workers that keep this country going. Big government, on the other hand, hires a lot of people pushing papers that no one ever reads. Big government, through it's refusal to accept that pushing and guaranteeing loans for people who would never pay them back, is the root cause of the housing mess which is the root cause of the financial mess. Yes, your left-wing CEOs had no moral problems ripping people off for hundreds of millions but they aren't the ones who caused people to lose their homes and life savings.

As for 'supporting the least...', the governments job is not to support anyone, it's to guarantee the opportunity to better oneself. The majority of those being supported by the government have been being supported all their lives by the government, which continues 'buying their vote' instead of pushing them to better themselves and develop a bit of personal pride instead of whining about being a victim of some sort.

Reagonomics doesn't work? Reagonomics is when those with available money or credit who are willing to put it at risk by starting a business and hiring people. That creates jobs which spreads the income from the business to others. If the business gets big, they sell stock and the stockholders share in the profit and growth of the company. Who are the stockholders? People building a nest egg for personal use and retirement and people who have money but not an idea to start their own company. Who benefits? All involved. What can cause a problem? The governement raising taxes on their products and suppliers can cause a drop in profits which can mean a loss of jobs or a downturn in the value of the stock. Unions going on strike for a contract that will make it difficult or impossible to make a profit... again causing problems for the future of the company.

What is the alternative to Reagonomics? Obama stated that jobs were first. I'm not sure how that would work since a job requires an employer. I think that Obama considers the government as the main employer in this nation, so the government will employ the workers. Since the government doesn't make a merchantable product, the only way for it to get money is by taxing the people or printing money. Either of those will cause hardship on the employed, one by taking his earnings and the other by cutting the value of his earnings. Of course there is always the European socialist concept of the government nationalizing the businesses and running them... but wait, that has never been successful before and is currently being shown to be a disaster in Europe. Oh well, with the 'brilliant, criminally adept' people Obama has put into position around him I'm sure he'll show that no one in history has ever come close to his level! (Of course, any thinking person wouldn't want to stoop that low.)

So that's your problem with Hannity?

Most Conservatives, (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Working Families Party, etc) think this bill is too laden with pork and will not help soon enough. The CBO even says only 4% of it will reach the economy.

So, we have been calling on the Republicans to say no, and they did just that. They are listening to us, its the rest of the group that has not heard our voices on the wall street bailouts and now this pork project catch all that Obama is passing as a stimulous package.

Please read this bill Amy instead of blindy voting for it. You would be surprised at the waste.

Amy - The rest of the old guard Republicans will be replaced in the May primaries and in the fall election. Hopefully there will be a totally new and enlightened generation to take over.

I agree. I am so angry at those republicans for keeping Bush's partisan BS alive. This is after all, Bush's bailout - his solution to our current economic condition. I will not vote for another republican until they give up this crap and get to work on a bi-partisan basis.

i hope they stick with good old sarah and they can have joe the plumber run with her... yeah lets go wing nuts yeah sarah

rbach,

BE VERY CAREFUL what you wish for!

Funny how we are hearing almost completely from just the same old left wing partisan hacks on this board about the evils of partisanship. We have learned our lesson, and its time to walk the walk as shown be the House vote. When we want to fade out of existence we will ask for your input.

Right of center. You ask for our input every two years. Do you really want to silence those who have grown to hate your party? Maybe the party should consider changing to be less loathsome?

By all means- sing long and loud. We do not want any confusion as to who believes what come 2010.

james

I would just love for the Greed Over Patriotism party to stick with the evilgelicals and trump failin palin as their savior for I truly believe America has awaken to the fear mongering hateful tricks and lies of the current Greed Over Patriotism party, they have been nothing but partisan obstructionists for the last 2 + years ans seem to be continuing on that same vane. People see how they say one thing (that would be good for America) then stick their hands in the taxpayers pockets while they continue to rape them

Rightofcenter: Unfortunately, you don't need any help fading out of existence. I think you seriously underestimate how angry the American public is with your party.

rightofcenter

You seem to have no clue how sick so many of us are with your stupid, meaningless name calling of those who don't agree with you.

Keep it up, you are on the long slide down to oblivion.

I don't see any name calling accept from you jw welch. carrie, I agree you folks on the left do seem to stay angry all the time so I guess we will just have to deal with that as reality but to presume that your point of view speaks for the American people- especially when the dems have all the power and will not be able to blame anyone else- is wishful thinking at best on your part. This is how this will happen, in 15 months either there will be unbridled prosperity for all and the dems will be heroes or you guys will be wishing you could get up to Bush's exit approval numbers. BTW- all this gloating happened in 94 from our side but the dems are still around so go figure.

