GOP Base Would Rather Take Out Incumbent Republicans Than Beat Democrats

[kpete]

GOP Base Would Rather Take Out Incumbent Republicans Than Beat Democrats

Interviews with those on Capitol Hill and in the conservative movement reveal antipathy toward each other that could cost the party the midterms.

With the president’s approval rating low, the economy faltering and Obamacare dropping consumers from their health care plans by the day, one would think the GOP’s prospects would be strong heading into the 2014 midterm elections. But this may not remain the case.

In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a widening rift between the Republican establishment and the Tea Party activists who swept John Boehner into the House Speaker seat and put Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell within striking distance of a majority to effectively cement President Obama’s lame duck status.

In conversations with members of Congress, lobbyists, and the chattering class on television–none of whom wished to speak on the record–many grassroots activists would rather take out an incumbent GOP officeholder in a primary challenge for perceived disloyalty to the base at the cost of Democrats winning the seat. That this switch of support by grassroots activists would occur less than four years after the GOP rode a massive wave of voter disillusionment with Washington is fascinating. The question is, what was the triggering event that created hostility between many conservative members of Congress and their constituents who elected them?

MORE:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/10/gop-base-would-rather-take-out-incumbent-republicans-than-beat-democrats.html

[BlueCaliDem]

1. For the good of the country, give them all the rope they need.

The less we have Republicans in seats of power, the better everyone - even their ignorant and racist base - will be.

[Mass]

6. Well, in this case, we need to win a majority in the House, not help these idiots Tea Party be

elected.

There are still plenty of districts where no Democrats are running or where no credible Democrat is running. Beating an establishment Republican to replace him by a Tea Party Republican will only make things worse, not better.

I know ranting makes people feel good, but Speaker Labrador or Price will be even worse than the current breed.

[BlueCaliDem]

14. That's absolutely true. If one thinks rationally.

Teabaggers don't think rationally unless they, personally, are affected.

It's absolutely a fact that some Americans will always do the right thing - after all other other options are exhausted. But unless and until these Teabagger-enablers personally feel the effects of their votes, nothing is going to change.

Unfortunately, good people will have to live through it, too. That's a HUGE downside.

It's times like these when I wish that there would be a law that the political Party that people vote for - and what wins power in their government - should make it that people should have to live under the policies of that Party. It would certainly speed up progress in this country if they were held to account for the votes they cast, and not, as it is now, benefit from the policies of the Party that they hate with a passion, but what benefits them and theirs.

And you're 100% correct. Ranting (and wishful thinking) does make me feel better, especially since the U.S. House is so badly gerrymandered that we have no hope to win it back anytime soon. We'll just have to wait until 2020 to rectify it before we can get rid of the Teapublicans so that Republicans can come to their senses and we can move forward again. I know. I know. More wishful thinking.

[Dopers_Greed]

16. It's still a net positive though

Even though we'll get some crazies, like Cruz for example...

Remember that if it weren't for the baggers, we'd likely have lost Reid and the Senate.

[bemildred]

2. Tsk. Circular firing squad. Why can't conservatives get their shit together like the left? nt

[leftyohiolib]

3. so should we the dnc takes us for granted they know we'll bitch and gripe but come votin day

we'll vote for them so they dont have to do anything

[uponit7771]

4. They've been given the OK to be violent and petulant towards "merica's gubment"

[treestar]

5. They are just as certain that the whole country supports them

as people on DU who insist the same voters are far to the left of any elected official.

[MO_Moderate]

12. Amen to that

[n2doc]

7. Two words: Ted Cruz

Do not count on voters to be smart enough to see how crazy these folks are. Given how gerrymandered districts are, if a t-bagger replaces Boner they will likely get elected. And we have seen just how destructive these idiots are when they get to office.

I don't know the answer, other than to work to get control of state legislatures in 2020 to de-gerrymander these districts.

[Mass]

8. +1000000

[Springslips]

13. Agree! Thg problem:

In 2008, my state, Ohio, had a dem legislature. There was a movement to end gerrymandering by installing a system to pick districts to be competitive. But the the Dems got it in their heads not to do that because they wanted to gerrymander the districts to their liking. But then 2010 came and FART it was gone. Idiots!

[oldandhappy]

9. Pleeeeeeeease

Volunteer as a get out the vote precinct worker for both the primaries and the general election. Please!

There are many things we need that some of us cannot do. But all of us can work a precinct. And if motivated, it does not matter where you live, you can access phone banks and make calls for candidates.

We can take back the House and Senate. We can. But we have to want it and we have to work hard.

[Bandit]

10. Very easy solution to Democrats concerns..."Vote By Mail"

That alone would solve almost all of our "turn-out" problems....Wake up Democrats before it is too late.

[oldandhappy]

19. You are correct.

I live just north of San Diego where there is a mayoral election tomorrow. The man in charge of the election was interviewed on the radio and he said he is expecting a 50% election turn out for the vote because 26% of people have already voted by mail in ballots.

The recent elections in VA show us how important even a few votes can be. I will be working to get more people on the vote by mail system in the run up to the primaries in my area in April and May. Keep reminding us!!

[Scuba]

11. I don't see this as a problem.

Still, it would be nice if the Democratic Party leadership had a platform that inspired people to vote.

[savalez]

15. This was written today?

Obamacare dropping consumers from their health care plans by the day

Hasn't that notion been put to rest yet?

[ReRe]

17. Pay no attention to stories like this....

... forget about the Republicans and work like there's no tomorrow to get a Democratic Majority in the House and a 61 count Majority in the Senate this fall. I think these kinds of stories are meant to make the Democrats think they've got the election in the bag and won't work as hard at GOTV. Remember: They may have all the money, but we have all the GROUND. Republicans don't pound the ground where all the voters are. That's work. If there's one advantage that the left has, it's the fact that we know how to work our fingers to the bones and walk until we wear holes in our soles. We know how to press the flesh and actually TALK to people. And when the snow and ice clear away and the cherry blossoms come in, we are going to be busy doing what needs to be done for this country.
The salvation of this country lays upon OUR shoulders! 2014! 2014! 2014!

[eppur_se_muova]

18. Well, bless their hearts. nt

[truebluegreen]

20. I just don't have a problem with that.

[Tom Ripley]

21. Godspeed!