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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
Debt-Happy US Faces Payback Time as Rates Rise

Cost of debt to skyrocket $500B in next 10 years

5 hours, 10 minutes ago
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
First State Dinner to
Reveal Obama A-Listers

Mad scramble for invitations

10 hours, 57 minutes ago
Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

South Carolina senator throws weight behind conservative insurgents

4 hours, 51 minutes ago
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

OPINION

GOP Needs Its Brains Back

By Kevin Spak| Posted Jul 31, 09 1:57 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Republican sycophants may think Sarah Palin’s resignation was brilliant, “but don’t kid yourself,” writes Robert Eisinger in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The GOP is in trouble.” The party has lost its intellectual coherence, and if it wants it back, it’s got to look beyond the Palins and Mark Sanfords of the world: “The problem with these Republicans is that they have drunk the proletariat punch.”

“The intellectual underpinnings of smaller and smarter government have been replaced with incoherent ramblings,” writes Eisinger. “Sanford now sounds like Paula Abdul.” The party needs actual intellectuals and academics, people like Newt Gingrich (Tulane), Mitt Romney (Harvard), or should-be stars like Rob Portman (Dartmouth) and John Sununu (MIT and Harvard). But thanks to candidates like Palin, “the GOP faithful now downplay pedigree as hoity-toity irrelevance.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gives her resignation speech in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009. (AP Photo)

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford tearfully admits to having an affair during a news conference in Columbia, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo)

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin serves the public hot dogs before officially resigning during the annual Governor's Picnic July 26, 2009. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Focus groups data probably show that swing voters who go to church and like NASCAR think that the words “Ivy League” and “Ph.D.” are tantamount to “liberal” and “out of touch.” - Robert M. Eisinger

The conservative in me cringes when I hear Sanford, not for his misdeeds or indiscretions, but because of his apparent ignorance about his own politics. - Robert M. Eisinger

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.23.09

Books Are Bad for You

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

47 comments

VIEWING:

Jayster999
Jul 31, 09 2:01 PM CDT

No, they need their spine back. It's time for the silent majority to unite against the takeover of America by the liberal fascist agenda. Reply

-31

IN RESPONSE:

Sabrina
Jul 31, 09 2:05 PM CDT

The silent MAJORITY did get it's voice back and kicked the Republicans to the curb, remember? As for them growing a backbone? Doubtful, they are to busy saying NO and sucking their collective thumbs

+27

IN RESPONSE:

SalParadise
Jul 31, 09 2:06 PM CDT

Way to prove the point of the article by parroting idiotic talking points.

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jul 31, 09 2:21 PM CDT

Jester, C_k looks like he's keeping a lower profile and cleaning up his newser act these days. I suppose it was inevitable that a joker like you would step in to take on the "King of the Oxymorons" crown. ; ^ )

+14

IN RESPONSE:

PeppermanBC
Jul 31, 09 2:27 PM CDT

I take it you are part of the "silent majority"; yet, you're awfully talkative, and most people (by a wide margin) seem to disagree with you. Try a dictionary (they're online for FREE!)...it can help you greatly with the meaning of English words.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Jul 31, 09 2:31 PM CDT

Kuku: Your support for Zelaya speaks volumes. This Chavez/Castro wannabe was LEGALLY removed by the Honduran supreme court AND congress after attempting (with money and goons supplied by Chavez). Do you REALLY support Marxist dictators, or are you simply ill-informed?

-16

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 3:00 PM CDT

I believe that they did that in the last election, only they were a very loud minority-and they lost.

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Jul 31, 09 3:47 PM CDT

You got that right, Jayster. You wing-nut just are entirely too silent. You need to be louder and shriller to get your point across, so that the rest of may become as well informed and sensible as you are.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:08 PM CDT

nothing like countering the 'liberal fascist' and agenda with the CONSERAVTIVE NAZI AGENDA!!!! AWESOME IDEA!

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:17 PM CDT

also quite funny that you admit you are SPINELESS - thanks for confirming it jester666

IN RESPONSE:

kansas1946
Jul 31, 09 6:33 PM CDT

LMAO.

| 0 minutes ago

alienvv
Jul 31, 09 2:02 PM CDT

Palin may be going back to school after she realized she has no knowledge of..anything else than her backyard...may be that is why she resigned??? Reply

+12

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 3:07 PM CDT

So this will be like her eighth school, or what? I've lost count. Maybe the Newster will take her on as an apprentice and form her into a great intellectual in his own image. Such as, all americans should have maps, such that we all know to say no to everything unless we are wandering on the beach in Argentina or Paraguay.....I forget.

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 3:09 PM CDT

I meant Newtster..as in Gingrich. Got off early today and drank a couple of Corona Kings.

