GOP members, voters, supporters and friends are less than pleased as of late, and perhaps with good reason. So displeased, in fact, that there are rumblings of rebellion coursing through the formerly cohesive Conservative movement.
Item one that has feathers ruffled in the Republican party (aside from the fact that they are “out of power” for the time being) seems to be that there is no voice. The GOP lacks leadership. There is no one to unify, to garner support, to provide the dissonant voice of critique for the current administration (I support the administration, but everyone in power needs someone to call them out every once in a while, if nothing else).
And frankly, I don’t think Republican voters have been satisfied with their leadership at all for the last 4-6 years. Ultra-conservatives, perhaps, but the moderate Republicans are nearly just as dissatisfied as the Liberals and Democrats were during Bush’s entire term in office. Aside from tax cuts (which benefited a select few) and a handful of maneuvers that placated the religious base, the majority of the Republican party no doubt feels that their 8 years in the limelight was wasted, having passed no substantial, lasting or impactful legislation.
I wouldn’t blame Republican voters for voicing their dissent, particularly at this time. If ever there was a time for them to start rebuilding (and, ideally, make an honest attempt at luring voters in the middle of the road rather than catering to the outliers), that time is now.
But there needs to be a voice. Someone who can put that derailed train of a party back on the tracks and focus the talking points on the core issues.
Judging by the glut of recent media appearances and testimony on the Hill, that voice could be Republican stalwart and present thorn in the administration’s side, Newt Gingrich.
Most recently, Gingrich gave testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in regards to draft legislation regarding climate change and emissions, following former Vice President Al Gore’s Testimony to the same group . This in addition to his recent appearances on Sunday talk shows in order to issue criticism of the Obama administration and their legislative work thus far.
Gingrich was rebutting the legislation currently under debate with a 38-point environmental plan of his own (details of which I’ve been unable to locate as of yet).
Which makes for one notable distinction between Gingrich and other Republicans – At least he has a plan. As for the substance of the plan, I can’t say. But thus far he’s perhaps the only representative voice in the party who actually has items on paper that he can point to and garner support for.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not a Newt supporter. In fact, I have mixed feelings about Mr. Gingrich’s priorities and views. There are times when I’ll see him on a Sunday talk show or giving comment on a news story, and what he has to say is not that far from what I would say. But there are other times (many, in fact) where I couldn’t be further from his view on the issue/topic at hand.
I’m also not necessarily cheering the arrival of a uniting force within the GOP, but there is one good thing that could come of having a somewhat unified opposition party – The Democrats won’t get complacent.
Speaking as a Democrat, I think I’m at liberty to say this – The Democratic Party knows how to lose. Perhaps all too well. And, like many other categories in life, it often takes competition to bring out the best in each side.
As such, a healthy opposition party would (hopefully) only light a fire under the Democratic Leadership’s rear end, inciting them to action, and potentially resulting in better legislation, more legislative action, a unified party platform, and maybe, just maybe, reelection.
To that end, I say “Welcome back, Newt.” And to the Democrats I supported and/or voted for, I say “Get your a$$ in gear. We got company.”
Followup: Sen. Arlen Specter ditches the GOP and switches parties, precisely because the GOP actively stifles moderate Republicans.
Update: Listen to the Common Sense with Dan Carlin podcast from 04/22 for a similar thought on Gingrich becoming the only emerging voice of the GOP. (http://www.dancarlin.com/cswdc.xml)
