Here's a good description, insurmountable.

The GOP proves time and time again that they JUST DON"T GET IT!

Take "trickle down" and put it where the sun don't shine

Absolutely Feisty!

This is a party who as a whole still don't want to believe that it is their ideology that is at fault but rather one individual (Romney) who failed them.

The simple fact that they are so out of step with current thought of the average American is lost on them. They would have everyone get in step with them rather than the party of NO getting in step with the country as a whole.

Interesting FR commentary. I don't see how the GOP changes quickly enough to be part of the changing demographics in the near future. Their right-wing media has been feeding the base fear and victimization and blaming minorities for their victimization, for a couple decades--the southern strategy. In addition, the GOP has been running on social issues of God, Guns, Gays and abortion all of which alienate segments of the population. How does the GOP soften its tone, become more tolerant and accepting when that same party has been selling its base on fear and hatred of immigrants and minorities. The words a few are speaking today in retrospect are merely words; their Party Platform and their policies must also change to match the talk. The GOP has fed those extreme beliefs to get votes; the GOP now reaps what it has sown.

Do you think Karl Rove will be able to sell this 'used' platform to donors down the road? How's that make the donors feel seeing all that GOP money go down the drain? Will the GOP flush Karl along with it? What's Grover offering up as an excuse? Will Mitch provide an excuse on his failure to deliver also? Ryan must have known it was a lost cause from the beginning as he hedged his bet early. Odd that nothing was made of that. The only excuse left from the GOP is the cry that they needed more money!

I wouldn't be too quick to write off the Republican party. They still have a substantial number of governorships, and the redistricting after the 2010 census will be difficult to overcome.

Republicans fare very well in local elections, and a charismatic figure ala Ronald Reagan could transcend their party ties and win a national election. Demographics alone will not ensure election victories, we must promote good policies and candidates.

Democrats must continue to be the 'adults in the room' when it comes to the budget discussions and foreign affairs, and not let our gains in 2012 go to our heads.

Notice the focus is on how Republicans can improve their own fortunes, not how they can contribute to our country's success.

When schools improve in Red states, when jobs are created, and Republican governors decline federal aid, then the voters may start electing Republicans to national office again. It's all about performance people, not demographics or marketing techniques.

Today's republican party puts emphasis on ideals from the past. Gay marriage scares them, abortion gives them the cold sweats.

In many ways, they are anti social individuals, however they do have strengths. I believe that the 1950's would be a preferred life for most republicans, which has both good and bad aspects.

Both parties have swung to far to the left and the right. We need term limits in house and senate to keep new blood and fresh ideas.

The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.

“The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.

“The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.”

Feisty,

We most definitely do need two healthy parties. I am a moderate Republican, I detest the religiosity, the unreasonable stances of the far right which have taken apparent control of the party. Here's my take on the problem - I think for the most part moderates like me are not in any way, shape, or form activists. The greatest piece of political activism I will ever likely engage in is post my opinions on a discussion board like this. We just don't make a lot of noise. The extremists howl and people pay attention. Because of that, are the Republicans doomed? Perhaps.

The Quiet Centrists Party, now forming. Use your inside voices, take your shoes off at the door, and for christsakes, keep your voices down.

.

I am a moderate Republican, I detest the religiosity, the unreasonable stances of the far right which have taken apparent control of the party

Mark,

I truly feel sorry for you & others like you whose party has left them!

I'm hoping someone steps forward to assume a leadership position where compromise isn't a "four" letter word.

As a country, we deserve better...

We just don't make a lot of noise.

I had another moderate Republican on this board, reach out to congratulate me on the President's win.

They said much of the same thing you did above, also made a point about wishing to one day have a candidate who could energize the GOP like Obama did with Democrats.

michigan northerner - your concern should be with any party that could nominate Mitt Romney and think they were smart! Our President is a good, decent, intelligent man who has kept this country from going into a Depression - even though Republicans tried their best to block his efforts.

The fact that you still don't see that says everything about you - none of it good!

Feisty, Huzzah!

Seeking - Our president is decent - that is about all I would say about him. I know him, btw, and know things that I could not talk about.

He is shrewd

He has friends in high places

Good is not a word I would associate with him.

Chicago Thug - no you don't know him. You're the typical Republican liar - oh I'll say I know him and I'll then put him down. Not only do you not know him - you don't know anyone who does.

He is a good man who is intelligent and is doing a good job with the mess YOUR guy Bush left him.

Who put him down? I'm about the most liberal guy on this planet! Who are you?

Chicago Thug - I'm someone who actually lives in Chicago and knows more about him than you ever will. Didn't put him down? "Good is not a word I'd associate with him?" Do you not comprehend your own comment?

Tell the truth, you're Mitt Romney, right? Sheish! You people!

she is one of them Obama kool-aid drinkers. she ok she just trolling for attention.

It depends on what you call good.

All his friends would tell you that would be a bad choice of words, however if you say he is a good salesman, I would agree. Good basketball player, eh, not so much. Good person?

michigan northener - as opposed to you who is just one of those hate filled losers that Republicans count on to vote as they're told to do. And my guess is "troll" is the best thing you've been called in a long time!

Actually his friends say he is passionate about helping people; the law; and our country. And, yes, they say he's a good person. But those are people who actually know him! Sorta lets you out!

Hey seeking. Petraeus testified today , looks like he threw your wonderful sweet guy under the bus. now he is a proven liar. or inept whichever you chose

Patraeus messin with the wrong dude! He is going to wake up in the lake michigan if he isnt' careful who he trays.

michigan northener - he didn't throw anyone under the bus. Clearly you need to sharpen your comprehension skills!