The republicans want to add the pork, their jets, bathrooms and disgusting extravagance has been ok for the past 8 yrs+ NO MORE. It's time to be accountable. I think that the republicans are having a big tantrum....NEW DAY NEW WAY doesn't work for them. Say good bye lobbyist!

Most importantly the "old boys way" no longer works for the American People. The Vote for a NEW President, one that does not pit one side against the other. that time is here. Kudos to Obama for being open to including all Americans in the opportunity to

bring back credibility to the United States. If the republicans consider themselevs not part of the solution, they will continue to be part of the problem. They will eventually be replaced by people who will be part of the solution.

God Bless American, keep us safe. Allow the people who are not sincere in helping this Great Country get back on it's feet, be GONE!!

BE GONE to prejudice, racial sickness (Rush are you still on drugs??)

Seems to me like everyone is forgetting the congress has been controlled by the Dems for the last two years, and have done nothing to improve the situation. All their election promises seem to have been forgotten in order to satisfy their own agendas. I believe in two years the majority of people will wake up to the fact that Dem majority is a bad way to go. They are attempting to spend us into prverty and have been succeeding. They need to be stopped now.

keep blaming the democrat congress... BS ! Bush vetoed all the good bills they wanted to pass !!!! Now, they are passing those bills ! stem cells research, equal pay for women for equal work, children health and on and on..... have nt you notice all the bills being passed all of a sudden? you, moron.

It is your party who is guilty of all the mess, not the democrats. and now, blame Obama. Dam n if he does, dam n if he does'nt !

It is so true what you just said. And now I have to say that it seems as if they are too stubborn and set in their ways to learn. Just like they thought that if they picked Sarah Palin as VP ...all of Hillary disappointed followers would just jump on board for after all...they all are women...right. Well, we all know how that ended. Most of Hillary supporters grabbed hold of Obama for he after everything was said and done..embodied the same VIEWS as Hillary which translates into the fact that they were intelligent supporters that went after Hillary in the first place because of her policies first and the fact she was a woman was the added bonus. Not the other way around. Sarah did not hold a candle to Hillary and her intelligent followers understood the difference. Now, the GOP thinks that African Americans will see Michael Steele and flock to him along with other minorities.....AGAIN...another sad calculation that is shallow at its basic premise...We will not flock behind Steele ...we recognize a chocolate dipped white ultra conservative when we see him. We would no more flock behind steele than Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court. YOU SEE..GOP...we follow ideas and policies that best speak to our interest whether women or minorities. WE are not dumb by any stretch of the imagination....but you keep pulling these stumps ... I am going have to be forced to think you are.

Well said SRD!!!!!! I guess we (i am African American) were supposed to just run to the RNC now that they have one of the few brown faces in the party at the helm. Sorry! we vote policies and issues not race- WRONG AGAIN RNC!!!!

The stimulus vote and the stimulus bill will make us all irrelevant.

For Schwannomin to make reference to nutjobs being spokesman for the Republican party is pretty hypocritical considering the likes of Al Gore, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Diane Feinstein and the list goes on and on and on and on.......

Michael Steele is a perfect choice to lead the party. He is not an insider, is bright, energetic and won't roll over to the Democrats. I would have rather he run for President...but maybe in four years.

There goes Amy spouting off her usual brand of ignorance. If you support the so-called stimulus plan you are a moron and should be immediately thrown out of office. Ask the democrats why they are giving a 254million dollar tax break to the Hollywood Producers Guild. Is that taking care of the little people....sounds like they are hooking up their wealthy supporters that gave the most during the campaign. More of the same. The stimulus will fail. Obama and the Dems need the Republicans to support it so they aren't holding the whole bag. Pray the senate does not pass this bill...for our childrens sake.

Amy, For once please take off your blinders and read http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1eh.pdf

That is the bill that was passed through congress. It is full of programs that have absolutely nothing to do with stimulating the economy. No it is not pork, but it is full of social programs that have absolutely no bearing on Americas current situation.

Strip it down to what is absolutely necessary to throw a lifeline to the people, not trying to pass every social prrogram wanted in one bill.

Also People rightfully criticize the CEO's for giving bonuses from the 2008 bailout, but why does this bill give a $1000 raise to people that have never worked nor paid tax?

So on one hand you condemn tax paying CEO's for giving out bonuses, and you praise this bill for giving drains to sociey a raise?

Also, since you are so knowledgeable, explain to me why Unemployment has a time limit, when welfare does not?

Trouble with the stimulus for the Republicans its for regular people you know the ones that are not like them. <sarcasm>

I suspect you will find that when the final version gets voted on- the one that actually gets passed into law- a number of Repubs and Dems will vote Yea and Nay. A vote at this point tends to be for political interest only. If you follow bills in Congress you will see that happen many times. They want to make a point and vote one way but then with some modifications to the bills , vote another. I think the vote at this juncture was more a rejection of Pelosi and her" We Won We will do what we want attitude". Harry Reid is correct when he states the final version will enjoy support from both sides of the aisle.

