Are the Republicans Outpacing Democrats for the title of most self-destructive party?

[richlevy]

From here

In the nine days since the 43-year-old Mr. Fossella, who has served five terms in Congress, was arrested and charged after running a red light in Alexandria, Va., things have gone from not-so-good to pretty bad, with only a slender thread still staving off the worst.
Within days of his admitting that he was on his way to visit “some friends in Virginia” when he was stopped by the police, the New York tabloids began raising questions about the woman who came to retrieve him from custody, a former Air Force lieutenant colonel named Laura Fay. Then, on Thursday, he released a clipped statement from his office, saying that he had fathered a daughter, now 3, in an extramarital affair with Ms. Fay.
The topsy-turvy transformation from young buck candidate to repentant politician is a well-blazed trail, but one that nonetheless caught his allies by surprise.

So, the current tally is two Democratic governors in NJ & NY upset by scandals versus at least 5 Republicans involved in DUI, prostitution, soliciting in restrooms, and who knows what else.

I'd put it down to some vast left-wing conspiracy, but unless Harry Reid was buying him his drinks and suggested he drive to visit his illegitimate daughter, I'd find that a hard sell.

So are Republicans more self destructive or are news organizations downplaying similar stunts by Democrats due to partisanship or because this behavior is more expected from Democrats and hence not newsworthy? Or is this just hubris brought on by power?

[elSicomoro]

Don't forget Condit, Traficant and Washington (the guy from Louisiana)...all of them fairly recent.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Any fucking idiot with too much power is going to use it to his advantage, left or right. I do think that it hurts Republicans more though because they claim to be the party of moral values more than the Dems.

[busterb]

(the guy from Louisiana)... Jefferson?? Perhaps

[elSicomoro]

Thanks, buster...it is indeed William Jefferson. My bad...I couldn't remember.

Heh...William Jefferson...

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by sycamore

I do think that it hurts Republicans more though because they claim to be the party of moral values more than the Dems.

I hear that a lot. Could you please post a link to the leader of maybe the House or the Senate making that claim. It has been repeated so often I think it is an urban myth. Or maybe we could post Pelosi and Reid's comments about how they are going to change things in Washington, 2 years ago, and so far nada. Bush's approval ratings have remained above the Congress since the Dems were elected. Personally I think they both (Dems/Repubs) suck.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I hear that a lot. Could you please post a link to the leader of maybe the House or the Senate making that claim. It has been repeated so often I think it is an urban myth.

Well, these guys agree with you Merc, in that the public isn't buying the 'family values' line anymore.

Summary: Moderator Chris Matthews asserted during the October 9 Republican presidential debate, "Polls show that Republicans are known as the party of national security and of moral values." But recent polling shows Democrats either tied or at a slight advantage against Republicans on the issue of national security, as well as holding an advantage in sharing voters' moral values.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Could you please post a link to the leader of maybe the House or the Senate making that claim.

How about this from the RNC itself?

Faith and Values Group Mission

Conservative values are at the heart of the Republican Party, and the hard work of conservatives was integral to the historic Republican successes in 2000, 2002, and 2004. President Bush has sought to create a culture of life in this county and has worked for opportunities to strengthen the family. The Republican National Committee's Conservative Team Leader outreach regularly engages with conservative activists from across the country, working together to further a national agenda promoting free markets, limited government, and stronger families and communities.

Is that good enough for you?


BTW, this is pretty funny

[TheMercenary]

The point is that you hear talking heads repeat this over and over, many of them liberal or lefty's, and I have never heard a person in elected office apply this lable to the party. Usually it is used in the context of some left-wing nut in association with some public personal failing of a Republican elected official.

[TheMercenary]

Faith and Values Group does not represent all republicans.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

The point is that you hear talking heads repeat this over and over, many of them liberal or lefty's, and I have never heard a person in elected office apply this lable to the party. Usually it is used in the context of some left-wing nut in association with some public personal failing of a Republican elected official.

Then you haven't attended many fund raisers. Noone is going to get up on the floor of the Senate and make that claim, mostly for fear they would be justifiably laughed at. But at fund raisers, in e-mails, and through proxies, this claim is made over and over again.

[elSicomoro]

Well, there were the folks involved with the Contract with America, Henry Hyde being outed as a adulterer during the impeachment, the fact that elected leaders have lead the GOP (like Marc Racicot), etc.

I knew damn good and well that nothing was going to change when the Dems took back Congress...they were just the lesser of two evils at that point...and still are. And I suspect that a lot of people felt (and feel) the same way.

I don't see the GOP taking back Congress in November...because the Bush administration is the symbol of the party right now, and most people just don't like them. Plus, the economy is fucked right now...a bad economy always seems to sink the incumbent party.

[elSicomoro]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Faith and Values Group does not represent all republicans.

The GOP seems to like to run with it though...you know Johnny's gonna try and schmooze with Robertson and his types over the summer.

[elSicomoro]

And Barry's gonna hang out with Soros and the Move-On people...duh.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Faith and Values Group does not represent all republicans.

So an RNC committee does not reflect the opinion of the RNC, the official organization of the Republican Party?

Please note that this is a sanctioned group. These guys got a web page on the RNC site, the Log Cabin Republicans did not. There's a reason for that.

Merc, I'm sure if you asked them to let you form a group to represent your brand of Republicanism they might agree. Of course, you wouldn't get a web page, and your office would be in a leaky janitors closet in the basement, and if anyone asked, you'd have to tell them you're a hydraulic transfer specialist (Republicans are still squeamish about using the term 'plumber').......

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by richlevy

Then you haven't attended many fund raisers. Noone is going to get up on the floor of the Senate and make that claim, mostly for fear they would be justifiably laughed at. But at fund raisers, in e-mails, and through proxies, this claim is made over and over again.

I have never attended any political fund raiser for anyone. They are all losers. The point is these lables are applied "through proxies". Sanctioned organizations for sure. And there are plenty of lefty politico's who patronize scumbags like Soro's and his ilk. Like I said, they all suck. I still have never heard one of these elected people stand up and say "We are the party of morality". Proxies do it, just like MoveOn.org proxies for the left. Same coin, different side.