When the 2010 midterms are over, what will be left of the GOP?

[Drunken Irishman]

Think about it. Right now, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney and John McCain are convinced the party needs to dump the moderate wing and move even further to the right. When the American people reject this in 2010 and their power in the congress actually shrinks, what next?

It's bad now, but I can't help but think it's only going to get worse. The moderates are fleeing, but what happens when the sensible conservatives (if they actually exist) start questioning the foundation for their party? Then you're going to see conservative cannibalism and in the end, what will be left?

Honestly, this is only going to get better for us and I can't wait.

[lostnotforgotten]

1. The GOP Will Be Back In Power Because Of Obama Fail On the Following:

1) Health Care

2) The Economy

3) Torture Prosecutions

[Drunken Irishman]

2. lol

[lostnotforgotten]

3. Laugh Now - Cry Later

eom

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Na, I'll be laughing in 2010, too.

But it's cute you think the Republicans will actually have some footing next year.

[lostnotforgotten]

7. My 52 Years Of Watching Politics Says Otherwise - We Will See!

eom

[emulatorloo]

10. It might be different if the whack-jobs weren't in charge of the GOP

I get your point, but Limbaugh-think is not going to lead them to victory in 2010.

[lostnotforgotten]

12. Don't Think For A Moment That The Whack Jobs Can't Be Replaced

eom

[emulatorloo]

16. Yes but that is not the trend. The trend is the whack jobs win the primaries over the moderates

The hardcore base comes out for the primaries and further refines things.

This may not be the case in 2012, but this appears to be the path they are heading down right now.

[lostnotforgotten]

21. I Can Assure All That TPTB Are Looking For Less Strident Nut Jobs

Don't think for a second that the richest world citizens will go down without a fight.

[damonm]

22. But the odds of that...

happening anytime in the next 2-4 years are about the same as those of you being the winning horse in next year's Kentucky Derby.

[Arkana]

34. They're not learning from their mistakes.

They're not trying to attract moderate voters. They're mercilessly attacking a President who's enormously popular and so far has been pretty successful. Their party chairman is a joke and their real leader is a fat, sweaty, bigoted pill-popping drug addict.

We learned from what happened to us in 2002 and 2004--and we hired a guy like Howard Dean to rebuild the party from the ground up.

When the GOP moderates itself let me know--that's when we'll be in trouble. Right now? I think Jim Bunning's prediction about there being only 36 Senate Republicans left after 2010 might just come true.

And you know what they'll say when it happens? "We weren't conservative enough!"

[Drunken Irishman]

13. Does it? Then you'd know the Republicans have a problem entering 2010.

Firstly, if the economy shows any signs of progress, regardless of how large, it benefits the Democrats. By all accounts, the economy is progressing better than it was this time last year and when Pres. Obama became president. Jobs will be an issue, but it's very unlikely the unemployment rate will continue climbing every month for a year and a half. Maybe it will, and if it does, then sure, the Dems are done, but I don't see that being an issue.

Secondly, look at the seats that are up in 2010. They do not favor Republicans. It's very likely the Republicans lose seats and it's hard to see any scenario where they regain control of either the House or the Senate, as you project.

[lostnotforgotten]

15. Yes - I See That The Media Kool-Aid Is Having An Effect - Don't Count On The Economy

Here is a very good place to start a real education:

http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse

The problem is that the public does not want to be told the truth and the Dems are too spineless to tell that truth.

Hence, the Republicans have a shot by marketing more myth and lies.

It's what the public wants.

[Drunken Irishman]

18. It doesn't matter.

If unemployment begins to drop by 2010, the Republicans are toast.

If it doesn't, the Democrats have a steep hill to climb. However, I'd wager unemployment begins to slow by late 2009 and 2010 will be a better year.

[lostnotforgotten]

20. Dream On

eom

[Drunken Irishman]

23. You're the one dreaming.

But we'll find out. I doubt, though, you'll admit your mistake when unemployment begins to drop next year. In fact, you'll probably be disappointed.

[damonm]

25. Ah, so YOU'RE one of the 12 people who still take Martenson seriously...

[salguine]

24. For what it's worth, I think you might be right. And as far as I'm concerned,

if Obama continues in the direction he's going on those three issues—health care, the economy, and torture prosecutions—then I don't WANT him back for a second term. Flame away.

[emulatorloo]

26. 2010 elections, Obama will still have 2 years to go n/t

[WCGreen]

28. I would agree with you if it wasn't for the Titanic generational shift in the

American Electorate. People younger than 40 are overwhelmingly identifying with the core values of the democratic party, not the republican party.

