The fallout from the government shutdown debacle has been devastating to the Republican Party. Poll results show the party is viewed negatively by 70% of the American people. In addition, Congress has only a 5% approval rating, the lowest in history. While Democrats control the Senate and are also unpopular, the media has focused their blame for the shutdown on the Republican Party.
At the same time, President Obama’s 37% approval rating is the lowest of his presidency. If a Republican President was suffering from such poor poll numbers the media would be in a frenzied state but it is not the case with Obama. Generally, the liberal media has decided to spend all of their time lambasting the Republican Party.
As usual, the Republicans have done a poor job of defending their position. Most GOP leaders lack basic communication skills. In reality, they have a very compelling story to tell to the American people.
Throughout this process, Republicans have offered five different compromise proposals and a multitude of specific spending bills to target critical areas of the budget, all to no avail. Democrats have refused to budge from their position that Obamacare cannot be delayed.
The House Republicans initially wanted to defund Obamacare completely, but that position later morphed into a call for individuals to be given a one year exemption from the plan, the same benefit offered to businesses. This is a basically honest and fair proposal, but the congressional Republican leadership has had difficulty selling their position to the American people.
One major problem has been the criticism from within their ranks. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and his moderate GOP minions have been relentless in blaming Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and House conservatives for the government shutdown.
This criticism has taken a toll on House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) who is now calling for a grand deal raising the debt ceiling, funding the government and basically forgetting about fighting Obamacare. Their current proposal is to offer only the elimination of the medical device tax. If this compromise actually happens, then the two week battle over Obamacare has been all for naught.
If Boehner caves, it will give conservatives one more reason to hate the Republican Party leadership.
At least this debate has reminded everyone that the Republican Party is hopelessly controlled by the moderate, establishment wing that has pushed losing presidential nominees like Bob Dole, McCain and Mitt Romney.
Conservatives are clearly on the outside and need to understand that if they take bold positions, such as Senator Cruz, they will be demonized by the RINO’s (Republicans in Name Only), the Democrats and the media.
It is time for conservatives to file their divorce papers from the Republican Party. This political marriage has irreconcilable differences.
This position will have plenty of support among Americans. A new Gallup poll shows that 60% of Americans favor the creation of a new major third party. This is the strongest sentiment for a third party that Gallup has registered in the 10 year history of the poll question.
These Americans are rightfully hungry for a viable alternative. It is time that Americans were given a choice. Today in America, the liberals dominate the Democratic Party, the moderates dominate the Republican Party hierarchy, so conservatives and libertarians should join forces to create their own party.
It is the perfect time for a third party. Gallup found that only 26% of respondents believe that the two political parties adequately represent the American people.
Many of the political class on Capitol Hill are long time incumbents who have been enjoying access to donors and special interest groups for many years and have long forgotten how to serve their constituents.
The political process is so skewed in favor of incumbents that challengers have an impossible time running an effective insurgent campaign. Congressional term limits should be a key feature of the platform of the new Conservative/Libertarian party.
Americans hate Congress so much today that 60% are in favor of replacing every one of the 535 members, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll. In this tumultuous environment, it is the perfect time for a strong, viable third party to be created.
Conservatives consider this your wake-up call, time is a wasting, the ill-fated marriage to the Republican Party has failed and there is no point in continuing the political charade. Sometimes, sadly, in politics, as in life, divorce is the best option.