David Brooks says the House Republicans who voted against the massive government bailout of Wall Street are killing the GOP.
House Republicans led the way and will get most of the blame. It has been interesting to watch them on their single-minded mission to destroy the Republican Party. Not long ago, they led an anti-immigration crusade that drove away Hispanic support. Then, too, they listened to the loudest and angriest voices in their party, oblivious to the complicated anxieties that lurk in most American minds.
Now they have once again confused talk radio with reality. If this economy slides, they will go down in history as the Smoot-Hawleys of the 21st century. With this vote, they’ve taken responsibility for this economy, and they will be held accountable. The short-term blows will fall on John McCain, the long-term stress on the existence of the G.O.P. as we know it.
I hate to be the one to tell Mr. Brooks, but if Republicans had gone along with both the immigration bill and this bailout in current form, then the GOP would already be dead. Why? Because regardless of what elites tell us, our legislators are supposed to do our work, the things we tell them to do.
Perhaps us rubes out here in the sticks just don't understand politics the way those Washington boys do. I'm still trying to figure out why we never hear claims of "the death of the Democrats." When Republicans stand up for the law and core principles such as fiscal responsibility, we hear that the party is dying.
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