Republicans, Can We Talk?

The derogatory names and descriptions assigned to different factions within the Republican Party that differ in ideology or methodology are mind-boggling. Not that being attacked for one’s political view is anything new, but the Republican Party is having a feeding frenzy devouring its own instead of feasting on all the gifts (thanks, Obama) handed to them on a silver platter in 2013.

For one Republican to vilify another Republican is not smart-not at all. Instead of considering that just maybe the individual being castigated may have his own thoughts and opinions, he must be labeled. Is he a RINO? Tea Bagger? Wacko-bird? Purist?  Bible-thumper? Right-winger? Birther? Is he too extreme or too moderate? Too right of center or too left of center?  Too socially conservative or not socially conservative enough? Too fiscally conservative or not fiscally conservative enough?  Too compromising or not compromising enough?

Republicans, are you at all interested in taking back the Senate in 2014?  If so, then it’s time to regroup and get to work! The media and the leftist progressives are gleefully placing their bets that the infighting (or should I say, outfighting) among Republicans will derail the 2014 elections. The mouthpieces of the various blocs within the Republican Party continuously throw calculated punches at each other, particularly if there is a microphone nearby. Oh, they are making their points crystal clear–some I agree with–but as they bloody each other with their verbal assaults, do they ever consider that all they are really accomplishing is knocking out their Republican base?  Do they consider that many have grown weary of hearing their relentless angry rhetoric thrown towards the wrong target?

Consider this for a moment: Who are these Republican consultants that are making money and reaping media attention by tearing each other down? Wouldn’t they be out of a job if they didn’t create this drama? No one wants to bite the hand that feeds them as they engage in a power struggle for Washington. However, those different groups within The Republican Party are out-maneuvering themselves. Do you see Democratic factions attacking each other? Nope. Do you ever hear a Democrat Senator denouncing another Democrat for being “too leftist” or “too moderate”? Nope. Do you ever hear a MSNBC host smearing a Democrat for being “too progressive” or “not progressive enough”? Nope. Do you ever hear Democrats calling other Democrats derogatory names? Nope. To watch the attacks on Republicans by Republicans is not only disheartening, but also appalling. The focus should be on the real issue, which is presenting a unified front to win the Senate back in November.

This “Us vs. Them” mentality within the Republican Party will be why we lose in 2014.  Am I saying that there should be no debate on issues confronting us? Of course not. We are not sheeple; there will always be different opinions and different goals within the party. I am saying that we can stay committed, defend our positions, and stand up for our beliefs without stooping to crass, mindless attacks that accomplishes nothing, other than enhancing the image of a Party turning on each other and ultimately imploding from within.

Let me reiterate: It is imperative that we take back the Senate in November. There are plenty of issues in which Republicans can find common ground to win the 2014 election (again…thanks, Obama) without completely destroying our best chance at stopping the liberal progressive agenda.

Call me any name you choose— naïve, simplistic, a Right-winger, a RINO, a Wacko-bird; I don’t care. I will be voting for the candidate who has the greatest probability of being elected–whether an incumbent or a relatively unknown.  All that I am concerned with is that whoever wins a Senate seat in November has a (R) behind their name. I have to believe that anyone who runs on a Republican platform shares at least some of my core conservative principles. What’s the alternative? A Democrat.