IN RESPONSE:

radnip
Aug 2, 09 5:56 PM CDT

She needs to go back to 9th grade. Isn't that where most of us start learning English composition and vocabulary? For anyone who thinks her resignation was brilliant, they need to print out her speech and analyze it as if for an English class. After that, if they still think she's brilliant, well, at least they are informed, although I am uncertain whether "informed" would be the proper term.

| 0 minutes ago

Thinker
Jul 31, 09 2:13 PM CDT

It's a paradox. If the GOP gets brains, it will become liberal and support democratic party goals. It cannot be ... Reply

+13

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Jul 31, 09 2:18 PM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment.

-16

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 3:13 PM CDT

Jayster, a huge percentage of the people you hate don't even vote. Why are blaming them. Why don't you get pissed at those that use money and influence to step over everybody. Or is it more fun kicking puppies?

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:09 PM CDT

ask you mom how many diplomas she has jester...

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:10 PM CDT

i also love how CONSERVATIVE NAZIS think there are NO poor republicans or any republicans getting some sort of social assistance....PSYCHOTIC

IN RESPONSE:

wwwonderer
Aug 3, 09 11:17 AM CDT

@Jayster. Diploma does not equate to intellect. Case in point. You have a high school diploma don't you? Yet you haven't demonstrated much intellect, as least not hear at Newser. While one can HAVE, RECEIVE, POSSESS, BE GIVEN, or EARN any number of degrees and diplomas; most (intellectual) people don't say OWN a degree or diploma.

| 0 minutes ago

jemikeos
Jul 31, 09 2:15 PM CDT

The GOP and conservatives in general don't seem to realize why they are now a meaningless minority. They failed. Republicans have never represented the " silent majority " and never will. Reply

+13

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Jul 31, 09 2:20 PM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment.

-15

| 0 minutes ago

gabo
Jul 31, 09 2:32 PM CDT

Hey, Palin and the Birthers sounds like a rock group from the sixties. Now, they're just a group dumb as a rock. Reply

+19

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 3:18 PM CDT

The new york times sold your dirty little war to the american people corona. YRU such a hater on them.

IN RESPONSE:

Shannonals
Jul 31, 09 3:34 PM CDT

You know C/k, if you perhaps ceased using that same, "liberal fascist", line over and over again, I'm quite sure people wouldn't be thumbing down your comments. You do make the occassional comment that has merit, but always turn off the majority of people with your trademark line. Just my opinion of course, a thought from outside the box.

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:14 PM CDT

CONSERVATIVE NAZI'S UNITE!!! Ck will show you the way!

IN RESPONSE:

DarkFrancis
Jul 31, 09 5:59 PM CDT

I don't think it's a special talent to recognise the pattern of events post-democratic-election. The same thing happens all over the world. if a party loses, the standard thing to do is to go away for a while, hide, cry, lick wounds, then round up all the people responsible for the failure and excise them from positions of power in the party. After that's done, you re-align your focus, shift your ideology...and start over. The problem with the GOP is they've allowed a bunch of neocons to shout loudly and give the impression they are still in charge. The moderates in the party have failed to do their duty. Neocons failed and they need to be kicked.

IN RESPONSE:

emptycalm
Jul 31, 09 8:01 PM CDT

What politicians specifically do you like? I'm curious. I'm not trying to mock you either, I'm serious.

| 0 minutes ago

JonmarkP
Jul 31, 09 2:38 PM CDT

If Gingrich is exemplary of the "intellectual horsepower" they should be looking for, the Republicans will stay in the toilet for a long time. Newt thinks he's an intellectual-no one else does. Reply

+16

IN RESPONSE:

gabo
Jul 31, 09 3:47 PM CDT

Remember his "women shouldn't be in foxholes, they get infections" quote from a few years back? That's way up there in the intellectual stratosphere.

| 0 minutes ago

Bryanw55
Jul 31, 09 2:58 PM CDT

Now I feel clueless. When did the GOP ever have any intellectual coherence to have lost it? Must have been well before my time. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Jul 31, 09 2:59 PM CDT

Acrimony aside, there had been some stock ideas years ago: small govt, balanced budget, isolationism, free market. But Bush managed to have his party do away with all that and now they are left with nothing but saying No and offering nothing for programs, solutions. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

QueenAlli
Jul 31, 09 3:15 PM CDT

This article lost me at Gingrich, Romney. These guys may have the degrees but they are liars like the rest of their party. They lie to scare people from demanding change or from seeing how deep in trouble we are. No one wants a one party system, but both parties have to step up and present their arguments and policies with facts not crayola colored charts and stories that the gov't wants to kill old people. The Repubs also need a spine. Stand up to the whackos in your party, beat them back with a stick. Bring out the minorities in the republican party and not just for show. They exist and something to say - enough with the old white guys already. Recognize that we have a crisis and stop denying it because Obama presented it first. Why have the GOP waited all this time to present a health care plan? why did they wait until the last minute to come up with a stimulus plan? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Jul 31, 09 4:00 PM CDT

kuku: If you can't beat 'em flag 'em. Is that your new fascist policy? Reply

-15

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Jul 31, 09 4:15 PM CDT

better than your CONSERVATIVE NAZI policies any day

IN RESPONSE:

jaguarj
Jul 31, 09 5:28 PM CDT

Beat who..you and the likes of CK? You must be joking......nothing to beat..you're losers to begin with!

