Although Republicans already have valid grounds to criticize the new administration, it remains to be seen whether or not they will mount a successful coordinated opposition.
For too long, Republicans have failed to effectively make the case for conservative principles. Too many Republicans, including President Bush, have their fingerprints all over the bailout and proposed stimulus plan, making it hard for them to criticize President Obama’s fiscal policies. There are some Republicans in Washington still committed to fiscal responsibility and conservative principles, but they will face an uphill battle voicing opposition to a President so strongly supported by the media.
Republicans will find it difficult to oppose the popular new President, but at a minimum they must make a strong and clear argument against raising taxes and multi-billion dollar bailouts if they want to retain what is left of their conservative base. It will not be enough to sit back and wait for liberal policies to fail. The same way the media resisted reporting the progress that was being made in Iraq, they will resist telling the public when Obama-Pelosi-Reid policies fail. It will be up to the Republican opposition to inform the public of the specifics of the new administration’s proposals and to use what little political power they have left to oppose bad policy.
Those on the left were allowed by the media to make vicious and unfair attacks on President Bush without scrutiny of their validity. Republicans will not be extended the same courtesy. Republicans will have to make their strongest arguments on the most important issues and resist engaging in the type of nasty, unfair attacks that were routinely aimed at the Bush administration.
The message has been repeated over and over again by those on the left and in the media that the new President is bringing the country together. Many of his followers say he is ushering in a “new age.” Those who don’t get with the Obama program are going to be in for a rough ride, but if Republicans don’t stand up for conservative principles, they might as well pack their bags and go home.