The Republicans Have Nothing to Party About

[Stingo]

Republicans aren’t blocking the stimulus package because they are suddenly for fiscal responsibility after eight years of spending like a team of drunken Yale cheerleaders. They are obstructing because they lost in November. They have a macho need to flex their muscles. It’s a whiney sort of macho thing, both unbecoming and stupid.

http://allspinzone.com/wp/2009/02/03/the-republicans-have-nothing-to-party-about/

[phantom power]

1. The GOP is doing pretty well, actually:

The bill is going to pass. The problem is that it is larded up with Republican tax cuts but has been painted as a Democratic "wish list," thus starving the beast while feeding the tax 'n spend, fiscal responsibility shibboleths at the same time. There's nothing we can do about that now. Unfortunately, the big battles to come are going to be much tougher because of it.

We're still in the first round, but I would say the Republicans have already masterfully played it. After just having their asses handed to them in November, they managed to turn the crisis into an opportunity to shore up their base, weaken their opposition and misdirect the commentariat to the debt (which they created) rather than the crisis (which they also created) and narrow the options for the new president. All in the first two weeks.

Oh, and they have successfully portrayed the Democrats as crazed social engineers with a credit card and the President as a very nice young man who just isn't strong enough to control the congress. It's good stuff.

Again, it's round one. The Dems will ultimately win it, but they are bloodied.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/state-of-play-by-digby-last-night-i.html

[Beavker]

2. I only pray

That when my 8 month old is old enough, he'll ask his Daddy, "What are Republicans?" I'll show him a picture of a Dinosaur, two tin cans at the end of a piece of string, an abacus, and a picture of a 600 lb Rush limbaugh for an example.

[YOY]

3. You actually made me laugh...not a snotty thing, just a foul mood thing.

Good on you!

[Beavker]

4. Bad Religion Quote

One of my alltime favorite bands...many many quotes from their lyrics could be used! I usually have to break out the dictionary when I get their latest album.

[YOY]

6. Then rock on brother...

You've come home. It's unrepentantly liberal and proud land here at DU. True it's a lot happier than last year and the year before that...etc...but it seems we finally won a presidential election...Better late than never.

Regardless, folks still like to bitch a lot...keeps 'em busy.

[Beavker]

7. Thanks!

I said it in some of my other replies to threads...the DU is my breath of fresh air, connection to reality and sanity because I live in a Red State, work in a Red industry (Financial Services), and generally am surrounded by Repukes all day long, and am forced to watch CNBC all day! It drives me ape shit and I login and it's my "Calgon"!

Thanks All DUers.

[YOY]

9. That's why I left a red state...for another red state (both are now blue)

As for the financial industry jazz, sorry man. I had a friend (Republican sheep totally...not a bad guy just doesn't fucking think...works for his daddy too and looks at me funny for not being rich like him...) come to town with his companies conference. I met him there. Wanker city. Total fucking wanker city. I'm not exactly a wild dude...but it was total wanker city. The one dude I met who I thought was pretty cool got in trouble for asking the Bushie guest speaker appointee a question or two. Everyone was bitching about "how improper to question that patriot!" Wanker city.

I do the billing/finances for a pretty damn big department...you can get away from the sector and stay employed but you won't get rich...

[Beavker]

10. I think it's on it's way

Nebraska actually divides up it's electoral votes so that in escence, the Omaha area has it's own single electoral vote. That vote actually went to Obama. The counties containing Omaha and Lincoln, the two largest cities, actually voted for Obama. So the 'populated' areas are BLUE! It's turning...I hope!

[YOY]

11. Well just remember that even though Salt Lake City turns blue sometimes.`

The rest of Utah never will. It will always be red...

[Still Sensible]

5. They are beginning a major league identity crisis

they haven't been the party of fiscal responsibility for nearly 20 years and some of the die hards are demanding a return to that principle. Meanwhile, the neocons have basically left town, the corporate icons and bankers are too busy covering their ass, and the only other group holding down the fort are the fundies. Geesh! It could be fun watching this play out. The titular leaders of today's GOP appear to be Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Joe the Plumber!

[Beavker]

8. Ugly

Sort of like being a Padre Fan (as I am) and looking at your starting roster, and noticing you will be losing Jake Peavy. "And how are we going to be a better team?". We're not. We're going down the shitter. Uh...Go Yankees!?

[Stingo]

12. The fundies have a leg up now

And we can all smile at that.