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dexfarkinBut more importantly, and this is the bit the GOP and its media allies simply have not understood — the Cruz strategy would never work in and of itself. It required stronger, braver souls than the GOP currently has to offer. It does, however, throw such a light on these Republicans that it will make it both easier to challenge them in primaries and, more importantly, make it much, much harder for them to cooperate with the Democrats on Obamacare fixes. Win or lose, Cruz and Lee have boxed in both the Democrats and the Republicans into positions that will make it more difficult for them to nuance their way out of.
In short, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee have, whether they can muster the support or not in this round, ensured the GOP cannot begin collaborating with the Democrats to fix what the voters want repealed. And you can be sure that they would be working to fix it, despite all their rhetoric otherwise. You can be sure of that because Ted Cruz’s fight has proven just how empty their rhetoric really is. - Erick, Son of Erikson
What I find interesting is that because of the US two-party system and the GOP primary structure, this kind of scorched earth tactic not only is supported by GOP politicians, but is actually essential for them to avoid primaries. Look specifically at the retoric - 'cannot begin collaborating', 'harder for them to cooperate with Democrats', etc. In a way, we're seeing the death of the two party system coming, when one side institutionalizes that under no circumstances can any middle ground be given. This is politics through the viewpoint of a Call of Warfare deathmatch - kill or be killed - no other solution. The GOP is safe in the sense that their win in 2010 allowed them to redistrict on a significant enough scale that the Democrats are looking at needing at least 3-4M more votes to replace them in the House (although that might be coming sooner than later due to the GOP. More later). With the dynamics of the Senate shifting (unlikely the Democratics hold it in 2014), more power is going to fall to the Executive Branch wielding vetoes and passing essential business through executive orders.
The thing is though that not all issues are red meat and life or death. Not all are easily framed with death panels and other false narratives. That being said, by locking in this strategy and reinforcing it in the base, GOP politicians are going to face primaries from deeper and deeper into the crazy that will be effective. There's a point where you can't keep pulling right, even in a gerrymandered district, and expect people to just follow the party designation and ignore what you're saying. If the GOP runs themselves far enough right to generate a wave election for the Democrats, it is almost impossible to see how it continues as a viable party without cleaving off massive areas of support in order to survive.
In short, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee have, whether they can muster the support or not in this round, ensured the GOP cannot begin collaborating with the Democrats to fix what the voters want repealed. And you can be sure that they would be working to fix it, despite all their rhetoric otherwise. You can be sure of that because Ted Cruz’s fight has proven just how empty their rhetoric really is. - Erick, Son of Erikson
What I find interesting is that because of the US two-party system and the GOP primary structure, this kind of scorched earth tactic not only is supported by GOP politicians, but is actually essential for them to avoid primaries. Look specifically at the retoric - 'cannot begin collaborating', 'harder for them to cooperate with Democrats', etc. In a way, we're seeing the death of the two party system coming, when one side institutionalizes that under no circumstances can any middle ground be given. This is politics through the viewpoint of a Call of Warfare deathmatch - kill or be killed - no other solution. The GOP is safe in the sense that their win in 2010 allowed them to redistrict on a significant enough scale that the Democrats are looking at needing at least 3-4M more votes to replace them in the House (although that might be coming sooner than later due to the GOP. More later). With the dynamics of the Senate shifting (unlikely the Democratics hold it in 2014), more power is going to fall to the Executive Branch wielding vetoes and passing essential business through executive orders.
The thing is though that not all issues are red meat and life or death. Not all are easily framed with death panels and other false narratives. That being said, by locking in this strategy and reinforcing it in the base, GOP politicians are going to face primaries from deeper and deeper into the crazy that will be effective. There's a point where you can't keep pulling right, even in a gerrymandered district, and expect people to just follow the party designation and ignore what you're saying. If the GOP runs themselves far enough right to generate a wave election for the Democrats, it is almost impossible to see how it continues as a viable party without cleaving off massive areas of support in order to survive.