Members of the Committee say they still do not have a complete picture of what happened - but of course YOU do!

Chicago Thug and michigan northener - clearly you two share the same single brain cell!

My bad i forgot msnbc didn't feed you that info yet.

michigan - considering the committee will be holding meetings for some time and I've read what Petraeus testified to - you're nothing but a liar. Still reading the right wing rags, are ya?

"Former CIA Director David Petraeus testified this morning that his agency immediately believed the Sept. 11 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was coordinated by al-Qaida "

michigan - but the complete investigation is STILL going on so no one KNOWS for sure and won't for some time. Susan Rice relayed what she was immediately told by the CIA - and reports differed over the days immediately following the incident. Funny how you choose to only relate the part that supports your hatred of Obama!

It is interesting to hear Republicans talk about updating their platform. Let's look at their platform, divided into major categories of domestic versus foreign policy, and within domestic policy are fiscal policies and cultural issues.

The GOP fiscal policy of supply-side "trickle-down tax cuts for the rich," deregulation, and tax cuts supposedly paying for themselves -- This has been completely debunked as the voodoo economics that this is. Historically Keynesian economics has had a much better track record, and is likely here to stay.

A recent book Who Stole the American Dream? is very enlightening, with data debunking the global economy and technology as the reason the middle class has stagnated, and upward mobility for the poor has been decimated. Wealth began moving upward to the richest 2% in the late 1970s -- Yes, that's how long this has been going on.

And it happened because of Big Business/CEO's organizing to end labor rights, civil rights including equal pay for women, the minimum wage, replacing professionally-managed pension plans with 401ks, etc. Business lobbyists in DC skyrocketed from hundreds to thousands in short time, culminating in organizations like ALEC. We the People have begun to realize FAIRNESS and shared prosperity must be restored.

The GOP falls on the wrong side of history on all public policy as well -- infrastructure, education, energy and the environment, health care and programs like Social Security, and every thing you can think of (too long to list here).

Throw in the extremist culture war on abortion, women's rights, heck they wouldn't even go for civil unions for gays -- what you can sum up as bigotry. And add anti-science like evolution and climate change to this and the GOP is completely doomed. How do you "soften" your tone on bigotry and make ignorance attractive?

Foreign policy -- I was appalled at the video of John McCain when publicly humiliated over his Susan Rice conspiracy theory. He was hyperventilating and then walked away in a daze. I've always been concerned about torture as a POW and his mental stability, and I am now certain we have been very fortunate many times to "miss the bullet" -- whether Ross Perot, or McCain/Palin, and now Romney/Ryan. None had any business seeking the highest office in the land.

So how can the Republicans rebuild themselves to be relevant? They can't. Candidates like Romney would have to stop getting information about Solyndra, the work requirement for welfare, Jeep's plants in China, and Benghazi from the rightwing media. They'd have to become fact-based.

And there is no logistical way to have as effective a ground game when your base is rural America. And most of all, they'd have to share the same platform as the Democrats. They are terrified about what I'm telling you. But hey rightwingers, you can hope.

Raid the competing organization ... don't buy the vote, buy the guys who can get out the vote.

Cogswell Cogs ;)

Now that's pretty funny Al! Akin/Mourdoch 2016! I needed a good laugh!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you for that ticket! To donate - dial Go Figure?

Al, thanks for the laugh! You, too, JustSlapMe.

Al,

You missed Christy Todd Whitman, psst - David Frum is a phony poser - he was right there in the thick of it for the last four years,...he's only recently (since election day) found his 'moderate' voice. Don't be fooled by the wolf in sheep's clothing!

Akin/Mourdoch 2016 baby!

To donate - dial Go Figure?

Donations can only be accepted via land-line phone, or preferably telegraph (or Pony Express).

Luckily for us the Republicans did not present a good candidate. If they would have, we definately would have lost... our candidate was not that strong either. 2016 will be interesting to see who goes on both sides, I can guarantee that we won't get a loser like Romney next time!

Nope, by 2016 the RNC will figure we all forgot about Dubya. They'll probably run with Jeb.

they idiots if they run with jeb, he's more of a dweeb than W

fuzzy44 - of the two, Jeb is much smarter than George, but it doesn't matter. I don't think anyone wants another Bush in the White House - ever! Their mistake was running the dumb one first!

Whoever they run - Paul Ryan and Newt will run too! It's going to be another circus. Hillary needs to pick a strong running mate and she will do well!

i know that Obama won't let Hillary run. He's not very fond of that girl.

Chicago Thug - Hillary Clinton is a woman - hasn't been a "girl" for some time. And, she and President Obama are very fond of each other and have great respect for one another. Another comment that proves you don't have a clue about the President - and are clearly not someon who is in any way close to him!

you sure you not republican Seeking, cuz you sure don't know what Obama says bout that btch

he only let her in his admin to get slick willie to side up, he still upset about the "he would be carrying our bags" comment that bill made during last campaign fool!

Chicago Thug - you're clearly a thug but you also clearly have no clue about Obama. He not only likes Hillary - you can count on he and Michelle to be out their campaigning for her in 2016.

You are so clueless it is pathetic!

clueless, seeking, you reek...

Obama don't like those white trash clintons

Seeking, Chicago Thug is having a birthday today ... I'm sure it will be gone soon. Wonder who it is?

They also need to study up on what "conservatism and fiscal conservativism" actually mean.

Jody -

Agreed, but I would prefer a little fiscal conservatism by the Democratic party - that would go a long way towards cementing their gains.

Chicago Thug The thing is, what are you smoking? FOOL!!! everyone who makes over $250,000 pay more. are you that mad for Obama won or you have low level of intelligence
.

Ha! that is funny sht hoodie, i like you!