I argue that Barack Obama is systematically destroying the Republican party.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

The bipartisanship might not make much sense on the surface, appointing Republicans, making changes to the stimulus to appease Republicans, etc. You'd think with the mandate the voters gave Obama, he should go for a push on hard left policies and legislation, Republicans be damned.

But think of things in the long term.

The GOP's deeply fractured and dying. Nothing would be easier for them then to rally around then new president with a deeply partisan agenda. With his bipartisan, populist stances, Obama's taken away their ammunition, appealed to moderate Republicans (which has and will continue to win over), and marginalized Republicans who can only get more radical.

[maxsolomon]

1. i agree, however

i believe we need a definitive shift to the left in policy (radical pruning of the DoD, radical subsidies for non-GHG power, radical construction of high speed rail, radical re-imagining of food supply), and this project delays that. when there's little time to waste.

[katandmoon]

2. The Democrats were said to be destroyed not too long ago too. Don't get cocky.

When it comes to politics there are no safe predictions.

[geek tragedy]

3. Oh bullshit. They're winning the debate over the stimulus, to

the point where only 38% of people want Obama's plan to pass as it is.

55% want to reject it or make 'major changes' to it, and those who want the 'major changes' are Republicans and Independents.

[Uzybone]

10. link?

Besides what you stated is meaningless. I want major changes to the bill and I support Obama 100%.

[Still Sensible]

4. I don't think he is destroying them

so much as he is marginalizing their message. Unfortunately, certain missteps early--tax problems for some appointees, lobbyist appointees, etc.--are at the very least impeding what otherwise has been a fast and positive start.

He is sticking to the high road and extending a hand, which is thus far being ignored by the GOP at their peril, I believe. His latest appointment however, Gregg at Commerce, is IMO a mistake and an unnecessary step in "reaching across the aisle."

Will this marginalization of the GOP/Rush/McConnell message be successful in the long run? Time will tell. At least at this point, the President has done what he said he would do to promote bi-partisanship and has done so, I believe, without giving away anything important.

I do believe his actions to-date are strengthening his hold on the "moderate middle."

[Poll_Blind]

5. I agree. It's funny how few actually see this, but whatever.

He's already been down their throat, layin' an eggy-egg in their stomach. Soon, the GOP will be having dinner back on the ship and the convulsions will start. The rest of the caucus won't know what to do and they'll pull the GOP body politic onto the table. And then the scarlet stain will spread, the sweaty t-shirt will rip and teeny little blood-covered O-fucking-Bama head will push up out from under the ribcage, give the horrified survivors a "Howdy-fucking-do?" perhaps mumbling the words out through a mouth-full of aorta.

Some will slip and fall from the enormous quantities of blood. Others, running to the escape pods while desperately trying to undo the childproof cap on a tube of Oxycontin, will find themselves alone when the lights flicker and dim and the Long Shadow comes for them.

In the House and Senate, no one can hear you scream. (unless, of course, they're watching C-Span)



PB

[lib_wit_it]

6. Hee! Oh, how I wish it were so, literally. Second best if it figuratively happens this way!

[SergeyDovlatov]

7. lol. Republicans are doing a good job it all by themselves.

;-)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. And he's just giving them rope.

[havocmom]

11. Yep. They will make a fuss about this, about that, about the other thing

and when they have spun around to finally see the trap they tied themselves into, he can tug the rope, just a little and they are rendered a heap of helpless clowns.

[applegrove]

9. I hope he can teach many republican voters how to be good human being again and pay

taxes.

[Starry Messenger]

12. I don't disagree.

I still think we should be able to talk smack about Republicans here at DU, though. A lot of them do suck and I (personally) resent being told to make nice. I'll get there when I get there. I trust Obama, however and generally always have.