“The demographics race we’re losing badly,” said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.). “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.”
Every now and again, Republicans manage, through a slip of the tongue or a moment of unintended honesty, to betray their true intentions. Say what you might, but if what stands between you and political power is the task of recruiting angry White males…well, your ideas suck.
Lindsey Graham may be many things, but I can’t imagine that being a poker player is on that list. Why would someone, even a Conservative ideologue who would do everything in his power to destroy a President, openly admit that the ascendancy of the GOP depends on attracting ever greater numbers of angry White males? Perhaps it’s that Republicans can’t see anything beyond their own self-interest?
Time was when Conservatism was a legitimate and valuable ideology. Conservatism served as a counterbalance to Liberalism, and the ideological tug of war prevented government from engaging in excesses- at either end of the spectrum. Compromise was prized as an essential political device and a way to move America forward. Good and intelligent politicians- true statesmen, in many cases- fought like cats and dogs on the House and Senate floors…and then socialized like civilized people after hours. Today, the Conservatism movement has been hijacked by a cabal of thoughtless ideologues for whom “compromise” is an evil on par with Socialism, Liberalism, or pedophilia. “Compromise” has given way to “Show no mercy, take no prisoners” as the Right’s “slash and burn” approach to governing. When Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) can give a speech openly admitting that “Job One” for Republicans should be ensuring that Barack Obama is a one-term President, you have to know that they’ve gone off the reservation and no longer give a damn about doing the People’s work.
Angry White guys? Yeah, that’s great…if all you’re devoted to is political power and your own self-interest. If your position is dependent on a base of angry White males, not only do your ideas suck, you have no business holding public office. Of any flavor.