And I did vote for Obama but if you think that his 53% majority popularity vote is a total repudiation of the Republicans , you are mistaken. His win had more to do with his charisma and the hope that he gave people that we could come together than it did with his views. If he had been a Republican and McCain had been a Democrat, Obama still would have won.

No doubt the guy has charisma but so does Palin(I'll call her by her proper name instead of "failin" cuz someone got really mad at me) so what happened there?

I think a lot of people underestimate Obama because they have been told he is an "empty suit" Try getting accepted to Harvard all of you and please post your acceptance letters.

Palin(happy everyone) is very charismatic also but there is no "there there." She was incapable of answering softball questions that I could have and did answer in sixth grade. I am hoping that like Bush she will be too lazy to study up but with her natural assets with knowledge she would be dangerous. In the meantime she is sooooo entertaining!

Also, I am noticing the label "angry liberal" tossed around here like money from Zimbabwe! Did you all miss the inaugural? Those people were so dang happy their faces are probably still sore from smiling. I am still getting estatic msgs from those who actually attended.

So I figure you are saying that to make yourselves feel better or you live in the cave next to Bin Laden. In any case, "liberals" are having the time of their lives right now DON'T get it twisted I have interaction with both sides of the aisle as an independent.

Libs are in heaven, and Repubs I know(live in a red state) are acting as though the entire election did not actually occur. Still stopping by with gifts and cookies, FINE I am not intolerant and the party I want does not even exist!

Out of mercy I am playing along. My republican in-laws are coming to visit and I expect they will pretend Obama does not exist. Noooo problem I am happy to ease their suffering:)

Right of Center -

Your comment was "The main lesson here is not to liten to the dems on how to rebuild their opposition"

I think that is a valid point.

However,

1. They nominated a female candidate to reel in the Hillary dienfrachised voters - how did that work?

2. Now they have a Black leader of the Republican Party -

Now from what I have seen from him in the past is that he is and will be a very capable leader.

But come on .........

If the GOP is going to reject the plan any way, why don't the senate majority put more money into infrastructure? That would create more jobs... Our infrastructure really could use a major upgrade. That is serving people. If Republicans don't want, their roads and grids can remain outdated, I don't have objection to that.

Jamey...problem is..FEDERAL TAX REVENUE INCREASED under GW...its the spending not the tax cuts.

GW lost and GOP lost for not fighting for and standing up for cuts in spending....

If increased govt spending improves the economy....economy should have boomed for the last 8 years...

Another thing....How come no one in the media ever mentions that for almost 4 years of the GW presidency...Dems controlled at least 1 of the houses of congress?

Dems controlled Senate from summer of 2001 until Jan of 2003 (after jim jeffords left GOP and voted with the dems making Tom Daschle leader of the senate)...and have controlled all of the congress for last two years of GW presidency.

when...Iraq war approved, when patriot act past, when GITMO was established , when TARP was approved...all controlled by the dems

Yes. Thank you Chargerguy. Bush was not a fiscal conservative nor did he properly implement tax cuts, which must be accompanied by spending cuts. We need a balanced budget, not more taxes.

Hogwash!! Bush's agenda was to make as many of his conservative buddies and campaign contributers as rich as posible. Using our tax dollors. No child left behind, privatize social security, Iraq, and the biggest joke of them all, homeland security. All failures!! But someone still received our tax dollors. Blackwater ect... His agenda was not for the people of this country. If it would have been, then we would not be in the shape that we are in. Only a fool would think the republican party cares about the common people. And people are waking up. Wake up America!!

Don't forget Halliburton....

Thank You. And Halliburton!!

chargerguy

again you have some facts but miss the big picture. The Greed Over Patriotism party has been using obstructionist tactics for the last several years even when the dems had control by 1 or 2 votes the Greed Over Patriotism party calls it the cloture vote when they use it and they call it the filibuster when the dems use it. The Greed Over Patriotism party has had their hands virtually tied for the entire bush administration

Following is the list of congress followed by senate split between dems and Greed Over Patriotism folks

106th congress 1999-2001
Party Divisions:*
223 Republicans
211 Democrats
1 Independent

107th congress 2001-2003
Party Divisions:*
221 Republicans
212 Democrats
2 Independents

108th congress 2003-2005
Party Divisions:*
229 Republicans
204 Democrats
1 Independent

109th congress 2005-2007
Party Divisions:*
232 Republicans
202 Democrats
1 Independent

110th congress 2007-2009
Party Divisions:*
233 Democrats
202 Republicans
0 Independent

senate

106th Congress (1999-2001)
Majority Party: Republican (55 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (45 seats)
Other Parties: 0

