This GOP is DOOMED. Three Deadly Numbers Prove It

They're done.  Stick a fork in them.  It's over.

There is a shocking poll that should be a wake-up call to conservatives and Republicans nationwide.  If I were a Republican strategist today, my heart would be in my throat.

From The Corner at the conservative National Review Online:

A survey of 1200 likely voters taken in 12 swing districts this past Sunday and Monday might explain why Republicans might have a long night ahead of them. The veteran GOP pollster says he has "never seen anything like it."  Asked who is more likely to cut taxes for the middle class - 42 percent said Democrats, 29 picked Republicans.  Who is more likely to reduce the deficit?  47 - Democrats, 22 - Repubicans.  And, who is more likely to control spending? Democrats - 38, Republicans - 21.  In the past, even if Repubicans didn't win some race or another, they were more trusted on taxes and spending issues.

What this means is that the GOP in its current form has NO reason to exist, outside of authoritarianism, corporate welfare and religious fascism.  The so-called Reagan Revolution is officially DEAD.

Not that the "Reagan Revolution" actually did what it said it would, but that's another story; we're talking about the Republican brand here, not the actual facts.

But these numbers bear repeating.

On BALANCED BUDGETS, swing voters picked DEMOCRATS--by over 2 to 1.

On TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS, swing voters picked DEMOCRATS--by almost 2 to 1.

On CUTTING SPENDING, swing voters picked DEMOCRATS--by almost 2 to 1.

Tax cuts.  Cutting spending.  Balanced Budgets.  DEMOCRATS.

I really can't overstate the stunning importance of this development.  I mean, WE have known this for a long time.  But the fact that it has finally made it into the consciousness of the average American voter is proof that the GOP's woes are far more devastating than they can even imagine at this point.

Predictably, the few Republicans paying attention to this are apoplectic.  From one commenter on RedState:

For the love of all that is holy ... How could any sane American who has at least heard one political speech in the last 20 years come to those conclusions?!?!

I can understand doubting the veracity of the current crop of R's in congress, but to actually believe the D's will reduce spending and cut taxes? It boggles the mind.

There is not only massive evidence that this has never been done by D's, but thier very own words during this election cycle openly state the opposite (ref Rangel interview).

I know it's bad form the [sic] blame the voter, but if this is the level of intelligence out there we have some very deep problems to overcome.

They're in a delusional state of denial.  Pointing out to them how Pelosi has promised middle class tax cuts at the expense of the super-rich does no good.  Neither does pointing to Bill Clinton's reduced federal spending or balanced budgets.  Their faith is shaken--and they will not recover.

But what does this mean?  I'll tell you.  It means REALIGNMENT.  In a big way.

The GOP is now no longer the Party of Reagan.  Cutting spending and balancing budgets are out the window.  Tax cuts for the middle class have been replaced with tax cuts for the rich.

All the GOP has now is authoritarianism (suspending habeas corpus, suspending civil liberties, installing the Patriot Act, etc.); corporate welfare (tax cuts for the rich, giveaways to Exxon and Halliburton); and religious fascism (abstinence-only education, denying a woman's right to choose, etc.).

And you know what?  That's enough to carry the Freepers and most of the South.  But it won't hold the West or the Midwest.  And it sure as heck won't hold most of America.

In short, the GOP is TOAST if they can't move these numbers.  The raison d'etre of their party for the last 20 years is essentially gone.  Structurally, their goose is cooked far beyond these 2006 elections.

It's not a pretty day for the Republicans--but it IS a pretty day for America.