This Party Is A Disaster

Just what the Republican Party needs - a chairman you have to wake up when he's scheduled to appear on Fox News. Get ready for eight-years in the wilderness conservatives.

Fred Thompson seems to be seriously considering a run for the leadership of the national Republican Party, as the GOP prepares to rebuild from the rubble of the 2008 election.

Supporters of Thompson, a onetime presidential candidate and former Tennessee senator, are hopeful that he might run for chairman of the Republican National Committee, a position that would make the former actor public face of the GOP.

Thompson is nothing new. He's part of the same Republican establishment that ran this party off the road over the years. And the lethargy he showed in his ridiculous presidential campaign isn't exactly a recipe for dynamism and change.

And Steele? Forget about it. The guy comes across as just weird. I don't think he is. He's probably a pretty solid guy. But something about his personae just doesn't play on the air.

For now it looks as if the Republicans are going to stumble around a bit before getting themselves together, hopefully by 2016. Maybe it's time to forget about the party as a national brand and start focusing on state, local, House and Senate races where conservatives have a chance while this dinosaur of a national party goes through its death throes waiting for the climate to change.

Comments

[jharp]

I 100% agree.

[Jana]

Maybe time to start?

Focusing on fostering local talent up to the national stage should always be a primary effort.

Thompson is no better and no worse than any of the other names being thrown around. I don't expect anyone unknown will rise to such a post, and whom would you suggest, anyway?

[chris]

Please bring back Fred!!!??? His countrified mumbling and general laziness are quite entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oni7nd0SJI

[scarshapedstar]

I remember when people acted like that crusty old codger had a chance.

Wait, sorry, for a minute I thought we were talking about McCain...

[gimmeabreak]

Reagan wannabe.

[chris]

I almost forgot - Richard Nixon described ole Fred as dumb but friendly. Add lazy to the mix and you've got a real winner!

[tk]

Maybe it is time for a new party.

[ToddK]

John Bolton. For President.

[Tennwriter]

Then who? I really don't know. I like Gingrich's canniness and vision and I believe that we ought to have High Standards and Forgiveness for the Repentant, but he supposedly folded on the bailout, and some say he folded on AGW. I don't need a folder. I can get one at an office supply store.

Michael Steele...unfortunately I know practically zip about him.

Thompson...perhaps you're right, I don't know.

I guess one way to look at this is "What qualities do you want in an RNC chairman?"

1. Hard-core Standard Conservative who welcomes all factions, and maintains decorum among them.
2. A good manager who can handle a lot of details and plans for a massive project.
3. Someone who pledges to shut down open primaries.
4. Good debater on television with a sharp wit and a good laugh.
5. Experienced in politics without being corrupted by them.

Thats a start to the list. Any candidates come close?

[angstlyyours]

Sarah Palin.

[Spartan112]

Oh please yes...let Sarah Palin run the national party...I'd probably start believing in god.

[ET]

I disagree about Michael Steele. I think he is the right guy for the job and I predict he will get it.

[jharp]

I disagree about Michael Steele. I think he is the right guy for the job and I predict he will get it.

Posted by: ET | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 04:08 PM

If he does the GOP is screwed.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Sarah? Sorry. The homespun, hockey mom routine with the nasally accent goes too far especially when someone can't tell you the last book they read....or who's in NAFTA. Not saying she isn't needed to reach the people she reaches but don't you think GW played the hick card to distraction?

[jharp]

Andrew Sullivan:

"Let's be real in a way the national media seems incapable of: this person should never have been placed on a national ticket in a mature democracy....The impulsive, unvetted selection of a total unknown, with no knowledge of or interest in the wider world, as a replacement president remains one of the most disturbing events in modern American history. That the press felt required to maintain a facade of normalcy for two months — and not to declare the whole thing a farce from start to finish — is a sign of their total loss of nerve.

....This deluded and delusional woman still doesn't understand what happened to her; still has no self-awareness; and has never been forced to accept her obvious limitations. She cannot keep even the most trivial story straight; she repeats untruths with a ferocity and calm that is reserved only to the clinically unhinged; she has the educational level of a high school drop-out; and regards ignorance as some kind of achievement. It is excruciating to watch her — but more excruciating to watch those who feel obliged to defend her."

And yet there are those who think she is the answer.

Blows. My. Mind.

[jharp]

Forgot to include Andrew Sullivan on Palin.

[Jimbo]

Yeah, get Thompson. Then you on the right side will be alright.

Ha Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha HaHa Ha Ha Ha!!!!

Oh wait! What about Sarah? Can she come out and play? Make sure she brings her towel.

[jharp]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/11/why-palin-still.html

Doing some reading and it appears Steele was a big supporter of Palins.

Seems Palin is going to be the gift that keeps giving... ...to the cause of liberal democrats.

[templar knight]

Sarah Palin won't take the RNC job. Why would she, when she has a better gig as the governor of Alaska. Michael Steele might take it, I don't know, although I think he might do a decent job. I would rather have him than Fred. Fred just doesn't have the energy required for the job.

