Call Me GOP

It feels a little slow today as the front pages are overwhelmed with news of Ted Kennedy’s passing, but here’s something interesting from yesterday: Senator John McCain was booed by a highly partisan, home-state crowd in Arizona. McCain defended President Obama, saying he deserved the nation’s respect even if they disagreed with his policies.

“I just believe, my friends, that there is a fundamental difference in philosophy and about the role of government. That is why we have competition for public office and competition amongst parties, and competition about different ideas and vision for the future of America. I’m convinced the president is absolutely sincere in his beliefs,” he continued.

How can we achieve a country where everyone can engage in healthy debates about their beliefs without just trying to shut the other side down?

The Daily Beast analyses the “Democratic destruction” in the wake of Obama’s “clumsy” chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. In light of the downward trend of the Democrat’s approval rating, is the G.O.P. claiming to have done something, as one Republican partisan says, or is it solely on this man’s shoulders? How can the G.O.P. capitalize on the Democratic Party’s mistakes and misfortune?

We — well, most of America — thought Obama would unite the left and right. However, in The Daily Beast, Lee Siegel argues the president has polarized the country more quickly than the Bush-Cheney regime. Is this something Obama brought upon himself or are Americans to blame for the hype? Plus, don’t we always set almost unrealistic expectations for our leaders? How can he get back on track?

Every political party will inevitably try to put a favorable spin on things. Currently, Democrats are concentrating on a so-called “nonsense feedback loop” — highlighting the theories of Birthers and fears over “death panels.” It seems to be a common political strategy: focus on the lunacy of extremists more than a moderate, rational voice.

The Daily Beast argues that having a Democrat in the White House could have possibly created a more passive party. The energy has dissipated. Momentum has been lost. Well, have they lost the edge? Are the Democrats feeling too secure in their position? What can the G.O.P. do to take advantage of the situation?

Mere months ago — shortly after Obama stepped into office — “rebranding” was quite the buzzword in Republican circles. They were determined to redefine the G.O.P., reach out to young voters, and become a better party. They were excited. It sounded so promising.

Since then: crickets.

Has the effort simply “flamed out” as Patrick O’Conner reports it has? What will it take for the G.O.P. to step up and get its act together, or is it just not ready yet?

(via Washington Monthly)

Americans believe that relationships between Republicans and Democrats have deteriorated since Obama was elected as this Gallup poll indicates. Do you agree? What’s caused the breakdown? How can we get back on the road toward political civility?

The presidential office has grown since the founding of our country. It went from a much more modest role to one in which politicians make grandiose claims to revive “our nation’s soul,” rid the world of evil,” and “change the world.” However, as the Economist reports, these early commitments can actually have negative effects.

For example, a libertarian scholar named Gene Healy predicts that Obama’s over-promising will cause Americans to view his presidency as a failure, “possibly the least popular of the modern era” — a complete 360 from the beginning of his term.

But are we not used to this by now? I think most of us now dismiss man of these claims — from both parties — as mere rhetoric. If we know that all candidates over-promise in the beginning, when will we accept politicians’ limitations, and why do we keep setting these unrealistic expectations?

Despite Obama’s declining popularity since he took office, the number of states identifying with each party remains unchanged since 2008. A recent Gallup poll reports just four states maintain a solid Republican advantage, while 29 plus the District of Columbia go to the Dems.  Support for the Democratic Party has shrunk in recent months; however, this is the result of increased independent identification rather than an increase in Republican. Given that the political climate is “stacked in the Democratic Party’s favor,” what can the G.O.P. do to better compete in the field and how should they go about it?

Obama’s approval rating has plummeted. Almost 50% of voters think that America’s best days are in the past.  According to another Rasmussen Report, 61% believe we’re going in the wrong direction while only 34% of voters think we’re on the right track. Where do you think our country is heading? If you think we’re heading down the wrong path, what will it take to get us back on track?

The anti-Obama tone in Washington taken by many G.O.P. members has some Republican Senate leaders concerned — particularly regarding health care. Why do they think the debate has turned less about the issues and more about the president?

Get the full scoop here.