I’m sure John Boehner is a good and decent man, but it was
time for him to go. Voters gave Republicans an historic majority in the House
on the promise that they would then have the numbers to push back on Obama and
the Democrats by exercising the power of the purse.
Boehner accomplished quite a bit, in fairness to him, but
not enough. So he’s resigning.
Now it’s time for Mitch McConnell to do the same. Again,
voters gave Republicans what they asked for – a majority in the Senate – and it
hasn’t changed a thing. McConnell says there’s nothing he can do unless he can
get a super majority.
That’s not going to cut it.
When the Democrats controlled the Senate under Harry Reid they didn’t
have a super majority but they were able to run roughshod over the minority
Republicans and block whatever House and Senate Republicans proposed. Harry
even enacted the “nuclear option” to change Senate rules on confirmations to a
simple majority vote.
Today, Republicans are in charge of the Senate. McConnell
isn’t willing to follow Reid’s lead. He could change the rules
to minimize the need for a super majority to get anything passed. But he won’t – instead, he tries to make this
into a principled stand based on upholding tradition.
It’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Principles are all fine and good if everyone adheres to
these. But if one side is willing to break the traditional rules, the other
side can’t just continue to play by those outdated rules. They’ll be
slaughtered needlessly much as sending horse cavalry against armored
tanks.
The rules of warfare and the rules of politics have changed.
Senate Democrats changed the rules; Senate Republicans need
to consider doing the same.
Republicans can’t wait for the trifecta – holding the House,
Senate and White House. That may never happen; voters are reluctant to put all
those in the hands of one party. Even if
Republicans do beat historic trends there’s no indication current Republican
leadership would be willing to exercise the power that would give them.
I suspect there would always be some reason why Republicans
would still fold when faced with an organized Democrat opposition fully
comfortable with using House and Senate rules to their advantage when possible,
or bypassing those rules when necessary. Republicans need to realize they are
in a very real battle with Democrats who believe the ends justify the means,
and who are willing to do whatever is required – regardless of tradition – to
get what they want.
As Marco Rubio stated, it’s time for a new generation of
Republicans to assume leadership.
For better or worse, that’s what’s happening. The Republican
establishment is crumbling, hammered by conservatives on one side and on the
other by a Republican base that feels cheated. It's understandable that they'd feel this way.
There’s a reason why three political outsiders are leading
among Republican candidates for President. The base is fed up with excuses from career
politicians like Boehner and McConnell. It’s had its fill of Democrat-lite nice-guy
candidates like McCain and Romney who ultimately go down in flames.
The base wants Republicans willing to fight for what they
want – smaller and less intrusive government, reduced spending, border security,
and a strong defense. The base wants Republican leaders prepared to wage war against
the Democrats when needed, to compromise only when necessary, and to change the
course the country’s now on.
They aren’t getting that from the current Republican
establishment.
The danger for the party is similar to that faced by
Democrats in late 60s and early 70s.
Back then, the ultra-liberal anti-war wing of the Democrat party took
over party leadership and drove the party into the ground, alienating moderate
and conservative Democrat voters, and costing Democrats elections.
The same can happen to the Republican party if it allows its
far-right elements to make contentious social issues like gay marriage and
immigration the cornerstone of the party. They need to stick to the knitting – running
an efficient, financially stable, and safe country – and govern from a position
of strength, not timidity.
In the short term, Republicans will take some losses. But in
the longer term anger at government in general among voters will continue to
grow and support will start to move toward those interested in returning
government to the people and not to bureaucrats.
The political establishment is doomed. The Republican
establishment will take the first bullet.
But the Democrat establishment won’t be far behind.
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