"Expect Republican Disunity to Become the Norm"

from www.mydd.com:

Expect Republican Disunity To Become the Norm
by Chris Bowers

Demoralizing different parts of the Republican base is one of the keys to turning around the political situation in the short term (2006, 2008). In the wake of last night's demoralization of the theocons, comes this reminder from the Washington Post that the business community isn't happy with Republicans either:
"I'm inclined to support the Republican Party, but the question becomes, how much other stuff do I have to put up with to maintain that identification?" asked Andrew A. Samwick, a Dartmouth College economics professor who until recently was chief economist of Bush's Council of Economic Advisers.

"I don't know a single business group involved in the judicial nominees," said R. Bruce Josten, an executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Nada, none, zip."(...)

"The potential for high-minded policy reforms to fix entitlements and spur growth and prosperity has degenerated into a hopeless morass," Republican economist Lawrence Kudlow wrote yesterday on the National Review's Web site.(...)

But since then, it has become clear the judicial showdown could doom initiatives on taxes, legal liability protections, Social Security and other priorities. Last week, NAM spokesman Darren McKinney said not only would the group stay out of the fight, but "we hope that leveler heads prevail" before the confrontation virtually shuts down the Senate.

Mark A. Bloomfield, whose business-backed American Council for Capital Formation pushes for lower taxes on savings, investment and inheritances, said the business community is no longer the GOP's base.(...)

Since the election, Washington Republicans resemble the German military during World War I, opening new fronts before old battles are resolved, said John E. Silvia, chief economist at Wachovia Corp. and a former top GOP economist for the Senate Banking Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. One week it's Social Security, the next week it's Schiavo, then steroids, then judges, he said.
We often refer to Republicans as the Borg, but that is a terrible mischaracterization. While not as diverse as the Democratic coalition, and not visible within their voting habits, the Republican coalition does indeed have a decent amount of ideological diversity. Much of their amazing unity was forged not only through superior caucus disciplinary measures and through cooperative infrastructure, but simply by being in the at least partial opposition for seventy years. It is easier to be united in opposition than it is in governance, and this is a lesson Republicans are learning the hard way.

much more of this exciting analysis at www.mydd.com

Business stands to gain a lot from Owen's appointment, because she has established herself as pro-business to the point of insanity. Specifically she's extremely anti-plaintiff when it comes to liability suits, and has tied the law in pretzels trying to make things come out in the company's favor. So they have that much invested in her, even if they don't care about the abortion stuff.

It would be cool if the Republicans start eating each other over this, no doubt. I will try to remain optimistic.

Sigh,

The Plaid Adder

....hypocritical and has a secret agenda that denies the large majority of the people of the country their basic rights to freedom and choice and this republican leadership wishes to concentrate total power in the hands of the wealthiest few using the constitution of the United States as their authority and legitimacy while striping the constitutional rights of most citizens who do not embrace their agenda.

Nothing.

They want to divide this nation on issues like Terri Schiavo, embryonic research, wars without end, and the Pledge of Alligence.

In the meantime, this country continues to degrade and drift like a rudderless boat. Their policies have bankrupted this country and they cannot offer ideas that address jobs, the environment, healthcare or education.

They can steal elections, but they are clueless about how to govern.