How Will Dems Treat Repubs Now Claiming to Oppose Bush After Yrs Of Lockstep Support?

[Blackhatjack]

Republican lawmakers who have supported Bush in total lockstep for 6 yrs, and now facing reelection before a public that universally rejected their party and its conduct of government, are claiming they now 'see the error of their ways' and have begun crafting campaigns based upon their 'opposition' to this President and his policies.

Will Democrats 'welcome' them back to reality allowing 'bygones to be bygones' now that they have seen the error of their ways? Or will we Democrats be very clear in holding them responsible for their past conduct and the damage they allowed the Bush Administration to visit on our country?

THis is a serious question, and one that must be answered quickly. Once the congressional investigations begin to expose the massive corruption and misuse of power, there won't be any Republicans supporting Bush and they will try their best to 'blend into' the background of those working to clean up the mess.

I am not against forgiveness, and working with partisan opponents to accomplish worthwhile goals. However, if the Democrats do not draw a clear dividing line between themselves and the Republicans that caused this mess then it won't take long for the MSM to paint all members of Congress with the same broad brush --leading to Republican reelections in 2008. And that could sabotage our efforts to fix all the damage that has been done.

[LaurenG]

1. Hopefully they'll use it and impeach bush

Now that they've seen the error of their ways I say they bring up the charges against bush/cheney themselves.

[havocmom]

2. They should welcome the Republicans

to put their votes where their mouths are and vote with Congressional DEMs to exert proper oversight over the executive branch and work to reverse years of very bad policy.

If the GOP reps don't go along with fixing America, nail their asses for saying one thing and doing another.

[wryter2000]

8. That's it in a nutshell

If they truly clean up their acts, enlist their help to fix what they've effed up for the last 26 years or however long that particular R has been in office.

I really believe we'll have to fight the same fight over and over until we've saved the Republican party from what it's become.

[librechik]

3. They should be welcomed back like long lost brothers

and then taken to task for their past behavior. And blocked by votes, because you KNOW they are LYING!!! and will now only get sneakier with all the earmarks and Nazi attacks on the Constitution.

Things are going to get very complicated now. As if they weren't already.

[Donnachaidh]

4. Those republicans better be prepared to put up or shut up

After ALL the garbage -- including that last little 38 BILLION tax break passed last week, I'm not prepared to forgive and forget without seeing some furious lockstepping behind the major Dem proposals to give us BACK our rights, to get those theocrats out of government jobs - and to start impeachment and war profiteering charges against Bush et al.

They've got at least 10 years of crow eating ahead of them. AT LEAST. :rant:

[Hubert Flottz]

5. Like War Criminals would be a good start...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Depends upon one thing

do the Republicans who are saying this willing to do something about it? If they block attempts at investigation, or vote against bills to make sure that we get our rights back, realize they haven't changed a bit. HOWEVER, if they do go along with these things, they can be the most powerful allies. Let's remember that Nixon decided to resign only when Barry Goldwater talked to him.

[Blackhatjack]

7. One reason for this OP was the expected "rise of Moderate Republicans" ....

When the Republican Party saw the results of the mid-term elections, those still holding office facing reelection in 2008 began crafting a new strategy to prevent a similar result in 2008.

The new strategy is going to be pushing the "Moderate Republican" Platform, in an attempt to separate themselves from the disasterous policies of the Bush Administration and to appeal to independent voters while maintaining the rightwing religious base of voters.

Look for Republicans to push "Chuck Hagel-type" candidates and policies.

It is true that those Republicans who do not vote with Democrats in oversight and efforts to 'fix the mess' left by this Adminstration will soon be exposed for their hypocrisy. However, they will characterize their votes in terms of the 'Democrats going too far' and setting themselves up as the compromise 'center based candidates' who are being more 'realistic' in their efforts to get things done.

Do not underestimate the tremendous power of the MSM to bring these 'moderate republicans' to center stage and promote them as an alternative to 'radical liberals running the Democratic Party.'

I for one hope Democrats have planned their response to this situation that almost certainly will present itself when they take power in January 2007.