The Republicans have gambled their political future on the success of the stimulus package, both in the long term and the immediate future. They thought that unification and the tired, boring tactics of calling the package an earmark ridden, “pork-u-pine†bill could derail the new President’s first major legislative effort. Fortunately for the good of the nation, they have utterly failed to stop the bill and therefore set the tone of the new Obama Administration as one of success.
The GOP rallied around bloated, big-mouth, Rush “the racist†Limbaugh, who urged Republicans to root for Obama’s failure. Easy for a fat, rich guy to say! Doesn’t this just prove that Rush is not looking out for the best interests of America and instead desires political power? The Republicans too, still bitter from their stinging defeat in 2008, decided to stand their ground, resisting Obama’s efforts to reach across party lines and put all their efforts in to defeating the bill and for about a minute, it looked as if they might have won. They claimed that the New Deal failed, complete and utter nonsense, even blamed the Depression on FDR! Newsflash Republicans, the Great Depression began before FDR was even in office!
Obama gave the old college try for bi-partisanship, so when the Repubs turned him down, Obama tried again, this time asking for Republicans to join him or join Rush Windbag. This proved a brilliant strategy, as it forced the dissenters in to the extreme column. All it took was one speech from Obama and suddenly, the polls showed almost 70% support in his favor while the Republicans dropped like a stone to almost 20%. Emboldened, the Dems pushed ahead and in the end delivered victory to Obama, the first major triumph of his administration.
Well, one thing about losing political power the Republicans haven’t learned is how little the losers matter. People are not listening to their agenda, not listening to their complaints or listening to them all together. What a difference a couple months can make, huh?
Now the Republicans are tied to the stimulus package failing. If the economy turns around by 2012 (and I’m betting that it will), it will spell certain doom for the GOP, especially since they are defending more seats in Congress again.
The age of Reagan and Conservatism is over. With talk of nationalizing the banks, providing universal health care and introducing New Deal styled programs is simply a sign of the times and how badly the Republican machine has failed.
Let us hope that they haven’t screwed things up beyond repair. Obama will certainly have his work cut out for him!