The Republican Party seems these days like a rudderless ship drifting out in the sea.
Democrats, fresh from their hat trick retaking the presidency, House and Senate, are making the best of their opponent party in its current leader-free state. The latest pick at the GOP is a new television ad which characterizes Rush Limbaugh as leader of the Republican party. Such a development is seen by some as the coming of a “permanent campaign.” It is a dreadful thought to be sure although both congressional and presidential campaigns do seem now to be in perpetual motion.
There is a struggle by Republicans vying to take charge of the party but all the momentum appears to be in favor of the GOP’s extreme right wing. It also seems like the right wing is all that is left in Congress, at least when it comes to the House and the minority leadership in both houses.
Of course, I would not shed a lot of tears to see the GOP come apart at the seams. I am in favor of a two-party system though and to think that some of the more thoughtful Republican members of Congress such as Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania having no seat at the table is actually disquieting.
Although I have no idea as to the likelihood, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Republican party split into new parties. That certainly wouldn’t be good for the GOP — I guess depending on how one looks at it — but it seems a better possibility now than ever given the party’s state of affairs. Will it happen? Hey, don’t ask me. I am just speculating. Can it happen? To paraphrase a wanna-be GOP leader, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: “You betcha.” Dominant parties have broken apart and evolved into different entities. You’ve seen it in politics before and you see it happen all the time with churches. As to drawing some type of conclusion with regard to that last thought. I reckon I should just quit while I am ahead.