Infighting in the House of the Elephant

The search for a 'voice' for the Republican Party seems to be continuing in earnest. It seems as though any Tom Dick or Harry that has some significance in the Republican Pantheon is looking to establish themselves as the representative voice of the party and its resulting in a lot of infighting and misunderstanding that seems to be fracturing the Republican Party more than uniting it. After losing seats in the last major Congressional election season and losing many more during this past November (not to mention control of the White House) the Republicans seem to have come to the realization that their old way of doing things has changed and that not every Republican faithful is willing to weather the storm.

Last week I wrote on the response speech that Governor Bobby Jindal (of Louisiana) gave after Obama's State of the Union address. So many people have now come out and stated that they were confused...nay... disappointed in the way that Bobby Jindal spoke in response to Obama's speech. They felt that rather than being a pointed response to what Obama wants to do, it was a Mr.Rogers Neighborhood-esque speech that sounded a bit too chipper. Now I wouldn't characterize Obama's speech as the 'feel-good speech of the year' but rather than sugar coating the current situation of the country, Obama tried to speak truthfully and inject some hope back into the people. I remember when about a decade ago, the Dow Industrial Average topped 10,000. Now it seems like a distant memory.

Around this time last year in coversations with friends I recall stating that I wouldn't be surprised if the Dow fell below 7,000 at some point and lo and behold, we're in that territory now. It seems that no one has any answers to how to correct the problem yet when Obama passes something up the line for consideration and contention, the partisanism that has permeated into the government over the last eight years finally rears its head and attempts to spin the whole situation. Now I won't say that Obama's solution is the end-all-be-all solution to the ills of the economy but it is a step. However when you have pundits like Rush Limbaugh stepping up to the microphones and coming out and stating that its a sign of socialism and communism in the government, is that going to help?

Perhaps there are issues that people have with some of the solutions being put forth. Perhaps there are indeed better ways in which the economy can be corrected, but by hoping that Obama fails (as Limbaugh claimed earlier this week) isn't that going to make the situation worse? I seem to recall times not too long ago where any sort of talk of this nature would have been characterized as Democratic drivel or liberal libel that is meant to undermine the efforts of the White House. In one month since taking office Obama's administration has attempted to do more in less time than any administration prior. There have been so many unfounded and unsubstantiated rumors and accusations coming from the opposition of Obama that I'm amazed that people still have the interest in listening to what some of these guys have to say.

I'm not saying that we need to ignore the potential problems that are present in the new stimulus bill that has been passed but I'm saying it should be done responsibly. By having a recognized and acknowledged supporter of the Republican Party go on the air for his radio show and proclaim that he wants Obama to fail, doesn't that imply that he wants his policies therefore the country to fail? If you haven't seen anyone backpedal faster than a bike with no chain, listen to Limbaugh on Fox News. He claimed that he wanted Obama personally to fail, not the country. But isn't the stimulus package meant to help the country and not Obama personally? I think in their search for a voice to their party and their beliefs the Republicans are ending up digging themselves further into a hole and are not helping the situation get any better.