More Proof That Today’s Republican Party Stands for Nothing
by Chris Edelson

Less than five months ago, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal argued that the Republican party had gotten away from its supposed core principles: “limited government, fiscal discipline, and personal responsibility.”  He promised, “on behalf of our leaders in Congress and [his] fellow Republican governors” that “our party is determined to regain your trust.”

How’s that been working out?  There are just 22 Republican governors nationwide: in the past two weeks, two of those 22, Sanford and Palin, demonstrated an utter failure of personal responsibility (in very different ways, of course–Palin didn’t have an affair, she merely walked away from the oath she swore when taking office as governor).  Senator Ensign, who held a top leadership post in the Republican caucus, also recently demonstrated his failings on the personal responsibility front.  All three were considered possible presidential contenders in 2012 (Bill Kristol is performing rhetorical gymnastics in an effort to argue that Palin is somehow still in the mix and Palin’s photo is still prominently featured on the Republican Governors Association website atop the declaration that “the GOP comeback begins now”).

So far, Jindal’s pledge on behalf of his fellow Republicans doesn’t seem to be working out very well.  In less than five months, Jindal’s fellow Republican governors are failing the personal responsibility test at nearly a 10% rate.  A top Senate leader has failed as well.  Does the party get another do-over?

The truth is that Republican slogans about their devotion to limited government, fiscal discipline and personal responsibility have been empty claims for the past 30 years.  Republican presidents left Democrats huge deficits.  The only time we have seen a balanced budget in recent years was under a Democratic president.  Republican claims of limited government were undermined by the party’s position on abortion and LGBT rights, as well as the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance, torture of detainees and other excesses of executive power (some of which, unfortunately, are being continued by Obama).  Recent events make clear that Republicans have no monopoly on personal responsibility (as we learned from past trespasses as well e.g. the Gingrich, Livingston, Foley, Craig, and Vitter episodes, to name a few).

I don’t think this is a good thing.  A credible opposition party is something I’d like to see, as it would put positive pressure on Democrats to craft better policies.  The current Republican party doesn’t fit the bill.

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