Conservative pundit Charles Krauthammer realizes that some Republicans may be tempted to change course in the wake of another electoral defeat, but he counsels his party: "No reinvention when none is needed. Do conservatism but do it better." He said calls for moderation are "nonsense."
The country doesn't need two liberal parties. Yes, Republicans need to weed out candidates who talk like morons about rape. But this doesn't mean the country needs two pro-choice parties either. In fact, more women are pro-life than are pro-choice. The problem here for Republicans is not policy but delicacy -- speaking about culturally sensitive and philosophically complex issues with reflection and prudence.
Now, as far as polls are concerned, the notion that more American women oppose reproductive rights than support them is extremely dubious. Indeed, it's also worth noting that in this week's exit polls, pro-choice voters were a clear majority.
But even putting that aside, I'm fascinated by this notion that Republicans would be fine if only they could present their far-right views on women's health and reproductive rights with "delicacy." In Krauthammer's mind, his party's difficulties -- the gender gap crushed GOP candidates this year -- are really just a matter of spin. Women would be far more inclined to support the right-wing agenda, the argument goes, if only Republicans explained it better.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Krauthammer has no idea what he's talking about.
Since the 2010 midterms, Republican policymakers have fought to restrict contraception; cut off Planned Parenthood; require state-mandated, medically-unnecessary transvaginal ultrasounds; force physicians to lie to patients about abortion and breast cancer; limit equal-pay laws; delay the Violence Against Women Act; curtail reproductive rights at the state level at a historic level; insist that protections for impregnated rape victims were unnecessary; and do everything possible to overturn Roe v. Wade -- and on Tuesday, the party paid a price for it.
"Delicacy" was unlikely to make much of a difference.
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It's never good if there's no opposition party deserving the name. As much as I can understand those who pray for the GOP to move even further to the right - this might keep the Dems in power for a long time, but it will ruin your country just as well as the GOP would.
Only slower.
While I agree that a viable opposition party is necessary for good government, it's not the prayers of those on the left that are responsible for the GOP moving further to the right.
A Republican saying something stupid is no longer news. Dog bites man.
When a Republican says something smart ( e.g. "Rubio Lashes Out At Party's Bigots" ) then it's time to pay attention. Man bites dog.
Too bad he didn't have a conservative plastic surgeon.
Those are some extreme angles he's got there.
Shorter Krauthammer: Don't call 'em sluts and everything will be fine.
Shorter Charlie K:
You wimminz, make me a sammich. Please.
I guess he's saying the problem is that raped-induced pregnancy is not good enough reason for abortion, but there's got to be a better way of saying that.
And if you believe it is a good enough reason, regardless of what else you think (like self-deportation is a good idea, that the rich and powerful should have 100% the power, that uninsured sick people should just die sooner than insured sick people) that you automatically jump from "conservative" to "moderate".
But that's just me. I want stuff. Like healthcare when I'm sick. Greedy bugger I am.
Ann Romney yelling "I love women" was one of the scariest parts of the campaign. You could easily imagine the fangs and saliva as she pictured servants and followers, bowing to her in the White House.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ann+romney+pic&view=detail&id=1F46831F45027527B5D3205744D1F14A81ADEC8D&first=1&adlt=strict
"Shudder"
GAG, lol
A kinder gentler bigotry. They did it with racism so why not woman's health?
I may be in the minority, here, but I don't think he's wrong. At least not completely.
Had republicans been more 'delicate' in how they handled 'women's issues' this year the gender gap would not have been so large. Their problem was that the women's issues kind of snowballed on them this year. Between the forced ultrasounds, threatening Planned Parenthood, the Violence Against Women Act (which they only opposed because it now includes minority and gay women--can't look favorably on them), the Fair Pay Act, and their attacks on Sandra Fluke (Dennis Miller attacked her again on O'Reilly wed night). And the bigger problem was they couldn't shake off these attacks as the fringe candidates, these extreme positions were party platform.
I know plenty of women who voted Republican and a few more that wanted to vote for Romney, because of the economy, but didn't because of these extreme issues.
Think of 2010--Republicans didn't talk culture war and they won big. And they gave us a culture war. If they learn to keep their mouths shut they will fool people again.
repubs/baggers LIED. they ran on jobs, and once they got in, we didn't hear anything about jobs from them. all they wanted to do was obstruct and pass laws against abortion.
they didn't want to do anything about the economy or jobs.
THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE PRESIDENT A WIN, as a repub stated in regard to passing a "jobs bill". (paraphrasing) "why would we do that and make the president more attractive to the electorate"?
they voted against every jobs bill, or economic policy the president put forth (as per their promise to EACH OTHER to do JUST THAT), even though they have voted FOR THESE THINGS in the past under a repub president (w. bush).
Women's issues need to be handled with delicacy b/c ladybrains are delicate and cannot comprehend that Republicans know what's best for them unless it's explained gently and with small words.
Or to put it in simple terms women its is up to you to keep your legs closed and us poor men won't have to worry about your problems. The GOP solving 16th century problems today.
Another republican in denial. Keep your failing agenda so that you can lose more elections.
How about this: Biology is destiny. Women's reproductive health is an economic issue. The Constitution mandates separation of Church and State (it took 900 years for the West to get the church out of government).
These are all things the Republican Party does not understand or embrace or allow for. And as long as they are in a stranglehold by the far right -- a situation of their own making going back to the Southern Strategy -- they will never attract the majority of women voters. Too bad for them -- 54% of the electorate is female.
Hmmmm....maybe if we LIE better, we'll win next time.
Now THERE'S a" Christian Value" at work!
Jesus christ. Can't we just give them their own island and leave them to their nonsense?
Their sort of 'delicacy' is had with some fava beans and a nice chianti. *shurp* *shurp* *shurp* *shurp*
I think that when it comes to my body...................it's my choice.............mind your own business!
If I want to confide in my partner, or my physician, or the New York Times, it's none of your business!
Maybe they need to realize that we're tired of old white men presuming to know what we think. We're not stupid, we have opinions, and quite obviously we care enough to vote. I hope they all keep thinking that they need to treat the issue more "delicately" and we can keep the White House for an additional 8 years, after this 8 years.
Maybe what the Republicans need is a Secretary of 'Splainin'Stuff of their very own!
Mr. Krouthammer; why don't you try this in 2016!!??
Maybe old Charles should roll off into the sunset and leave these things to sane people.The GOP alienated every group, but the angry white guys group, their comrades. The first thing you here was, I'm getting my guns. If your mad at black people run on down to your nearest NFL game and punch one of the players and leave your gun home. lol
I wondered how long it would take. I heard the FOX pundits doing it first. "There's nothing wrong with the GOP message, we just didn't do a good job of delivering it." What they don't get is that they did a really EXELLENT job of delivering their message, and people outright reject it. Their self-seduction is so complete that they've become like the stalker who is convinced Jody Foster will love him if only he can do a better job of letting her see his "real" self. Dear GOP: We've seen your real self. Not interested. Will never be interested. Get some help. Then, after you understand the roots and irrationality of your deep-seeded xenophobia, homophobia, (fill-in-the-blank)phobia, you'll be able to find someone who can love you just as you will become.
'Charles Krauthammer floats the idea that GOP policies on women's rights could work if only they were delivered with a little more "delicacy."' As if he thinks women would be so stupid to fall for that old game. Please...what a moron.
I belive that after WW I women's roles were defined as: Kirche Küche Kinder (Church, Kitchen, children)
Very similar to the Wingnut platform today.
women give life and don't need men to explain it for us. listen up, giving birth and being responsible for children is something NO MAN can empathize with. wish all these guys would shut up. their comments are not what is needed.