I’ve also claimed that – as a general rule – the Republican party isn’t really interested in governing so much as it is interested in acquring political power for power's sake. If these two interests conflict, the Republicans are much more likely to do whatever they think will help them electorally even if that course of action hurts America itself. Certainly Mike Lofgren’s recent article bears out this general characterization.
And then today, via Steve Benen (again) over at The Washington Monthly, we have this:
And despite public declarations about finding common ground with Obama, some Republicans are privately grumbling that their leaders are being too accommodating with the president.
“Obama is on the ropes; why do we appear ready to hand him a win?” said one senior House Republican aide who requested anonymity to discuss the matter freely.
For all of the debate over what motivates Republicans on Capitol Hill, could this quote be any clearer? GOP goals have nothing to do with boosting the economy or creating jobs, and everything to do with undermining the president during a crisis.
The correct answer to this aide’s question — Americans get back to work is more important than partisan politics — never seems to enter the picture.
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the NRCC, added that no one should assume congressional Republicans will support policies, just because “we’ve been for them” in the recent past.
No, of course not. (emphasis added).
It is difficult to convince a political opponent to do the right thing when your opponent’s entire worldview is filtered not through the lens of appropriate social or economic policy, and instead through the lens of sheer political calculation. When the only question asked by Republicans is ‘How can we best hurt Obama?’ the President’s ability to suggest anything that might help jump start the economy pretty much goes out the window.
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