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You’ve heard it from the Left and now you’re hearing it from the Right. That terrible, horrible, awful Tea Party. How dare they! They are destroying the country and destroying the party. THEY are splitting the votes.
But I ask you this, who is really responsible for splitting the votes? The Tea Party handed us challengers like Sharron Angle from Nevada and Christine O’Donnell from Delaware who both lost the Senate seats to their Democrat opponents. It was at that time that some in the GOP “elite” hinted that the Tea Party was at fault. They contended that candidates put forth by the movement were not viable candidates and had no chance of claiming victory against the Democrat “machine”. And to top it all off, the Cuccinelli loss in Virginia appears to have given the “elite” a bit more steam and once again their fingers are pointed right at the Tea Party.
Interesting enough, on the night of the election, their were a mix of views on what really went down with the results of the election. Remember that Cuccinelli was down by about 17 points in the weeks previous to the election. Without the backing of the GOP establishment, he managed to pull himself closer to come within a couple of points once the final tally was in. Yes, there was a third candidate who managed to snag about 7% of the vote. In reality, that candidate most likely pulled votes from Cuccinelli and could have changed the outcome of the election had he not been involved in the race. Not to mention that it was revealed that the third party candidate was heavily funded by Democrats. But when it comes down to it, the VOTERS are the ones responsible for that 7% and not so much the candidate or the actual funder(s) of his campaign. How many of his voters felt duped when they found out that he was most likely a Democrat plant?
But what is most troubling to me that night were the comments made regarding the “blame” that was put on to the Tea Party and fellow Republicans. When it was revealed that Chris Christie overwhelmingly won his re-election bid for Governor of New Jersey, you heard the usual congrats from the Good Ol Boys within the GOP establishment. Conservatives were not really jumping for joy over this victory although happy that his seat wasn’t turned over to a Democrat opponent. I for one didn’t take much interest in the Christie race as he was heavily favored to win. I saw the importance in Virginia and was disappointed that Cuccinelli did not get support from many of the so called” big wigs” in our party. This was disappointing to many of us and many of my Facebook friends expressed that disappointment in their many comments on my page. Yet there were some quick to point out how WE are costing the GOP elections. They contend that by not supporting those with an R after their name, that we are somehow responsible for a GOP loss.
After the Cuccinelli loss and the feedback from the election, I put a lot of thought into what was being said regarding the split of the Republican Party. The Virginia loss hit me hard because with the ObamaCare debacle and the war on coal, it would appear to me to be a no-brainer for the citizens of Virginia. Yes I have heard that many government workers have taken up residence there and that the government shut down may have had an impact on the outcome of the election. I am puzzled as to how, since those workers basically got a paid vacation since they took the time off and were fully compensated for it. But what strikes me most about this particular election is that somehow the people of Virginia didn’t feel the need for “change”.
There are no easy answers. If we all stick together and vote for the guy with the R after their name, then I guess we could potentially win more elections. If we comply and stop insisting on Tea Party candidates and true Conservative candidates with true Conservative principles, then I guess we could win more elections. Truly, when was the last time that a Democrat had a 3rd party candidate that split the vote? It doesn’t happen. They have no morals. They stick together like pond scum. They don’t hold anyone accountable and they march to the polls and vote for the guy with the D after their name. They are the “machine” after all. As for us, we need to make the decision. Do we “lose” elections by forcing those that we put in office to hold true to their Conservative principles, or do we VOTE to win an election? I UNDERSTAND that by allowing Democrats to win elections, we lose power and we lose our voice. But really, if we continue to support those that ignore our voice anyway, what difference does it really make? I have heard both sides of the argument. We can’t change anything if we don’t hold the power. It is just so hard to swallow when you can’t tell the difference between the guy with the D and the guy with the R, after their name. That is why so many of us are responsible for the “split” in the party. Or are we the ones responsible?
