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The Spectacle Blog
I don’t often cite Richard Lugar as an authority on the Republican Party’s future, but he asks some of the right questions here.
“The question is, how creative will Republicans be in the face of this? If we get the majority, will there be the sort of negotiations that occurred between Newt Ginrich and Bill Clinton, for example?” he said. “And if so, who is going to be our Newt?”
Lugar was asked whether Republicans such as House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky can fill that role.
“Probably not,” Lugar said. “But it’s a very important question.”
And even Gingrich largely fizzled out after 1996. To me, the Republicans’ biggest problem is a lack of leadership ready to take over should they regain the majority. The leaders who took over after 1994 had been planning and had an agenda in place for quite some time. That strikes me as much more worth worrying about than a few Tea Party primary victories.
View all comments (27) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/08/13/who-is-going-to-be-our-newt
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Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 8.13.10 @ 12:52PM
Mr. Antle, The GOP does not need another Newt. They don't even need Newt himself who has proven he is a conservative in name only. The GOP needs true, well rounded conservative leadership that is both fiscally & socially conservative. The biggest problem I see is the fiscal only & social only conservatives fighting amongst each other instead of coming together to fight the left, the Obama administration, & RINOs who empower Democrats at the expense of conservative Republicans. Until this stops the GOP is not ready to lead.
Inge| 8.13.10 @ 1:21PM
Lugar really has no rrom to talk! He too is two-faced, and a close friend of Obama. Did we ever find out what he, and Obama were doing in Russia on so-called hush-hush trip, and their passports takn for a few hours?
Besides, I really hope for true conservative; my choisec would be Ryan, Bachman, DeMint or Pence.
Jim S.| 8.13.10 @ 1:28PM
Good question. For sure, he/she hasnt emerged yet. Another relevant question is, who will be our new Jack Kemp? Paul Ryan looks to have that potential. The role is sorely needed now, as it was in 1980.
truth justice and the am way| 8.14.10 @ 3:42PM
The person who has been effectively supporting and electing candidates in the latest election cycle had been Huckabee. His stand on taxation and spending and smaller government is pretty clear. He is also THE MOST ELECTABLE IN 2012. I believe Independents will support his candidacy.
true consevative| 8.16.10 @ 10:49AM
Huckleberry is NO conservative. He may say some of the right things, but if his past actions as governor of Arkansas are a guide, he's far too comfortable spending other people's money on special projects and extending foolhardy pardons. Huckabee is the consummate "compassionate conservative." sorry, we've already been down that road.
Cranios| 8.16.10 @ 2:16PM
Jack Kemp? Why do we "need" someone who cannot debate, and peaks at 3% of the vote? Don't you remember his nickname of "Old three percent"?
Quartermaster| 8.13.10 @ 1:35PM
The problem is the GOP under Newt tried to negotiate. You don't negotiate with the left. There is no such thing as being half eaten by a Tiger.
Lugar is, as usual, asking the wrong questions. The man is the quintessential establish Republican, and has been part of the long running problem. Newt petered out because he did not stick to principle and he went down for it. If, for example, he had told Clinton after FedGov was shut down over the budgetary wrangle to call as son as he was willing to deal in good faith, then recessed the house, he would have been able to maintain his position. Instead he weakened and knuckled under. The '94 election became a useless exercise that day.
Lugar was part of putting the whole thing down. You will have to really take the Senate to matter because RINOs like Lugar will ensure you fail if you don't. People like Lugar and Graham must go home to stay along with their Dimocrat buddies.
Derek Leaberry| 8.13.10 @ 2:39PM
Although it is unlikely that Barack Obama will be as nimble as Bill Clinton in triangulating in 2011-12, John Boehner and Mitch "The Human Owl" McConnell have about as much charisma as lumpy mashed potatoes. Which means 2011 will feature small ball. Don't expect a Paul Ryan agenda. If the Republicans gain the House majority, perhaps the immigration sell-out troika of John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Kyl will be foiled. Then again, Boehner has been wrong on the issue as has Mike Pence.
dac| 8.13.10 @ 2:44PM
Lugar is the US Senate GOP's very reliable Neville Chamberlain--a coward, an appeaser, a gutless and substance-free chump. He bends over with equal eagerness for whatever the Demoncrats or Soviets (Russians--no difference) choose to impale him with. He has never seen a deal he can't cut, or a principled fight he can't run from and then lie about afterwards.
Listening to him for advice on how to win anything is like listening to one of these tragicomic public whore actresses in Hollywood about how to be an upstanding, moral American citizen.
All that said, it's not an unreasonable question to ask--who's going to be the GOP's, or the conservatives' (note, not the same thing) standard bearer if indeed one or both Houses switch sides? You'll know the GOP has kneecapped itself if it chooses anyone that Lugar supports.
Alan Brooks| 8.13.10 @ 4:33PM
Next Newt? how about Toffler himself? that way there is no middleman.
Kyle| 8.13.10 @ 5:08PM
You AmSpec bloggers may just as well just ask Ezra Klein and Dave Wiegel (your liberal buddies) who should be the next Newt? Cut the cord already. Washington insiders; that's you guys.
Quartermaster| 8.13.10 @ 8:35PM
The Washington Insiders are the Republican Establishment. They have been the problem for the GOP since Ike's days. They are little different than the Dimocrats, and are just as sold out on big FedGov as the left is.
Alan Brooks| 8.15.10 @ 10:53PM
Kyle has donated too much to the GOP to back down.
What a waste of money!
And time.
Mike Hapeman| 8.13.10 @ 8:18PM
Why not Paul Ryan?
