"When your opponent is in the process of shooting himself in the foot, try not to get in his way.". . . is one of my favorite political aphorisms. It seems particularly apt right now for the fight going on within the Republican party.
In a Huffington Post article titled "Far Right Plots Comeback," Robert Costa describes a gathering of the more conservative Republicans on Thursday to "try to regain control of the conservative Republican agenda."
The attempt, with some success, of the more "establishment Republicans" to broaden the appeal of the party has alarmed the more conservative crowd. Michael Needham, CEO of Heritage Action, said: "I'm terrified that Republicans will blow this election if they are not going to stand for something."
What's happening is that you have a divided party. One half is terrified that extreme right wing issues -- defined in a document from this gathering as " strict opposition to illegal immigration, same-sex marriage and abortion" -- will alienate more moderate and independent voters; and they will lose.
The other half is terrified that, if they don't stand up for those issues, they will lose.
Many of the primaries have already been held and will require a run-off in the summer, further extending the time of unrest and cross-fighting within the party.
So . . . this seems a good time to listen to Al Gore. Democrats, just try not to get in the way of this intra-party fight.
Ralph
No comments:
Post a Comment