We Don't Have Any Say, But...

No, we don't get to vote on who the Party leaders are in Congress. We have no say in who will serve as Minority Leaders, Conference Committee Chairs, Whips, etc.

BUT... the people our Republican legislators pick as their leaders will send a message to the base. Picking Boehner and McConnell sends the wrong message to the base. It says "business as usual, status quo, and we haven't learned our lessons from 2006 and 2008. We still don't get it."

Picking the same leaders who were in charge when we got into this ditch (and dug us in deeper) depresses the base. It tells the door-knockers, the lit droppers, the phone callers, the folks who put signs in their front yards, the small donors, and voters to not waste their time anymore - Congressional Republicans are not interested in free and fair markets, shrinking government, cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, and other basic conservative positions on the issues.

The same thing goes for RNC Chairman. If they pick Mike Duncan, it sends the same message.

How is the party supposed to win elections without volunteers? Donors? Voters?

No, we don't have a say, but the choices they make have implications outside of Washington, D.C. If the Republican Party wants to pick up any legislative seats, much less win back any majorities in 2010, they can't go with the same leadership and expect different results. How will they lead a path to victory? How will they lead if the grassroots volunteers won't follow?

Come on GOP! Give us something to get excited about! Fight these wasteful bailouts! Fight for freedom!

Afterward: I wrote this post with the knowledge that Mitch McConnell was retained as Senate Minority Leader. I was not aware that he supports the automotive bailout. STUPID STUPID STUPID! HOW IS THAT CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP?

Seriously, who is excited about the party of Boehner, McConnell, and Duncan? If the Republicans wants to be a permanent minority, keep on keepin' on.