[jharp]

My point was Steele was a Palin groupie.

He would be a horrible pick. For the GOP that is.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"My point was Steele was a Palin groupie."

OK, now groupie implies something other than a fan.......and you would too if you had a chance.

[jharp]

No I wouldn't, really.

Can't stand the woman. She's a fake and I can't stand fakes no matter how good looking. And I don't find ignorance appealing either.

[ET]

--And I don't find ignorance appealing either.

And yet you display your ignorance daily for all to see. You fell under uncle barry's spell. Now he won't pull out of Iraq, as he promised, and your welfare check will be delayed becuase frank and dodd messed up the economy.

Keep on harping, harpo. You just keep getting stoopider and stoopider.

BTW, the market is down every day since the election...the economy is voting no confidence on uncle barry...

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"the economy is voting no confidence on uncle barry."

Cool, like "Uncle Ho" Wish he had a name like Che! Whatever. Da peeples appear to be trying to maske a few extra bucks before pulling their money and sending it offshore. I read that traditionally the market soars after an election.

[jharp]

ET,

It is a real pleasure for me to witness your whining about how the democrats are the cause of our problems.

Too bad the most American's didn't buy the ElRushbo right wing propaganda. Nor are they buying it now.

Don't fret. In 4 years you've got a sliver of a chance.

[jharp]

This isn't the last update of the day, just the first:

Stevens (R) 118,602
Begich (D) 117,631

That's a 971 vote difference.

That an extra 12,008 votes for Stevens, and an extra 14,294 votes for Begich. Total, that's just 26,302 votes of the 52,000 that will be counted today. Yet with half counted, we've picked up 2,286 votes.

Looking great so far.http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/12/185720/90/985/660075

[jharp]

Ouch. Salt in the wound. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

intrade.com

Alaska Senate race.

Democrat - $95 wins you $5
Republican - $6 wins you $94

Ruh roh.

[mark l.]

"The impulsive, unvetted selection of a total unknown, with no knowledge of or interest in the wider world, as a replacement president remains one of the most disturbing events in modern American history."

I thought he was talking about obama.

That is the one bright spot...the gop no longer need worry about fielding a candidate with little record.

four years in the senate is all one needs.

[MarkJ]

jharp,

"Don't fret. In 4 years you've got a sliver of a chance."

Judging from your idiotic posts, you've got a sliver up your ass.

[Marie LeVeau]

You call Steele WEIRD?? After HOWARD DEAN and Terry McAuliffe on the left side??

[Marie LeVeau]

We may be on to something ...just read the 'advice' from the left on here....and we all know that they have the right's best interests at heart...as in they'd be interested in ripping out the right's hearts and eat them if their messiah said so.

[jharp]

Judging from your idiotic posts, you've got a sliver up your ass.

Posted by: MarkJ | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 08:25 PM

Do you mean posts like this? Informative truthful posts about the further demise of the GOP?

Latest tally: Begich leads Stevens by 3 votes

Anchorage Daily News

Published: November 12th, 2008 04:22 PM
Last Modified: November 12th, 2008 04:23 PM

The elections division still has over 10,000 ballots left to count today and thousands more through next week, but the latest numbers show Mark Begich leading Sen. Ted Stevens 125,019 to 125,016.

http://www.adn.com/elections/story/586989.html

[Dennis D]

Steele is ok. But he comes off sort of " Swishy".. Why not Rick Santorum?

[Marie LeVeau]

I'm wondering...how do normal democrats feel about the fact that in order for their party to win, they gotta commit vote fraud? I mean, HOW can you look yourselves in the face with the blatant vote fraud going on in minnesota. Is there no shame anywhere among democrats?

[checkers]

We need to get returning Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan into the fold on the local level. School boards, township trustees, county commissioners, state representatives, city council, etc...get them to be local household names. They are not likely to abandon the second amendment. they are likely natural leaders already, they know the real danger in the real world... they were there getting shot at.. get them into churches, lodges, rotary clubs, anything that is ground game politics. look to survival mode for 8 to 10 years and then retake the hill when the public is good and fed up with what is happening. assuming we have not surrendered to islam by then.

[WBestPresidentEver]

If everyone is opposed to the ones mentioned as RNC chairman then who the hell do you recommend ? Just curious.

Look who has been running the DNC.

And as far as SARAH PALIN, HOW BOUT YOU AHOLES QUIT THE DAMN BASHING OF THE LADY.
She is "not" a fake. She is a normal everyday family lady with a home and kids and a husband and with a career to boot. She is a very bright beautiful lady and has a wonderful family.
She has more class in her little finger than you will ever have in your entire miserable lives.

She has been doing a great job at all the things she has been elected for.
When you AHOLES accomplish as much she has then come back and brag about all you have accomplished. The only thing you have accomplished is A BUNCH OF BASHING AND TRASHING. How much of a brain does it take to do that ? How much do you get paid to do that ?

Get on some other kick. Leave SARAH the hell alone.

[jharp]

Posted by: Marie LeVeau | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 09:39 PM

Do you have any evidence of voter fraud?

