Seen on the AP wire today:
A growing number of Republican voters are frustrated by congressional spending and scandal, according to GOP leaders from across the country who worry that an “enthusiasm deficit” could cost the party control of Congress in November.
Some rank-and-file Republicans wonder what happened to the party that promised to reform Washington after taking control of Congress in 1994 for the first time in 40 years.
“We’ve seen the enemy, and he is us,” said Tom Rath, a Republican National Committee member from New Hampshire describing the sentiments of some GOP voters. “We have to get back to the basics. Let’s talk about small government and reduced spending, and don’t let the Democrats take those issues.”
Well, duh!!!
However, I think Mr. Rath still needs an encounter with the clue-by-four. The problem isn’t “talking”. The Republican Revolution of 94 happened because the GOP said the right words, and the country was sick of Democratic scandals. However, the GOP didn’t deliver on their words, and instead seem to be trying to one-up Dems for crookedness.
A successful party will talk not only about fixing the excesses of government, but they will seek to take the high road and clean up the corruption in Washington. A very successful party will actually act upon those promises.
However, I’m not holding my breath