Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A poor grasp of new technology, a reputation for being rigid and out of touch, an inclination to invade foreign countries, and the sourpuss demeanor of Debbie Downer: These are the hallmarks of today's GOP, according to numerous analysts, activists and thinkers who identify as Republicans.

"There is a brand," a 28-year-old pollster concluded of her party with clinical finality. "And it's that we're not in the 21st century."

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From the article:

Young Republicans now lament that no one from their side has stepped up to organize a conservative version of RootsCamp. Michael Turk, a 42-year-old Republican digital guru, suggested that the failure of G.O.P. technologists to do this springs from a uniquely Republican trait. "They all wanted to make money," he said. "And so as a result, Katie Harbath, who was one of my deputies at the R.N.C., is now at Facebook, and Mindy Finn" -- a longtime G.O.P. digital operative -- "is at Twitter, and Patrick and I each started our own companies. We all found ways to parlay that into a living for our families, as opposed to just doing it for the cause."

Several G.O.P. digital specialists told me that, in addition, they found it difficult to recruit talent because of the values espoused by the party. "I know a lot of people who do technology for a living," Turk said. "And almost universally, there's a libertarian streak that runs through them -- information should be free, do your own thing and leave me alone, that sort of mind-set. That's very much what the Internet is. And almost to a person that I've talked to, they say, ‘Yeah, I would probably vote for Republicans, but I can't get past the gay-marriage ban, the abortion stance, all of these social causes.' Almost universally, they see a future where you have more options, not less. So questions about whether you can be married to the person you want to be married to just flies in the face of the future. They don't want to be part of an organization that puts them squarely on the wrong side of history."

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Keep in mind, before you attack me, or the source of the article, that it's based on interviews with young people who call themselves Republicans. It's not a hatchet job by Democrats.

#1 | Posted by cbob at 2013-02-19 02:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

Actually the real question is whether the majority of Republicans, with their cemented belief system and penchant for accepting fantasy views of reality, want to be saved from obsolescence.

#2 | Posted by moder8 at 2013-02-19 02:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

I hope the rethugs stay the same and fall into oblivion. Then the demorats can have carte blanche to really screw it up all by themselves. We'll then have the general cleansing this country needs to develop values long gone. It really doesn't matter since this country is well on it's way to an end that it no longer controls. Anyone look at a graph of money velocity recently----at the rate it's plummeting, it'll reach the record fashioned in the great depression in a matter of weeks/months. Also, anyone out there in never/never land (the cult leader followers) notice how the American dollar is slowly being cut out by multiple countries in their trading relationships? It's going to take years and then this country will get back to the basics of living and survival.

#3 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-19 03:06 PM | Reply | Flag:

SeeBob, I'm trying to elevate your thread.

#4 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-19 03:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

This is one of what appears to be a long series of articles I read about the suggested notion that the GOP is being rendered irrelevant.

maybe so. But I think this is of interest only because liberals think we'd be better off without the GOP's presence.

but understand......there will continue to be dueling factions buying influence in our govt. If they aren't buying it from the GOP, they'll buy it from someone else.

why? because our govt is for sale, all of the time.

#5 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-19 03:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

I happen to agree to an extent, Matsop, that both parties need to make big changes. Where we would disagree is which "values" each of us would support in instituting those changes. I think the GOP is out of touch on social issues and overly obsessed with demonizing Obama. That doesn't mean I think Obama is the messiah. In fact, I think Obama has been too cozy with the banks, and I have both moral and practical concerns about the use of drones, among other issues.

I think our economy needs fundamental change. Many jobs have left and are never coming back. It's not necessarily either party's fault. Technology is part of the issue, as are globalization, diminishing natural resources and other factors. We are going to have to refocus on more localized economies again.

#6 | Posted by cbob at 2013-02-19 03:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

At some point, the Republican Party is going to have to throw off the shackles of the religious right. Once they quit worrying about abortion, gay marriage and marijuana they can shed that excess baggage and start focusing on the real problem - spending. Of course, at that time they'll realize that they've become Libertarians.....

#7 | Posted by MUSTANG at 2013-02-19 03:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

"At some point, the Republican Party is going to have to throw off the shackles of the religious right."

well, that depends on the numbers. There is a big risk in the loss of voters by ignoring that group, but maybe that garners more moderates and independents than they'd lose....because it's not like the religious right voters will go to the dems....they'll just stay home....or continue to back the religious tea partiers. I think the leadership of the GOP wants to keep that faction under control.

They're in a mess, IMO.

#8 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-19 03:53 PM | Reply | Flag:

The Democrats will always have a monopoly on people who believe in Santa Claus, and that you can get a whole lot for nothing.

I prefer to stay grounded in reality, thanks much. Let the libtards spend to oblivion. Somebody will have to pick up the pieces after, and decide, libbie by libbie, who of them is worth saving.

#9 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-19 07:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

The Democrats will always have a monopoly on people who believe in Santa Claus, and that you can get a whole lot for nothing.

