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Whither Goest the GOP?

By Pat Racimora on November 19, 2008 at 8:38 AM in Congress (House & Senate), Democratic Party, Republicans

Where do you see this rambling Republican beast headed for? A Sunset or a Different Dawn ?

American wanted change—ANY change. J. B. Williams doesn’t mince words:

Now that it’s clear to everyone in the free world that the Republican Party national leadership is indeed out of touch with rank and file Republicans across the country and unable to defeat even the most unqualified and inexperienced Democrat candidates on the national stage, heads must roll and they will.


As Sydney Blumenthal describes in his recent book, The Strange Death of Republican America,

Bush’s second term has witnessed the great unraveling of the Republican coalition. His radicalism has pushed conservatism to extreme claims on executive power, preemptive war, the rule of law, a one-party state, hostility to science, suppression of career staff professionals in departments and agencies, and the hollowing out of the federal government.

More recently we have the October surprise (to anyone who hasn’t been paying attention) that our economy is totally in the dumper, a lackluster 2008 Republican nominee lineup despite the insertion of spunky Sarah Palin at the very end, and now the Republicans’ loss of control of the Executive and Legislative branches of our government with the almost assured appointments of two (maybe three) Supreme Court Justices by Democrats.

So where do you think this old (white?) elephant is headed off to now?

  • Obama: Dubya II Electric Boogaloo

    The public isn’t enthralled with the Dems. They just happen to not be for the GOP. The question is not what the GOP will do to get competetive again but how long will it take the Dems to screw the pooch and collapse under their own hubris.

    • Pennsylvania Red

      This is probably as concise (and accurate) an assessment as any.

      I caught a little of Rush’s show yesterday. He said that McCain ran a campaign based on a resume, rather than on IDEAS. So is that where we are headed as a nation, no one cares about years dedicated to public service, to accomplishment and achievement as a legislator…all the masses want is someone with a catchy slogan?

      • Dawnelle

        no, they just didn’t want OLD WASHINGTON GUARD.

        And, now they are realizing that MOST of BARRY’s cabinet is made up almost entirely of OLD CLINTON GUARD!

        lmao! Serves them right for being such Clinton haters in the beginning that they should be eating some crow now.

        Hopefully TEAM CLINTON have some good ideas and can put the affirmative action pretzeldent in some pretty seat at the front to only be turned on and off for pretty speeches!

        That’s all he’s good for. Mesmerizing the masses!

        blech!

        • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

          That just boggles the mind, doesn’t it? After Obama raking BOTH Clintons over the coals repeatedly, claiming he was going to bring “change,” to the have all these Clinton people?? Astonishing. If Obama followers weren’t already adept art excusing everything abt him, this might have been a bit og cognitive dissonance for them!

          Pat, GREAT cartoon!!

      • Mary Kay

        You’re right. Does this surprise anyone when we’ve got gen y’s coming into corporations and expecting to be promoted within six months and if they are not, they are gone? It’s all about marketing yourself now. I honestly think though, people will wake up again. It may take some international crisis to do it.

      • georgiapeach

        Yup. It seems we have entered the age of the American Idolization of political candidates. We just elected the guy with the pretty voice and rock star stage presence, and discarded the candidates with superior experience and wisdom.

  • mountainaires

    They are headed to oblivion, unless they get rid of Newt Gingrich and find some leaders with character. Newt still has designs on the old elephant; the poor beast should step on Newt and move on. That should be job one. Getting rid of the “evangelical wing” of the GOP should also be a top priority. The problem for the GOP is that they hitched their wagon to George W. Bush for eight years, and he dragged ‘em into the gutter. Now, they have to find a way to re-discover their conservative principles–conservatives don’t wage “pre-emptive” wars, it’s against conservative principles. Conservatives don’t increase the size of government by nearly 20%. Conservatives believe in balanced budgets, not spending the country into bankruptcy for ideological political agendas. I used to be a Republican; I left a decade ago over the Evangelical Wing of the GOP. Now, I’m an independent.

    • stodgie

      don’t under estimate newt. i don’t care for him either but i recognize that he is a smart pragamist. also he was the brains behind the original rise of the repubs in many ways. his own hubris did him then. but he is smart and learns from his mistakes. that is the difference here. it doesn’t seem to me the dems learn the lessons needed for long term rule. the copied the worst of the repubs.

