The Republican Party could use some adults

[sufrommich]

In an interview last week with National Journal's Major Garrett, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was asked what his priority would be for Republicans after their expected gains in Tuesday's election.

The possibilities were many: Balance the budget and pay down the debt? Fight the terrorists and reform entitlements? Support and defend the Constitution?

No, McConnell's priorities were elsewhere. "The single most important thing we want to achieve," he said, "is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

The single most important thing?

This bit of truth-telling, reminiscent of McConnell's lament in August that "I wish we had been able to obstruct more" of Obama's agenda, underscored a problem that will come to the fore if Republicans succeed in winning a majority on Tuesday: The party is sorely in need of grown-ups.

When Republicans gained control of Congress 16 years ago, the revolutionaries were eventually convinced by their leaders to cut deals with President Bill Clinton, leading to milestone achievements on the budget and welfare reform.

But there is no Bob Dole in the Republican leadership today; there isn't even a Newt Gingrich. There is nobody with the clout to tell Tea Party-inspired backbenchers when it's time to put down the grenades and negotiate. Rather, there are weak leaders who, frightened by the Tea Party radicals, have become unquestioning followers of a radical approach.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102905833.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[WillParkinson]

1. Yes, they need them...

But they're so unlikely to find them.