Turn off Fox, Rush, and Hannity. There is no evidence of voter fraud whatsoever.

[Worst President Ever]

"Look who has been running the DNC."

Dean. And doing a damn good job of it. Or did you miss last week's election results?

I fully support all Republicans who want Ms Palin to run for president.

[jharp]

"She is a normal everyday family lady with a home and kids and a husband and with a career to boot."

Yeah, she is. And she likes $150,000 wardrobes courtesy of the RNC. And she's a religious kook and ignorant about the basic duties of the VP.

But there are plenty of normal everyday women like that.

However, it DOESN'T make you qualified to be VP of the United States of America.

[Marie LeVeau]

and You, jharp oughta stop watching CNN, you dolt. You leftists. You think everyone is as dumb as you. THERE'S VOTER FRAUD GOING ON and YOU know it. What's it feel like to have to steal elections? It hardly matters that you turn this country into a dishonest corrupt Venezuelan wannabee as long as your party can steal the power. What is it you want anyway.

[Patrick]

Wow, aren't you just Mr Positive?

Whether you can drag yourself off the media teat (yes, I'm aware that Fred started his campaign with the "he's too tired" and "his heart really isn't in it") long enough to realize it, Fred as the Reagan-lite figure would serve the conservative movement well. Of course, in the age of empty suit politicians like the one that 52% just voted into office, I'm sure that a statesman who can voice conservative ideals is not what the PJM crowd wants to hear.

[Marie LeVeau]

and a hologram halo and an empty suit doing community organizing doesn't make you qualified OR FIT to be president.

[Marie LeVeau]

Can we agree that democrats shouldn't be allowed to suggest RNC chairman candidates since they do such piss poor jobs at choosing their own AND OUR presidential candidates with the aid of acorn voter fraud. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees. There will be some leftist bellyaching before this is over.

[jharp]

and You, jharp oughta stop watching CNN, you dolt. You leftists. You think everyone is as dumb as you. THERE'S VOTER FRAUD GOING ON and YOU know it.

Posted by: Marie LeVeau | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 11:23 PM

Not that it matters but I don't watch CNN. I don't watch television.

Let's see the evidence of VOTER FRAUD. I have yet to see any.

[jharp]

Someone had better get in contact with the ignoramus hockey Mom. Even thought there is no evidence I'll bet she can get ElRushbo or Hannity to start casting blame on voter fraud.

Pretty funny stuff. One of the GOP's best hopes is a 7 time 84 year convicted felon who is gonna get his ass kicked.

Next up. Franken waxing Coleman.

Maybe the good guys will end up with 60 seats after all.

"As of 7:33 PM Alaska Time, Democrat Mark Begich had increased his lead over Ted Stevens to 814 votes."

[jharp]

Heads up from Alaska.

"There are still another 38,000 or so ballots left to be counted, but those are from Begich-friendly districts. Begich will win this race."

The bleeding continues.

[Rob Howard]

I hope you are enjoying yourself jharp. I'm so happy that the mental institution allows you a chance to use the computer a few hours a day.

[mark l.]

I cannot wait for this admin to get underway...
I'm watching the dems and media in the process of circling the wagon.

The only play the media has is to blame bush. I'm not sure if the strategy makes it six months.

Caught chrissy matthews tonite, in classic form. If he is a barometer of how thin skinned democrats and the media have become, this is going to be a crucifixion. How bad off is the gop? not nearly as bad as 92, when bush 41 went down with 37% of the vote. An incumbent lost with 37%...only to watch 94 emerge as a tidal wave for the party.

Still skeptical of regaining control, but the beauty of not getting control is building massive resentment for all things dem/obama. How good is it to have the presidency and both houses? clinton made it 2 years, bush made it thru 4 years. The one thing that is clear is that the longer the imbalance remains the more massive the resentment grows.

I see the media is busy chasing down limbaugh...not like that plan worked well for clinton.

january 20, 2009 is just 69 days away. Can't come soon enough.

[jharp]

I am enjoying myself. Thank you.

[jharp]

Hey mark l,

I went to some trouble to respond to your post and you ignored it.

I'd think you'd at least respond.
___________________________________________________________________________

without using 'gop' or 'conservative' as a reference, could you even define what it means to be a democrat?

Posted by: mark l. | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 05:17 PM

Sure and thanks for asking.

1)Equal rights for all Americans (including gay ones)
2)A tax code that doesn't have Warren Buffet paying 17% tax on 46 million while his secretary pays 30% on 60 thousand
3) No invading and occupying countries that aren't a threat to us
4) Single payer health care system
5) No promoting of any religion by government (including prayer in public schools)
6) Pro choice
7) Pro workplace and product safety
8) Pro not allowing corporations to pollute our air and water
9) No torture
10) No imprisoning Americans without charges or a trial for as long as the President sees fit

I'm sure I left a few out and not all democrats have pleased me on these issues. But I oppose the GOP on every one of them.

Posted by: jharp | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 06:05 PM