The problem(s) with the Republicans' new 'Commitment to America'

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/problems-republicans-new-commitment-america-rcna49178

After my book on Republicans becoming a post-policy part came out, there was one core question I heard quite a bit: Why, exactly, did the GOP abandon its role as a traditional governing party?

To simplify matters a bit, I think there are three elements to the answer. The first is that Republicans don’t want to govern because they’re too often hostile toward government. As Neil Irwin put it a few years ago, “If you make a career opposing even the basic work of making the government run, it’s hard to pivot to writing major legislation.”

The second is that GOP officials often don’t see the point of engaging in the rigors of real policymaking. Reading policy analyses, attending hearings, negotiating with rivals and stakeholders, and thinking through the consequences of policy decisions requires countless hours of tiresome and unglamorous work. Peddling poll-tested, base-motivating, half-baked, hashtag-ready talking points, on the other hand, is painless, ideologically satisfying, and often rewarded by voters.

But the third piece of the puzzle is a detail that tends to leave Republicans uncomfortable: They know that many of the party’s core ideas are deeply unpopular. The more they use the levers of power to pursue their goals, the more they risk an electoral backlash from voters who have no use for the GOP’s regressive beliefs.

*snip*

[Samrob]

1. Is this the new "Contract with (on) America?" nt

[Nevilledog]

2. Yes

[Wounded Bear]

4. Essentially, yes...

Remember that one of the items in that list was voluntary term limits. I think some of those repubs are still around.

[Walleye]

3. Any mule can kick down a barn, it takes a carpenter to build one

I think that’s from Republican Senator Alan Simpson. Back when they used to try to govern. Fact, it is much easier work to be Kevin McCarthy than Joe Biden. As near as I can tell McCarthy never does anything but run his mouth.

[Wounded Bear]

5. True that! nt

[bronxiteforever]

6. Rouge on a corpse to hide the diseased rot beneath.n/t