107th Congress (2001-2003)
Majority Party (Jan 3-20, 2001): Democrat (50 seats)
Minority Party: Republican (50 seats)
Other Parties: 0

Majority Party (Jan 20-June 6, 2001): Republican (50 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (50 seats)
Other Parties: 0

Majority Party (June 6, 2001-November 12, 2002 --): Democrat (50 seats)
Minority Party: Republican (49 seats)
Other Parties: 1

Majority Party (November 12, 2002 - January 3, 2003): Republican (50 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (48 seats)
Other Parties: 2

Note: From January 3 to January 20, 2001, with the Senate divided evenly
between the two parties, the Democrats held the majority due to the
deciding vote of outgoing Democratic Vice President Al Gore. Senator
Thomas A. Daschle served as majority leader at that time. Beginning
on January 20, 2001, Republican Vice President Richard Cheney held the
deciding vote, giving the majority to the Republicans. Senator Trent Lott
resumed his position as majority leader on that date. On May 24, 2001,
Senator James Jeffords of Vermont announced his switch from Republican
to Independent status, effective June 6, 2001. Jeffords announced that
he would caucus with the Democrats, giving the Democrats a one-seat
advantage, changing control of the Senate from the Republicans back to
the Democrats. Senator Thomas A. Daschle again became majority leader
on June 6, 2001. Senator Paul D. Wellstone (D-MN) died on October 25,
2002, and Independent Dean Barkley was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The November 5, 2002 election brought to office elected Senator
James Talent (R-MO), replacing appointed Senator Jean Carnahan (D-MO),
shifting balance once again to the Republicans -- but no reorganization
was completed at that time since the Senate was out of session.

108th Congress (2003-2005)
Majority Party: Republican (51 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (48 seats)
Other Parties: Independent (1 seat)

109th Congress (2005-2007)
Majority Party: Republican (55 seats)
Minority Party: Democrat (44 seats)
Other Parties: Independent (1 seat)

110th Congress (2007-2009)
Majority Party: Democrat (49 seats)
Minority Party: Republican (49 seats)
Other Parties: 1Independent; 1 Independent Democrat

Dems controlled the senate..when IRAQ war approved...when patriot act past Tom Daschle was leader of the senate.... so were was I wrong in saying DEMS controlled 1 or more of the houses of congress for almost 4 years of GW presidency.

Dems controlled ALL OF CONGRESS last 2 years of GW presidency..when TARP past..

Btw the fact DEMS get so upset at HALIBURTON a successful US company that provides services world wide..amazes me..

Dems so brain washed and brain dead....all e Liberal has to say is "haliburton" and all of you non thinker node your heads...like Sheep...

Tell me again the Issue with HALIBURTON? besides no bide contracts.....becaue if you LIBERALS had whined and attacked CLINTON for his NO BID contracts with Haliburton back in the 1990's....you might have a leg to stand on...but because you did not....your attacks on HALIBURTON are nothing but pure politics

Its like the RENDITION PROGRAM dems and ACLU attack GW for it....yet ITS a clinton program he inherited and continued on... but NONE of you whiners attacked Clinton for it..

once again its just all POLITICS..very little principle or real concern with ethics or human rights.

When talking with a soldier newly returned from Iraq. I told him the property next to the Restaurant we were at belonged to Haliburton. He said good now I know where to piss. He was not a D.

chargerguy

take off your wing nut hat and reread my post, I did not say you were wrong I did point out you totally missed the big picture. But since you insist ....

you state DEMS controlled 1 or more of the houses of congress for almost 4 years of GW presidency. and this is WRONG look at the real actual numbers above they are from the congressional website give account of who was in charge. As for the house of representatives, the Greed Over Patriotism party were in total control until 2007 so dems had control there for 2 years. For the senate 2001 through 2003 the control actually flip flopped between both parties DEMS had a total of 18 months of control in 2001 then control went back to Greed Over Patriotism party until 2007 so no the dems did not have control of 1 or both houses for 4 years of bushwackers presidency they had control of the senate for 3 years and 6 months and the house for 2 years

News flash the reason people get so upset over haliburton is because it is cheney's company the company that was given no bid contracts, the company that charges US taxpayers for everything they loose and then charge us again, the company that moved their headquarters offshore so they do not pay US taxes on their profits in the 90s the contracts were bid contracts, check it out

funny chargerguy you always give misinformation and when I don't call you on stretching the truth but point out the big picture regarding the obstruction from the Greed Over Patriotism party you have to start yapping nonsense about it's all clinton's fault

Looks like palin sealed that deal. Be gone the party to nowhere!

Hey Jamey

so why dont you just write a big fat check to the government if you dont feel your taxes are high enough or is it you feel others should but your contribution is enough.

