The Republican Conference is operating as two Political Parties not one. And, as you described it, there are irreconcilable differences. This mirrors the Republican Party nationally. My hunch is that we are witnessing the “once in 60 years” breakup of a National Political Party similar to what happened to the Democrats in 1968. Then the Southern Democrats split into the George Wallace camp and subsequently joined the Republican Party. It also happened in 1912, 1856 and 1828. Who the Speaker is, while functionally important, is only a symptom. In the past, after a split like this, one of the parties joins the opposition. In this case it will lead inevitably to a “coalition” Congressional Party of moderate Republicans and Democrats. What that will mean nationally is another question.
Great analysis.
Matt, Another great blog! You should coin your intro: A lot has changed since nothing happened. My money has been on Tom Cole as fallback SPT. -Don
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A lot has changed since nothing happened. Well worth 8-Points In a 5-point memo!
The Republican Conference is operating as two Political Parties not one. And, as you described it, there are irreconcilable differences. This mirrors the Republican Party nationally. My hunch is that we are witnessing the “once in 60 years” breakup of a National Political Party similar to what happened to the Democrats in 1968. Then the Southern Democrats split into the George Wallace camp and subsequently joined the Republican Party. It also happened in 1912, 1856 and 1828. Who the Speaker is, while functionally important, is only a symptom. In the past, after a split like this, one of the parties joins the opposition. In this case it will lead inevitably to a “coalition” Congressional Party of moderate Republicans and Democrats. What that will mean nationally is another question.
I think once they exhaust themselves with the nine, they will turn, successfully, to Stefanik. She is tight with Trump but also tight with leadership.