Is anyone in charge of the GOP these days? Or is it going throgh Conservative Anarchy?

[Armstead]

Frankly, I had previously thought Mittster Romney was going to walk away with the GOP nomination, as a classic member of the GOP Establishment, a la GW Bush.

He seemed to be putting together a package that would be classic Modern GOP -- someone whose real agenda is basically just pro-corporate business as usual, but with the added gloss of social conservatism to appeal to the usual gang of idiots on the far right.

Or perhaps Guiliani. Although weird, he seemed to be both a GOP hawk and a Pro-Business Conservative.

Instead, however, they get McCain, who -- although indisputably conservative -- is a loose cannon who cannot be reliably counted on to be a Robot Republican. He also upset the classic GOP template, by ticking off the right wing social conservatives over the years. And instead of being annointed, he is subject to attacks from GOP cheerleaders like Rush and Hannity.

And adding to the disarray, is Mike Huckabee, who is becoming a champion of the True Believers among the right wing, but who is also more of a loose cannon than the GOP would like. And, despite his religious zealotry, he is even, on some selected issues, almost a populist liberal.

No doubt the GOP will eventually regroup. But I wonder what's going on among the GOP power brokers at this point.

[PATRICK]

1. Human Events

is an implacable RW Conservative rag and in a full front page spread trashes McCain utterly, saying the GOP is likely headed back to 1964 with his candidacy. Poor old Bob Dole has the excuse of getting sandblasted by a popular incumbent, but the GOP is thrashing about in an open election like a schizoid rabid dog. Huckabee is not conservative enough even to represent the religious nut faction(too liberal on spending) yet he is perhaps a must go-to for Veep- and not even close to the Bush inner circle.

Every single person and element looks more dysfunctional than a group picture of Bush's crony appointments. With Obama possible and Bloomberg looking more unlikely(Independents going away to the major parties) the scenarios can only depend on the Dems falling apart. When that dark hope fades, then comes the beginning of a fall landslide and hopefully the disintegration of all things Bush and Cheney.

[Armstead]

2. Keep your fingers crossed

[leftstreet]

3. With the Abramoff/Delay Inc money power train derailed

there seems to be no 'there' there.

[Xolodno]

4. I'd say...

The fundamentalists and ultra-conservatives are losing thier control over the GOP and they know it. And are willing (and hoping) to lose this next election in order to reign in the moderate and liberal republicans and say "see! we told you so, now come back to the dogma that has kept us in power". Only thing is, I'm pretty sure the moderates and liberals of the GOP know there going to lose as well with McCain or Huckabee, but this isn't about the battle of the presidency, its about who can take control of the party. The political battle in the GOP will continue long after November...get your popcorn ready, it should be impressive.

Don't get your hopes up either of a complete meltdown (remember, republicans thought the democratic party dead a number of times as well), granted it may take as long as four or even six years, but this civil war between the ultra's vs. the majority of the republican party won't destroy it. The Rush's, Hannitys and O'Riely's of the party know thier days are numbered but thier going to hold on to thier positions of influence as much as possilbe, hence why thier crying is so loud these days.

I wouldn't be surprised if you see republican party that quietly embraces a number of progressive ideals and policies in a few years. Instead, they will attack the democratic party on its "mis-management" and discuss how they can make things like universal health care better. Its pretty much how the pattern works, one it turns out the idea you opposed was a good one, critisize how its managed then take credit for making it better or "fixing it".

[Armstead]

5. I heard that Newt Gingrich was even talking of breaking away from the GOP

That'd be sweet of someone like him becomes a Nader of the Right Wing.

[TexasObserver]

6. They're running on Oxycontin and the fumes they whiffed at the Reagan Library

[Armstead]

7. With a buffoon currently in charge of the kitchen