Oregonian| 8.14.10 @ 3:01AM
Didn't Richard Lugar vote to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court? So much for his conservative cred!
J.C.Eaton| 8.14.10 @ 10:13AM
I like what you people have to say. There is obviously something corrosive about government and the highly-placed insularity that it and Washington, D.C. afford. I've gotta believe that Gingrich and Lugar, and Lott and McCain weren't always the weasels that crawled out of their skins. The elixir of power and press coverage and people kissing their ass must have been seriously mind-altering. Whatever happens though, don't give Gingrich anything approaching a second chance. His confession that a world-class slimeball, Billy Clinton, "intimidated" him is or should be a perpetual disqualifier. This will be, for all long-term purposes, the Republicans' last chance. Someone should remind them of that every day of the week. Best,
Garth| 8.14.10 @ 1:24PM
There already are leaders in place - sharp Conservatives who understand the isues and can express their views in a clear manner. The ultimate is Paul Ryan. The main leader in the Senate appears to be DeMint. They are going to have to step up and be recognized by their peers and us.
noneofyourbusiness| 8.14.10 @ 4:49PM
Many of those above have abused the writer for even asking the question, and others have proposed rather unlikely candidates.
The writer asks a perfectly valid question, as the situation will be far more complicated than in 1994 when the Republicans took back Congress and a Dem. Prez. had to work with them.
If the Republicans take back one or both of the Houses of Congree they will need to step up to the plate with some ideas.
Newt was the clear leader of his party in 1994, and had a plan. While the Republicans have their minority leaders in the House and Senate, neither of them carry much weight.
Boehner is an object of ridicule (artificial light "Sunny Boy") and McConnell is just a placeholder who has aboslutely failed to show any real leadership (as a verb rather than a noun).
DeMint and Paul Ryan are sort of out of bounds on a number of counts. First, the Prez. is only going to get into serious discussions with someone in the Republican leadership (as a noun) who has the power and support to make commitments.
Second, DeMint is generally considered a bit kooky (at least on the Dem. side) and Ryan, while trying to do a Newt with his position papers and so forth, really is far too facile and doesn't have anything like the intellectual gravitas brought to the table by Gingrich.
If I had a horse in this race (I don't -- I Am Canadian, eh? :-) and think you folks are going down the tubes fast unless you start to work together), I would put my money on Eric Cantor as the person to deal with in the House:
a) it is a real possibility that the Republicans take the House. The Seante is rather a long shot.
b) He is the Republican whip (where Newt came from before becoming minority leader) and can speak for the Republican leadership (as a noun)
c) He is very well spoken, appears quite reasonable and thoughtful, looks OK on TV, and is seen as an up-and-comer (although some of you in here may think that a drawback -- one step at a time folks).
The Senate side is much tougher, assuming McConnell is out of the equation, although I could well see him insisting as a matter of "privilege".
John Kyl is the obvious #2 there. Who knows? But reather abrasive.
Lamar Alexander is Republican Conference Chairman and might be someone the Prez. could work with (I hear howls of protest).
Or Lindsay Graham (more howls, no doubt).
John Thune? A bit of an unknown still, but in the leadership as Republican Policy Committee Chair.
Oh here we go -- Scott Brown -- an ADIEBNO (A Democrat In Everything But Name Only :-) )
Cheers!
Tim*| 8.15.10 @ 11:32AM
Conservative Kingmaker Jim DeMint may dethrone McConnell .
" South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint isn't denying the suggestion he may pursue a Republican leadership post in the U.S. Senate.
DeMint, a Tea Party favorite, discussed his political ambitions in an interview with the Greenville News in South Carolina on Tuesday:
Asked by The Greenville News about the likelihood of a run for Senate minority leader, DeMint said it's "not my plan," but that he's open to some kind of elected leadership once 10 to 15 new conservatives - many of them supported by DeMint - join the ranks as he expects."
martin j smith| 8.15.10 @ 11:40AM
Please lets not do another failure. The 2008 election should be a lesson. There is a need not only for new blood but ideas that actually reflect what voters really want--not another ruling class elitist. in the Republican Party this is a problem. No more Bushes,Maccaines or Beohners or others if that ilk. What are needed are leaders who understand that they work for the voters not the other way around.
Oldefarte| 8.15.10 @ 2:43PM
I agree that the current bunch may not be able to WALK THE WALK, but what choice do we have? It's either them [and/or their replacement Republicans from November] or the DEMOCRATS currently destroying this country. If it's temporary caos after November, so be it. We have to begin the process of tearing down this country's government and rebuilding same into one surrounding our constitution and human morality!!!!!
martin j smith| 8.15.10 @ 3:38PM
As they say, Rome was not built in a day ( hey that rhymes ). But...while I too voted for John McC--not for him but a vote AGAINST. THE PROBLEM IS THIS OLDEFARTE. THE PEOPLE have had enough. Yes I would rather have casper milk toast than any Democrat ALMOST any day--But... In the end what do you get ? Another day older and deeper in debt !!!!!!!!!!!! Think st5ragegically yes, but not for mediocrity. This is a long term goal.
Tom| 8.16.10 @ 11:09AM
I like DeMint & Bachmann
Cranios| 8.16.10 @ 2:20PM
The GOP bottomed out with Dole, Bush, and McCain, all statist status-quo Republicrats. We definitely need a real conservative like Christy of NJ or Daniels of IN.
Wylie in Norman| 8.16.10 @ 2:43PM
We need guys like DeMint/Coburn and Cantor, otherwise the Repubs get rolled again and conservatives have won the battle but lost the war. Alas, I fear this is the most likely scenario for 2011-12. Current leadership will sell conservative values for a mess of bipartisan pottage.