We as Republicans, Conservatives and Tea Party members have been known to call our elected Reps out when they stray from our principle beliefs. We hold them accountable, we make the calls and write the letters. And yes, we will occasionally primary them when we feel the need. On the other hand, we expect the GOP to listen to us as we are the ones who vote. When Karl Rove and Chris Christie come out and openly criticize fellow Republicans like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, then WHO may I ask is really responsible for splitting the party? After all, Conservatives and Tea Party members are cheering them on as finally having their voice be heard. It appears to me that Rove and gang, all the while pointing the finger at the Tea Party, are actually the culprits when it comes to splitting up the party. Should we all stand together? YES we should. We the voters are the party and we should demand that the GOP establishment get it in gear and stand together with us and bring our party back together. We don’t want a split. We want our country back. We must demand that of them. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. And THAT is what we have been doing. Isn’t it time we take a stand? If not now, when?
Actually the little analysis that looked reasonable on VAGOV seemed to indicate that where we really lost was with single women, Cucinelli carried married women, and for once the 3d party seemed to hurt both candidates equally.
I haven’t much clue how we fix that, but we need to. It can’t all be free birth control, at least I don’t think so but it’s not a demographic I know much about either.
Ruthie Thompson says: I’m not sure how to fix it either. But one thing for sure is that we are not united in our party. How can we possibly fight the left when our very own infrastructure is shattered? I’m still pondering it and the only solution is that we have to somehow break down those at the top. The Good ol boys in the GOP are not helping especially when they demonize those that are part of the solution. Something has to give and it shouldn’t be us. We have already done that supporting and accepting moderate candidates and look where we are?
GWB says: But really, if we continue to support those that ignore our voice anyway, what difference does it really make?
^^THIS^^
On the other hand, we expect the GOP to listen to us as we are the ones who vote.
But, there’s the problem, Ruthie. We aren’t the ones with the votes. The folks who want free stuff, combined with the folks who think *some* free stuff is ok, hold the votes. Some of those (especially the folks who think *some* free stuff is ok) vote Republican.
What we really need is for the GOP to be the principled right! They need to persuade the voters to not continue sliding to the left. They need to return to the ideals that built this country, and not give an inch to the left of the acceptable ground. We are so far off that ground now that it will take a massive quake to return us to it. That is the only way that “winning” will make any difference: is if the GOP has the backing to enact those required principles. Otherwise, we’re just slowing the train as it plummets off the cliff, not stopping it or reversing its course.
This is why so many are saying “Let It Burn”.
Ruthie Thompson says: You are right and to clarify, I am strictly speaking about the Republican Party. Yes we have the Dem freebie voters and we do have to fight that battle as well. But both of those comments are directed solely to the split within our party. I agree with you that we must go back to our Party’s roots and quit allowing them to drag us to the center and even to the Left. I’m not quite sure how we can unite the party either. You’re right. We are so far apart.
ALman says: I once heard a statement that, as I recall, went something like this: define yourself, or others will define you. It seems to me that there is something within the GOP that is resisting the party defining itself. Rather, it more of maneuvers to obtain office and, thus, power. This, to me, makes them little better than the Clintons, who I think we do and say just about anything for power.
There is also something within the GOP which is pressing for what we might call the “first principles” of the party. At least some of these people would sooner to define their ground, defend it, and, if necessary, go down to defeat believing in it.
Of course, the Democrats and the MSM are only too willing to play the sides off one another. Add to this a sufficient dis-trust of some of the GOP leadership and this is, as we well know, is a recipe for failure.
Reagan didn’t come into office “playing to the crowd.” Well, not the way some would have the GOP present itself to the American people. The Founders didn’t put themselves, their very lives, and all that they possessed on the line for what would be quickly compromised in the face of adversity and possible defeat.
To my way of thinking it’s time to “have it out.” We’re doing so anyway, so why not be clear about it. Do we want a single party political system? Do we want to continue with a GOP on the verge of collapse because want to be Demo-Lite while others are insistent upon a GOP which honors its foundation? Do we rend the party in two and then most likely assure Democrat victories?
I don’t know the answer to these questions. Perhaps, this aren’t even the ones we ought to be asking. However, I do know this: either the GOP defines itself or others will continue to define it. Now, I think I’ll go have an Irish whiskey.
