Look at 'em. They're painted into a corner with a feral look in their eyes. Poor Republican leaders. What else can they do right now but what they're doing? There's McConnell pacing back and forth, hurling his feces at us.
This is what comes of shaping your political party around a strategy rather than a goal.
Cut Taxes. Son, sing the tax cut song and people will vote for you. It's a bona fide, sanctified, genuine, certified free ride to congress, accept no substitutes.
Remember back in 2000 when Republicans further entrenched their power by saying "Times are good! Money is flowing! This is the time to cut taxes." Then a year later they said "Times are getting bad, money is tight, this is the time to cut taxes!" Then "We're doing okay, we'll continue to do okay as long as we cut taxes." And now "Hey Obama, times are bad, might we suggest...cutting taxes?"
Cutting taxes.
This is what Republicans are about. This is the only tool in the tool chest. They've got a toolbox full of Hammer and they're surrounded by bolts. Poor bastards. And they've successfully sold this Hammer to their supporters as a panacea, a cure all tonic for economic malaise, infrastructure collapse, health, prosperity, and a cooling, soothing hair gel.
Republicans have based their whole relevance on tax cuts. Rather than an end goal, like a strong economy or a prosperous middle class, they've gone all in on supporting a single tool in the tool chest. They've sold it, sold it, sold it. And now their constituents will stand for nothing else. They can't stand back and discuss another tool, or another pathway to solving the problem. And this is what we're seeing right now as the Republicans huddle together in their corner of the room. They dare not step out of the tiny little box they've put themselves into for fear of pissing off their last and diminishing die hard fans.
Conversely the Democrats have presented a destination, not JUST a strategy: A prosperous middle class. And all tools are on the table: wrench, hatchet, government programs, hair tonic, and yes, even tax cuts. We have the goal and the tools and the freedom to use them. Meanwhile the Republicans wave their hammers around in an operating room screaming at the surgeon to put down the forceps in favor of something in a ball peen or a sledge variety of implement.
And what else can they do? As they contract into formation, it's a sign of weakness instead of strength. They don't have the political power to present another tool or reach out to further voting groups. They're reverting back to the base who purchased the Cure All Tax Cut Tonic. They're clinging to this shrinking base with all their might in hopes they might survive another election cycle.