It would seem that the new GOP strategy when it comes to party corruption centers on issuing a swift public condemnation of the guilty (or perceived guilty) individual followed by a swift ouster of the embattled colleague. Of course, this was the way it played it in regards to the action taken against Senator Larry Craig and to a great extent this swift action was a preventive measure to avoid the 2006 calamity.
According to the Politico, while the furor and outrage over the Mark Foley incident definitely played a role in members of the conservative base sitting home, there were other corruption scandals that contributed to massive GOP losses. In Ohio, Rep. Bob Ney's felony conviction greatly damaged the party as did the Rep. Duke Cunningham corruption scandal and criminal conviction in California. And who could forget the ouster of Tom Delay?
For the GOP, it is a smart move to take a zero tolerance policy towards party corruption. Unless the GOP remains proactive in this area and establishes that such behavior will not be tolerated and must stop, the party will be perpetually labeled the party of corruption and will suffer greatly because of it. Or, more accurately, it will continue to suffer greatly.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Yes, the Republican Party put its weight on Sen. Larry Craig. The weight of the party also came down on Rep. Mark Foley last year. Both were caught up in homosexual related scandals.
Heterosexual related scandal? No one talks about Sen. Vitter anymore.
Bribery scandals? Rep. Bob Ney hung around even after he was convicted. The Republican Party stayed true to Rep. Tom DeLay even after the voters had abandoned him. Rep. DeLay resigned only after his poor performance in the primary showed that the voters wouldn't re-elect him. Rep. John Doolittle is still in office and no one calls for his resignation.
The Republican Party swiftly condemns those involved in homosexual scandal. Good as far as that goes. I just wish the GOP was as proactive in all other types of scandal.
Anti-Corruption Republica at 11:29AM on Sep 3rd 2007
2.
REPUBLICANS CANNOT CONTINUE TO MASQUERADE AS THE PARTY THAT STANDS FOR "FAMILY VALUES" BUT SHOW A DOUBLE STANDARD WHEN APPLYING THEM. THE REPUBLICANS
MUST BE MADE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT STANDARD OF MORALITY THEY USE WHEN PRATICING A ZERO TOLERANCE FOR
CORRUPTION. SO FAR THEY HAVENT. THEY THINK THE CRAIG MATTER CLOSES THE BOOK, BUT THEY ARE SADLY MISTAKEN.
ALSO THERE IS NO WAY THEY ARE GOING CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT LARRY CRAIG OR MARK FOLEY ARE ABBERRATIONS. THE GOP ON CAPITAL HILL ISNT EXACTLY "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN" BUT MORAL PURISTS--THEY AIN'T.
Pat at 9:39PM on Sep 3rd 2007