at long last. a post.

So i haven't posted on this blog since Jan. - since the inauguration. Ironically i think this post will more or less coincide with the end of the media-hyped "first 100 days" of the Obama administration. He's had a fairly measured past three months - not too many spectacular highs - or lows. In short, he has performed as I have expected - even-handed, unafraid to use his post-election momentum to push his key domestic agenda items, and careful not to either lose his base, nor bow to the often unrealistic demands of the congressional Democratic leadership (esp. in the House).
To me the "story" of these past 100 days - and really, leading up to '08 election, is actually about the Republican party. It has been a journey that has been alternately fascinating and horrifying, watching the once dominant majority struggle with its new place on the political and cultural scene.
Watching this struggle has reminded me of one of my quirky habits. One of my favorite ways to waste time on the internet when i'm bored is to read the press releases/comments of various entities who have clearly screwed up but are in a state of significant denial. This ranges from the crazed blogging of fans of historically bad teams, to statements by lawyers defending obvious crooks, to supporters of a candidate who has just been badly beaten in an election. I have lately added to my list uber-Conservative blogs/ press releases from Congressional Republicans. I think i had initially hoped that after the '08 election results, there would be some serious soul-searching among Republicans/conservatives which would lead to a movement to make the party more inclusive and relevant. But as life tends to work out, it was not to be.
The aftermath of the 06 and 08 elections have inspired a myriad of responses. Those with a staunch liberal leaning have proclaimed in so many words that this marks the beginning of the end of both the Republican party and "conservatism" in general, while those with a more staunch right-wing leaning have declared this to be an opportunity for the previously erstwhile party to "re-discover" itself, and rebuild upon its "base" and "core values."

Unsurprisingly, i happen to believe that neither perception is true. The more i read various blog posts and news articles, and speak to my peers, the more i have begun to realize that I am not alone in my assessment that a moderate Republican party will be a thriving Republican party.

One of the most brilliant tactics by the Democrats has been to associate talking heads like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity with the Republican leadership; a mantle that both gentleman have gleefully seized upon. While both of these man have their fair share of supporters and devoted followers, they absolutely should not be seen as "leading" the Republican Party (read this great article that sums up my frustrations nicely, at least in regards to Rush: http://www.newsweek.com/id/188279).

Neither men has any desire for compromise or discussion with those holding opposing views; they consistently refuse to acknowledge past mistakes and errors; they are infatuated with a nearly mythical past ( All Hail "Reagan Conservatism," thank you Hannity); and they paint complex issues with overly broad strokes (how many times have you seen the word "socialism" thrown out in reference to anything coming out of Washington D.C. these days???). You know what? That is their job. That is how they gain followers, and spark controversies. They can say what they will about whatever b.s. mission they have -- the truth of the matter is that both Limbaugh and Hannity live and die ultimately by ratings. And that is absolutely fine. However, these are NOT the leaders that the Republican Party needs. There has been far too much "ratings" catering by the Party - empty soundbites, vapid populist "anger" -- and no answers. No viable alternatives. It is one thing to lobby fire and brimstone at the "socialists" in D.C. - its quite another to provide a realistic blueprint for a nation to follow. It doesn't take a veteran political strategist to realize that this blueprint is going to have to represent honest and real change from the tired storylines currently being shopped around by the GOP. My next few posts are going to be my ramblings on what i think the "next steps" should incorporate....