Hey Jamey

so why dont you just write a big fat check to the government if you dont feel your taxes are high enough or is it you feel others should but your contribution is enough.

Chargerguy

Are all neo conservatives as delusional as you are?? All you people know to do is open you big fat mouth to spit lies and twisted facts. Please crawl back under your rock or move to the middle east. They pray 5 time a day over there.

This is just my opinion on the political parties so take it worth a grain of salt if you don’t agree. BOTH parties have failed us. I am a young black woman that was raised Democrat. From the time I was 18 until I was 22 I voted Democrat religiously. If you asked me why, I couldn’t give you an honest answer besides “it’s just how I vote”. As I got older, started paying taxes and raising a family I became more interested in what my money was being spent on. Every pay check I would see these massive deductions and always wondered who was FICA and why did I owe this person so much money. I spent about 3 months doing research, listening to news and reading various government agency budgets to find out where my money went…boy was it eye opening. Voting along party lines was no longer an option. After that prior to each election I would do a lot of homework on each proposition and candidate and cast my vote accordingly. I was surprised by the sheer number or Republican candidates I found myself voting for.

I will be the first to admit, it was kind of surreal voting for the party that I was always taught hates black people. It took a long time before I could admit to anyone that I voted for the evil Republicans but as I started to speak with those I look up to and those I work with I found out that a lot of the people that I loved, those whose political viewpoints I enjoyed were also Republicans or at least conservatives. There is nothing wrong with having a differing political view, there is however something deeply wrong with chastising and degrading people that do. I’ve been called an Uncle Tom, a bootlicker and various other names by “my people” for having a different opinion. The one constant from each incident with each person that spoke so negatively that became painfully obvious was that many of those people that insulted me the most because of my beliefs, couldn’t even express their own. Anytime I would challenge any of my naysayers to a political debate or a simple exchange their political ignorance was exposed. The Democrats have been very successful at keeping certain demographics within their party lines with very little work. Republicans on the other hand do a very poor job of articulating the positives of their party which could cause their own demise.

Anyone that says our current economic and moral declines were caused by one party is an idiot at best. We do not have very many politicians that actually work for the betterment of the American people, most look to improve their own financially standings and the standings of those that can benefit them. Make no mistake, Republicans and Democrats are equally guilty of this offense, the Democrats just have a better PR team to hide their dirty laundry. Hypocrisy is rampant on both sides of the fence. The Democrats claim to be the party of the little guy and the minorities (try looking into the Democrats role in slavery and tell me how the party felt about minorities not that long ago) yet the most vulnerable members of society aren’t even considered human beings, they are fetuses and embryos but never a human baby. How in the world is allowing the execution of unborn human beings looking out for the little guy? Now don’t get me wrong, as much as it pains me to say aborting a baby has its place. If the mothers physical health is in jeopardy or in the instance of rape (which only account for 6% of abortions), terminating the pregnancy is understandable. Unfortunately the vast majorities of abortions are because of a lack of personal responsibility on the mother and/or fathers part. The Republicans are hypocrites for allows citing small government as one of the primary goals of their party but under the Bush administration government has grown by 40%.

In closing I guess what I am trying to say is don’t be a sheep. Don’t fall for the bull and lies of the main stream media or the politicians. Have your beliefs and hold on to them firmly, but don’t believe in these things simply because they were regurgitated by someone else. Don’t fall for the old divide and conquer tricks that are so prevalent in this political climate. Don’t fall for what you’re TOLD; stand up for what you KNOW. Let’s get back to the times when politicians worked for us instead of us literally working for them. Anway, that’s enough clichés for one post, everyone (silly liberal and evil conservative alike) have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Amen Only1,

Research and vote the responsible way. We have allowed the Congress/Senate to forget they serve their constituents.

Vote either Rep/Dem/Ind but vote for the person who you think best represents you, not along party lines.

Very good post. Just a follow up to voting along party lines. It is done entirely too much. If we took away the party designation on ballots, 90% of the population would not have any idea on who to vote for because they vote like sheep. I have helped many people register to vote and am not allowed to suggest a party designation nor do I. To those that are truly confused I do tell that that I am glad they are going to vote and if they want advice on WHO to vote for, my only advice was to see what they stand for and see how honest you think they are. My personal belief that I always try to vote for the person I think is the most honest( ok I admit THAT is hard to do- they all lie) as I would rather know the devil that is gonna screw me than vote for someone solely on the Party they are in without having any idea of how badly they are gonna screw me.

Pa. Biker, I couldn't agree more. As a former lifelong republican, I grew disgusted with the neocons, the narrow issue religious right and their "family values" and abortion issues that took my party hostage. They need to get back to their basics and boot the special interests lunatics out. Then and only then is when I will come back. According to what I've read, however, the powers in the party think that they aren't being crazy enough. If so, then they should prepared to watch their party die.

