Republicans Down on Their Own Party

In our last post entitled "R.I.P. Ruinous Right?!" we discussed the declining G.O.P. image and a possible hope for moderate Republican leadership. We stated the belief that the influence of the "Ruinous Right" was growing weaker and pointed to several articles supporting that belief. We also referred back to an older post entitled "Ignorance and Name Calling Prominent In Right-Wing Blogs" that highlighted divisive right-wing blogs and their demise.

Unfortunately, political zealots who have no room for compromise or mutual understanding are part of our cultural fabric and are here to stay. Even as many members of the Republican party criticize it's ultra-conservative stance, misguided leaders and divisive pundits, some members continue on with their far-right rhetoric. It's doubtful we'll ever be able to celebrate the death of all far-right (or far-left) individuals who thrive on divisive rhetoric and misinformation. Our only hope is that their self-serving agendas and influence over others will diminish.

In April 2009, several polls conducted attracted attention for their notably low levels of self-reported Republican voters. In particular, ABC/WaPo reported the number of Republicans as 21 percent, CBS/NYT at 20 percent, NBC/WSJ also at 20 percent (not counting "leaners"), and Pew at 22 percent.

So, how have things progressed since this past April? A recent Gallup poll offers up the following:

"Almost 4 out of 10 (38%) Republicans and Republican-leaning independents have an unfavorable opinion of their own party..."

"Fifty-three percent of Americans today have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, compared to just 34% who have a favorable opinion of the Republican Party."

"... a substantial minority of Americans who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party also have negative views of the party. Almost 4 out of 10 Republicans say their opinions of the party are unfavorable, and a number of Republicans volunteer that the first thing that comes to mind when they think about the GOP is "unfavorable" or "lost its direction."

Only time will tell if sensibility and a cooperative spirit will prevail over selfishness and divisiveness within the Republican party. Hopefully, the ideas from Republicans like Colin Powell and Tom Ridge will prevail over those being offered by Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and some far-right bloggers.

Republicans Down on Their Own Party
GOP needs to listen to Colin Powell
Colin Powell fires back at Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney