The Future Of The Republican Party (psst - NOT good)

[THUNDER HANDS]

Even though most Americans claim to oppose the bailout , the House GOP's obstructionism is widely viewed as having worsened the economic situation; the fact that these are contradictory positions does not faze an electorate that wraps all of the country's current troubles up, ties them with a bow, and lays them at the feet of the Bush-led GOP. John McCain loses by a landslide in November. The Democratic Party regains years or even decades worth of ground among the white working class, consolidates the Hispanic vote, and locks up a large chunk of highly-educated voters who might otherwise lean conservative. The much-discussed liberal realignment happens. And a politician running on a Ron Paul-style economic platform does very, very well in the GOP primaries of 2012.

-- Ross Douthat

http://rossdouthat.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/09/three_scenarios.php

[crazy_vanilla]

1. you mean??? you could've knocked me over with a feather!!!

It all started with the fundamentals of the economy ... they are strong, you know ;-)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

2. The problem with the House GOP...

OK, among the MANY problems with the House GOP is that they're offering no reasonable alternative (other than a combination of capital gains tax cuts and a chorus of "Burn Baby Burn").

They've articulated no sound plan or vision of their own. Of course, on the left there are several options that could be considered, like a "Transaction Tax" (my personal fav) that is currently used by England and other EU nations.

I actually read a GOP Congressman today say that we was opposed to the Bailout because it was "Socialism"

Hoo boy.