I bet neither of you can tell me what a NEOCON is...

chargerguy

how about chicken hawks like bush, cheney and rumsfeld

definition of a neocon: fascist.

You mean like those that follow Obama blindly?

dvolkma

no the fascists are gone they included, bush, cheney, rumsfeld, rove, gonzalez

look up the definition of fascists and you will see how all the media control, the fear mongering, the stepping on the constitution are all fascists ploys

So you mean poeple like Gore...the kind that instill fear!

Media control? By republicans? I missed that one!

philli

how could you have missed that for 6 of the 8 years of the bush regime the media tip toed around everything from the bushwacker, they never pressed regarding WMD, they never pressed regarding the ties between Iraq and 9/11, they never questioned or they would have been denied access there is still no shots of the dead troops returning home, there are many bush rules still being carried out by the media, if you bothered to do a tiny bit of research you will find very few companies own the "news" and they are all run by Greed Over Patriotism folks

You just keep hearing from your heroes, dope head limbaugh and blow hole oriley about the liberal press and with no thought on your part you believe them hook line and sinker

have you even read the bill? have you looked at the NYT summary? Have you listened to the opposing sides arguements why this will not work? My guess is no, you just blindly follow along like all the Bushies before you.

This thing is a mess, and if you don't beleive me, read it yourself. Given that the last bail out stimulous package didn't work, i am surprised you goose step to the one so readily.

But just blame it one someone else, takes the responsibility off of us to actually police our government.

Bill?
I agree with you about the bail out being a clusterf__k and no I don't believe it will solve the problems in our economy. But I do need to point out, Obama said, "if you have a better idea, or something that will work, let's hear it". Instead of offereing anything BETTER....the Republicans voted "No". I believe the vote is still ideology driven and not in the best interest of our country. Even Conservative Dan Lungren said, "the bail out doesn't go far enough" and suggested that additional incentives to stimulate the economy are needed." That from an ultra-conservative Republican.

IMO....it is time to set aside the rabid idealogy.....express a common goal, roll up our sleeves and get this issue solved so our country is never... NEVER in this position again.

JT,

Are you aware that everything the Republicans offered up, Pelosi blocked from the bill?

James--I read what the Republicans offered up--most of it was corporate tax cuts, the least effective way of stimulating the economy (according to Moody.com) and the same tired path the neo-cons tried for the last eight years.

the real marie - Apparently you have not read the bill enough times to understand the bill. When you do, please tell me how this bill will put people back to work and create jobs. This bill is nothing more that stupid spending!!!!

Agree. Obama needs to move on without those jerks.

Nancy Pelosi and her gang are the major cause of this Economic problem. Don't blame Bush...it's been congress in the last two years that has messed up everything. Bush is only the fall guy. Congress has been in her control for 2 years now..and look how miserably she has failed. She is the biggest waste to american politics. The sooner we oust her and cronies...the better all of America will be. She can take her private jet and pay for it herself. She voted congress to have a PERKS raise....3x what they were getting.

Do any of you get perks? with your job? Do they pay for your private Jet? food...houseing? I doubt it...She needs to goo...and she can her gang with her!!!

Cutting taxes is the only proven way to increase federal revenue. I am happy that my representative voted NO. I really don't know how spending federal dollars to prevent STDs stimulates the economy. There is a free way to prevent STDs and it is 100% effective. But since the article is about Michael Steele, I will try to stay on topic. While I have never met the man, I have heard him speak and have liked what he has had to say. He is not a "right wing-nut" as some people on the vine call others, he is a conservative American. I am happy with his selection as GOP leader. Believe it or not, most Republicans are like Mr. Steele. To believe otherwise is to believe that all Democrats are exactly like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried, Bill Ayers, and the other left wing wackos.

Chris,

I function right of center but even I am not buying your blame game. Although I do not like Pelosi she did not cause the problems we have going on now. She may be the cause of future problems but this one will be on Bush's back. We need to be honest with ourselves about the present in order to help in the future.

My Congressman a Republican that I both donated to and worked for his campaign in the last election will get neither next time. I found that little follow the leader game played in the stimulus vote childish and stupid. He voted for the prior one with no restrictions or accountability that went to the bonus giving banks and Spa lounging insurance companies but played politics when our district has lost thousands of jobs.

For you to think that this problem happened in the last two years is foolish. The President has a veto pen it was not used. The rich are not being hurt by this economy it is the working people.

have you included the increase of government positions in that time frame as well? I am just curious, because 1 million new jobs in the government does nothing for our GDP. Also, where are you getting your numbers, I can find nothing to reflect them.

Thanks.