      • DAB

        I blame Newt for injecting an incredible nastiness into the Washington scene. He even had a set of inflammatory terms to use on opponents and instructed everyone to repeatedly use them. It’s no wonder that things have devolved to the point that they have where even Democrats who used to be the “good guys” (or so we thought) seem to relish their acquired ability to play dirty.

        If the GOP is to thrive in the future, they must rely on new blood such as Jindall, Palin etc. Since the Republicans screwed up so badly, it will probably take another slow swing of the pendulum and a fatigue with the Democrats to give them a chance.

        I am not thrilled with many Republican positions, but believe that some checks and balances are required. I’m seriously concerned that the Dems will rubber stamp whatever That One wants, which would be the same mistake that the Republicans made with George Bush.

        • Dawnelle

          yep anyone that can chastise someone ELSE for the SAME “sin” they are committing and then try to claim they are “christian” is the BIGGEST FRAUD ever!!

          let’s see Newt did it, Foley did it, the Idaho bathroom stall guy did it, Delay did it, the list goes on~!!

          I think perhaps one of the prerequisites for becoming a very powerful politician is to master the art of BS & HYPOCRISY! Right? The ones that don’t master the art are the ones you never hear about……….. perhaps the more productive (when things DO get done, when EVEr that may be)

          anyway

      • xax

        Newt changed this election season. I find myself agreeing with him, only if he has alot more common sense than many of the others. He’s the type that notices the pattern and adjusts, so I think he could be an asset to the party. (Just remain in the back).

        The Republicans need to stick to their newer faces Palin, Jindal, Pawlenty. The ones we don’t know to well. They need to represent the people and get away from the old, rich white guy stereotype. Some of the old guard needs to GO AWAY!!! And, as much as I despise it, they need to advertise. If there’s anything Obama proved could work, it was advertising.

  • stodgie

    at least the gop has a has to redo themselves. the dems did also and look what they came up with. pat, you just might include the democrats in this article. there is nothing to look at with pride there. they are beyond pathetic.

  • Dawnelle

    Ah the Court! That could be a really GOOD thing! Lets see who Barry is ORDERED to appoint and who ends up being his “man (or woman) behind the curtain!

    Too bad we are stuck with an affirmative action pretzeldent. I just hope he doesn’t screw things up any worse than they already are……………….. hushing my mouth now cuz I know they sure could get worse.

  • stodgie

    also what is the pun with “white” elephant? i don’t care for that. frankly, i have had enough of racist tinted comments. i also point you to the fact it was the dems who stirred the boiling pot of racism this past election.

    • Pat Racimora

      Oh please–You have not heard of the tern “White Elelphant” meaning something that no one wants and is hard to sell? It’s the perfect pun for this story that obviously has nothing to do with race.

      We cannot erase the use of two legitimate words lest we be called racist! This racist-calling thing is going way too far.

    • Rich

      I am sure you have heard of the saying before. Me thinks you protest to much. Why is race so much on your mind?

      Rich

  • HARP

    Obama Meanders to a different drummer.

    • Dawnelle

      lol @ meander

      lol that’s what elite sanctimonious know-NOTHINGS do!

  • AnninCA

    Good question. I don’t agree with J.B. when he positions the loss as though the Republicans were incompetent this year in not beating Obama. “Heads must roll” sounds ridiculous to me. It was understood that the public wanted change long before this election. Goodness, have we ever seen such low approval ratings for an administration?

    Gingrich is making noises. I think he’s articulate, and he’s also more of the same. Palin is touting conservative values. Will it play in this day and age? Not sure. Jindal is preparing, obviously, pushing his book and some new economic plan. As far as I can tell, nobody’s very interested.

    It would seem to me that the Republicans do not have many answers. They are in for a long ride as the minority voice.

    • stodgie

      i am not sure that ride as a minority will be that long. the dems have a long history of screwing up everytime that have a chance to do the right thing. the american people are very short on patience. and all the false promise to groups to get elected won’t be kept. what will they do then? vote for obama again? i don’t think so.

  • Sassy

    Hey Pat! Did you intend to show us their best side? LOL!
    The Republicans will regroup, and perhaps sooner than expected.
    If the “O” and crew don’t have one hell of an economic plan, look out in 2010.
    There are more and more voters who are angry enough to turn on either party!
    We took out one Republican congressman during the primary…replaced him with another, and then in the general, a state representative, who supported the “O” was defeated. They called us 2 minute Republicans…I call us PUMAS!

