Jim DeMint

The GOP is still going through their post-mortem and trying to figure out just how they became so insignificant, which is leading to even more problems:

During a closed-door Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, DeMint offered proposals to impose term limits on the Republican leader and to restrict how long members can serve on the Appropriations Committee. The resolutions were soundly defeated, but not without bitter exchanges among the Republicans present for the meeting.

Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida said the meeting was “terrible” and “caused consternation” among his colleagues because of the dispute over DeMint’s proposals.

Not sounding too hopeful for the party that just four years ago was going to be the “permanent majority”. Shockingly, one of the voices of reason seems to be coming from DeMint in this:

“We think the whole problem is George Bush and not us, and we’re part of the problem,” added Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina.

One solid first step would be to stop acting as the party of smears. The American people aren’t buying onto the old GOP catch phrases they try to paint their opponent with. Just four years ago, Liberal was considered an insult by many. Now more people are associating themselves with that name. Instead of engaging in the policy of pettiness, try to engage in actual policy. Forget being the “obstructionist” party, something even the GOP leaders applaud, instead learn to work with the controlling party.

The GOP has simply become a party of hypocrisy. Look at all the ethics problems that have plagued them over the past several years. They damn near want to have you executed for being an adulterer, yet they circle the wagons when one of their own is caught. And can switch adulterer out with other words like “gay”, “lesbian” or “drug user”.

Now the GOP infighting really gets interesting. In one corner we have former presidential nominee John McCain, and in the other corner – Republican Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina:

"McCain, who is proponent of campaign finance reform that weakened party organizations and basically put George Soros in the driver's seat," DeMint said. "His proposal for amnesty for illegals. His support of global warming, cap-and-trade programs that will put another burden on our economy. And of course, his embrace of the bailout right before the election was probably the nail in our coffin this last election. And he has been an opponent of drilling in ANWR, at a time when energy is so important. It really didn't fit the label, but he was our package."

I have been waiting for something like this to happen. The head of the RNC announced this week that he was filing suit to get rid of the legislation McCain helped create and is so proud of – campaign finance reform. Now we have the battle heating up even more.

But let’s stop and think for a minute. We are approaching the two week mark since the Republicans were sent packing by the American people. So far they have blamed the following for their defeat:

• John McCain
• George Bush
• Election Finance Laws
• The Economy
• The “Liberal Media”

What’s missing from that list? How about a little self blame. This has been a continuous problem of the GOP for years now. They refuse to give themselves any blame for anything. It reminds me of when Mark Foley was busted. It wasn’t Foley’s fault, but rather those evil children he was going after. Perhaps if the GOP wants to be taken as a serious party and be able to compete in our political system in the future, then they need to really examine themselves and engage in some self criticism. If they don’t do that then they have changed nothing.