The Tea Party alone didn’t cripple the GOP

Establishment Republicans can't keep blaming their party's troubles on its extremist fringe

BY JAMELLE BOUIE, THE AMERICAN PROSPECT

When Republicans began 2012, the Senate was within in their grasp—Democrats were defending a huge number of seats, and several incumbents, like Claire McCaskill of Missouri, were deeply unpopular. They finished it, however, with a smaller minority than anyone could have predicted. Obviously, this was a huge defeat for the GOP, and blame for it has fallen on two particular candidates—Richard Mourdock in Indiana and Todd Akin in Missouri—who represent the failures and excesses of Tea Party conservatism.

In an effort to avoid a repeat of this in 2014, establishment Republicans have begun an effort to recruit more pliable candidates—ones who won’t sink GOP odds with ill-considered words on rape and women’s health. According to The New York Times, the “Conservative Victory Project” is “intended to counter other organizations that have helped defeat establishment Republican candidates over the last two election cycles. It is the most robust attempt yet by Republicans to impose a new sense of discipline on the party, particularly in primary races.”

The Karl Rove-backed American Crossroads is behind the effort, which will support more traditional Republican candidates in Senate and congressional races. The project already has a target, the Times reports: Representative Steve King, a right-wing, six-term Iowa congressman, who has his eyes on the state’s open Senate seat.

Given the resources behind American Crossroads, odds are good the Conservative Victory Project will find some success. But it won’t be much. As a spokesperson from Club for Growth points out to the Times, Tea Party Republicans can’t really be held responsible for the GOP’s poor performance last year. Establishment Republicans lost Senate races in Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, Florida, and Massachusetts—the states that determined control of the Senate. For Democrats, Indiana and Missouri—home to Mourdock and Akin, respectively—were icing on the cake: nice additions, but not essential to holding their majority.

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http://www.salon.com/2013/02/04/the_tea_party_alone_didnt_cripple_the_gop_partner/