    • Dawnelle

      Did you intend to show us their best side?

      LMAO OH GIRL(guy)

      THAT WAS THE FUNNIEST!!! :-)

    • stodgie

      yup in this election the silent majority is in the concert hall practicing for their 15 minutes. we listened to what a bunch of racists we were. that our religeon, guns, and way of life just wasn’t good enough. we are a mean nation picking on poor michelle. i say these things as a response to the democratic rhetoric. i don’t own a gun, am liberal on religeous issues and am a conservative mainly on fiscal issues. in fact i am an independent, but i am already sick and tired of hearing these things and obama hasn’t even had his coronation.

  • http://www.patriotroom.com Bill Dupray
    • DAB

      Good article.

      • Diana L. C.

        Yes, it’s a good article. Thanks for sharing.

        If the GOP finds a true centrist, with financially conservative leavings, they will be on the right track for getting back their “mojo.”

        I think also that they need to do what McCain did and run “honorable” campaigns. People will get very tired soon of O’s spendthrift ways. I just don’t get the columns at the DNC and now the huge celebration for the inaugural. Doesn’t he realize that people are counting their pennies?

        I was registered Dem since the McGovern campaign. After the primaries, I realized I’m independent. I want someone in the middle who will not continue this party against party bickering.

        • adagioforstrings

          Re: Diana L. C. “I think also that they need to do what McCain did and run “honorable” campaigns.”

          Ummm…but McCain wasn’t successful, was he? I don’t see how NOT criticizing your opponent & criticizing people on your team who do criticize your opponent is a winning strategy…

  • yttik

    I like Michael Steele. He wants to lead the Republican party. I think if he took over, I could quite easily get on the Republican bandwagon.

    • Dawnelle

      I like Steele

      but one person does NOT a party make

      Steele should become an Indie or better yet, a PUMA!!

      LOL

      • csuzeq

        What?!

        I thought Obama “made” the democratic party. They even moved to Chicago because the one now owns them. I am just waiting for DC to be obliterated by the impending horrific terror attack so the new White House (or will it be neutral-no color)and capital an be rebuilt in Chicago. Might as well be! Save on transportation expenses for Barfy’s friends.

        • Dawnelle

          what are the latest numbers of previous Clinton cabinet members now on board with Barry? 21 or 35 or something?

          that brings it back to Washington imo
          but of course he’ll have his “B-corn qtrs” (versus ACORN) on the South side ready to register MORE false documents for him in 2012.

          ackkkkkkkkkkk

          • Dawnelle

            correction: 21 OF 35

  • ray

    It’s back to some luxurious retreat for the GOP, where they will learn the umpteenth verse of the same old song with a slightly different tune. It’s funny how change–the theme of this old song– has never changed over the years. Of course, we’re all familiar with the latest hit, “Change We Can Believe In”. The GOP will have to work hard to come up with something that catchy.

    The republicans will continue to fight among themselves until the new choir and lead crooner is chosen. By then, if there is anything left of America as we know it, the majority of voters will flock to the republicans, as they will have quickly tired of the democrat’s version of hopy change.

    Yep, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

    • Dawnelle

      gawd you know what? no matter how different my personal views were to Sarah……….. I swear I believe SHE COULD HAVE USHERED CHANGE! REAL REFORM!

      I can’t believe she wasn’t brought on the scene a month earlier – they would have won! I am convinced.

      Just like the REAL HILLARY showed up about a MONTH too late as well!!!

      what the hell are we in some time warp?

      argh

      • ray

        I agree that Sarah Palin was a breath of fresh air. She made it possible for me to vote for a republican for the first time ever. That was a tall order after what the GOP had done to the country. Unfortunately, there were too many in her own party threatened by her honesty and push for real reform. If the republicans had bothered to go to the polls, she would be the VP-elect today.

        The mysogyny and dishonesty of the DNC opened my eyes. I don’t have faith in either party now.

        • Dawnelle

          Ray I didn’t know the numbers of REPS that didn’t vote.

          If that’s true than SHAME ON THEM!!

          We all KNOW why most DEMS are hysterical (after the last 8) but I guess the R’s need to weed out their hemlock as well!

          God help us all!

