26 Feb 2006
Marisol Seibold
I think the GOP has had its run for the time being, and "jumped the shark," as is said of tv shows that have outstayed their finest seasons. They've gotten complacent, and they're so far now from the spirit of the 1994
Contract with America, the wave they ultimately rode to power in the White House, which included promises:
To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace.
Granted, they only had the legislative branch at first, but Dubya later made similar promises about his handling of the Presidency. (How 'bout that port deal?)
They're running the risk of finding themselves in the same predicament that has bogged down the Democratic Party: No longer knowing what they stand for, beyond platitudes of no practical value, and no longer being credible on what they still claim to stand for, due to how they act.
This midterm election may still be too early for the Democrats to marshall their forces to capitalize on the GOP's increasing weakness, but 2008 could be an entirely different story.
That would be a shame, since the Democrats certainly won't switch places and take a stand for all the things the Republicans used to, beyond what they can gain in the short run through contrarianism and opportunism.