The Republican State Committee is holding a three-day gathering in Hershey this weekend to infuse a little life in the Grand Old Party, which is on life-support.
What do Pennsylvania Republicans leaders have to show under the current leadership?
Let me count the ways: Losing the governor's mansion to Ed Rendell twice; Losing a U.S. Senate seat to Bobby "Bland" Casey Jr.; Losing the state House in 2006 after 12 years of GOP control; and being a key contributor to losing Republican control of Congress.
And let's not get into the party's inability to raise money or keep up with Democrats when it comes to registering voters.
I have a suggestion for a theme at this year's conclave at Hershey Lodge. "Rearranging the decks chairs on the Titanic."
Pennsylvania GOP honchos couldn't even attract a single Republican presidential candidate to stop by for a cup of coffee. That's how far Pennsylvania has dropped off the GOP radar.
The only candidate who showed interest, John McCain, bowed out at the last minute. That might be a good thing. McCain is toast with GOP voters after the immigration fiasco.
And speaking of fiascos, Sen. Arlen Specter probably couldn't get in the door of this weekend's event. What little support Specter had from Pennsylvania Republicans evaporated by Specter's support of the Senate amnesty bill. (Although I hear there will be protesters in Hershey to remind everyone that Specter favors amnesty for illegals.)
What do GOP delegates have to look forward to this weekend? Karl Rove and Tom Ridge.
Ann Coulter wasn't available?
Who do you want as your keynote speaker at an event designed to energize the party other than the strategist who guided Republicans to the disastrous loss of Congress in 2006? Karl Rove is so yesterday.
And as for Ridge, he doesn't even live in Pennsylvania anymore. Ridge probably has more to do with the current malaise in the Pennsylvania GOP than anyone. When was the last time Ridge won an election? His poor record as governor (and in guiding the party) set in motion the GOP's current woes.
This is the best the Pennsylvania GOP could do? Retreads like Karl Rove and Tom Ridge?
I don't know about you, but the Libertarian Party is looking better all the time.
1 comment:
Tony,
Any worse and you folks will be Massachusetts soon...both on the passing of an amendment and the party being on life support. We have a whopping 24 republican legislators on Beacon Hill out of 200. Good luck!
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