The Magical Mythical History of the Government Shutdown Hurting Republicans

There is a lot of talk these days about how the GOP cannot afford to shut down the government like they did in 1995. “Remember,” they the chattering class say, “the GOP got destroyed at the polls in 1996.”

That talk has everything to do with the Democrats winning the message battle in the media, but has nothing to do with anything else. Let’s roll the tape, shall we?

In 1995, Republicans in Washington shut down the government. They got creamed by the media and Democrats. The Democrats were interested in scoring points. The media was interested and remains interested in “good government,” never mind what that may or may not be.

But what actually happened?

The House Republicans lost only nine seats. Nine. In fact, nationally, the House GOP got 47.8% of the popular vote to the Democrats only getting 48.1%. In fact, the House GOP outperformed Bob Dole who only got 40% of the vote. The total loss wound up being a net of eight as the GOP picked up one Democrat seat. At the time, Gingrich credited the hard line the GOP took as helping the GOP hold their own.

The Senate Republicans actually gained seats. Two.

I would argue that these losses had much more to do — more than a year removed from the government shutdown — with Bob Dole’s anemic, struggling campaign and national infrastructure, than with the government shut down. Likewise, the nine who lost were the most vulnerable House Republicans.

As we get to a fight over defunding Obamacare, the media will tell the GOP to remember the spanking they got when last they shut down the government.

I would tell the GOP to not be afraid to shut down the government. Contrary to the myth, the reality was it did not hurt them and actually forced the Democrats to cooperate on balancing the budget and reforming welfare.

Brinksmanship works. So does shutting down the government.

http://www.redstate.com/2013/07/23/the-m...ng-republicans/

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Notable Republicans and “conservative” pundits have gone to great lengths to assure America that Cruz’s plan could never work, and would ultimately prove disastrous to the GOP (an ironic assessment which presumes that their typical actions have ever enjoyed a track record of success). To support this notion, they regularly hearken back to the 1995 Budget Battle, in which Bill Clinton shut down the government rather than sign on to a Republican budget that he considered “Draconian.” Accepting the Democrat revision of history in its entirety, Republicans insist that the shutdown yielded disastrous losses for the GOP, possibly including the presidential election of the following year.

As usual, the facts simply do not support this contention. A rarely mentioned fact is that, just prior to the government restarting (the “shutdown” was itself drastically overblown), it was Bill Clinton whom the public held responsible for the impasse. Fortunately for Clinton, “Republican” Senate Leader Bob Dole rode to his rescue, completely caving by signing on to a stopgap “continuing resolution,” with his famous pronouncement of “Enough is enough!” At that point, with Dole essentially exonerating Clinton and accepting blame for the rancorous standoff, public scorn shifted to him and his party.

So although Dole and his successors steadfastly maintain that the government shutdown damaged them politically, it was in fact the government restart that cost them credibility with the voters. Nevertheless, this myth has remained at the forefront of GOP politicking ever since. According to those learned party insiders, the only manner in which to deal with the Democrats on such controversial issues is to constantly surrender to them. Thus has the GOP, despite occasional majority status and even when holding the White House, allowed the liberal agenda to advance with little or no resistance.

It is perhaps for this reason more than any other that the Republican “Old Guard” detests Ted Cruz more stridently than any member of the Democrat opposition. Contrary to their efforts to continue “business as usual” as an ineffective minority party, Cruz insists that they employ the means available to them in order to truly contest the liberal onslaught. Such a course would deem them at least partially responsible for the governing actions that ensue, and this is a possibility that they truly abhor. In their self-serving world, it is better to allow the establishment of a socialist state, and the eradication of constitutional principle, than to be the targets of criticism for upsetting the apple cart.

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http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/2013/08...to-be-debunked/

WHAT REAL LEADERS DO WHEN THE ODDS ARE AGAINST THEM

1940 - The relentless bombing of London by the Nazi Luftwaffe is taking its toll, both in death and destruction. Their enemy - i.e. Germany - is telling them to surrender. Britain's cause is lost.

Churchill's response?

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

1980-89 - Eastern Europe has been under the domination of the USSR for over 30 years, seemingly with no end in sight. Yet in Poland, a labor union under the leadership of Lech Walesa is formed. It grows to be a political force, eventually toppling the "evil empire" and heralding the end of the Cold War. Early on, however, Poland was under constant threat of being invaded and forced "back into line" by its enemy, the USSR

Lech Walesa:

As a nation we have the right to decide our own affairs, to mould our own future. This does not pose any danger to anybody. Our nation is fully aware of the responsibility for its own fate in the complicated situation of the contemporary world.

2010-13 - Zero care is passed by democrats, mainly by smoke and mirrors and other legislative parliamentary tricks. It has never enjoyed popularity, and with each passing day, as its implications and dire consequences become ever more apparent, it becomes less popular. Republicans, after initially doing the right thing by opposing it, won huge majorities in the House as a result. Thereafter, however, the "leadership" has come up with excuse after excuse why they cannot do anything about it. This, in spite of the fact that when demoncrats are in the minority, they STILL SEEM to be able to block anything positive the other party wants to do. The enemies of the people, i.e. the demoncrats and the media - are telling the GOP leadership that nothing can be done. Unlike Churchill and Walesa, however, the Boehners, Cantors, McConnells and the McClowns are LISTENING to our enemies. Unlike Churchill and Walesa, our "leadership" throws in the towel BEFORE any punches are thrown.

You've heard of Shoeless Joe Jackson? How 'bout Spineless John Boehner:

We only control one-half of one-third of the Federal Government.

Quote: Cedric wrote in post #6

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Quote: Rufus T Firefly wrote in post #5

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We only control one-half of one-third of the Federal Government.

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That is just an excellent point.

Yet, when one considers how thoroughly Mighty John Boehner has foiled Obama's evil plans over the past two years, one must stand in awe and wonder at the masterful skills of our intrepid Speaker.

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The GOP. The masters of leading from behind.

Quote: Cedric wrote in post #6

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Quote: Rufus T Firefly wrote in post #5

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We only control one-half of one-third of the Federal Government.

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That is just an excellent point.

Yet, when one considers how thoroughly Mighty John Boehner has foiled Obama's evil plans over the past two years, one must stand in awe and wonder at the masterful skills of our intrepid Speaker.

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Quote: Cedric wrote in post #1

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If Congress doesn't agree on appropriations at all, then many core government functions, including some military operations and the processing of Medicare claims and Social Security applications, would stop.[/i]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory...-party-20256218

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Quote: Eglman wrote in post #2

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In fact, the House GOP outperformed Bob Dole who only got 40% of the vote.

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