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Jul 31, 09 5:48 PM CDT

that's funny

| 0 minutes ago

Jackson
Jul 31, 09 6:31 PM CDT

The author is ignorant. Gingrich has praised Palin for her abilities as well as her strength of character. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kansas1946
Jul 31, 09 6:32 PM CDT

Well, to get their brains back, they will have to give up trying to appease the evangelicals. You can't have brains and not offend folks that think the earth is 8,000 years old. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

SPH
Jul 31, 09 7:18 PM CDT

The GOP is done...They have conceded not just conservative principles, but all rational principles...Watch carefully as the Democratic party fissures into a conservative block and a liberal block...This is already happening over the health care debate....My crystal ball shows that the Liberal block of the Democratic party will eventually split off and form a new "Progressive" party, as American politics will always evolve into a two party system.... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

emptycalm
Jul 31, 09 7:50 PM CDT

Indeed but it needs to happen. People need to get out of the Reagen worshipers club.

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Jul 31, 09 8:52 PM CDT

It's a fact...smart people with anything more than a GED vote Democratic and those with GED or less vote republican. Now I am not calling republicans stupid, just saying that its a fact that has been proven and again. How long will having a college degree be considered "elitism or liberalism" before the GED crowd understands that the greater the education you have, the better you will be in life? My heart goes out to all the children born to parents who feel education is a waste of time and all one really needs is a bible, a gun and an AM radio station capable of picking up Rash Limpbag. I mean its ok if you want to go through life drunk, stupid and high on guns and god but to push your children off into Idiotsville is just plain and simple child abuse! I think we should allow the south to secede from the Union since they have no respect for our democratic way of life...unless of course the gop when elections, then democracy seems top work. Why is it when a Democrat is elected the right refuse to acknowledge the results? Here's an idea, lets just have health care for Democrats....The cost wont be any different and in fact, since the highest rate of cancers and heart disease is in the south, they wont be a drain on our health care. In 2010 the new tax forms should include a box that states "Will you contribute to your heath care plan with a sli8ght tax increase or a set monthly or would you like to pass"......that way all the fat fried food eating, beer swilling anti american toadies will not have to worry about paying into something they dont want! That should make everyone happy. What is most ironic is republicans make use of Medicare, Medicaid,Social Security, better working conditions, programs started by Democrats. I have seen no shift away from their usage. If you really hate gubment so bad then walk away from all we have fought to provide you and go run to your fithly rich boss and tell him he'll need to step up...good luck with that. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

ultramarine13
Jul 31, 09 8:57 PM CDT

Jayster and C_k, you guys are, in my opinion, typical of the reason WHY the GOP has ceased to become relevant. Look at who's leading the right wing talking heads, Bill O'Riley and Rush Limbaugh. I may not listen to what they say very often, but in those rare occasions I do happen across it, they simply seem to reinforce their status as brainless mouthpieces for the right. As kansas said, "you can't have brains and not offend folks that think the earth is 8,000 years old". To be clear, there are intelligent conservatives out there. However, they are drowned out by the evangelicals and radicals that make up a highly vocal minority of the party. Maybe someday they'll get their act together and start producing politicians and pundits who don't subscribe to the idea that "the louder I shout the more right I am". Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Jul 31, 09 9:14 PM CDT

I am not sure who coined this phrase, but it goes like this "Not all conservatives are ignorant but most of the ignorant are conservative...I think it was the late great William F Buckley, son of the "Father of Conservatism" who said that. I might be wrong and will apologize if I am. As for C_K...he's just lost in a world of hate and anger. He, like most people that are left in the gop see anyone who is not of their "brand" as inferior. Up until the Gingrich revolution I had always thought thew republicans were entitled to repsect, back when they were respectable. But now they have totally lost all bearings on reality. As for you C_K, by the standard meaning in the dictionary, being liberal is a badge of honor we Progressives wear....it means we believe in progress. Conservative means "hell no we aint gonna change, we likes our niggers in chains, women barefoot and pregnant and the beaners mowin our grass! I cant even begin to have a conversation with C_K anymore because he's just gone around the bend. Too bad, a good education would really come in handy right about now C_K. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

KathyRay
Aug 2, 09 2:45 AM CDT

No, They need to get their " B+L+S" BACK !!!!!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Monjubikahn
Oct 23, 09 9:39 AM CDT

Huckabee Huckabee Guy Aingah. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 47 comments »

Mitt Romney • Newt Gingrich • conservative • Rob Portman • Republican Party • John Sununu • academics • Sarah Palin • Mark Sanford • intellectual

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GOP Needs Its Brains Back

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Beck, Limbaugh & Co. Scare
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Top Republicans complain talkers are pushing party to fringe

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