Byron York Stops Short Of Saying Anything

Came upon this item by Byron York via an item by Susananne at Redstate. She thinks York didn't go far enough in some of his criticisms. Byron has done some terrific reporting work at the Examiner since joining them. I almost always give it a good look.

But other than some scolding for what has long been known and already widely discussed, I'm not sure York's item says much at all. Net net, the GOP has to find a way to bond with the base and the American people as a whole. They shouldn't think they're going to win any election prizes simply for not being Democrats. 

Byron York’s article in the Washington Examiner highlights Republican shortcomings in recent years causing the shift to a Democrat-controlled Congress. While I agree with some of his points, I think York needs to go further with a few critical elements.

At the same time, big picture, it isn't unusual for political cycles to play out over time. I've posted previously on how I believe the pace of those is likely to continue to speed up due to a more sophisticated information flow. When all is said and done, after the GOP's years in DC, with less than a stellar performance, the people felt it was time for a change.

Obama is going to at least pretend to jog to the center to prevent it from happening, again. GOP wins in 2010 are going to hinge on how successful they are with some of the items Susananne outlines. And how good the Democrats, now led by Obama, are at pretending they're suddenly moderates, again. It would be a mistake for the GOP to try and play that game. But they almost always do. Everything we've seen so far from the NRSC and NRCC suggests they're at it, again. That will make 2010 more competitive and less successful for the GOP than it should be.

To the extent that the people, especially conservatives, get involved and disintermediate with grassroots activism and the Internet, the better off America, the GOP and we all will be.

Comments

[Evil Red Scandi]

If I've said it (errr... asked it rhetorically) once, I've said it a million times:

How long does it take for the bulk of the GOP grassroots to get it through their heads that the same corruptive influences that occur with concentration of power in the US government have also occurred - by every obvious and empirical measure - within the upper ranks of the GOP? It's predictable human nature, but the blind spot I'm describing just puzzles me. It's as if people believe in the party more than they do the principles they've delude themselves into thinking the party stands for (all they really stand for is getting re-elected so they can sell more influence and feather their own nests).

The Tea Partiers seem to be getting the idea, but it looks like many people will have to keep burning their hands on this stove before they figure it out. The only saving grace in this situation is that the Dems have the exact same problem on their side of the isle. Of course this "saving grace" is of almost no comfort as they spend the next few generations into the poorhouse to try to keep their house of cards standing.

Anyway, hurry up Dan! :-)

[smitty]

Linked you, Dan:
http://rsmccain.blogspot.com/2009/12/america-loves-fighter.html
Stacy McCain had a relatively more upbeat appraisal.

[Steve Poling]

Bless the Instapundit for giving us the word, "disintermediate." It fits so well.

You might note that that's been one of Sarah Palin's tactics. Her Facebook posts and her book tour have "disintermediated" the Washington press corps and the mainstream commentariat. Oh, and the Republican political machine, too.

Glenn and Stacy don't say this explicitly, but it's a clear implication: if you think something should be done to help Mr. Brown in Massachusets, then don't bother with beltway RNC losers, do it yourself.

Would Boston be a good location for a Tea Party? I mean another one.

[mark gibbons]

browns handlers- the romney handlers do not want tea party activisim. they think it will scare dems into voting for coakly. the gop should be afraid of the tea party not the dem. party. brown is a rino like rommney. sure, i hope brown wins and i am working the phones for him, but he is still a rino. they should have a tea party in boston harbor with palin. when i told them that- they looked at me as if i were deranged. there are more independents in mass.than dems. fing morons

[Sissy Willis]

I disintermediate, therefore I am. Tea Party!

[Cynic]

"And how good the Democrats, now led by Obama, are at pretending they're suddenly moderates, "

and "how Good" the voters are at being fooled by the pretense, once more.

[bandit]

they should have a tea party in boston harbor with palin. when i told them that- they looked at me as if i were deranged.

That's because it's 10F and the water in the harbor is < 50F.

I don't know where the RINO nonsense comes from - I've known Scott for a long time and he's strongly for small gov't and low taxes. He's also an active reservist. You can plan a tea party with Mrs. Palin if you want but I'm guessing she's probably not going to be showing.

[Clay Barham]

GO TO PERSON
Rush Limbaugh said each family should have a “go to person” who can answer questions about political issues. To that end, I suggest starting at the simple roots that show the differences between two sides at claysamerica.com.