The Angry White Man and the Scared Soccer Mom's that built the base for the GOP since 1994 are becoming more and more marginalized. The GOP was also counting on the growing Hispanic Community and their strong sense of faith. But that all slipped away from them thanks to Pat Buchanan and Lou Dobbs.

The trends that started in 2006 are going to continue for some time. I think that year was a true realignment that was cemented by the Obama and Congressional campaigns of 2008.

In the Senate especially, the GOP is losing at least two and possibly three seats just because of retirement. Judd isn't running for reelection, George Voinovich isn't and Specter's seat will be in the Dem's column one way or anther.

No, the only thing that could drastically change the political landscape is a devastating attack on the US.

[salguine]

29. I don't think they're so much aligning with the Democrats as rejecting the GOP. Recent

developments/studies have shown that the same people aren't terribly impressed with the Democrats either and are more likely to align themselves with third parties and independents.

[WCGreen]

30. It's not the Democrats personally, but the core values that they are

embracing. Such as equality, fair taxation, responsive government.

[Zynx]

32. Care to pull up your 2006 and 2008 projections?

[Sebastian Doyle]

38. They don't need actual "footing"

They just need a corrupt media (check) a corrupt voting system (check) and enough liberals not to show up (probable check under the previously mentioned criteria)

[Demeter]

6. I Agree

If it was functional, the GOP could tear Obama apart on the Jobs question alone. Of course, they would have to start trying to undo the 30 years they spent disemploying Americans, but stranger things have happened....

The GOP thinks it can have it all: slavery, torture, and absolute power. We have to prove them wrong.

Meanwhile, the President thinks he can blame the victims: "get training!" he pontificates. The more training one has, the less employable. We need JOBS, dammit! Not slogans, not platitudes, not scorn. And not Republicans.

[emulatorloo]

8. Yes, the Republicans have been so compelling on all three of those issues

1) Health Care - you are on your own

2) The Economy - the rich need another tax cut

3) Torture Prosecutions - Bush did nothing wrong, but if he did it is all Nancy Pelosi's fault.

Sounds like a winning plan!

(sorry do not know how to make the sarcasm smilie)

[lostnotforgotten]

11. Dem And Independents Will Have Had Enough Of Obama Sloganeering

And no real change we can believe in!

[Drunken Irishman]

14. You're a pretty funny guy.

Or woman, or whatever.

:)

[damonm]

27. Enough to vote GOP?

Please STEP AWAY from the crack pipe...

[Arkana]

35. What "sloganeering"?

The man's already made good on a few of his campaign promises and he's got at least 3 1/2 years left to make good on the others.

People like you are the reason we lost in 2002 and 2004--you're like the far right. You want what you want and you want it NOW, process be damned.

[damonm]

19. WOW - that's some STRONG stuff you're smoking...

1) No chance.

2) LESS than no chance.

3)Your odds of being struck by lightning AND a meteor while simultaneously finding a 4-leaf clover and a winning Powerball ticket are better, though not by much...

[Arkana]

31. You're funny!

Do more jokes Mister Clown Man!

[Zynx]

33. It's almost statistically impossible for them to take back the Senate.

Try again.

[WeDidIt]

36. Yup

IF he fucks up those three things, and it's looking like he will, the GOP will take a lot of seats.

[opihimoimoi]

5. The GOP is in deep doo....no easy answers...no hero to save the day

No fun, no happy, no food....they preach evil hatred and division...they are the EVIL FORCE

[Fresh_Start]

9. I think the numbers work against the GOP in the Senate

I haven't seen what the retirements, etc in the House look like.
But I wouldn't be surprised to see the GOP pick up a couple of seats there
Just because people will be tired of being miserable and they'll vote for change again

[trof]

17. What will be left? Hopefully a dim memory.

[rug]

37. Skoal and transistor radios.

[ShadowLiberal]

39. Even less smart people will be left in the GOP then there are now in the GOP

538 has some good analysis on the decline of the educated (defined as people with 'Post-Graduate Educations') voting for the GOP.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/05/decline-of-conservative-intellectualism.html

Look at the graph on the page, in 1980 the GOP got 60% of the Post-Graduate Educated vote, but in 2008 they barely did better then 40% of the Post-Graduate Educated vote.

Not too coincidentally the GOP's policy positions have become less about detailed plans, and more about emotions and religion over time to as they've lost the educated vote.