GOP: From no to go
A loosely-defined American groundswell movement revitalized a moribund GOP and spearheaded a bottom-up revolt, actively supporting 100 House and 12 Senate candidates. As of this writing, 70 of those candidates won election. What now?
One of the prime factors in the Republican Party's election resurgence last week was its membership's steadfast and near-unanimous commitment to being the Party of No. Derided as such by the Left, the GOP adopted this label with the same esteem as those in the military regard the coveted Combat Infantry Badge.
Outnumbered and out-gunned during the previous session of Congress, the GOP stood tall and held fast against the statist onslaught of the Obama regime and Democrat Congress; They also had help doing so. Throughout much of the ordeal they were bolstered by what became known as the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party Movement, a leaderless nationwide coalition of average Americans. Many of of these millions-strong concerned citizens had never before actively participated in the political process.
Congressional Republicans could effect little change in outcome, yet still managed to prevent a nightmarish national forced march from becoming a national death march. It is important to note, however, that without the Tea Party's efforts at the grassroots level, none of their congressional heroics would have been possible.
Congressional crossroad
Now that the election dust has settled, now that the Republican Party is in control of the House and has loosened the Democrats' choke hold on the Senate, where do we go from here? Despite what they say for public consumption, Obama and the remaining Democrats will never - never - compromise nor willingly relinquish any of their political gains, regardless of the grave harm done to the nation. Remember, they still hold the Senate and the White House, still retain the activist services and vast financial clout of powerful unions and other special-interest groups, and control a compliant state-run media.
Will the GOP establishment exert control, attempt to co-opt the new class of conservative Members, and revert back to its old, losing ways of accommodation, compromise, and cronyism?"A majority of Americans embraced a political party which gained notoriety and electoral popularity as the Party of No." Or will House and Senate conservatives, all whom appreciate the value of the Tea Party - and who have heeded its warning and understand a second chance when they see it - overcome establishment hegemony, succeed in promoting First Principles, and pursue those principles in governing?
For one of the few times in the nation's history, a majority of Americans embraced a political party which gained notoriety and electoral popularity as the Party of No. This back-handed populism propelled the GOP's return to power, and there are those who say that the Republican Congress should stand firm with what got them there. The other option is for the GOP to embrace a positive, principled course that seeks to promote its fiscally responsible vision for the nation.
The dilemma, of course, is that in a power-sharing government: 1. Independents, moderates, and even a party's most ardent supporters grow weary of negativity and cynicism; and 2. An honest but naive pursuit of ideals can lead to legislative defeat.
Transition from no to go?
It matters not that Obama and the disingenuous Democrat Congress gained power via a misguided Republican backslide on conservative principles, or through a false portrayal of themselves as unifiers who lived by a bipartisan credo. What matters now is the clear message sent by the electorate last Tuesday.
Americans want to see action and not listen to rhetoric. They want the GOP to keep its word this time. They want Republicans to reduce the size and authoritative reach of government, slash spending, strive for tax reduction, and eviscerate the Democrat Party's socialist programs - including ObamaCare. Yet most of all, the election showed that Americans are keenly focused on economic recovery and jobs.
Furthermore, the American people emphatically declared that they don't want the GOP to revert back to their bad old Democrat-lite ways. They do not want the House"As to the Republican Party's dilemma, the nation will soon find out which path the GOP will travel." to compromise with the Obama regime or Democrat Senate on anything that furthers government intrusion or control.
As to the Republican Party's dilemma, the nation will soon find out which path the GOP will travel. There is danger in a rigid, idealistic approach to governing within a divided Congress. What is the use of 1,000 principled House bills if they never clear the Senate? And if legislation does somehow make it to the White House, there is always a veto pen waiting. Yet dangerous, too, is the more pragmatic approach of limited compromise. Who sets the arbitrary limit to accommodation, which principles must be abandoned, and what does that say to the American majority which placed its trust in the GOP?
Last chance
it is the opinion of this author that the Republican Party transcend from simply saying no to moving forward. This is not problematic for the House. In the Senate, however, it is time for conservatives to assert themselves. Although still a minority, the GOP now has fewer Democrat members to sway on key issues, as well as the support of the American majority. Don't think for one minute that the 33 Senators up for election in 2012 did not notice the 2010 election results. This alone is a very powerful weapon.
The GOP-controlled House should certainly continue to fight tooth and claw against any and all of the statists' agenda, and do what they can to reverse or mitigate as much of the existing economy-killing policies as they can. As far as advancing new legislation, however, the House should choose wisely - selectively promote a few key issues strongly supported by the American people and let the Democrats"The Tea Party millions who helped the GOP back into power will be long on support but short on patience." and Obama reject them. And they will be rejected because the Left never gives, only takes.
State-run media? They chose sides a long time ago; Ignore them because there will be no quarter given from them regardless of your actions. Take comfort in the knowledge that the American majority now also sees through their bias as well.
Throughout the next two years, one fact is certain. The Tea Party millions who helped the GOP back into power will be long on support but short on patience. Republicans at all levels of government had better use this opportunity to maintain a bona fide conservative agenda or they will never be given another chance to lead for a long time to come.
This will either be the GOP's salvation or last hurrah.
America Held Hostage: 804 Days to Freedom.