I believe that as long as the U.S. has a two party system we need to maintain two strong parties. Strength in both parties insures a balance of ideas and that protects all of us.
The Democrats are meeting their obligation to be a strong party (see election results, 2008; economic stimulus plan, Supreme Court Justice nominee, GM, Chrysler, etc. etc.). The Republicans on the other hand, are failing for a number of reasons, most immediately a failure to prepare; to do their homework.
Candidate John McCain’s mavericky (he admitted it was a quick decision) selection of Sarah Palin as his VP running mate electrified the Republican base far beyond what McCain himself could have done. However, McCain’s pick drove a lot of independents to the Democrats. I think McCain would have served himself and the Republican party better by making a more thoroughly thought out selection.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s rebuttal to President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress back in February was at best a dud and at worst destroyed his presidential aspirations. My view is that he failed to prepare. Take a look at the link and tell me what you think.
In June, Republican Congressman Steve King debated ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis on CNN’s Lou Dobbs. The debate consisted of King charging Lewis and ACORN with a variety of crimes and Lewis defending the organization. Among the charges King made was that ACORN had a contract with the White House to provide the workers to do the census. Lewis ripped King apart by asking a simple question; “If you have that contract, would you please produce it?” King didn’t have it or any proof of what he said. Lewis further did a very nice job of defending ACORN on charges of voter fraud and criminal actions while King offered very few details to support his charges. He came onto national television to bring his charges against ACORN, looked unprepared, and as a result made ACORN look like a victim of the evil rich white Republicans. I went into the program believing the charges against ACORN and came out very unsure.
Last night, NPR’s Robert Siegel (no relation to me but I hear he brags about us having the same name:)) asked Republican Senator Charles Grassley about concerns over Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s empathy comment. During yesterday’s hearings Grassley said that empathy was just legislating from the bench. Siegel brought those comments up, then Siegel quoted Justice Alito, who said during his confirmation testimony, “When I get a case about discrimination I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background, or because of religion, or because of gender, and I do take that into account.” Siegel said that this comment should have disqualified Alito.
Grassley agreed that this was “Right,” made a couple of babbling comments of no relevance, than Siegel challenged him by pointing out that Grassley had voted for Alito yet was concerned about empathy in Sotomayor. Grassley changed the subject.
I have to congratulate Siegel for not bursting out laughing or at least not letting his laughter go out on the air.
How could Grassley not have had a simple, good answer prepared for such an obvious question? All he had to say was, “Alito convinced us that he was dedicated to the law and I hope and expect Sotomayor will do the same.” That wasn’t difficult to come up with.
According to Thomas Edison, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” I am not asking for something as incredible as “Genius,” when “Intelligent,” would do. So how about 90% perspiration?
Republicans? The U.S. needs two strong parties and you are failing us. Do your homework.