          • Dawnelle

            whoa! I just learned a new icon 8) when I put 8 with a close parenthesis I got the shades!! coooool

            totally tripped on that one 8) NEAT

  • HARP

    Al-Zawahri also called Obama—along with secretaries of state Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice—”house negroes.”

    Oh Oh…..somebody is a racist.

    http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94I1LA80&show_article=1

    • Dawnelle

      we know they are haters

      they kill their OWN women (and men and children)
      so one can only imagine the HATE most of them have for us (black, white, taupe, what ever) lol

      • HARP

        I have tried the house negro…..I prefer regular Colombian coffee myself.

      • notrees

        Without law no one can be called racist. Obama has leveled that field by disagreeing with our basic laws summed up in our constitution. What happens next will be the product(s) of lawlessness. But we have been heading down this road for years.

        • skinny malinky

          Law and racism have nothing to do with each other.

    • csuzeq

      I just call him token. That’s all he is.

      But I am starting to feel that hope thing. My hope is that Barfy is the puppet and the Clinton;s are the puppetmasters. That was one piece that drove me nuts, not knowing who was the puppetmaster for this POS. If it;s the Clinton’s, since many of their own are in the new admin, I’ll feel much better on being able to neutralize Odrama if need be.

      • Dawnelle

        ditto

        to some degree

        but it’s NOT JANUARY YET!!!! (fingers still crossed)

      • notrees

        The Clintons were the calm before the storm, then we got Bush Jr and all hell broke loose. Now we are getting Bush on steroids in Obama and America may be in for an international ass whipping like we have never experienced before. Either lead or be lead and we don’t have that leadership anymore.

        • Dawnelle

          steroids INDEED!

          it’s THE (next) Mad Comic Book Series #12009 that should never be sent to PRESS!!

          NEVA EVA! (it’s a fake)

  • http://ontheseventhday.wordpress.com/ Al

    Never fear, the Republican Party shall rise again. Even a championship race car needs a few pit stops everynow and then to perform at its best. Long live the GOP!

    • Dawnelle

      Time to change the tires eh AL?

      no mo retreads

      hehe j/k

    • AOK

      Somehow I doubt that.

  • JohnnyB

    Nice Cartoon and story, Pat.

    I think the GOP is in NOWHERE LAND, a place from where there’s no return. As old elephants go away to die, so is the GOP, just wandering off into the sunset. It’s all about power. Working together means sharing the power, and neither party wants to do that. Maybe they will be forced to do that if the Great Depression of old is surpassed in this meltdown.

    It will take decades to cure the ills that came from Bush/Cheney years in power. The world was our oyster, now we are just the shell.

    • AOK

      I agree. The GOP was an epic fail the last 4 years.

  • GBS

    This cartoon poses an important questions and the answer is not clear yet…

  • Rocky

    The Democrats have “cultivated” blocks of constituents that vote overwhelmingly for democrats, while Republicans are more individualistic, and whatever loose blocks they have are not as party loyal.
    Republicans have somewhat of a problem that if evangelicals turn out they may lose “independents”. I believe Republicans will have to communicate ideas that will appeal to these blocks the Democrats control, in hopes of peeling off a few.
    Even a small percentage change would create a different result in elections.
    Having said this, I do not believe moving left is the answer.
    Republicans need an inclusive conservative message that lays out an agenda that benefits everyone who is willing to make an effort toward thier own wellbeing.
    Just my opinion for what it’s worth.

  • bish66

    What comes up, must fall down. Based on the unpopularity of George W. Bush, the losses of the GOP have to be considered mild. Obama spend the yearly budget of a third world country and the number of votes cast went up 1 million. 6 million Republicans from 2004 stayed at home, so there’s lots of hope for the GOP, if they manage to get new, fresh faces and a worked-over program.

    They lost a number of seats, lots of old hands went out (Stevens, Warner, Dole), so there is room for new people. If the Republicans were a stock market company, I would buy right now.

    Obama is highly likely to screw up big time, so the GOP will have lots of field days in the next 2 years and 2010 offers many Democratic State Houses. If Obama fails to deliver on his lofty promises, or if he delivers on his liberal, world-governing promises, he will lose lots of support.

    What the GOP has to do right now is to build up a new line-up of candidates and personalities.

    • AOK

      Obama would have to try pretty hard to screw this country up any worse that Bush did. I’m just sayin.

  • Choo Choo Magoo

    Pat love your cartoons. The colors are amazing and I always feel uplifted, even when the points you make are difficult or serious.

