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GOP Still Hasn't Seen the Bottom

Republicans wonder when their woes will bottom

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 5, 2009 10:29 AM CST

(Newser) – Just when the Grand Old Party thought it couldn't get worse, it has: Conservative infighting from a caustic radio host, stumbles from its emerging non-white leaders—Michael Steele and Bobby Jindal both—and polls that suggest just 25% of Americans support them. Meanwhile, Dems enjoy great popularity and steady donations. "I have no idea where the bottom is," a Republican pollster tells Politico.

“The left has put together the most powerful political coalition I’ve ever witnessed,” says former Rep. Tom DeLay, once a coalition builder himself. His party comrades lay the blame on their leaders—including gaffe-prone Steele, decaying powerhouse Newt Gingrich, and congressional members who haven't offered counterpoints to Democrats' policies. "It's unclear what is the Republican stimulus plan,” says former Gov. Mitt Romney.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

The latest public brawl between Rush Limbaugh, pictured here, and Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele, indicates a party in trouble. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, left, greets a fellow Republican. Steele and Bobby Jindal, considered GOP rising stars, both flubbed publicly in recent weeks. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Despite being out of power for 15 years, Newt Gingrich is trying to be the strategic powerhouse for his party. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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The Left has put together the most powerful political coalition I’ve ever witnessed. Obama improved upon it in the presidential campaign, but the Republicans are still in denial.
- Tom DeLay, former House majority leader

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 20 comments

Snowleopard

Mar 6, 2009 6:32 AM CST

"No hand outs but a hand up. Incentivize hard work, saving and good personal decision making." This should be at the core of the restructuring of our economic system. Instead right now people are more likely to get rich through loopholes, lawsuits, or just by knowing the right people. BTW, speaking of feudalism, I've heard that people today work more than the serfs in mid-evil times. Something to think about.

Guest

Mar 6, 2009 6:30 AM CST

The GOP's current bedrocks: Hypocrisy and Obstructionism. They even believe that's what will take the country forward...

Snowleopard

Mar 6, 2009 6:27 AM CST

Capitalism and Communism exist at the extremes of a economic spectrum. Pure forms of these models don't exist in practice though. European "socialism" is somewhere in the middle. America is closer to pure capitalism, but we've demonstrated the danger in going too far towards a pure unregulated free market. However, the profit motive of capitalism serves a powerful function in society, rewarding hard-work and innovation, and definitely shouldn't be done away with. But this shouldn't be pursued with a complete disregard to the commonwealth either.

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GOP Still Hasn't Seen the Bottom