Rachel Maddow: Is John McCain The De Facto Leader Of The Republican Party?
On Friday’s episode of The Rachel Maddow Show the intrepid host strayed from her standard business to take on the Republican party. Bet you didn’t see that one coming? Maddow busted out the hypocritical clips, this time to discredit Senator John McCain, and the notion that he is the de facto leader of the right, a theory floated by Sen. Lindsey Graham in Politico. “The most interesting Kremlinology question in all of Washington is still ‘Who’s the leader of the Republican party?’” Maddow said, as she set up a bit of a straw man.
The host continued to claim that McCain seems to be the latest answer to the question that has “befuddled” the Republican party for some time now, but that he seems to be the most “awkward” choice they could make, given some inconsistencies in his record. Then she took the opportunity to dismantle the record a bit with recent Senate floor moments. Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis appeared to discuss the leadership issue as the left sees it, suggesting that the Republicans “need to find their Obama.”
Maddow, however, disagreed, noting that the Republicans are painting President Obama as an out-of-the-box choice that has turned out to be bad for the country. She sees the party telling America to “Get back in the box! Get back in the box!” See the whole clip below:
28 comments
The GOP is in disarray, their troops scattered and disorganized. McCain keeps his nose and finger to the wind and at one point he’s being lead about on a leash by the Republoteabaggerists and the Becknuts, then he’s possessed by actual integrity for a split second — but his schizoid confusion won’t let him stay on any tack. None of the Republicans know who their leader is, it’s just a committee of confusion with the predictable result.
SWWT says: Because finding out the leader of the Republican party is crucial to the future success of this country.
Well, at least her and Olbermann don’t dedicate a good portion of their show to an irrelevant party.
Kevin says: Wow, this article implies people actually watch Maddow which, in itself, would be news. A leader for a party out of power for a year is irrelevant. A better question is who is leading the democrats? Obama has showed zero leadership qualities and doesn’t appear capable of running a koolaid stand. The administration can’t run a $1B cash-for-clunkers program, a $3B cash-for-clunkers program, H1N1 insulin distribution, jobs web site, stimulus will lead to 8% unemployment, ability to manage the stimulus spending (writing checks to criminals, sex offenders, tax credits to children, checks to dead people (who probably voted), checks to campaign donors); lack of transparency in healthcare debate or anything else and are hardly leaving Americans with any confidence. In fact, it is difficult to find any topic in which Obama has showed any leadership qualities. My vote is for Pelosi, followed by Reid, Soros, moveon.org. Obama is probably 7th or 8th. I can’t believe Meet The Press actually has Maddow as a panel member on occasion. The left doesn’t even try to hide their hateful side any more. When you see SNL and other late night, left-leaning comedians taking shots at MSNBC, you quickly see how irrelevant they have become.
J Baustian says: I do not know if any single person can be identified as the leader of the Republican Party — I suspect there won’t be a designated leader until 2012. John McCain is certainly not the one — he never inspired that much enthusiasm in 2008, and I remember back in summer 2007 he was not even considered one of the top four candidates for the GOP nomination. The top four were Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, and Mitt Romney. None of these four have launched a move to gain control of the party, nor has anyone else.
One thing is certain — the Republican rank-and-file is not going to let the left-wing media pick our next candidate; many of us think they were a prime reason why McCain won the nomination last time. Every other candidate was trashed, McCain only got good press until he won the nomination, then they trashed him too.
J Baustian says: Kevin, it is not just MSNBC, it’s the entire NBC brand. I still watch CNBC, in fact I really like CNBC, but that is only because they do not let any other NBC programming on their network.
NBC used to be #1 in news and entertainment. Now it is #4 among the broadcast channels and even trails the CN network on occasion. As for news, MSNBC has dragged down everything else.
timzank says: Uhhhh…Bill, Do you remember way back when, long ago in history, in 2004 how the general concensus (and the cover of Time) declared the Democratic Party impotent, splintered and lacking in leadership (after Kerry lost)? Then in 2006, somehow the dems broke out of their doldrums and took over?
We Americans have trouble remembering what we had for lunch yesterday, much less the ups and downs of politics from just a few years back. Suffice to say, the bottom line is, public opinion changes rapidly (as it did after 2004 & 1976 & 1980 etc) and always has. Try looking at a little larger picture.
