Reason: In 2006 the GOP majority held a vote on Iraq withdrawal that you said was intended to embarrass the Democrats politically. And then the GOP lost the elections in part because Democrats hit them on the war. Why have your colleagues misread the popularity of the war?
Gilchrest: I can’t psychoanalyze those guys. I think the GOP was dissolving. Now it’s drying up and the wind’s going to blow it away. I just don’t think we have the depth of knowledge, intellect, and experience necessary for a viable political party any more.
Try putting that on the 2008 bumper stickers!
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May 9th, 2007 at 7:27 am
A.K.B. Cusack
The G.O.P. will not blow away in the wind because sheer inertia will keep the two parties in place. For the party “blow away” those grains of sand would need to go someplace: either to the Democratic Party or to a new entity. They will not, owing to the traditional tribal rivalries, go to the Democratic Party and there will not be a new party. Because for a new party to start would require not only a grassroots support structure (either nationwide or at least intensely centered on a given region) but also a certain number of congressmen sure of their convictions willing to split away from the existing structure. While congressmen exist (such as Ron Paul) it is in too small a number to make even considering a new party worthwhile. I think they would probably need at least ten or so congressmen to be taken seriously.