    Re GOP? I don’t know what direction they will take, I just hope the “lessons learned” from this election doesn’t include the future use of mega funding, messiah candidates or misogyny. But I’m not feeling too optimistic.

    • Pat Racimora

      Thanks Choo Choo. I printed out your post of a couple of days ago and posted it on my bulletin board.

      • Choo Choo Magoo

        I am honored. Very honored. Thank you.

  • Rich

    Great cartoon! Let us remember that it was not that long ago that the Democrats were in just as much trouble as the Republicans seem to be now, so Democrats do not get overly confident or arrogant.

    Rich

  • sandshark222

    The republicans will find it hard to make a come back if the O-thugs get their way and impose the fairness doctrine so all conservative voices are effectively silenced.

  • http://ontheseventhday.wordpress.com/ Al

    The Democrats had better be careful not to allow their current swagger to get the best of them in 2010 and 2012.

  • JTomorrow

    Nice elephant.

  • Blue Orchid

    In light of the big mess the Dems inherit from the Republicans, even the best qualified candidate would have a hard time reversing the sinking ship of state.

    Being adept spinnmasters that the Repugs are, they could create a backlash for the Dems in 4 or 8 years, scapegoating the Dems for the mess that the Repugs created in the first place.

  • Soldier of Christ

    I cannot speak badly of gays, because I do have it in my imediate family, but, if the gays continue to parade with vile behaviors in the streets, running into Christian churches tonguing each other in front of people who don’t agree with their way of lifestyle- the new underground conservative will arise in 8 months with new leadership and they will win in 2012. Those new leaders will be Steele, Jundal, Palin, and many more younger moderate conservative that understand tolerance but will not put up with bad behaviors. Some of you might be to young to remember “why” Bush won the election. The gays (and not the conservative ones) decided to do parades, dress up in women clothes, spit at pastors, scream “I am here, I am gay, get over it” – maybe not the exact words, but you remember, and the heterosexual people, yes, the ones that voted for Obama this time around, got fed up and voted for Bush. Trust me, that had alot to do with the election. So, my suggestion to the gays out there, if you want Obama to win in 2012, stop spitting at pastors and stop running into churches.

    • jimbob

      Sorry Soldier, but the gaybos are not gonna take your advice. They’ve long ago entered the fascist rage stage. I’ve already had to deal with some of these types at a university here. They are 100% right, I mean … 1000 % right … no I mean they are so right about this that they are righteous brotha! And whenever people get to that stage … the stage where they won’t even listen to what conservatives have to say,democracy and civil rights are over! Oriana Fallacci used to say that she saw flashes of fascism in gaybos .. and she said that back in the late 70s. Look at some of the video tape that’s going around the media: they look, sound, and act like brown shirts. You think you are going to reason with those people? Hell no, there’s nothing in it for them. Besides, they now have a president who’s behind them. Uh well sort of .. I mean, he said he was against Prop 8 in Cali, but then again he said he was against same sex marriage. So who knows? Gawd I’m scared. :-(

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    Test:

    (1) (2) (8) (5)

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    okay {5}

  • Linda Mac

    LOL! I have been a yellow-dog Dem all my life until I voted GOP this last election in rejection of the illegalities in the Democratic primary. I am so furious that I will NEVER VOTE FOR OBAMA or for ANYBODY who supported that SOB. I don’t know what I will do but I amy be through with the damned Democrats. Sorry to be so angry but I will never forgive them for what they did to Hillary.

  • AOK

    Linda, Canada is to the north and Mexico is to the south. I humbly suggest you move to either one. Obama’s the Prez-elect and there’s nothing that can be done about it.

    • jimbob

      Why bother headin’ for Mexico, when Mexico is headin’ here? They’re already lining up at the border since Obama and McCain thought open borders was a real smart policy, and Bush had no border policy at all except for one that let in all the dope dealers.

  • Don X

    Nice cartoon and a good question. I think the lumbering GOP beast is rapidly heading for the sunset. Whether there will be a dawn for the GOP will depend on whether leadership emerges to bring the disparate factions within the party together. I think the question should also be raised, “Whither goest the Democratic Party?” So many within the party were so angry over the way Hillary was treated that they voted for McCain or have left the party. Or they feel the party has left them. Heads need to roll in the leadership in both parties. Unless each is reorganized and new leadership emerges, they may both be headed for the sunset.