It's Time for You to Go!

 I was surfing around late yesterday to see what was happening in Ukraine when I came across Donald Trump holding forth at CPAC.

I wish I hadn't. One thing for sure, he hasn't changed except for being a bit more overweight and having a bit more scalp showing through his hair.  Other than that, he doesn't seem to have changed a bit.  Everything that's wonderful with the country is because of him and everything that isn't is due to the stupid people who oppose him.

Do you have any idea how old this has become? He's still on the kick the election was stolen.  He's still on the kick that he 'understands' and admires Putin. Whew.  What a time to be expounding on that theme!

To my way of thinking, the dumb in the room was him! I'd like to think it would so upset the Republicans, they'd take him aside and tell him the party is over - and over him! Yet, I doubt that will happen. For some reason, people still seem to fear him. Oh sure, he can be nasty and can belittle you, but whatever happened to the old defense mechanism from when I was a kid? "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Ha. 

He did have some policies I agreed with.  He had many I did not agree with. His management style was chaotic. So where are the pluses in him running again? I can't find one.  Not a single one.

He's old. He's boorish and divisive. Perhaps the biggest minus of all is that he would be a lame-duck from the day he takes office because he's already served a term.

I'm sure there are some good Republicans testing the waters. Hopefully, there are also some Democrats who are willing to quit the lockstep routine with their leadership and step forward.

Only time will tell.  I can only be cautiously optimistic, but I for one would sure like to see a whole lot of new faces on the political scene.  Ones who reflect a love for our country and a determination to right the wrongs we've been made to endure because of personal or party agendas.

There was a time when the goal was what's best for the country and let's work out the best way to get there.  A little from one side, a little from the other, and a huge willingness to compromise. That was way back when we were truly the leaders of the free world. Does anyone besides me remember?

Three Cheers For CPAC - It's Over!

I didn't watch all of it but from what I did watch, the best thing that could have happened to those who would be President on the Republican ticket was to not be invited.  There were a few.

Ah, yes, this soiree is designed to showcase the Conservative candidates, not those establishment types Sarah Palin was so eager to dismiss.  I don't know that she did them much harm though.  She was so cloyingly "cute" I had trouble following her point.  If she even had one other than to get back in the public eye.

I didn't listen to all the speeches either, but from what I heard the only one who said what needed to be said was bad boy Chris Christie as he tried to make the point that in order to govern you have to be in power.  What is so hard to understand here?

Ted Cruz didn't disappoint.  He's still shilling for over turning Obamacare without a hope in the world until 2017 at the earliest.  But by golly, he's standing on principle.  He's not accomplishing anything, but to him and like minded thinkers, that doesn't matter. Now, this is hard to understand.  At least to me.

Rand Paul is an interesting mix of Libertarianism and Conservatism.  I don't think he has quite figured out where he can separate from his Dad yet not lose old Dad's supporters.  I wouldn't worry too much.  Dad never won.  He just formed a strong cult like following for idealism from a different point of view.

Then there were those who don't have much of a chance once the earliest primaries are over but there will be a lot of nail biting waiting to see who of the less Conservative types can survive those fanatical early votes.  Huckabee will survive them but what about Perry?  Oh, to have had a few new faces like Scott Walker. Maybe they could have even offered up some solutions.

The panels weren't particularly inspiring.  The usual defense of the second amendment and Ann Coulter holding court with a giggle so irritating it was hard to concentrate on the subject at hand.  There were a lot of empty seats within camera range and young mothers carrying around their babies.

As is usual for Republicans there was more talk of what they're against than what they're for.  It's time, fellas, to start coming out with some specifics.

I see today that Darrell Issa is going to be challenged for his position as Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Depending on who wins the battle, it could be encouraging.  We need some challenges to a lot of the leadership positions.  Sarah Palin seems to think the leadership thinks the American public are the ones asleep. We may be, but we share the bed with the them.

How else could Palin have slipped in with her version of Green Eggs and Ham, her condescending tone and her willingness to rip her own party from head to tail? It wasn't the stuff from which dreams are made.  Try nightmares!

The CPAC Sweeps Winner Is...

Chris Christie!  He may yet end up being the go to guy.  For the moment I'm going to put aside my worry about his health/weight and his abrasiveness and look at the positives.

First of all he wasn't there. Not only was he not there, he wasn't even invited. The Republicans have not yet forgiven him for his praise of Obama during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Never mind that he was doing what he thought necessary for the people of his state.  And never mind that Obama was all photo op and no action.  It's an action for which Christie should be given some slack.

The lack of the invitation alone tells me the Republicans have a suicide wish.  Especially considering who was there and their demeanor.  Rand Paul swiping back at John McCain and Lindsey Graham.  I criticized those two for washing their dirty laundry in public with their criticism of Paul.  So what does he do?  Returns the favor.

Then there was Ted Cruz prowling the stage like a caged animal chuffing and snarling.  I have no problem with him being aggressive but demeanor counts and his was condescending and rude.

Sarah Palin?  She is what she is.  Shrill and no longer relevant. Do the Republicans really still need her to light their fire?  Does calling the President a liar help? Does belittling Carl Rove help?

I come away with the impression CPAC is no more than a conservative love in.  A place for them to strut their stuff and those who may need their support down the road to shed their dignity and integrity.  In other words, it was a pretty sad display of partisan fealty.

I'm not sure they did the party any good.  It magnified the differences within and did little to set forth anything positive.  Becoming as computer savvy as the Democrats, running more diverse candidates and clarifying policy is something to be left behind the scenes, not in the forefront screaming, "We're a mess!"

The Democrats are loving it.  Hillary has reversed herself and is now for gay marriage. That's a huge vote generator. Biden becomes less of an issue to her every time he opens his mouth.  All they have to do is sit back and watch the Republicans continue to self-destruct.

The Republicans have two years and counting to get their act together and reinvent themselves into a cohesive unit or the Democrats will take everything just as Obama plans.  After that we'll have a country so different than what we have today we'll be hard pressed to remember it.  In four years it will be the norm.  If that happens those of us who are old enough will miss the country we once knew and we'll be blaming the Republicans.  Even if we once shared the name.  And rightfully so. Because they couldn't or wouldn't become a worthy adversary.