The republican presidents are great for the top 2%. The rest of the country pays for their distorted self serving lifestyle. the uncooperative repub, are upset that the plan of lobbyist and the free wheeling money for their own needs at the cost of our Grandchildren, how sad how do they sleep at night???

Palin the pathetic, well their are just no words for her; don't do as I do do as I say because I said so is very scary....be gone....you're a bigot, and racial "nut case"!

Agree and I would add, the nut case talks non sense. she always speaks but her words means nothing.

Michele Eagle- Talk about a cost for our grandchildren, just wait to see how this new stim plan will fall on its ass and stick our children and their children with hyper inflation...please get off your pedestal.

Who cares what party dose it...lets just do it and set politics aside.

Agreed!!! U couldn't of put it no better!!!

I was a republican. Now I am a blue-dog Democrat and I am also ticked off at the 11 blue dogs that voted against the bail-out. At least this part of the huge give back has OVERSIGHT. Bush just gave away trillions to big business with absolutely no oversight.

SAGGG-

Sounds like I agree with you, McCain was way too far to the left to win over the conservatives. GOP needs new, conservative leadership controlling the purse strings and dictating the agenda.

Moderate repubs and socialist dems looking to create a "new world" got us into this mess. We need a new breed of America 1st politicians running DC.

I won't dispute that the GOP abdicated its responsibility on deficit spending over the last few years, but Bush had plenty of help. He wasn't alone all these years in Washington. He had a large pack of yellow dogs with him.

Chris, for the first eight years, generally conservative Repubs held the power in both Houses, along with the White House. Only in the last two years did Dems have any Congressional power, and even then that was because of the dismal fiscal policies the GOP had pursued (as well as ethical and moral questions). The vast blame went has to go to the Repubs, particularly President Bush. See, this is the problem: Either Repubs refuse to see what they've done, and are doing wrong, or they simply say, "But the Dems did it, too", or they sit and pout, or use the trianglation method by blaming Pelosi and Reid while wanting President Obama to bring them "in line". Sad.

SAGGG- I fail to see what Pelosi and Reid have done to advance this nation...please do tell?

Pelosi and Reid were not in the White House the previous eight years. Your interpretation of "advance" is to me mistated. Once again, I suspect that you and your conservative blogger buddies are playing what I call a "triangulation game" by (lightly) praising President Obama for reaching out to House GOPers (little good did that do), while wanting him to bring Pelosi and Reid into line. You want the three to blame each other (hence "triangulation"), and sew discourse among the Dems, while the Repubs look as if they're above the fray, and look better in voter's eyes. Nice try, by that dog won't hunt. House and Senate leaders can only do so much. It's the President who sets the course, and President Obama's doing that by trying to reach out to Repubs. Let Pelosi and Reid work on the legislative details, while the President stays above the fray. Nice try once again on the question, though. King Rush would be SO proud...

Mr. T, I guess the prosperity that started under Reagan and contiuned nearly unabated till 2, yes 2 years ago, (not 8 like I keep seeing at nausium), was just a figment of our collective imaginations. The current mess all started with run-a-way energy prices 2 years ago, again not 8. Seems the environmentalists won the day and made sure domestic exploration would be a thing of the past. Not to mention the housing collapse has its roots in the Democrap party too. The the gulible public rewards the very ones most, (by no means completely) responsible for where we are today.

I sincerely hope the republican party returns to its core beliefs, it will be just what the doctor ordered in 2 years, if its not too late then.

Brian, one thing about the policies of Reagan: If he can accuse Dems of taxing and spending, then certainly the Dems can accuse him (and his followers) of BORROWING and spending. Then massive deregulation. Then allowing businesses to run amok over their employees. Then lack of oversight from federal agencies from the environment to food and toys. You can talk all you want about the Repubs "getting back to their core beliefs", but your party's philosophy has failed miserably, and you and your party simply refuse to see that.

That is why we need a good, strong third party. Both the present parties are failures.

I'll never understand why the Republicans don't vote to censure Ann Coulter. She is so far out there...she's beyond Pluto with some of her diatribes. It's utterly insulting and disgusting that she calls herself a Republican. She would make fascists blush with some of her outrageous claims.

Coulter and Limbaugh know that one can become very popular and wealthy by appealing to the prejudices of the low-information public, which is, unfortunately, a large segment of Americans. That incentive is why they or others like them will never disappear.

Coulter an Limbaugh are pathtic examples of Americans that say they are Americans..however they behave in a way that distorts, and extinguishes all that our Fore fathers and the American People have hope in and what this country was founded under by and for, they are haters. May they become extinct.

Ann Coulter is off the wall, mostly in how she says things, not in what she says...but "censure"? That would go totally against American principles like freedom of speech.

