Anchor Rising: The RI GOP is Not Alone! The NY GOP is Just as Bad

November 16, 2006

The RI GOP is Not Alone! The NY GOP is Just as Bad

Carroll Andrew Morse

Charles E.F. Millard wrote a New York Post op-ed about the NY Republican Party that, with a few details changed, could have been written about the RI Republican Party...

New leadership is needed. [Former New York Republican Chairman Bill Powers] summed up the keys to me after last week's bloodbath: "You have to have a plan," and "you have to believe"....

When the people who control the podium fail to make the case for GOP principles for nearly a decade running, don't be surprised when voters, donors and activists are unpersuaded.

The leadership of Rhode Island's GOP certainly seems to flunk both of Mr. Powers' tests: they're not organized (contrary to State Chairwoman Pat Morgan's frighteningly bizarre statement from this week's Providence Phoenix that "the state party is really stronger and better than it has ever been") and they don't believe in anything that they are willing to talk about.

John Holmes, former state Republican chair, has recently suggested that the state Republican party should be focused on than lowering taxes and economic development. But those are platitudes. Anyone can run on those ideas. And anyone has. As Millard points out...

In this last election, [New York Democratic Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer] espoused lower taxes and the reform of special-interest Albany.

As the example of Mr. Spitzer shows, Northeast liberal Republicans need to stop looking to external boogeymen (i.e. Southern conservatives) to explain their failure and accept that their near-extinction in the political arena is the result of their failure to differentiate themselves from Northeastern liberal Democrats.

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NY State is not as bad as RI. Upstate NY has a tradition of electing both conservative and moderate Republicans. RI has no such such tradition.

If there is a tradition in the RI GOP, it's of an outside candidate suddenly arriving on the scene to run for high office who immediately leaves the scene after 1.) losing or 2.) winning and serving their time (think Arlene Violet, Jeff Pine, Nancy Mayer, Linc Almond, etc.) Does anyone really think Carcieri will be a significant force in the Republican Party after he leaves office?

Posted by: Anthony at November 17, 2006 9:44 AM

"Does anyone really think Carcieri will be a significant force in the Republican Party after he leaves office?"

He certainly could be if he wanted.

And it wouldn't have to be the back breaking schedule he and Mrs. follow now. Any involvement on their part would be helpful.

Posted by: SusanD at November 17, 2006 9:20 PM

Susan D,
The question whether he could be a force, it is will he.

I'm willing to be that after 8 years in in the State House (and these next four look to be more difficult thant the last four), he'll leave the scene and want to spend the remaining years of his life enjoying his family.

I don't begrudge him that. But I do think it will be the reality.

Posted by: Anthony at November 19, 2006 10:37 PM