The Voice of Young Conservatives Blog

We’re a bunch of extremists. Or at least that’s what E.J. Dionne says. Personally, I’m surprised. I simply, and at least in my own mind rationally, thought I was just concerned about the impact of today’s spending on my future. I also happen to disagree with the liberal point of view on a number of issues, namely the size and role of government. Is that really what qualifies for an extremist these days?

Then again, E.J. Dionne seems to have developed a recent fascination with his “GOP has gone nuts” thesis. Here’s a sample of his recent article titles:

• Primaries Show GOP Extremism
• The Politics of “No”
• The Politics of GOP Stupidity
• Time to Stand Up to the Right Wing

I think he’s got something against the Right. But here’s the key question: is that “something” real, or simply the rantings of someone whose party’s November hopes are dimming faster than Jennifer Aniston’s career.

His latest article sheds some light on the answer. Moreover, you really don’t have to read past the first line to see it. In it Dionne argues that,

“Republicans are in the midst of an insurrection. Democrats are not.”

Hmm.  As an example, or to be more specific, his only examples, Dionne points to the primaries in Florida and Alaska. In the spirit of writing a blog post rather than a tome, I’ll dismiss the Florida example. Party-favorite Rick Scott, didn’t lose to billionaire businessman Jeff Greene because of any sort of “insurrection.” Scott wasn’t some super right wing fanatic who beat out McCollum because of his Tea Party-esque chops. No, he won, because he spent a bazillion dollars on the race. $50 million to be precise – an unprecedented amount of money for a Florida gubernatorial race.

So Dionne’s got one shining example of this so-called Republican “insurrection.” But has he cared to look in the mirror at his own party?

Democratic candidates nationwide are hoping to win by doing their best to look least like the Democratic candidate. Examples are popping up everywhere. Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly, seeking a third term, aired a new TV ad highlighting how independent he is. The ad says, points out that he voted against “Nancy Pelosi’s energy tax on Hoosier families.” Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL) put up an ad touting how he “voted against the bailouts, against stimulus spending, against the massive government health care” and the “trillion dollar federal budget.” Rep. Jason Altmire’s (D-PA) ad features a man saying “I like that Jason Altmire is not afraid to stand up to the president” while a woman chimes in “…And Nancy Pelosi.”

Lest you believe that this is just a few isolated incidents I’ve chosen to make a point, check out some more examples compiled by ABC, here.

The various ads highlight the growing fracture, or “insurrection” to steal a term from Dionne, that is growing within the Democratic Party. If you can name an issue I can guarantee they are fighting over it. Stimulus? Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said “it is unclear as to whether recovery act funds are going where they are needed most.” The need for more stimulus? Rep Gerry Connolly (D-VA) says “I think we have just got to get serious about the deficit.” Immigration reform? Rep. Luis Gutierrez uses words like “disillusionment” and “betrayal” to describe President Obama’s lackadaisical stance towards reform. He adds, “we’re going to make it uncomfortable for the Democratic Party.” Or how about the Ground Zero mosque? Politico reports that “several House Democratic sources said they are furious with the White House for keeping the debate over a New York mosque in play for two weeks.

Dionne has gone to great lengths to highlight the divisions within the Republican Party. He argues that Republicans are being dragged to the far-right which ultimately will cost them in November.

What he fails to realize is that Democrats are doing their best to drag their party back to the middle, but is running into the wall of their party’s leadership. Their inability to tack right will ultimately be what costs them in November.

by Brandon Greife, Political Director