Ruthie Thompson says: Alman!!!! That was beautiful!! Exactly how I feel!! I agree with EVERYTHING that you just said. Thank you for commenting and taking the time to read the article. Have a wonderful week! xox
Merle says: United we stand – divided we fall.
We are divided……
Merle
Ruthie Thompson says: Yes we are Merle. And we must get the GOP establishment to move towards us, period. Otherwise we will stay divided.
But I ask you this, who is really responsible for splitting the votes? The Tea Party handed us challengers like Sharron Angle from Nevada and Christine O’Donnell from Delaware who both lost the Senate seats to their Democrat opponents. It was at that time that some in the GOP “elite” hinted that the Tea Party was at fault. They contended that candidates put forth by the movement were not viable candidates and had no chance of claiming victory against the Democrat “machine”
Exactly. I watched that whole thing go down with a simmering rage.
Conservative candidate wins the primary. Party hacks, who claim to have special knowledge and skills turn up their noses and talk them down, then essentially blame the voters for choosing the wrong candidate, rather than getting in there with their “skills” and “expertise” and helping the candidates chosen by the voters to be the best damn candidates they can be. So they sit on the sidelines with their ball, and wag their fingers at us when the loss comes.
Hell has special seating for assholes like Karl Rove.
F.D.R. in Hell says: I’ll let you know when his name is listed on the Guest Arrival Bulletin Board. Until then, he’s your hot potato. 👿
Eleanor in Hell says: Franklin, that Rove guy was born on Christmas Day.
His middle name is “Christian.”
I’m sure Lucifer would like to bag that pheasant.
Dejah Thoris says: Overwhelmingly carrying the single/unmarried woman demographic tells me that the sisters who don’t have someone in their life that cares about them that they are replacing that partner with “government.”
Single Ladies: If you wish to continue to be treated like dung, and being single, keep following this pattern in your life and making government your boyfriend. Government will care about you slightly less than the dude you met at Hammerjack’s last night.
Third parties don’t really work because the third party can never seem to drag enough of the regular party folk their way in the election, thereby making the GOP the “minority” party. The Tea Party needs to spend their time moving the other way and looking for candidates like Mike Lee and Ted Cruz and running them.
We could then spend our time dragging the Establishment GOP toward us instead.
Daniel says: Its the oldest trick in the book and “conservatives” fall for it every time. Voting for some third party that has no chance of winning funded by democrats. But “their” vote counted.
“Third parties don’t really work because the third party can never seem to drag enough of the regular party folk their way in the election, thereby making the GOP the “minority” party.”
I disagree. As Milton and Rose Friedman once noted, the Socialist Party was the most powerful political party in the first half of the twentieth century. True – it never totaled more than 6 percent of the vote in any presidential election, and won only a handful of local races. Yet its ideas were adopted by both Democrats and Republicans. The 21st century Democrat Party is now openly socialist (aside from the reflexive accusation of “racism” aimed at anyone they oppose, Democrats don’t bother much to disagree), and the GOP is not far behind.
Thus, the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012 were between those who wanted to drive off the cliff at 100 MPH foaming at the mouth and laughing hysterically (the Obama Democrats) and those who wanted to “only” drive 80 (McCain and Romney). Does anyone seriously think 2016 will be any better?
During the recent government “shutdown”, 87% of the Federal government rolled on unstoppable. Like the Krell supermachine from Forbidden Planet, we have created a bureaucratic behemoth that can never be turned off. Democrats and Republicans have morphed into the Evil Party and the Slightly Less Evil Party, arguing over who is better equipped to fiddle with the knobs and maintain the illusion of Being Able To Somehow Make it Work.
Would a third political party succeed in replacing the GOP? Almost certainly not. But it might throw the lefty GOP leadership into a panic if they see a significant number of their base walking out the door for less crooked and corrupt third party candidates. And it is 100% guaranteed that the GOP will continue to veer to the far Left so long as the “moderates” think that conservatives and independents will vote for any noxious candidate the GOP vomits up by simply yelling, “The Democrats are coming!”
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