I am going to start a new series of diaries devoted to the attempt by the two factions of the Republican Party to emerge from the current election debacle as the dominant force in the party. Until November 6 this contest took the form of attacking Obama from different angles, the "traditional" Republicans reminding everyone about the importance of lower taxes to create more jobs, the "Tea Party" Republicans reminding everyone about the importance of a birth certificate.
Now that the election is over and a majority of Americans didn't buy either argument, the two groups can set aside their differences about the guy from Kenya and figure out who is going to run the store, even though the shelves are becoming increasingly bare.
Follow the debate below the fold.
So the fun is beginning with none other than Mama Grizzly - Sarah Palin - reminding Republicans in Congress that
we send good conservatives to D.C. to fulfill the promises they made to the electorate, and yet when they stay true to their word the permanent political class in their own party punishes them.
Actually that's a pretty timid comment from the Queen of the Quitters, but notice the slight dig at the "permanent political class," a.k.a. the "inside the Beltway" gang. Never mind that she couldn't wait to move from Wasilla to Washington until her dumbness got the better of her.
And then we have
Tim Phillips, who runs a Koch-brothers front called Americans for Prosperity:
Conservatives are looking for a leader to fight against tax increases, to push back against wasteful government spending, and address the fiscal challenges in a bold way. Sadly this plan leaves conservatives wanting.
So as the Republicans lurch down the road to a tax-hike Armageddon, sides are beginning to form and a few hostages may soon be taken.
Chapter 2 - Grover Norquist. Stay tuned.