Republicans: Acting like Conservatives?
By Mitch Berg
The Strib notes – wonder of wonders – that the GOP’s candidates are a conservative lot:
In the early GOP field for 2010, a common theme has emerged — government should be smaller. Some candidates want to dramatically cut back on mandates and local funding, some would merge departments, reduce state workers and slash one out of every $5 the state is slated to spend. What they want, at bottom, is a government that not only does more with less, but which simply does less.
The candidates are ambitious in their pledges to shrink government — “The sky’s the limit,” state Rep. Tom Emmer said at a recent forum — but haven’t yet worked out all the details.
And that’s the good news. The GOP of Arne Carlson is dead and unlamented.
“But wait!”, the likes of Lori Sturdevant and Nick Coleman will respond, “what about the GOP that sat down and worked with the DFL for a better Minnesota?”
For starters, your idea of a “better Minnesota”is a Minnesota that looks, taxes and spends like Massachussets and California.
Second – it was all baked wind and you know it. While the MNGOP – under its old guise, the “Independent Republican” Party – compromised to the point where it was indistinguishable from the DFL, the DFL never compromised on anything unless the votes forced them to.
Third – this is the campaign. This is the time when parties should present choices to voters. The MNGOP during Arne Carlson’s era was nothing but the DFL in better suits with less chanting. Compromise and “working with the opposition” are for after the election, when everyone is in office.
The plans, still in their infancy, could run into political trouble, practical and legal problems and have even prompted disagreement among the Republican field. A smaller, leaner government — long a mantra for Republicans — could hold appeal in cost-conscious times but could alienate those who believe government must step in during economic low-points.
That’s the point. People who believe that government’s role is to spend money like crack whores with stolen Platinum Cards probably should be in the DFL. It’ll make for a more honest conversation.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Rush’s callers are saying the same thing, no more RINO’s. But back to MN: Lori, Nick, just whom have we left un-helped? Ten percent of our neighboring states should be homeless by this reasoning. Where are they? Here?
October 26th, 2009 at 10:17 am
The MN GOP candidates are in a tough spot. To be Governor, they need to win the primaries. To win the primary they need to show themselves as tough on spending cuts. To be tough on spending cuts you need to provide specifics. If you announce specific cuts you lose the votes of the people that will be affected by the cuts. So the game for these candidates is to be as vague as possible while seeming tough on spending cuts. And this is a completely seperate problem from deciding whether or not you estrange or embrace Pawlenty, and to what extent.
The MN GOP candidates each have a long uphill battle ahead of them. But once one of them wins the primary they have a fragmented DFL field to look forward to.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:39 am
“And that’s the good news. The GOP of Arne Carlson is dead and unlamented.”
I only hope and pray that the likes of Carlson and his ilk never-ever return.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I think the first half of your analysis is flawed. The GOP in Minnesota has pulled together, their very weak leader Ron Carrey is history, and indeoendent voters are recoiling from the madness in Washington.
The DFL, on the other hand is presenting a very unappealing field of candidates, With Moby Kelliher very much out front.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:22 am
The MNGOP during Arne Carlson’s era was nothing but the DFL in better suits …
I only hope and pray that the likes of Carlson and his ilk never-ever return.
Dracula had a pretty nice suit, too, as I recall.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:33 am
If Obama’s presidency helps bring about a GOP that does more then give lip service to the ideas of limited government and fiscal responsibility, then that’s change we can believe in.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
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October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
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October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
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October 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Republicans should be happy to help explain to people why they do NOT need government to charge them for things they don’t want.
I don’t need my taxes raised to subsidize autoworkers making crappy cars that I can’t afford to buy anyway.
I don’t need my taxes raised to buy another outdoor refrigerated hockey rink in a town that already has 165 days of Winter.
The list of reasons to vote Conservative is endless. We just need to keep reminding people of it.
.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Some conservatives to vote for would help.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
then run Kermit!
October 28th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Run, Kermit, Run!!!