The Republican Problem

The Republicans have a problem - and they know it. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year, the Republicans trumpeted: "We're going to get the band back together, and we're on a mission from God." Blues Brothers references notwithstanding, this is just about the creepiest political statement I have ever heard. Read more about it here. Don't worry, it gets worse. During the parade of speakers, Republican pundit Ann Coulter stood up to speak: "I was going to talk about John Edwards but these days, you have to go into rehab if you say the word 'faggot,'" ...to a throng of cheering fans. Recall that this is the same Ann Coulter who has attacked 9/11 widows. Oh my God... Fortunately for the '08 Presidential candidates and other leading Republican pundits, they are distancing themselves from Coulter the way a strict Catholic avoids an abortion clinic. See some responses here from some of the top Republican personalities, trying to do some much-needed damage control. So, what are the Republicans to do? Fortunately for them, the Dems do not have a clear cut favorite for President, or they would really be in trouble. My advice to them is to support Guliani. This will be a significant gut check for the party - can they put aside the religious right for long enough to mount a decent campaign? In Guliani, they have the one person who may have a chance to bring the famed "Reagan Democrats" back into the Republican fold. Romney et. al. do not offer a legitimate option for winning the general election in '08. Also, if the Dems continue to force Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nomination, many people may be forced to look closely at a fiscally conservative, yet socially moderate candidate like Guliani. Unless they just mail it in and vote 3rd party, like I usually do.