The Republican predicament

Augustus

Just wait until Obama goes back to his 'roots' well to the left of the political spectrum. The Dems may now be playing it smart by feigning centrist policies and trying to push the GOP into a hard right corner, but the conservative themes of tax cuts, spending restraint, and small government should continue to have a major voter appeal. There should be nothing that a few new professional faces in Washington cannot handle as long as the character and convictions of the Republican ethos of freedom, liberty and justice continue to be defended. Ultimately, the Republicans are not only the party of ideas, they are the party that offers more choices.

THX1138

The Republicans ain't going to win nothin' all the time it's a Christanist Southern wingnut white party.. Elites matter..

Another wingnut plan bites the dust

Obama too British' case rejected

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7771937.stm

Anan

Where is the action behind such "themes" as "low taxes, small government and spending restraint"? In 12 years of Republican rule, government expenditure ballooned, the size of government exploded, and the tax reductions that were made only benefitted a tiny minority of people. The Republicans are liars just like Labour, in this case with their similar government expenditure increases, destruction of the economy and increased taxes for the middle class, while preaching social justice and stability. What world you are living in Augustus?

Well, I guess you are part of the hardcore of any movement, which simply cannot or will not see the facts in front of your eyes so long as you don't have to admit you were wrong.

Ian C

The bottom of it is that USA is a centre right country that will substantially vote for a moderate - and rarely a left liberal such as Carter and Obama. If Obama does a good job that may change, but to do so he will have to stay clear of his previous leanings. And that will not be obvious until half way through his second term.

The country did not go with McCain because he was the candidate closest to the incumbent and he made a hash of it when the economy came to the fore - when it was going to be difficult if it did come to the front during campaigning anyway.

That is not to say that the right character emerging in the GOP cannot undo this by knowing how to appeal to the base while having wider appeal. It's been done before, no reason why it can't happen again. It needs better and more charisamtic candidates than they have produced since 1988 though.

Conservative Cabbie

In 2004, george Bush won with an increased majority over 2000 and yet we are expected to believe that following one defeat, there is no hope for the GOP. What a load of tosh!

Is anyone suggesting that the situation now is gloomier than it was following watergate? May I remind people that the GOP were only out of power for one election cycle following that particular nadir of GOP support.

TGF UKIP

James, leaving aside the always consistent and consistently (on this at least) misguided THX, the other posts here are being rather more calmly perceptive than your man Ambinder.

There is a tide in the affairs of man and there is a cycle in politics and this cycle is one for the Democrats. A justified but initially flawed war and occupation of Iraq plus an extremely arrogant and sleazy Republican Congress handed the political initiative massively and predictably to the Democrats.

The inevitable fall of White House and Congress followed but the scale of their victory will in turn be the Democrats' undoing.

Not only will they go too far to the left with social legislation but with so much federal largesse to be expended in the false pursuit of an exit from recession there will be so many congressional sleazy noses in the federal feedbag that Republicans will be more than able to take their revenge.

The greatest mistake the GOP can make is to seek to make themselves look like people they are manifestly not. In short they should learn the lessons of the disastrous Cameron manoeuvres in trying to persuade voters that Tories really were a bunch of prissy, green, pc, hoody-hugging, tax and spend do-gooders. It fooled nobody and just meant that Cameron was distrusted because the picture he tried to paint of Tories did not square with the Tories people met in their everyday lives in the family at work or at play.

Similarly, Republicans should bide their time as the centre drift back towards them as it inexorably will as the congressional Dems drive further and further leftward.

As for Obama, well aside from watching what emerges from Chicago, his centrist moves on foreign and economic policy will, I predict, be counterbalanced by ill judged move leftwards on social and environmental issues. That will be the bone he will throw the Democrat left. Not only will they abuse it but they will want a great deal more.

Republicans sit tight and remember "Drill baby drill."

THX1138

TGF great post I don't really agree with any of it but still great post.

You're certainly wrong about this part anyway.

In short they should learn the lessons of the disastrous Cameron manoeuvres in trying to persuade voters that Tories really were a bunch of prissy, green, pc, hoody-hugging, tax and spend do-gooders. It fooled nobody"

Well it fooled me & it's exactly why I'm probably going to Vote Tory next time. All Dave needs to do is get rid of that chin less little arrogant toff & useless excuse for a Shadow Chancellor and he's definitely got my vote.