Republican Party's Dearth Of Leadership

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe" TV show today there was a fascinating discussion of the current plight of the Republican Party. It was noted that a little over a decade ago, after the rise of the Gingrich wing of the Republican Party, it was said that the Democrats lacked a leader and a message. This was the case until the rise of Barak Obama, the commentators noted. He represents a new kind of leader with a new message, one attuned to a more modern time, at least this was the argument put fourth.

Then ensued a discussion of who in the Republican Party could play the same part for them as Obama has played for the Democrats. Sarah Palin? Newt Gingrich? Tim Pawlenty" Bobby Jindal? Some thought Jindal might be the next Republican political messiah, but I think he's too old time conservative, as on social issues, to fit the bill. What they are going to have to come up with is somebody really new, just as Obama materialized seemingly out of nowhere, somebody with a message and a demeanor to fit the 21st century...conservative on economic issues but probably more libertarian on social issues. Otherwise, the Republicans will be left with their "base" of social conservatives, parts of the South, and little else.

Jim