It appears as if the right is just falling apart.

[shoxlax]

I'm thinking that in four years the American media will be gushing over getting to elect the first woman candidate, just like they were gushing over getting to elect the first black candidate. Make no mistake, the media will protect her from herself and completely ignore her opponent regardless of what color or sex the opponent is. The GOP has to overcome THAT in order to win in four years.

I predict her next four years as Secretary of State will be rocked with scandals and they will ignore those too.

But I will say this: I would take her over Mr. Hope and Change seven days a week and twice on Sunday. When he received the Dem nomination in 2008 and Repubs were happy, I said be careful what you wish for.

[ShockBand]

Marco Rubio v. Julian Castro in 2016. I would enjoy that very much.

[BenWSU]

Watching liberal media (MSNBC & CNN) the last few days has given me a headache. The GOP does need to reach latino's and blacks BUT the party as a whole is still solid.

Tired of hearing about the GOP being a party that only wants old white men to run it and is out of touch. Last time I checked, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were old and white. When are the democrats going to get black, asian, and latino leadership in DC ?

[DoubleJayAlum]

When are the democrats going to get black, asian, and latino leadership in DC ?

Perhaps you didn't see the results of the presidential election? ;)

[BenWSU]

Perhaps you didn't see the results of the presidential election? ;)

I saw the results - It really wasn't a big victory for Obama - He didn't win by 10% - From most of the important counties in Ohio and Florida he only won by 1% or more like 10k to 100k votes

[shockerofandover0943]

The focus for the GOP has to be on the Latino vote. The national demographics are only heading in one direction and it ain't going back. Not too long ago Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico were red. Unless republicans figure out the Latino vote then it won't be long before Texas joins that list. If they figure out immigration and bring Rubio to the party then they'll win in 2016.

An interesting article that went up yesterday: "Why Hispanics Don't Vote for Republicans"

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/332916/why-hispanics-dont-vote-republicans-heather-mac-donald

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Can you please tell me the far right nutjobs who have taken over the Republican party and what their agenda is? I guess I don't know these people.

Here's a prime example of many of them. Granted, they have been around for years, but the troubling thing is they used to be a fringe and practically ignored minority. Now it seems they're everywhere, growing in power and relevance.

Here's some familiar names: Glenn Beck (though not an office holder, he is a poster child and a lead lemming), Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Michelle Bachman. The shift of power from the center right to the far right in the party has been dramatic recently--and threatening to such ideals as common sense and intelligence.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Mitt Romney is a "right wing extremist nutjob"?

Absolutely not, and that's my point. 15 years ago, this guy would have been more than electable--he would have won. He is a middle of the road Republican who had to swing so freaking far to the right to appeal to what is now the base of the party that he lost appeal to many independents and moderates. The "big tent" party right now are the Democrats.

[WuDrWu]

Please tell me what you mean when you say "had to swing so freaking far to the right". I'd like to hear factual information on his radical far right agenda.

[Capitol Shock II]

Wrong...it is the left that has swung to the extreme. John F. Kennedy was a huge believer in tax cuts, religion, anti-dependence on government and a strong military. Look at what the Democratic party has since then become, the party of tax and spend, all out dependence on government, a weak military and godless.

I would support JFK in a heartbeat over the godless freaks that now run the Democratic party. Today, JFK would be a republican.

[pinstripers]

Exactly

[BOBB]

Eh, life goes on. Talk radio and the far right will flip out and act like the predicted Mayan Armageddon on December 21 would be a sweet release from the grips of socialism. The current gridlock, however, will keep anything from getting accomplished either way in the next 2 years and the economy will continue a sluggish "recovery" unless both parties steer us off the fiscal cliff later this year.

In reality, Republicans will slug out a fight over the next decade that the Pat Robertson-era culture warriors are sure to lose because their believers are dying off and not being replaced by young people in adequate numbers (much like our baseball fanbase). The GOP is currently a loser on almost every social issue and needs to de-emphasize the influence that those matters carry within the Party. Stick to lowering government spending, fiscal responsibility, low taxes, and strong national defense.

Ditch the ridiculous anti-gay campaign (it's conclusively a failure at the national level). It strongly parallels the opposition within the Democratic party to the 1964 Civil Rights Act- the obstinate ones will be forced to the fringe of the party, be overrepresented by elderly and geographically isolated members, and will slowly fall apart as the younger generation accepts reality and moves on. This is a big sticking point that prevents a huge number of socially moderate, fiscally conservative young people from voting republican.

Get on board with legalizing marijuana and steal this issue from the Dems. This would represent an ENORMOUS revenue windfall (taxing and regulating the product) while simultaneously cutting government spending in a huge way (law enforcement, jail, and prosecution/court expenses). The old farts who adamantly oppose this are almost universally 55+ and are remnants of the faction who took the "war on drugs" line in the 80s hook, line and sinker even though their generation was the biggest group of substance abusers in world history. They will die off in the next quarter century- at some point in that time the boomer influence will wane enough that this inevitably gets legalized. I want my party on the right side of it when it happens. It's no less moral than alcohol consumption being legal and is considerably less dangerous in terms of sensory impairment.

These two changes, combined with continued focus on conservative fiscal principles, is how the party pivots back to prominence much like the Democrats did with Clinton in 1992 when they finally grew the nuts to tell the Jesse Jackson/aging McGovernites to stfu and let their party become electable again.

+1

I am for a reduction in the size and scope of government. Including the ability of the government to tell me which behaviors are moral. Paying more taxes is the lesser of two evils so i vote dem.

[Capitol Shock II]

If the republican party is falling apart then how did they garner nearly 50% of the popular vote? I agree that the Takers now out number the Makers but I don't think it's nearly as bad as people are trying to make it sound. In fact, just look at the Republican sunami that swept through that election?

Anyway, we are in deep, deep trouble when it comes to our financial problems. Harry Reid said today that he is going to move to raise the debt ceiling another 2 trillion. If that happens it's game over...the USA will be downgraded sooo fast it won't even be funny. When that happens the dollar is gone. When that happens there will be riots because the government won't be able to provide all of the social welfare and food stamps the Takers want. When a loaf of bread is $100 and you can't feed your family remind yourself why you voted Socialist.

[GoShockers89]

Good lord CSII, take a breath...your politics posts read like the emails that even my grandpa laughs at.

[SB Shock]

Here's a prime example of many of them. Granted, they have been around for years, but the troubling thing is they used to be a fringe and practically ignored minority. Now it seems they're everywhere, growing in power and relevance.

Here's some familiar names: Glenn Beck (though not an office holder, he is a poster child and a lead lemming), Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Michelle Bachman. The shift of power from the center right to the far right in the party has been dramatic recently--and threatening to such ideals as common sense and intelligence.

Scott walker? He was a liberal republican who went against the party as he saw fit. He is a poster child demonstrating that going left is not the answer. Being a better liar and campaigner, raising more money and grass roots efforts is the answer (and staying with your principles - I think conservatives are very cynical with the Republican Party).