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Earlier this week CNN posted an op-ed coauthored by Newt Gingrich, going over some political history dating back to Watergate. From that history Gingrich took away that Republicans need to stick to their principles to regain political ascendancy in this country. Although I have linked the article, I am not going to include many excerpts. The writing isn’t that interesting, the sentiments even less so. Even so, I see it as an important op-ed for the challenge it illuminates.
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I have read several dozen diaries and articles about ‘changes’ Republicans were or are considering after their national defeat in 2012. Almost without exception they focus on what I think of as ‘tricks.’ Changes in language, in framing, in marketing, in presentation, in avoiding verbal gaffes, in managing their security better so that unguarded moments are not captured and published. They are investing frantically in technology, which isn’t the same thing as intelligence and integrity.
And they’re soliciting advice from just about everyone. That is different from CONSIDERING advice from a variety of sources, of course. They aren’t a very considerate bunch.
And here, in this op-ed, Gingrich consciously reinforces all of the things we find most wrong with modern-day Republicans: their endless wars against minority groups, against women, Hispanics, the elderly, against blacks, gays, workers (most particularly Union workers!), the poor and infirm, those without insurance, those without jobs, government employees ...
They should ‘stand their ground’ in this, Newt?! (Yes, really! He used that exact phrase!) What I want to see is Republicans OWNING this supposed ‘rightness.’ Tell Hispanics what you really think of them, their votes be damned! Tell women the roles you believe they should have in this society, to be seen and not heard. Tell the elderly, the sick and the infirm to die quickly, as Grayson said. As that’s really what you want them to do, isn’t it?
Newt, if Republicans were really committed to worthwhile change, they would ask themselves in a mirror if they are really ‘right’ on all these issues. Because they are not. And the rigidity, the stubbornness, the close-mindedness, the superiority ... yes, the hypocrisy and endless double-standards - these are the very things that give us, Democrats, the greatest hope for the ultimate demise of the Republican party and conservative intransigence in our society and our world.
Sing it, brother Newt! Tell them to keep on down this dark path! There is nothing we can do to help them along in these directions as effectively as you are. I believe you will come to regret it, and I intend that even more!
On to tonight’s comments (most graciously formatted by Steveningen)!
TOP COMMENTS
August 10, 2013
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From Steveningen:
I was part of a pointed discussion about SNAP assistance last night when edrie posted her personal experience with the indignities people face when being judged for what they purchase. I give her credit for standing up and telling her story.
From Expatjourno:
Expatjourno here nominating Dallasdoc for a comment that kicked of an improbably amicable discussion with MBNYC on the need for a real discussion on the NSA issues facing the country without all the focus on personalities and rox/sux. And MBNYC's following comment for taking Dallasdoc up on his invitation.
From remembrance:
I'm submitting this comment to bring attention to the fate of Texas women at the side of the road when at the hands of the very people who should be protecting them and because arizonablue asked it so eloquently.
From blue jersey mom:
Please consider this comment from Today's Saturday morning garden blog by hayden for tonight's top comments.
From Dragon5616:
miscanthus speaks for me with a poem about ericlewis0's brilliant weekly, Animal Nuz.
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August 9, 2013
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