It's almost like the super villain plot in the latest superhero summer blockbuster: Repeal health care reform or we'll destroy the world's economy.
Boiled down to its essence, that's the master plan of the Tea Party contingent holed up in the House of Representatives. Because, let's face it, the longer this budget standoff continues, the more damage it does. Hey, I'm not a fan of PPACA either, but talk to an economist worth his or her salt and they'll tell you that the federal government staying shut down, and defaulting on our debt obligations, will cause far more harm – to far more people – than Obamacare will in its present form.
Not only that, but from a public relations standpoint, it's been a bloodbath for the Republican Party. And don't tell me they shouldn't care what the public thinks when that's all politics is. Guess what? It really is a popularity contest. And not many bullies get elected class president or homecoming queen.
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But beyond settling this budget dispute the old school way – with compromises, handshakes and maybe even a few cigars – this near historic fracture, and subsequent impasse, shows us a few other things need to happen soon, too.
The Tea Party needs to figure out what it wants to be. Does it want to be a mainstream player within the confines of the current political system, or a fringe agitator protesting at national parks? Do they want to be a Christian Coalition or the right's Occupy Wall Street? I honestly don't think they can effectively be both, and I think the public's visceral reaction to the shutdown backs me up on that.
Republicans need to figure out how big they want their tent to be. And they need to figure that out fast. Since Obama's election, the party's pivoted to the right in response to skyrocketing debt and government spending. But the nation's changing demographics defy that. For example, George W. Bush earned 44 percent of the Latino vote in 2004. Less than a year ago, Mitt Romney gathered 27 percent. Who cares? Republicans should since the so-called white vote has tumbled nearly 20 percent over the last 24 years. Republicans desperately need to reach out to younger voters and minority (for now) voters, for starters. This internal power struggle, while critical for them to address, distracts them from longer-term issues they need to be addressing now.
The Democrats need to figure out how to win and move on – and how to not take that Hispanic (or youth) votes for granted. I was floored the Democrats rebuffed a Republican budget compromise in favor of readdressing sequestration cuts. It was an arrogant, bonehead move that could come back to bite them.
And, finally, the president needs to figure out what he wants his legacy to be. Because each delay, alteration or cancellation to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes it less historically relevant. But that doesn't mean he'll have the luxury of dodging it. Remember that CNBC poll from a couple weeks back showing different levels of support and opposition to Obamacare and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Most tellingly, nearly a third of Americans didn't know what PPACA was, while only 12 percent said they didn't know anything about Obamacare. (I'm not sure I believe any of them.) Maybe we'll just remember him as the guy who kinda kept it together between a couple of other presidents – you know, like a rebound between more serious relationships.
We'll see.
Finally, I'd like to personally thank everyone who's called, emailed or harassed me in person over the last few months about a speaking slot at our show in April in Colorado Springs. Sorting through all the submissions – a record number this year – is always fun, enlightening and actually encouraging.
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