Over the past couple of years, Republicans have repeatedly rolled out new plans, projects, ideas, and websites to claim that they’re going to “listen” to the American people:
– National Council for a New America: GOP leaders launched this initiative last year to revive the Party’s image and “listen” to the American people. But the group is now defunct, after holding only one town hall meeting at a pizza parlor in Alexandria, VA and coming up with no policy positions.The Republican National Committee was widely mocked when it launched its new website that touted “a whole new experience” that would reflect “what is going on in the streets.” It featured a blog authored by Chairman Michael Steele called “What Up?” (which was later changed to “Change the Game.”) The site even featured “Faces of the GOP” seemingly meant to show regular GOPers from around the country, but it actually includes a collection of RNC interns.
– GOP Platform 2008: During the 2008 campaign, the GOP launched a website to solicit ideas for the Party’s platform.
– Rebuild The Party: Republican activists led by RedState.com founder Erick Erickson started “Rebuild the Party,” a web movement meant to “set in motion the changes needed to rebuild our party from the grassroots up, modernize the way we run campaigns, and attract different, energetic, and younger candidates at all levels.” The group has only 8,846 members.
Matt Yglesias guest blogger (and former ThinkProgress writer) Ryan Powers notes the flaw in the GOP’s new attempt to listen to the American people. American Speaking Out “is all kind of a farce and House Republicans won’t incorporate anything they don’t already agree with.” Indeed, as McCarthy’s spokesperson said, “It’s not ‘American Idol’, where whatever gets the most votes automatically wins.”
Ben Smith notes that the top vote-getter so far is to “DEFUND, REPEAL, & REPLACE GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE.” Another policy proposal offered on the site: “Repeal Section II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.”
Project chairman Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) lays out details in this video....
Project chairman Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) lays out details in this video....
hear that? They have their principals, Hmmmmmm, coulda fooled us! The sad thing is, the GOP really hasn't a clue how to fight against this Obama administration, but they want you to trust them to eventually come up with some ideas. OR better yet, they want your ideas because they HAVE NONE!! Haven't they proven that time and time again! It's all so pitiful....
UPDATE: I found the orangeman video...Joe Scarborough speaks here too. He is a GOP'er I can actually listen to without gagging.
