Rift Over Stimulus Embroils G.O.P.

[babylonsister]

rethugs have to have a plan on how to respond? How about with empathy, and voting for what's best for Americans? Why is that so difficult to do?


Rift Over Stimulus Embroils G.O.P.

By JACKIE CALMES and ROBERT PEAR
Published: February 22, 2009


WASHINGTON — Republican governors split sharply during the weekend over how to respond to the economic crisis, a debate whose outcome will go a long way toward shaping how the national party redefines itself in the wake of its election defeats of recent years.

The divisions were evident at the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association here as the Republicans differed both in their approaches to their own states’ budget shortfalls and in their attitudes toward President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package.

Some party leaders said Republicans should compromise with the Democratic president and move to the political center to attract independents’ votes. A small but vocal group of conservative governors countered that the party instead must rebuild by standing against new spending and taxes to regain the trust of conservative voters.

“There’s a tug of war right now within the party as to where we go next,” Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, one of the conservative Republican leaders, said in an interview. “I am in the camp that says we go back to basics. There are other folks who say something a little different. The answer will be determined in this tug of war.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/us/politics/23govs.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

[Captain Hilts]

1. The country is so far ahead of them it's almost sad. They're so out of touch.

[gratuitous]

2. Wow, almost a "Republicans in Disarray" headline

I thought the stimulus bill was an unparalleled triumph for the GOP, demonstrating their breathtaking unity and party loyalty. Wha hoppen, Republicans?

[Captain Hilts]

3. They've got to learn to suck on it and like it. nt

[bdamomma]

4. they will eat their own.

they are really out of touch with the American people and apparently they don't care.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Stanford is in the camp that says we go back to the stone age.

Don't sugar coat it, Mark.

[YOY]

6. They remind me of the Japanese Movie "Battle Royale"

Let's just hope some sane portion of their party comes out on top and not the fundies or the Neocons.

[PDJane]

7. A bit late on that reigning in spending thing, guys.

Instead of the spending thing, how about building something that will last?

[Burma Jones]

8. Look you assholes, you need to compromise to help the fucking country

Goddammit, at some point you have to stop campaigning and start governing........

[Winterblues]

11. Republicans don't Govern they "Rule"

:shrug: That is the main difference between the Parties.

[Burma Jones]

13. True True..........

[kentuck]

9. They are betting all their chips that we fail..

And they are doing their best to make sure we fail. That is the Republican Party. Be Proud.

[Renew Deal]

10. They will go to the right at first, and get creamed.

Then they will be viable again.

[Arugula Latte]

12. GOP, there's no alternative but for you all to settle this feud with machetes.