Here is the strategy that I perceive behind the scene. The Republican Party is struggling to identify leadership (not to mention a clear direction), a leader or two who can articulate a direction after a disastrous election cycle. Is it McCain? The governor from Louisiana? Boener? Palin? Romney? Will the leadership go to moderate Republicans? Extremist right wing nuts (Ron Paul or evangelical Mormon baiter Huckabee)? Newt Gingrinch? Even Huntsman is said to be positioning himself as a darkhorse for 2012. The recent CPAC conference showed what the extreme right thinks but it made moderate Republicans nervous.
This confusion and Republican introspection offers a great opportunity to use an old political ploy used by both parties often: label your opponent before it can define/redefine itself. In attempting to claim that Rush Limbaugh is the de facto leader of the the Republican Party, the Democratic Party is doing nothing the Republican Party has not often done.
If the perception (thus political reality) can be created that Rush Limbaugh is the new leader of the conservative movement and the Republican Party itself, the conservative movement will be stuck with an unsavory character as a principle representative who will be unable to attract voters beyond ditto heads and the base. It is well known that neither party can win with its base alone, moderates and independents hold the real power.
The Democrats are just trying to label the Republican Party as the party of right wing wackos and Rush Limbaugh is too dumb (actually more likely too arrogant and self-centered to care) to see he is being played.
5 comments:
Your analysis may be spot on, but Democrat focus on Limbaugh only serves to rev up the base, and I would be surprised if the Democrats succeed in this strategy to make Limbaugh the leader of the Republican party. Limbaugh has led and will continue to lead the conservative movement, but he refuses to be the face of the Republican Party.
I would add to your analysis (and you may not agree) that the Democrats are most effective when they have a demon to pursue (e.g., Ollie North, Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, Ken Star, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove, and so on.) Since the Republicans don't have a clear leader right now, the Dems have made Limbaugh the demon du jour.
Oh...Rush is not being played. He knows darn well that he is not the next republican leader...nor does he want to be...but he does enjoy the attention he is getting as he is a very arrogant and pompus man. I don't beleive for one minute that he has any intention to try and make a run for political leadership in the GOP. I know that I don't want him there! I agree with him on many things...but I don't want him as my leader. He is good at what he does to motivate and acknowledge the conservative movement and keep it alive. But he is not the political leader for it, nor do I think he thinks he is. And yes, the RP is lacking to find the right face to put on their leadership role...but every party goes through that after elections and Doug is right...the ploy to try and define or refine your opponent is all part of the game. Nothing new here.
The face of the Republicans will be Romney for 2012. He will lie low for two years and let Obama tax and spend us into oblivion. Once that is done, people will begin to see that a conservative, run government like a business type leader may be what we need.
See this:
Some 50 stalwarts of the political right privately met with Mitt Romney minutes after he dropped out of the Republican nominating race to discuss the former Massachusetts governor becoming the face of conservatism, as Ronald Reagan became en route to his 1980 election win.
Participants said the group was not organizing against the presidential bid of Sen. John McCain, the party"s presumptive nominee, but only seeking to revive core values such as lower taxes, limited government and free speech.
...
"John McCain has nine months before the general election — a long gestation period — to show me he has become the conservative he claims to be," said election laws attorney Cleta Mitchell, who attended the private meeting with Mr. Romney.
Other conservative leaders in attendance included Indiana Republican National Committee member James Bopp Jr.; Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilganon; former Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri; Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis; Human Events editor-in-chief Tom Winter; conservative activist Bay Buchanan; Ann Corkery, a Catholic activist; and Rabbi Nate Segal, a Rush Limbaugh associate. Participating via telephone was Free Congress Foundation President Paul M. Weyrich.
Found on:
http://mitt12.com/blog/2008/02/mitt_being_groomed_for_2012_by.html
Both sides function best, any political party functions best when it has a demon to exorcise. The party faithful contribute $, volunteers both angry and reflective are suddenly everywhere, everyone is focused. The Republican rallying cry against Hillary served them well. Pelosi, from all I can ascertain, raises the hair on the back of your necks. Unfortunately, it is human nature to demonize and blame. That is not to say that such demonization and blame is not warranted at times of course, but it is carried to extremes by all sides. Limbaugh is an opportunity to delicious to refuse, that's all.
MItt Romney may well be the next face of an electable conservative. But who knows what he really thinks? That has changed according to the office being sought.
Abortion rights: flip flopped mightily
Gay marriage/partnership rights: flip flopped mightily
Gays in the military: flip wavered flopped
Life long hunter/member of the NRA: whoops, just
shootin' little critters for fun on rare occasions
Running for the governorship of Massachusetts required one mask that he happily donned, running for president required another that he was happy to put on. Has his views really changed? Who knows?
Be careful with Mitt Romney. You might be disappointed.
Well, one really never knows. To be honest with you all, I had never even heard of Obama nor Palin four years ago. Who knows who will show up for the 2012 elections!
Post a Comment