I did not watch last nights YouTube Republican Debate, nor have I ever really given a complete watch of any Republican Debate for that matter, however all the news that is pouring through the wires is electrified with bitter exchanges and other warlike moments of verbal vulgarity between Rudy “I was Mayor of New York during 9-11†Giuliani and Mit “the Morman†Romney. Both sides are locked in a pathetic display of “he started it†and “I’m the REAL victim†with Republican dark-horse Huckabee riding the degeneration wave to his highest crest yet. Unfortunately for all of the Presidential wanabees, the real loser of last nights debate was the Republican Party.
Republicans have a tradition of choosing, internally by right of power, the candidate they are going to push on to the rank and file Repubs. Rebels like John McCain have discovered that any attempt to cross this decision can be met with brutal force, as he did when Rove spread via push-polling, an untrue rumor of McCain fathering an illegitimate black baby in the South Carolina primary. The result destroyed McCain’s chances of besting our now infamously disastrous George “WWIII†Bush. Ol’ W was the heir-apparent, and regardless of the fact that he was clearly not the better man, the Republican Think-Tank Machine had selected him and did all it could to enforce its will on the party faithful.
Why do they do this? The simple fact is that Republican leaders know that they are a minority in this country. Their only hope is to whip as many people who fear change into a fervor and de-motivate the vast majority of people who cannot see that the Republican party favors big business interests and concentrated upper-class power. They need a horse to fly right out of the gate as strong as possible, because once the will of the people is awaken, the combined horsepower is enough to overtake the savviest of Republican candidates.
Keeping the plebeian masses distracted is nothing new, but something the likes of Ronald Reagan perfected, actually attracting voters based on his values. This is a joke in itself, since politicians first off, have no values, secondly, it was all smoke and mirrors since Republicans stand for big-business before family and Christian values, which, btw, are irreconcilably juxtaposed. Keeping the poor clamoring for a strong “moral” leader rather than health care, living wages and better access to government.
When all else fails, and a Reagan is not present, Republicans always fall back on their traditional argument, fear. Fear of change is the fundamental belief that makes one a conservative. Sometimes, however, that’s not enough. Communism was the big boogie-man of yesteryear, today it’s Osama bin left alive so we can use him. He’s gonna get ya, unless you elect Republican leaders who are “tough”. Look for more of this in the coming election. It’s really Rudy’s only leg to stand on. He’s even converted some of the less than evangelical to his side by claiming fighting terrorism is a “moral” crusade. What a bunch of bull_!
Last night’s debate is being portrayed as a cock-fight in a sleazy back alley (even though the exchange was fairly petty) and the morning after is being portrayed as two wimps clamoring for the coveted role of greatest victim. Not only does this breed bloody internal dissension, that will come back to haunt them come the General Election, it damages the already vulnerable machismo of the Republican Party. The false stereotype that being right-wing is to be a man is fading faster than W.’s place in history.
Romney, Gulliani and Huckabee represent very different factions of the Republican party. A local California Republican I know, recently espoused the joys of Giulianism while the church going righties I have spoken to seem to believe Huckabee is the Great White Hope of the future. I haven’t met anyone that likes Romney, however he must have some people behind him, since this race is so close. I’m guessing it’s the non-evangelical Christians, Jews etc. who see themselves as conservative but prefer a lighter, diet version of the hard-line rhetoric. Romney, the other white cheat.
All three of these choices look very appetizing to your standard Democrat. Giuliani is a one trick pony, Romney is a Morman who will have a hard time courting the evangelical base and Huckabee is not really National politics material. He cannot possibly excite the average independent voters who have no interest in electing another politician who talks to Jesus about where to direct the Great American War Machine. If I were Hillary right now, I’d be salivating at my prospects for victory.
A year from now is an eternity in politics, but I have a good feeling it’s going to be a good year. I can’t say for certain that Republicans are going to be defeated, so let’s just say that a good Republican spanking is long overdue.