The snarky rantings of a bitter partisan hack on a little watched cable channel coupled with a handful of nasty short-sighted disciples on this site isn’t about to change the tide of public opinion. She and you, as well as us on the right are preaching to very narrow choirs, not changing anyones minds. What changes peoples minds (the ones that actually end up deciding elections) is any abrupt change in their everyday lives and lifestyles, not your kvetching. Or mine for that matter.
Wise up.
Nachi says: “Hero McCain.” Yep. Flew 23 missions into N. Vietnam. Each flight average 30 minutes. From “lift off” to “touch down” on flight deck. “Travel Time” to and from “target area” averaged 15-20 minutes. Officially credited w 11 hours of “In-Combat Duty.” Actually was over enemy territory or “In-Combat Zone” for 10-15 minutes per flight. Actual Grand Total of 2.3 hours during his “Combat Career.” Known by peers as “Ace”
McCain. Also “Hanoi-Hilton Songbird.” Destroyed four (4) multi-million dollar planes due to “poor pilotage” & “lack of proper procedure.” (Corpus Christi; Philadelphia; Italy; Vietnam.) Graduated 894 out of 899 at Annapolis. Only veteran in 70 years to make a living by playing the “Hero Card.” He’s a perfect leader for the Republicant Party. A values guy!
timzank says: Nachi, Who asked ya? Don’t you have a small animal to torture this afternoon or something? Jesus you are one awful human being.
Kevin says: JB, I agree. I was just tying MSNBC with the Maddow article and the irrelevance Maddow, Olbermann, mathews and other shills on that network have become. NBC, CBS and ABC have proven to be nothing but lapdogs for Obama and the democrats. It’s now obvious even to the most extreme ideologues. Their coverage of climategate, healthcare, annual budget, annual deficit, Cap & Trade bill, dollar collapse, stimulus spending, etc have been embarrassing. One of 60 Minutes lead stories in Aug was the high cost of bananas.
I also watch CNBC but was disappointed when they were essentially forced by the left to have more left leaning views on the network. That’s why you see former senator Dean on there so much. He’s clueless about the economy and business but is there to appease the left. Since then, they haven’t been as tough on Obama’s policies and their affect on the economy.
I have watched Maddow on occasion to see what the dem talking points are for the day. Her lack of depth on any issue is frightening.
Floorplay says: Who CARES?
rmbltmbl says: Wow.. Joe.. great article about the intrepid host and her very important opinions about the Republican Party.. I’m so happy to learn she is that talented now.
It really is a shame that Maddow has NO NEWS to ever give anyone. The only thing she can do is talk down about ANY Republican OR Independent. And I thought they say MSNBC is a NEWS station and they are journalists? Maybe they just don’t know anything else to talk about. She, Olbermann and Mathews NEVER seem to have anything to say except about the present men that really know what should be done, meaning, of course, the Republicans in Congress and those Blue Dems. I suppose when their rating gets far enough down that the owners of that station will wake up and get rid of ALL of them, OR go broke!
StillLight says: It doesn’t matter who the leader of the Republican Party is. Rachel Maddow, and the rest of the progressives are not fooling any of us Conservative Republicans with this form of covert-reverse-psychology nonsense. Who is the leader of the Democrat Party??? Barack Obama? Who is the leader of the democrat party when Obama is defeated in 2012? Hillary Clinton? Who cares?
Progressives are asking this question as a diversion from the fact that they know they are going to get creamed in 2010 and 2012…so instead of letting that fact sink in on the masses…they will continue to come up with stupid reverse-psychology-gotchas to divert attention away from the democrat problems.
Here is the cold hard facts:
1. Republicans are NOT in trouble or disarray…America is chomping-at-the-bit to flush these traitorous democrats out of office in 2010, and 2012, and the Progressives and democrats know this deep in their gut, but will not openly admit it.
2. If Progressives and democrats, like Rachel Maddow, really care about Republicans so much that they need a name of someone to equate with Republican leadership….Ronald Reagan. You see….there does not need to ONE leader…there needs to be MANY leaders. Republicans have a whole new crop of young, conservative, bold, and tough new leaders that will be the future of America.
3. The grass roots of Conservatives in the United States are digging in for a lifelong fight to remove Progressives and democrats from every part of our governments and society that they have infiltrated over the last several decades. This is not a fight that will stop by booting out Obama in 2012….this is a groundswell of grassroots and lifetime committments from the America people. So it will be interesting to see all of the crazy things that progressives shout in the coming years as the rats flee from the house.
