From the Cafferty File:
Senator Arlen Specter’s defection to the Democratic Party is just the latest bad news for the Republican Party. Politico suggests the GOP’s meltdown is the worst of any party’s in decades and has left the Republican party on the brink of irrelevance with few obvious paths back to power.
Specter’s abandonment comes in the same month as a traditionally Republican leaning district in upstate New York tipped for the Democrats. This means in the nine Northeastern states — there are only 15 GOP House members out of 83 seats — and only three Republican senators out of 18.
On a national level, the GOP is near record levels for unpopularity. Only about one person in four identifies himself as a Republican; and a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows only 39 percent of those surveyed have a favorable view of the Republican party. Even a lot of Republicans no longer like the party much.
Some Republicans say conservatives have left the GOP with an exclusionary message. Senator Olympia Snowe says, “you certainly haven’t heard warm encouraging words of how they view moderates. Either you are with us or against us.”
Meanwhile Specter’s switch to the Democrats is less than genuine. As recently as March 17, the Pennsylvania senator insisted he would never switch parties. But once the polls indicated he would lose his bid for re-election, he jumped on the Democrats’ bandwagon like a bird on a worm. This is called hypocrisy.
Here’s my question to you: Is the Republican Party on the brink of irrelevance?
CJ from Atlanta writes:
They passed the brink a long time ago. The Republican Party might as well build an isolated compound in the middle of Texas, wall themselves in, and try to impress each other with who can be the most conservative prude. That’s their vision for America. Put them to pasture and let them have at it.
Maggie writes:
Given the fact most sensible conservatives have abandoned the Republican Party and the party itself is striving for purity in its ideology, only a miracle will save it from extinction. The GOP has now established its standard answer to solving any and all problems is just stating NO – except, of course, for the use of torture which they do support.
Missy from Phoenix writes:
Jack, Didn’t we say the same thing about the Democrats eight years ago? Yes, the GOP isn’t too popular right now, but that’s OK. It’s not their time in the limelight. Let the Democrats have their time in the sun and hopefully the GOP will use this time to refine its message and find new energy.
Sarge from Indianapolis writes:
The budget was passed today 233-193, without a single Republican vote. Very soon, the Democrats look to have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. So, who cares how the GOP votes anymore? If that isn’t irrelevant, what is?
Dave from Utah writes:
The two-party system is in place and will remain that way. The GOP will stay relevant but will change. I think the party will get back to its fiscal roots and small government.
John from Oxford, Mississippi writes:
Jack, The Republican Party is plenty relevant, as long as you’re a 60-year-old Southern white male who hates government, taxes, and gay marriage.
Harold from Anchorage, Alaska writes:
Will the last person leaving the Republican Party please turn off the lights?
