tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post6717734992542797514..comments2024-01-28T08:54:32.914-06:00Comments on That's interesting...: Republicans attempt to blackmail AmericaBill Garthrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-18278863813393691792012-11-06T08:52:33.714-06:002012-11-06T08:52:33.714-06:00Anonymous, let's not count our chickens before...Anonymous, let's not count our chickens before they've hatched. I'm mildly optimistic, but I'd rather be pleasantly, rather than unpleasantly, surprised!<br /><br />Besides, I can't be overly optimistic in an America where nearly half the country <i>still</i> votes Republican, even after all they've done to us in recent decades (and especially in recent years). That just blows my mind!<br /><br />Will the GOP continue to be obstructionist? Look at it this way: They were soundly defeated in 2008, after the worst presidential administration in U.S. history destroyed our economy, our reputation, and our honor.<br /><br />Our economy was in a free-fall that looked to have no bottom. America was desperate for relief. There was even some speculation that the Republican Party would never recover.<br /><br />So what did they do then? They doubled down on extreme partisanship and the exact same policies from the Bush administration that created this mess - all these messes - in the first place. And indeed, incredible as it seems, they came roaring back in 2010.<br /><br />So do you really think they'll change their behavior <i><b>now</b></i>? Keep in mind that the GOP base is still crazy, and that Republican leaders <i>have</i> to keep them happy.<br /><br />No, I suspect they'll decide that they simply weren't extreme <i>enough</i>, that they shouldn't have gone with a moderate flip-flopper like Mitt Romney, but with a <i>real</i> conservative, and maybe that they should have actually <i>defaulted</i> on America's debt last year, rather than just threatening to do so (and only damaging America's credit rating <i>a bit</i>).<br /><br />After all, these are the same people who've been <i>deliberately</i> trying to bankrupt America, in order to force a smaller government on us (to shrink America down small enough to "drown in a bathtub," as Grover Norquist so eloquently put it).<br /><br />Faith-based fanatics don't become reasonable just because of the evidence. They really don't live in the real world, anyway. They just have faith, so they tend to stick with their dogma no matter what.<br /><br />I could be wrong. I hope I am. And they might change their message in some minor ways - like trying to woo Hispanics again, as Karl Rove suggested. (Of course, that's difficult when you've filled your party with bigots.)<br /><br />And there will probably be some Republicans who'll argue for a less confrontational stance, at least in their public statements (since it's bad PR, if nothing else). But I'm not optimistic for drastic change in the GOP, not yet. I suspect they'll just immediately focus on 2016 - and not in a good way.<br />Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-6461877475923211352012-11-06T04:01:53.580-06:002012-11-06T04:01:53.580-06:00Spot ON, Garthright! Nate Silver's final pred...Spot ON, Garthright! Nate Silver's final predictions has President Obama's chances to win the electoral college at 92%. President Obama WILL WIN a second term! And, he has earned it after putting up with the GOP's B.S. with such strength, grace and humility. Unfortunately, although gains will be made, the house will stay in RepubliCON hands, and the Senate will remain in the Dems. <br />I just cannot believe that all of the GOPers can afford to obstruct for another 4 years as it would be disastrous for the economy and they could not possibly survive the next election cycle. Your thoughts on that would be most appreciated ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com