Nachi says: Ah timzank. Doth not the truth hurt & pester your little mind?? Reality is your worst enemy. An unkempt mind such as yours is a dangerous thing. The years of BushDrunk have proven that. Duh. Your bitterness reveals that you dwell deep within that psychic black hole of Republicant Darkness. Twit. It’s all just o’er your head.
ImNotBlue says: There is a real reason why someone like Maddow wants to know who the “leader” is… mainly so she (and other left-wingers) can train their sights on them. Defending policy is hard… convincing people to agree with you is hard… BUT, attacking someone else is easy!
For the past 8-years the Democrats have been on attack… big time… and they’ve forgotten a bit on how to be “in charge.” They’re good at attacking, but bad at defending. Good at digging up dirt, but strongly dislike having to shower off their own. They like the spotlight when they’re hitting at the other guys, but dislike the spotlight when their under the microscope. And having an established leader would give them focus. Instead, they have to hit ALL Republicans, and that comes out sounding petty and unfocused.
Right now, the Republicans don’t need a leader… they’re doing find without. In a lot of 2010 races, the Republicans are pulling ahead, even over strong incumbents. Pres. Obama’s numbers continue to fall, along with congress and the Democrats over all. All this, without a strongly present leader. If the Republicans can hold out until the 2012 election draws close, they’ll give the Democrats the least amount of time to dig and smear.
But really, isn’t this just Politics 101?
ImNotBlue says: Nachi says:
December 12, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Nachi, I know it’s the weekend… but don’t you think you should keep on making up new words. So far, we’ve only got two gems from you. And while you’ve repeated them over and over again, I feel you could be doing more! Make up more words! I want to write them all up in a dictionary… kind of a dictionary of “crazy speak.”
ingenieux says: No, the GOP is not in disarray. There’s absolutely no reason to think that the new, teabagger 3rd party wont take away votes from whoever’s the GOP candidate. And the their shrinking tent isn’t going to be an issue, what with that litmus test some now want implemented – which Reagan himself wouldn’t pass. You guys are just fine….
ImNotBlue says: ingenieux says:
December 12, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Does it bother you that the polls contradict everything you just wrote?
Democrats are busy not coming to concensus. Conservatives have declared war against “RINO’s” . Ideologues on both sides are a scourge on our blessed country.
ingenieux says: ImNotBlue: you mean like the one on Faux News and Friends that said more people identified with the “Tea Party” than the GOP? Or that Tea Party is an actual political party recognized by a bunch of states, and the local GOP are worried about third party candidates in 2010? I guess the election in NY, the one where a Democrat won for the first time in over 100 years because Palin nut jobs backed the 3rd party candidate and forced out the actual GOP candidate?
ImNotBlue says: ingenieux says:
December 12, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Just a few things, ingenieux, my friend:
1) Polls like the ones at RealClearPolitics.com which show Republicans gaining significant ground for the 2010 elections, while long-standing Democrats (Reid, Dodd, etc.) are beginning to look more and more unelectable. The polls also show Pres. Obama’s approval numbers continuing to slide… with a current average of just +3.5 approve over disapprove. The polls also show the Democratically controlled congress with a 63.3% disapproval rate, the generic congressional ballot at +0.8 Republican, and virtually all Obama/Healthcare plan polling with at least +5% against/oppose (the average is +14.9% oppose).
So when you talk about a “shrinking party,” it’s tough to argue when apparently they’re doing much better than their opponents.
Oh… and polls also show that independents have lost significant favor with the Obama Administration… and he needs them if he wants to win in 2012.
2) The “tea party folks” are a long way from organizing enough to make a significant impact with their own candidate. They instead will most likely have significant sway within the Republican primaries. However, since Obama has now committed to sending more people to war in Afghanistan, I’d be more concerned about the backlash from the left for next years election.
3) If said it before, and I’ll say it again… the talk about the NY district “going Democrat for the first time in XYZ” is a lie. It was a lie when Pelosi first said it, it’s a lie when you look up the information, and it remains a lie to anyone who isn’t willing to be lied to. Do a little research, you’ll find it’s a lie… or at best, a fudging of data to imply that which isn’t true.
That said, do remember that it was a THREE person race up until about a week before the election. That’s when the Republican dropped out (after pressure by the tea party folks). So within a very short time, Hoffman was able to stage a significant campaign, and “lose” the election by what’s the current count… 3000? That’s nothing to be proud of if you’re the Democrat. They campaigned for how long, and could only beat the guy who had been in it for a week by 3000 votes? Oh, and since they’re still waiting for more to come in, methinks you shouldn’t be too proud of this victory.
