Ten White Men

The Republicans held their first debate Thursday in California, moderated by Chris Matthews of MSNBC. The ten candidates found themselves crammed on a stage, and it became quickly clear that they were each going to grab as much air time as possible to recite their rehearsed campaign pitches.

More significantly, the candidates did everything they could to look like Real Conservatives. Again and again, they defined themselves by the worn, calcified clichés Americans have grown tired of, mouthing the same slogans made monotonous by the Bush spin machine.

While the Democratic candidates looked like tomorrow, the Republicans looked like yesterday. While the Democrats felt like a breath of fresh air, the Republicans felt like more of the same. While the Democrats appeared confident and passionate, the Republicans seemed frightened and defensive.

Americans need forward thinking leaders, not moralizing preachers. Until the GOP and its candidates stop telling Americans how to live their lives and passing judgment, the voting public will refuse to send ideologues to the White House just because they claim to be holier than thou. If recent history is any gauge, the more stridently candidates claim to be virtuous, the more likely they are to be dangerously incompetent and wrong on the issues that matter.

Sadly, the Republican candidates spent most of their debate trying to out-holy each other while doing virtually nothing to reassure Americans that they are anything but stay the course.

The same, disastrous course we’ve suffered for six years.

If that’s their best, the GOP is in real trouble next election cycle. Which is great news for America.

- JT Compton

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