This morning, I think the first shots were fired in the coming GOP civil war. It is no secret that the GOP has effectively joined three different factions to create their ruling majority. That is, the business wing, the libertarian wing and the evangelical wing have hung together since Nixon created the southern strategy--drawing disaffected southern bigots who had previously been democrats.
The success of the GOP has been predicated on keeping these three factions together. If any of the three drop out--form their own party--the GOP is fucked. Among the strengths of the GOP has been their steadfast uniformity in opposing the democrats, they have kept their coalition together and stood, mostly, together come hell or high water.
But what if their unity breaks down? What happens when one or two of the factions splinter from the GOP fold?
First, of course, is that the GOP won't be able to get anywhere near 50% of the vote. Democrats will win. More so, democrats can win without the need for blue dogs. We will be able to pass progressive legislation without needing to water it down.
Second, and this is where I step more into conjecture, I suspect that the war between the GOP and whatever conservative party that emerges will be extremely nasty, and very, very difficult to resolve. The very same republican strengths that have kept their party unified will impede any overtures to peace. Whatever else, Republicans stick together and hate all others. The same will be true of the two parties that are created from the cadaver of the GOP...two parties, each unified against each other...unwavering on principles...unwavering on tactics...and unwilling to compromise.
The upcoming GOP civil war will be ugly, vicious, and persistent. But it requires one thing to occur...the moderates in the GOP must step up and tell the conservatives that they will not do their bidding any more.
Today, I think, that may have just happened.
Today, Lindsay Graham said that he favors working on immigration reform, negotiating with Chuck Schumer.
"It's one thing to shoot yourself in the foot, just don't reload the gun," Graham said, referring to Republicans declining support among Hispanics. "So I intend not to reload this gun when it comes to Hispanics. I intend to tear this wall down and pass an immigration reform bill that's an American solution to an American problem. But we have nobody to blame but ourselves when it comes to losing Hispanics. And we can get them back with some effort on our part."
Bill Kristol said
"Don't scream and yell when one person says, 'you know what, it won't kill the country if we raise taxes a little bit on millionaires.' It really won't, I don't think,"
Following Kristol,
Saxby Chambliss said,
"Listen, Speaker Boehner said it, I think, very well -- I thought he showed great leadership by saying revenues need to be on the table,"
To phrase it simply...the moderate republicans are revolting.
Meanwhile, here on Daily Kos, War on Error posted diary documenting a twitter hate-storm against John Boehner by the far right wing.
Meanwhile, over at Redstate they are doubling down on their right wing ideology and bitterly lashing out at the republican establishment that lied to them.
The first shots in the upcoming GOP civil war may have been fired this morning. We'll see where this goes, but a genuine split in the republican party may be in making. If you think the rhetoric they use against Obama is disgusting...just wait till you see what they say about each other.
1:09 PM PT: Better get this in quick. Looks like this diary poked its nose onto the rec list and took a few sniffs before sinking back under. Thanks to all who helped that happen.
5:51 PM PT: Thanks all who have recced the diary and shared your thoughts. As for me, I am hungry, so I am going to celebrate this great diverse nation and get myself a Sonoran Hotdog at El Guero Canelo. For those not living in Tucson, it's a hotdog wrapped in bacon with guacamole, beans and lots of other stuff. It might stop my heart for a few beats, but its worth it.