January 30, 2009 01:28 AM UTC

Congressional Republicans: Stupid Partisans or Brilliant Tacticians?

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• by: Jeff Bridges

Obama made a great show of going to Capitol Hill to try and gain Republican support for his stimulus package. He said, repeatedly, that if Republicans had a good idea he’d listen. So far all I’ve heard is that they want more tax cuts. A shocker, I know.

But really? Tax cuts versus investing in America’s future through infrastructure improvements that will pay dividends for years to come, create thousands (millions?) of jobs, and help to fight global warming through renewable energy projects that will also help us become more energy independent? Sure Republicans have to play to the base, but “more tax cuts” doesn’t exactly scream visionary leadership.

Then, as we covered yesterday, House Republicans all voted against Obama’s stimulus package. Every single one. The President physically went to the Hill seeking bipartisan support, then followed up the vote with a cocktail party at the White House for Congressional leaders from both parties. His thanks – bubkes.

Are Republicans really that out of touch with the new post-partisan world?

This reminds me of a scene from The West Wing where President Bartlet walks over to the Capitol seeking a compromise. When Republican leadership refuses to meet with him they look like inflexible ideologues uninterested in solving America’s most pressing problems – sound familiar?

Now I’m sure the Republicans have PR folks with far more experience than I have, and they certainly need to distinguish themselves from Democrats to win in two years, but this seems rather short sighted to me. There’s plenty of time to present an alternative ideology before the midterms.

To their credit, Republicans did present a stimulus plan that lost in a vote just before the one on Obama’s, but voting as a bloc against the President right out of the gate makes Republicans seem – to me – like a bunch of reactionary partisans without any new ideas.

Thoughts, fellow Polsters?