How did the Republican Party get itself into such a shambles?

Question

Was it the NeoCons disavowing Barry Goldwater?
Right wing cults infiltrating the Party?
Baby Boomer-era lawlessness?
America tired of their minority bashing?
Lack of common courtesy?
Too many non-issues on its platform?

What made the party so coinfident after an easy win to John Kerry in 2004 disintegrate so quickly. And, after the "thumpin'" they took in the 2006 midterms, it seems to be even worse now. What's happening with them?

Gottlos: Denial- the ultimate reactioanry trait! Still burying your head in the Iraqi sand.

"Vacum of Denial" as seen in Blinded by the Right. Read that Book!

Answer 1

Republicans have gone too far in brining religion and personal views into politics. They also tend to be conservative only on issues which don't affect them directly. They are hypocrticial in many ways. So, it has made millions of people uncomfortable calling themselves Republican. Here's a great example of what I'm talking about:

Things You Have to Believe to Be a Republican Today
1. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

2. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

3. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing UN resolutions against Iraq.

4. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

5. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

6. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

7. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

8. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

9. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

10. HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

11. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

12. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. But a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

13. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

14. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

15. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.

16. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

17. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

Answer 2

I really get the feeling from many Republicans that they think employing the Ronald Reagan theory of sticking to the party line no matter what is going to save them in '08. They seem unable to acknowledge the damage that Bush has done to their party, the scandals that helped cripple them in the mid-terms, and the perception of corruption that the American people are getting directly from the White House. Top that off with a horrible Presidential field and it is indeed hard to understand how they keep standing on all that quicksand. They think Fred Thompson will save them from Hillary Clinton. He's their new hope and the "Daddy" candidate they've been desperately hoping for. I just don't think they get how tired the American people are of the mess they have made the last 6+ years.

Even when they desperately point out Congress' low approval numbers they ignore the fact that the Republicans in Congress have a much higher disapproval rating than the Democrats. So many developed a sort of "God" complex about being the almighty Republicans who were going to cure the world of terrorism that they can't face coming down to earth now after that didn't happen and this war turned out to be a debacle that has only created more terrorists. Now they are reduced to name calling and character assassination to try and defend their questionable positions. It isn't pretty, that's for sure.

Answer 3

By allowing the Karl Rove led neocons to control their party the Republicans have a real mess on their hands. It may take decades to clean it up.

The Democrats are the ones that generally have in fighting and much disagreement and the Republicans usually are pretty united. Because of what the neocons have done the GOP is a mess and this year it seems the Democrats are much more together.

This could very well mean a Democratic landslide both in Congress and the Presidency in the 2008 election.

Answer 4

They let greed and power get the best of them, and that is a sign of a short-sighted week leader. This is why the term limits are in place, so America can continue to be redundant from the evil doers. America has the ability to over come the Republicans. Hitlers reign lasted as long as George Bush's.

Answer 5

I think the whole system. Both parties are controlled by GREED. If not personally then by that of those that got them where they are.

I keep hoping one day we'll hear a big flushing sound and things will be replaced with people that care about the people. Not power and money.

Answer 6

i think that the crux of the issue is that the conservative base is further out of the american mainstream than the liberal base.

daily it seems they stray further and further from the herd and no one seems to be willing to say anything about it.

these republican debates have illustrated that if you like george w. bush, then vote for one of these talking point repeating machines.

if not, don't.

i also think that the supreme court has really bared it's fist and is deeply anti-middle class and very pro corporation.

that more than any other thing is why i will never vote republican for as long as i live.

Answer 7

It's not just the Republicans, it's the Democratic party as well. Most of the incumbants are attorney's who have turned "politician". It's all about the votes and bashing each others party. Low and behold...it spreads to the public and some of us do the same. (I don't cause I'm nice and not politically correct). I'm one of those who now don't listen to party politics. It's sickening. So my answer is, both parties have "lost their way"!

Answer 8

Same reason the Democrat party has been taken over by Secular Progressives. Extremists have infiltrated both parties. Don't think so stupid to think otherwise. Special interests groups now rule our government on both sides of the aisle. Don't be so naive to think otherwise. We the people will take back the government. Also don't think that a majority of Conservatives are neo-cons. Neo-cons are a very very small % of conservatives. We'll beat our nuts down will you?

Answer 9

The old GOP ways are on their way out. America is swinging to the left and we will probably see more of this in the coming years. Historically it has always been this way maybe it is the true checks and balances.

Answer 10

its the religious right. its ideology before public policy and citizen's rights.
it started out slowly about 30 years ago