A Party Divided

Democrats as a party — Nancy Pelosi (CA) in particular, and President Obama and Harry Reid (NV) to a lesser, though still substantial, extent — have endured pointed criticism from Republican congressmen the last several weeks over what they say, motivated by legitimate concern, political principle or partisan posturing, is an ill-conceived and grossly overreaching economic stimulus bill.

In recent days, the party has turned its aim from political foes, its membership now leveling their sights on each other in what might unfold as an ideological civil war that could split the party between a small yet powerful faction that still believes in Newt Gingrich's manifesto of GOP demagoguery, and those who awoke November 5 to a new world order and realized the futility in reiterating failed practices while expecting a different result. 

The rift has arisen between many Republican governors and their party's congressional leadership. While there are a few vocal critics of the bill — many of them having national political aspirations — most of the 22 Republican governors understand the extraordinary benefits an influx of new cash would have as their states suffer from declining revenues and mounting budget deficits. 

Unlike Senate and House representatives, who spend the lion's share of their time in Washington, many of whom having lost touch completely with their constituents, governors live at ground zero and deal directly with business closures, job losses, home foreclosures and staggering unemployment claims. 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an ardent supporter of the stimulus package, had to fight California state Republicans in order to increase tax revenues in a marathon budget session to counter a $42B deficit, garnering only six GOP votes for the measure. At the state's Republican Convention, a vice chairman condemned the Governator as a "kidney stone" that will take another year to pass, and a few petulant delegates even crafted an "apology" to recalled Gov. Gray Davis, an obvious swipe at Schwarzenegger.

Governors Charlie Crist (FL) and Mitch Daniels (IN) have also opted for pragmatism, recognizing the benefits this windfall of cash will produce. Crist took the unusual step of openly championing the bill, even going so far as to introduce the president at a speech in Florida two weeks ago. The governor has been lambasted for his efforts.

Utah Gov. Jim Huntsman, Jr. sounded the sharpest criticism, blasting Washington GOPers as "inconsequential," saying their leadership is so lacking that he's completely uninterested in anything they have to say. 

But then, Huntsman admitted he's taking cues from Gingrich, so there's that.

THEATRE OF PAIN

This provides the lead-in for President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress tonight, a Mardi Gras of sorts for Democrats, and a political high wire act for Republicans. 

The donkeys will be in full lather tonight, this their first address from a fellow Democrat in 8 years. And while these quasi-choreographed affairs always have a self-congratulatory air from the party in power, don't expect the president to be too puffed up; he is well aware of the seriousness of the moment.

President Obama's most daunting task will be acknowledging the dire situation in which our country finds itself and maintaining a sense of caution while invoking the kind of optimism that will encourage Americans to be hopeful. In effect, he must again become candidate Obama, his address one that stirs the soul and makes folks believe the impossible is possible, his optimism becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Republicans will not be as raucus, though they cannot afford to appear gruff or bitter. Sure, references to the stimulus will get muted applause, if they even stand at all. But they're surely aware that this new president is still very popular, and their shenanigans of late have been viewed very poorly by the public — nearly 80 percent of Americans want GOP congressmen to part with party politics and get behind the stimulus.

… AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO RESPOND

Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA), whose eyes are clearly focused on 2012, will deliver the Republican response to the president's speech. Jindal has already announced his intention to refuse some of the $4B slated for his state. 

It bears mentioning that Louisiana's expected 2010 budget shortall is about half what the state would get from the stimulus bill. 

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has said he'll take any money the state turns down. Schwarzenegger said the same of any state that refuses stimulus funds.

Don't expect anything new or original in Jindal's rebuttal, but more of the same ridiculous hipocrisy you've come to expect from Republicans. He will use tired phrases such as "saddle future generations with debt" with "programs we don't need," disregarding the $6T by which his party increased the national debt the last 8 years, especially on the back of a war the U.S. didn't need. 

It becomes increasingly difficult to listen to these clowns rail against the Democrats' attempts to save our country from the epic failure of their leadership. The idea Republicans have any credibility whatsoever when their ideals and policies caused this mess is no longer laughable but downright pathetic.