Anybody who has read some USMB posts with objectivity, or who have noted the trends on other boards, know that many even lifelong Republicans have not been happy with the GOP over the last several years.
Anybody reading with objectivity now can't miss that conservative Republicans are holding the GOP's feet to the fire now and, if it is business at usual, a third party by 2012 is almost inevitable. The GOP will be done.
Eric Erickson at Redstate outlines some of the immediate issues:
So major gains in the House and Senate aren't enough. If they don't keep the Tea Party coalition intact and let them do the work--if they keep the old guard GOP in chairmanships--it will quickly revert to the status quo and we won't have moved any closer to the ideals we hope for.
This is going to be interesting to watch though.
Anybody reading with objectivity now can't miss that conservative Republicans are holding the GOP's feet to the fire now and, if it is business at usual, a third party by 2012 is almost inevitable. The GOP will be done.
Eric Erickson at Redstate outlines some of the immediate issues:
Will The House GOP Break Apart the GOP-Tea Party Coalition
Erick Erickson)
Friday, November 5th
It is undisputed that the Tea Party Movement helped drive the renewed Republican momentum this past year. But for that energy, the Republicans would not have seen the gains they saw. The exit polls reflect that data.
So now the House Republicans have some crucial decisions to make. They, unlike the Senate GOP, which appears to have learned nothing and forgotten nothing from their 2006defeat, are going to embrace an earmarks moratorium. Incoming Speaker Boehner. . . . announced the House will definitely have an earmarks moratorium. Mitch McConnell says no way in the Senate.
But an earmarks moratorium is only one sign that the GOP gets it in the House. It is time for some fresh faces.
Jeb Hensarling as Conference Chair is a great start given his conservative bona fides and economics based background. I am hearing today that MIchelle Bachmann wants that too, but I hope she might be pursued to go for Vice-Chair and tag team with Hensarling. Having Rep. Bachmann in that position over Cathy McZero Rogers would be a wonderful thing.
A good fit at Policy would be Dr. Tom Price. Given that healthcare helped elect Republicans, having a doctor in that position over Connie Mack, whose wife voted for Cap & Trade, would be a good sign the GOP is serious about getting us out of the Obamacare hole.
. . . . (on the). . . .Appropriations Committee. Jerry Lewis is term limited. They should give him no waiver and consider instead someone like Jack Kingston. The alternative would probably be someone like Harold Rogers of Kentucky, who would not, given his record, be a good shift right from Lewis. Likewise, Kingston is the only man on the committee who, as an Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, delivered a balanced budget, or one in surplus.
But thats not enough. With new seats open, tea party backed members like Jeff Flake, Tom Graves, and others should have seats on the Appropriations Committee.
Then, of course, there is the House Energy and Commerce Committee. I do not believe in Committee waivers, which means Joe Barton should not be allowed to stick around.
Unfortunately, Fred Upton is lobbying heavily for the seat and that choice would be absolutely atrocious. Upton is a union lackey. . . .
Will The House GOP Break Apart the GOP-Tea Party Coalition | RedState
So major gains in the House and Senate aren't enough. If they don't keep the Tea Party coalition intact and let them do the work--if they keep the old guard GOP in chairmanships--it will quickly revert to the status quo and we won't have moved any closer to the ideals we hope for.
This is going to be interesting to watch though.