Is the Republican Party really as sick as it looks?

[Zynx]

Poll question: Is the Republican Party really as sick as it looks?

By many indications, theirs is a party is serious trouble this year. Massive unfavorability ratings for the Republican brand, weak fundraising, weak turnout in their primaries and caucuses, a whole series of Congressional retirements, and tremendous infighting. Are they as messed up as they appear or will they manage to stage a comeback?

[MADem]

1. Give those fuckers a REASON to get excited, and they'll close ranks like the BORG.

And anyone who doesn't think so is ..... overconfident.

[Zynx]

3. I'm glad I see the results I'm seeing so far. We're not too confident, which is good.

We have to take these guys seriously. They probably have at least 42% of the vote locked up. If they can peel off another six percent or so it could hurt.

[acmavm]

2. Don't count 'em out yet. We have shit candidates and they are still in

control.

Might not end up like some people think.

[ReformedChris]

4. A Republican Resurrection is dependent on many things..

1) The Democrat President and Congress must fail to improve the life of Americans between 08-10.

2) The Democrats have to lose the House, the House is so important when it comes to spending and appropriations.

3) A charismatic Republican must rise from their ashes and be the opposite of Bush (intelligent, articulate,and a "true" Reagan conservative).

4) The Democrat President must be weak going into the 2012 election. If Obama or HRC are doing a good job, then the Republicans will suffer a great setback.

I feel that they are crippled at the moment, but I never rule anything out in politics. IMHO, after Watergate occurred in the mid 70's, there was no raeson for Republicans to dominate the White House the way they have for the past 28 years. The Democrats failed to capitalize on Republican blunders. They cannot fail the American people again and they must give the people what they deserve, such as Universal Healthcare (Single Payer in my dreams), Military Peace/real justice for terrorists, and an economy in which the world is envious of the American industrial machine. If the Dems make sure there is economic prosperity by ensuring quality American jobs are created and the tax structure is fixed, we can have untold of growth possibilities.

[MADem]

5. Er, that would be the DEMOCRATIC President. It's the Democratic Party.

"Democrat" is GOP code for "rat." Not used, unless you're trying to insult, which I doubt you are.

Other than that, I do concur with much of your analysis. If McCain picks that charismatic Republican as his running mate (Hispanic a plus) and the guy (must be a guy, sexism is still ruling in the US, we've found) can manage to shine while at the same time, not diminishing McCain, that might do it and McCain might just make hay while the sun shines.

And don't rule out the GOP switching gears--they might jump on the "Unity" train and move more to the center, tell the fundies to go fuck themselves OR engage in "What would JESUS DO?" framing with regard to social programs (something Huckabee has done to great effect) and steal away some of the 'faithful/liberal-ish' independents.

After Watergate, the military industrial complex, fronted by GE (that owns NBC) got their old spokesman Ronnie up on his saddle and headed him out on his journey to the White House. And really, they've always had a finger in the pie since then. I'm sure they don't want to leave the stage if they can help it. They'll do what they can to get a 'manageable' president in power, if they can.

[Name removed]

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[BeFree]

7. So

You think Obama is worse than McCain?

Hell, if that's what you got cooking why even enlist?

[Fovea]

8. No matter how vicious, criminal or clever

the wide stance party has decided the centerpiece of their 2008 strategy is to violate the first law of holes.

[Arctic Dave]

9. Its never just a repug

They have an entire well oiled machine. They could have a block of wood run for office and they could make it look good.

[El Pinko]

10. Oh, I thought you meant sick as in depraved.

In terms of their vigor, I think it's largely undiminished. They still have the corps behind them, media, sleazebags like Scaife and Limbutt.

But I think the difference is that the dems will have greatly increased vigor this year. It will take all we have to beat them, but I'm relatively confident that we will beat them.