I prefer to stay grounded in reality, thanks much. Let the libtards spend to oblivion. Somebody will have to pick up the pieces after, and decide, libbie by libbie, who of them is worth saving.

#9 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-19 07:48 PM | Reply | Flag: Unable to address points made in article

#10 | Posted by cbob at 2013-02-20 10:16 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Let the libtards spend to oblivion."

Paid for those wars yet? Liberals didn't ever cut taxes in war time. Who did? So much for you stupid talking points about "libtards."

#11 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-20 10:40 AM | Reply | Flag:

"At some point, the Republican Party is going to have to throw off the shackles of the religious right."

Without the religious right they have no hope of winning elections. The Republicans are the victim of their own coalition of voting blocks, they are screwed without them but they are also screwed with them.

#12 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-20 10:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Of course, at that time they'll realize that they've become Libertarians....."

Interesting enough, it's my experience that most Tea Party members are at least hybrid Libertarians. Personally, I just call myself a "conservative" because I prefer small government, fiscal responsiblity, balanced budgets, sensible regulation and strong national defense. Both major parties have poor records on most of these issues but I have tended to vote republican for a long time because they come closer. I haven't always voted this way though. The Tea Party to which I belong sticks to these issues and discourages any members wanting to emphasize religious/social issues.

#13 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-20 10:56 AM | Reply | Flag:

Interesting enough, it's my experience that most Tea Party members are at least hybrid Libertarians....who collect Social Security and use Medicare.

#14 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-20 11:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

#13

Well said and very accurate analysis of the majority of people associated with the Tea Party.

....who collect Social Security and use Medicare.

#14 | Posted by danni

And that's suppose to mean what?

#15 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-02-20 11:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Interesting enough, it's my experience that most Tea Party members are at least hybrid Libertarians....who collect Social Security and use Medicare."

Why not...we all paid into them for many decades. We're also smart enough to know they must be reformed in some manner to be viable in later years for the younger generations. Remember, danni, starting with LBJ, the "lockbox" is empty now and consists of nothing but worthless IOU's. They are just a huge Ponzi scheme and none of those has yet been successful and have crashed over the long haul. But you probably don't know that.

I know you're trying hard, but don't give up. I'm sure if you keep posting that some day you'll make an intelligent comment.

#16 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-20 11:29 AM | Reply | Flag:

Republicans need to give the religious "right" back to the democrats. If they would just sort out the abortion and gay thing, it would happen.

Danni, you need to get out of Florida, LOL, I would imply that in your experience most people you know collect SocialSecurity and Medicare.

I will be in FLL Friday, where should I eat and stay?

#17 | Posted by AndreaMackris at 2013-02-20 11:33 AM | Reply | Flag:

"We're also smart enough to know they must be reformed in some manner to be viable in later years for the younger generations"

What a self-serving comment, any "reforms" enacted should apply to everyone, present recipients and future recipients. This business of cuts that only apply to those 55 and under, raising the retirement age for them as well are simply attempts to turn a class war into a generational war. Divide and conquer.

Andrea, I'm probably not the right person to ask where to stay because I live here and thus I haven't stayed in any of the hotels plus on my budget I don't dine in fine restaurants. On my budget, when I do go out, I like Flannigans, it's a good restaurant for pretty reasonable prices.

#18 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-20 11:52 AM | Reply | Flag:

"...raising the retirement age for them as well are simply attempts to turn a class war into a generational war."

I know this will come as a big shock to you, danni, but that's already been done for a long time now. Look it up. Nobody actually starts collecting full SS at age 65 anymore.

I'm glad you don't ever give up attempting intelligent posts. Post longer and more often and I'm sure you'll hit one some day. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while and I've read that if a monkey sits at a keyboard long enough he'll eventually write the Gettysburg Address.

#19 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-20 12:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I know this will come as a big shock to you, danni, but that's already been done for a long time now. Look it up. Nobody actually starts collecting full SS at age 65 anymore."

I'm well aware of that but instead we should be raising the amount of income subject to SS taxes like St. Ronnie did. Of course though the wealthy wouldn't like that, for them it's cheaper to just let us work longer because secretly they know....there aren't enough jobs for the workforce we already have so enlarging it will impoverish many who make it to the current retirement age and then lose their jobs or their health insurance, most likely both. Raising the age is a recipe for homelessness for millions.

#20 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-20 12:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

"At some point, the Republican Party is going to have to throw off the shackles of the religious right."

They already did, which is why I did not become a Republican after leaving the Democrats.
Ever notice the Republican candidate is always pro-life but his wife is pro-choice? They make up these public stances to tempt votes from the religious and the women at the same time but have no intention of doing anything of substance to end abortion.
Nope. Both parties are ignoring, even ridiculing the religious these days.

#21 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-02-20 10:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

When they run out of money. Then we will all be saved.

#22 | Posted by Federalist at 2013-02-20 10:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

Have to love that the tea party "conservative" types are all about small government - except for our largest bit of corporate welfare - our completely out-of-proportion with the rest of the world military expenditures.

#23 | Posted by zeropointnrg at 2013-02-21 03:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

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