DC GOP: The War Raging Within

Actually, it's fair to say I've mostly taken the same line as Huckabee and Romney have. It isn't exactly a middle ground, none have sided with the Republican except Newt. And it would take another post, or maybe more from the TCOTReport to even come close to figuring that one out. My defense is claiming to not know enough about anyone in NY -23 to endorse on any genuinely informed grounds. I've been looking at events and the GOP, more than the candidates. Besides, I don't live, or vote in NY.

Romney can't quite use that excuse. I'm not planning on running for anything. Still, I see the lack of endorsement harder for Huckabee to justify, than for Romney. Huckabee was allegedly 2008's outside guy looking in. You'd think Huckabee would be all over Hoffman if only for the buzz himself, media creature that he is.

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom provided a few more details regarding Romney’s thinking: “Mitt Romney is a Republican and he tends to support the Republican candidate in races and when he can't because there are too many differences on the issues, he stays out of the race altogether and that's the course he's following in the New York special election. He doesn't plan to make any endorsement at all.”

Is not endorsing the Republican enough to give Romney a pass? Well, it certainly won't help him much with the grassroots, a group he struggled with last time out. Ultimately, I think it depends on how you see it and perhaps him, as well. He either comes off as the straight-shooter, responsible type with rules to follow as a card carrying GOP member. Or, he comes off as a party first guy, which I don't believe does him any favors given the war that's raging right now.

And that, more than anything else is the important thing I came to fully appreciate today far more than I ever even thought before. There isn't only a war being waged from outside the GOP with the grassroots angry at the party. There is a genuine and significant divide among the party players themselves touching every area and organization of the Republican Party right now. I can't get into details because of different conversations and events I observed today. But, make no mistake. The moderates and the conservatives within the GOP right here in Washington, DC are at war right now. And one side is going to win and another lose, as I didn't observe any signs of either side backing down.

Great times it is not. But I suppose like all too many wars, this one has to be fought - and  now, like it, or not. Eventually everyone may be forced to pick a side and try to win it as best they can. Success in 2010 may well depend on some type of resolution and sooner, as opposed to later, at that.

Comments

[JSF]

Dan,

When the Left was out of power during the last decasde they promoted no new ideas and damned their past associations (Tip O'Neill 'All Politics is Local' anyone?).

Now it's the Right's turn, we Bloggers, Tea-partiers and 9/12 people are setting the groundwork like Kos, Move.on and HuffPo did.

NY-23 is the demarcation line between the Establishment Right and the Blogosphere Right. Well, the Left after their Blogosphere took over the DNC gave American politics two misogynists: President Obama and Rep. Grayson.

We on the Blogosphere Right are supporting our women who support us, and this appointment by party bosses is a joke that will backfire on their established NY State order.

Mondello lost the LI Party machine -- why should the DC GOP trust him?

[Diogenes]

"Still, I see the lack of endorsement harder for Huckabee to justify, than for Romney."

But Romney's not on Fox News' payroll. Could it be that Huck's under instruction not to be making political endorsements?

Just sayin'...

[gary gulrud]

I think Mitt is just praying to the god of Kolob that Obamacare dies at the hands of Donks and is a non-issue by 2011. He's keeping his head turtled as much as he can.

His pimps at NRO gave him an op-ed on the Polish/Czech betrayal and now he stumps for the VA fait accompli.

McCain was a better candidate, at least the bag of poop was smouldering.

[Robert Belvedere]

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