What is Wrong With The Republican Party

The views expressed herein are solely those of Paradise

Ever since the election, this has been a routine question in my circle of friends and political acquaintances. At first, my instincts were to simply say nothing. But then I started thinking about the question. What is wrong with the Republican Party? The Party hasn't changed. So the really simple answer is nothing is wrong with the party. The real question should be what is wrong with the politicians who call themselves Republicans?

As I read about the Republican strategy for dealing with President Obama, I can only shake my head. They don't want to oppose his legislation because he is popular??? How about opposing them because they are wrong?? Have all Republicans lost their minds? Or is it just the ones on Capitol Hill?

Today the Republicans in the House showed some courage by voting as one to oppose the stimulus. Now we will see what the Senate does. I have been disappointed lately with some of the real leaders in the Party. People like former Senator Bill Frist and former Governor Jeb Bush who have decided not to run for statewide office in their home states. I can't help but think of the damage both of these men have done to their state parties. The question that comes to mind is "If not you, then who." In Tennessee, if Frist had run, he was virtually assured a victory. By not running, for whatever reasons, he has made his party vulnerable to a strong Democratic challenger. The same is true in Florida, with Jeb Bush. These men are supposed to be leaders of the Republican Party. Sorry guys, you let your Party and your supporters down.