So there you have it. The Republicans are in “disarray,” and yet… they’re beating the Democrats, despite not holding any chamber of congress or the White House. And what are you happy about again?
Nachi says: Little Boy/Girl/Whatever Blue: It is assuredly not Nachi’s fault that you were bred, born, raised under modest/inferior origins. Your lack of demonstrated grammar-grasp and intellectual acumen are yours alone to vomit forth. Twould appear what tiny bit of communication skill you possess is derived from a paper-back edition of a collegiate dictionary. Hardly any substance therein. If you care to question the derivation of Nachi’s words, suggest you crawl to a library and secure a more advanced edition of learnability. How pitifully petty you are. The true horror is – that you will never be any more learned than you are today. And you doth add nothing but wasted space herein. Your anger is your life. Try reading the white spaces; those between the actual words.
homie says: “NBC, CBS and ABC have proven to be nothing but lapdogs for Obama and the democrats.”
The so-called media don’t give a flying fvck about which stinking party is in control. To suggest that they are actually ‘partisan’ is laughable.
Had you forgotten already about the way they worshiped George W. Bush for the past decade? Pay attention.
Fidoohki says: …Worship GWB for the past decade?!? What dimension did this happen at cause it sure as hell didn’t happen here!
pyrope says: Rachael Madcow’s opinion of whom is the de-facto leader of the Republican Party may not be so off base. He is, after all, one of its senior members. However, just as Bob Dole is undeniably a hero and a wise individual with a strong love for this country, he is not “the President.” Not meaning to “Monday morning Quarterback” here, it was wrong for the Republican Party to nominate him but, as was the case with Senator Dole, the Republican Party reckoned it was “his turn” to be nominated. I offered this opinion when the nomination was given. (I will admit that the Republican Party didn’t have any “Reagans” available for the job, and that is partly the reason a very junior Senator whose only prior experience was to represent radical organization e.g. ACORN and slum lords who were out for a quck buck, and who also had some ties to some very unsavory characters, Wright, Ayers, Dorn, Rizzo, et al, was able to steal the White House. The fact remains, just because Senator McCain lost the election, it doesn’t mean he is disqualified for the role of one of its leaders–honorable people with good minds should always have a place at the table of leaders. The dilemma is whom has the wherewithal to rise as the standard bearer for the Republicans? I ponder this question a lot! It’s not so much that I desire the Republicans to win, it’s just that whomever is elected to lead this country should be someone from a field of candidates that “We the People” can unitedly follow. The same is true for the elected representatives from the states. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our elected representatives are elected by that unique combination of people who are looking for some kind of handout and are basically just too damned stupid to vote.
Chiron Pyrope
pyrope says: homie, you should apply for Medicaid and get a plexiglas bellybutton installed immediately. your opinion that NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, and CNN are not liberally biased indicates strongly that you haven’t seen the sunshine in a long time and that you have been moving about aided only by your sense of touch.
marquis says: I have it on good authority that this Rachel Maddow is in fact, a fuc%king dude. If you look close enough you can see the buldge in that guy’s pants. I wonder if she F’s little Chrissy Matthews.
ImNotBlue says: Nachi says:
December 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Thanks a lot Shakespeare. Shouldn’t you be off reading “Lord of the Rings” again?
Although, I must admit, I do like your non-use of pronouns when referring to yourself. Neat… like 1995, neat… but, neat for you, I guess.
Oh, just a few things, real quick:
1) ” learnability” isn’t a real word. It sounds like something out of a Budwiser commercial, so I’m afraid I can’t give you points for creativity on this one.
2) ” Twould” is actually written, ‘twould with an apostrophe before the “t.” I know you see yourself as a master linguist (odds are you’re about 15, spend a lot of time playing D&D, read LOtR a lot a lot, and look forward to the yearly renascence fair), so I wanted to make sure you get it correct.
Do try again.
(Ha… he used “doth” again! Man, I hope you live in a castle… like a literal stone castle. I’m sure you live in your mom’s basement, but we can both pretend it’s a castle.)
marquis says:
December 13, 2009 at 10:09 pm
That’s the best you can do? Yeesh. I mean, it’s great you’re not making up words like Nachi… but that’s about the only difference I can see. Be better than that.
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