Why 2012 is Dangerous to the Republican Party

- And Why the United States Senate Will Be Responsible -

There comes a time when promises must be met with actions. Words and sentiments, even sincere sentiments, are not enough and additional words are nothing but insults to the listener.

For the past three years, the Republican Party has promised to reduce government, reduce taxes and listen more carefully to the wishes of those who pay their salaries. Their excuse has been that the Democrats have controlled the White House and the US Senate. For the first two of those years, Democrats also controlled the US House of Representatives.

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
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Republicans took control of the US House at the beginning of 2011 and have fought a strong rear-guard action to slow the Obama Administration's assault on the US Constitution. It's slowed the non-stop push from the left, but it has not reversed it. This brings us to the 2012 election.

The Republican Party can satisfy the more reasonable members of its base because it has not had the power to make things better. At this point it appears that the GOP may win both the US Presidency and the majority of the US Senate to complement their US House majority. Then they must deliver.

If I am correct, those victories may be the bane of the Republican party. The reason is a combination of history and expectations.

From 2001 through 2006, Republicans controlled the Presidency, the US House and the US Senate and acted far too much like Democrats. The GOP spent too much money, increased federal entitlement programs, entered a war without a clear exit strategy, refused to deal with illegal immigration and paid no attention to the citizens. They lost their majority in the US House in 2007 and then both the Presidency and the US Senate majority in 2009.

When Democrats took complete control again in 2009, they immediately began acting exactly like Democrats (see above list of stupid actions, but add immense arrogance, naked greed and a collection of pure hubris that dwarfs Mt. Everest) and the American people decided to give the GOP another chance. Republicans took back the US House and made large gains in the US Senate. This happened not because Republicans had been good, but because Democrats had been so bad. The trend should continue in the 2012 elections. Republicans must be able to make real, meaningful changes to the federal government quickly once they have a majority.

This is where Republicans fail. The new Republican majority will be thin in the US Senate. Without the help of non-conservative Olympia Snowe (Kind of a R-ME), Susan Collins (Kind of a R-ME) and Scott Brown (Sort of a R-MA), real change cannot occur. Senate Republicans must find a way to deal with their liberal New England members to make any real progress.

Then there are the usual GOP suspects who find a way to cause chaos and make liberal editorial boards smile far too much. Combine the not-always-helpful actions of John McCain (Maverick Hypster-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (What The Hell Are You Thinking-SC) and it makes one wonder if they have any actual principles. 

Add in the GOP Senators who constantly involve themselves in various groups, called "Gangs", and there is a problem. Note to one of my US Senators, Saxby Chambliss (Unnecessarily Moderate R-GA): Saxby, I knew you before you were even a lowly Congressman and had a little something to do with your election in '94. I have some serious advice: The next time you join a gang do us a favor and make it the Crips or the Bloods. Do not play with the Democrats in a way that would give them the opportunity to undermine the GOP majority in the Senate. Conservatives expect results.

Does Mitch McConnell (Lonely Leader R-KY) have the ability to keep his troops in line? If he does, it's a better kept secret than Barack Obama's college grades. Here is why McConnell better either get a whip and a chair or get a retirement rocker.

If Republicans fail to meet their basic promises to their base (smaller government, lower taxes and secure the national borders), the Republican Party will end within five years. A Republican party that acts like the Democrat Party will become the Whigs of the 21st Century. It will be replaced by a party to its right that does not have the GOP baggage of failed promises. 

If the GOP enjoys the majorities I predicted, then the pressure will be to immediately use it or lose it. Get ready GOP and wear your jock straps and pads, the 2013 sessions will be full contact.

November is coming. Make it count and make it a Happy New year! That's an order.

Written by Ken Carroll