Conservative talker Mark Levin may consider MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough “The Morning Shmo,” but to many independents, centrists and moderates on many issues he seemingly voices what’s on their mind. Scarborough, more often than not, reflects the more traditional conservatives who often look aghast at the current incarnation of Republican conservatism which seems to be most focused on a)ideology, b)saying no to Barack Obama, c) taking positions or voting in ways to defeat Obama with the defeat as the dominant motive, d) working hard as possible to chase women, minorities, and gays, moderates and America’s center (which does exist) away from the Republican Party.
And on point d), they are doing a great job.
So, Mr. Levin to the contrary, Scarborough has again voiced the likely views of many Americans — like the 90 percent who wanted background checks to pass. And he warns, in our video Quote of the Day, that the Republican Party in its 2013 incarnation is headed for extinction. His key quote: “We’re the 90 percent — and we’re going to win. This is just the first battle.” Via Crooks and Liars:
FOOTNOTE: I agree with Scarborough that somewhere along the line the current Republican Party will likely suffer a huge defeat and Republicans more willing to compromise or vote against the NRA will fill the vacuum.
The one qualifier I add here. I keep hearing on progressive talk shows people suggesting Democrats might stay home if Barack Obama’s doesn’t take a stronger line with the GOP on the budget. Democrats have frittered away their New Deal/New Frontier/Great Society political dominance by staying home to teach their party a lesson during key elections while GOPers turned out. In 2000, if you recall, many Democrats weren’t happy with Al Gore and said they’d vote for Ralph Nader. In 2010 some Democrats said they weren’t happy with Obama so they stayed home. In the end, they punished themselves. And then when the GOP would gain a hold on the levers of power nationally or in state, Democrats would blame their party for not doing enough.
So the GOP may be giving its enemies ammunition by the segment now effectively running the party — but the Democrats are their own worst enemy. Left to their own devices, Republicans could be in for a rough ride. Aided by Democrats who won’t get on the horse to ride and instead want to teach their party a lesson, the current incarnation of the GOP’s ride will be far easier.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.