You may be thinking, gee, haven’t the Republicans been awfully quiet of late? I’ve certainly noticed that ever since the embarrassing outbursts during President Obama’s speech on health care reform to the joint session of Congress in September.
But, let’s face it, they haven’t had a lot to crow about. Their big agenda item is jobs. “Where are the jobs?” they ask. So, it’s really the economy stupid and they’re banking on the stimulus package failing (that was their previous message). Well, today’s numbers on GDP (3.5% growth in the third quarter) were more bad news to their cause. It at least proves that the stimulus is stimulating growth and that’s what it’s supposed to do. Despite some questions about whether this growth would have happened without the stimulus, the stock market likes it.
They’ve not shown their hand on health care other than they all plan to vote against it, which will hand the Democrats a huge campaign issue next year. “Republicans don’t want health care reform. Do you agree?” Americans overwhelmingly want health care reform, according to every poll. But, Republicans are going to go on record opposing it.
The only way Republicans win at this game is if they can actually defeat health care reform from passing. But, that doesn’t look likely right now.
So what are the Republicans up to? They support the war in Afghanistan and they oppose health care reform. Perhaps this is helpful. It came to me as part of an email today:
Eighty-one times. So far this year, Republicans have stalled Senate action 81 times. Each time, critical legislation that should have taken two hours has instead taken weeks.
Republicans are not a party of ideas. They’re purely a party of obstinacy. They’re slow-walking and road-blocking for one reason only: to see Democrats fail.
They are doing what they usually do — nothing. Obstructing, and saying “no.” Enough said.
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