Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Where do we go from here?

Ladies and gents, The forces of evil have us down, but not out. At least not yet. We have a lot of work to do. We need to get busy and do it. Here is what I think needs to be done:
  1. Obama does not have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. This is a starting point. We need to ensure our remaining republican senators hear us loud and clear on issues such as immigration, defense, pork, energy, entitlements, and most importantly, taxes. Some of our remaining senators are pretty squishy. They need to be reminded what unemplyment REALLY means and who has the power to make them unemployed, because it won't take many of them squishing on us to give them the majority the Dims need.
  2. We need to select a true conservative for Senate Minority leader and we the voters need to back him or her to the hilt. I've heard Tom Coburn's name floated and I think he would be an excellent choice. There are probably others that would also do a good job who's names have not occurred to me yet.
  3. The Bush tax cuts expire in 2010, just in time for the 2010 congressional and senatorial elections. This needs to be a front and center issue. We need to take back control of congress, pocketbook issues are the way to do that.
  4. Republicans need a new "Contract with America". One that deals with economic issues in a sane, rational, logical way. One that works to reduce taxes and MORE IMPORTANTLY, government spending.
  5. That means entitlements must be dealt with. Social Security is running on fumes. Medicare's fuel light is flashing. Both of them are going to blow a gasket real soon. The exact date is subject to debate because of differeing definitions of bankruptcy. But irregardless of which definition you use, it is going to happen. It is inevitable if reforms are not implemented. We need to keep it fresh in everyone's mind who's programs these are and who has fought every attempt at reforming them.
  6. We must fight EVERY SINGLE ISSUE. Make the Democrats work for every single victory. We must be obstructionist on those issues that count. If we do not fight, we will most assuredly lose.
We have two years to put our party back together. We can put the same pieces back together the same way we did before, or we can find a new way to put the pieces together, with new parts. The old way is a proven failure.

5 Comments:

Blogger Cory said...

I've heard that McConnell is safe, as is Lamar Alexander in the No. 3 spot.

November 05, 2008 3:04 PM  
Blogger Rorschach said...

McConnell says he does not expect there to be any changed in Senate leadership. I don't know why he does not expect that, clearly current leadership is not working. When something is not working, you need to get to the bottom of why. I sincerely believe the failure lies at least partially with him. He has been unwilling or unable to enforce any kind of party unity on a whole host of issues. Right now unity is the one thing we have left to fight with. So if he can't or won't enforce it, we need to find someone who can/will.

November 05, 2008 3:31 PM  
Blogger Kevin Whited said...

** McConnell says he does not expect there to be any changed in Senate leadership. I don't know why he does not expect that, clearly current leadership is not working. **

Actually, McConnell has been adept at the tactical maneuvering that is so important for the minority in the Senate.

So adept, in fact, that the Dems targeted his Senate seat and nearly pulled off the win.

I wouldn't be so quick to throw him overboard for a firebrand unless you're certain said firebrand is more of a tactician.

Now, on the House side.... a firebrand is probably just what you want, because the minority possesses so little power to maneuver anyway.

November 07, 2008 11:18 AM  
Blogger Rorschach said...

Kev, I'm apparently not the only one to voice the opinion that McConnell needs to step down.
http://www.rightwingnews.com/#post13382

November 07, 2008 11:28 AM  
Blogger Alexander Cornswalled said...

We survived Clinton's 8, we'll survive Obama's 4. People are holding him up to very high expectations. The crash is inevitable. Once that happens, we'll be able to regain control and leave him a lame duck for the rest of his term. We just need to prepare and be ready to pounce when he crashes and burns, and I think your list is a great start.

November 14, 2008 2:37 PM  

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