Thank you ChrisMcK for this stellar insight. You are so correct, and you are a Republican (past or present) that I can respect. If a leader with your thought process and logic were to emerge for the R's, then that party would indeed have a chance. I still might not agree on every issue, but I sure as heck wouldn't carry the ill-will that I have toward Republicans right now.

Oh, and one final thought to drive home your point; the religious right you speak of apparently does not hate all unwed mothers (witness Bristol Palin), only a certain type of unwed mothers.

Stella, you flatter me, but thank you for your comment. Hypocrisy might be the GOP's biggest problem right now. Americans forgive many things, but can't stand a hypocrite.

Aww ChrisMcK, there you go again whispering sweet nothings in my ear. You are so right!! There is nothing worse than a hypocrite. It seems to me I have actually found a Republican that I would vote for, if you were to ever think about running for office. ;-)

I think you have to be addicted to pain to run for office. Right now I'll concentrate on raising my daughter. If our nation is still in the tank in 10 years, who knows?

ChrisMcK,

I hope you do not decide to return to the Republican party. You sound too much like John McCain. As McConnell said, the Republican party needs to stand for the principles that are important to their base and not John McCain type principles.

I'd be labeled a RINO by today's Republicans. I don't get off by imposing my morals on others. But I do think we need to keep the federal government under a tight leash. Guess I'm screwed.

Hang in there ChrisMcK, I'm also a Cubs fan which, for better or worse, has conditioned me to believe that "hope springs eternal". I'm certain we will come out of this mess even stronger, and your daughter will have a brighter future.

James Lee: I'm just not sure there's hope for your "base".

ChrisMck,

I am a liberal Dem and I agree with you, and I might even vote for you. I have crossed party lines when I felt a canidate warrented it. I voted twice for Gordon Smith. I thought he a Sen Wyden (d) balanced each other out and both worked hard for the betterment of Oregon. I believe in the people not the parties. I want balance in Washington, fiscal conservatives who will balance the spending liberals. I just get that from the current republicans, they seem full of hate and bigotry and non-partisanship. The repubs favor big business over small town america. big business can take care of itself very well. We need our reps to watch out for us.

If one actually was able to destroy all things Democrat, how could that possibly cause harm to the American people?

Agreed Craig... Your comment; "leadership that is savvy, smart, educated, articulate, and not afraid of critical thinking and rational inquiry. " is what drove Obama's election. This is how President Obama is perceived by a majority of Americans, and why he is POTUS today! Neo-cons and ultra-conservative's fear mongering and manipulation are not going to work any more.

no one is as scary as limbaugh and palin.....the anti americans

I hope he is reading this, or the number of ex-Republicans will continue to grow.

The term ex-Republicans will be a thing of the past. In just a few short years, there will not be any republicans left in this country. Thank God!!

To SmallBizIllinois: You nailed it with this posting! Perfectly stated! Thank you!

American airports?? I hate them. They treat all passengers like terrorists and talk about being rude ! They beat the french ! I am french :)

Horseman, you certainly make a strong argument. But I have one curiosity. What is the $ amount the Republican party received from "big biz and global biz money" and what is the $ amount the Democrat party received from "big biz and global biz money?"

I don't have a clue myself, but apparently you do since you have declared it to be "too much."

I would appreciate your help. Thanks.

Let's tallk about this guy Michael Steele. He is a joke. In the past, he was on all of the cable news channels talking about how he wanted to be the republicans answer to Obama. He went on and on and on talking about the things that Obama did to get elected and how he could do those same things. He never said what he was going to do!! The republicans are just playing games (see Palin). It's a political game to them. It's all about out doing the Dems & Obama. Contrary to what they say, they really could care less about America or anybody else! It should be obvious to everyone what they are really trying to do. Unfortunately, Steele has no message and neither does the republican party.

But DeeBee, who could possibly outdo the Obama God? Look at the amazing reforms he accomplished over the past two decades in Chicago and in Illinois, which have become absolute beacons of ethical and responsible government. Shining lights that blind us all. I heartily disagree with you about Michael Steele. He is an excellent choice and represents a new begining for the Republican Party. And why ARE so many leftist Democrats angry? I thought that you guys won in November. You all sound very worried, and you should be.

On the contrary, it's a great time to be a Democrat. The GOP has been routed on a grand scale in the last two elections. The comments from the right-wing in this forum sound bitter and sarcastic; Obama was elected in part because Republicans offered no new ideas about how to fix our country's problems, and had only excuses and blame to account for why we got here.

The incompetence of the Republican party and their Republican President made it possible for the first "black" man to become President of the USA.

Voters would have elected almost anyone the Democrats put forth for President - rather than vote for another idiot republican for anything.

dongle

How's it going bud? Still out there as dazed and confused as ever I see.