This Sunday past, Texas Republican Dick Armey slurred his way through a reasonable explanation of his Party’s recent idea to provide a litmus test for future nominees to pass, if said nominees wish to receive support from the RNC.

It is a rare occasion when we find ourselves in complete agreement with the Republicans. Mr. Armey’s assertion that the Party simply wanted to establish a foundation of core values, was the most responsible and forward thinking proposal the Republicans have come up with in decades. Keep in mind; we in no way agree with those core values, we simply agree it is a good idea for the Democrats to emulate.
Before one prepares to tarnish the Republican idea of creating a solid unshakeable foundation for the Party to stand upon as small minded, exclusionary and politically short sighted, they might want to consider the political quagmire the so-called more progressive minded Democrats have found themselves drowning in. Had the Democrats been more discriminating in whom they were willing to count among their ranks, they would have had fewer surprises and far fewer defections on the big-ticket legislation, they promised the rank and file during the election of 08.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have been heralded as great leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate as well as excellent vote counters. We say nothing could be further from the truth. The Democrats were so eager to win in 08 and 06; they simply made deals with anyone willing to wear the big “D” label for the day. Little if any attention was paid to the day after the election when the confetti was swept up and the people’s work was ready to be done.

How could Harry Reid have not been aware that the likes of Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Evan Bayh, Blanche Lincoln, Max Baucus or the worst of the ungodly lot, Joe Lieberman could be problematic for any major legislation candidate Obama would face as president? We the people were told that a super majority in the House and an overwhelming majority in the Senate would bring measurable change and reform when all was said and done.

In fact Nancy Pelosi had stated on many occasion, that the Democrats were still being stymied at every turn because they did not have these numeric advantages in 06. Now that the dust has settled, and the numbers seemingly favor the Democrats, we are still looking down the barrel of failure on most issues Democrats, liberals and progressives hold dear. How could that be, many are wondering. Well, wonder no more because, the Democrats never really had the significant majorities they have touted so proudly.

The big tent concept the Democrats are so fond of celebrating has come back to haunt them as many of those who joined, did so because they were running from the Republican Party not because they were running toward the Democrats. Some of these Democrats, in name only, were bandwagon jumpers, political opportunist and coattail riders. How Senator Reid ever thought he would get anything but lip service from Senator Lieberman and company is astounding.

Furthermore, why the Democratic leadership was so easily able to delude their followers into believing they could forecast successful outcomes on tough legislation, while relying so heavily on the unreliable is even more so incomprehensible.

In our opinion, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are either overly optimistic, totally in denial or completely full of crap when they try to convince the voters they have control of the process. Reid, Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel and the hoards of hopefuls were so committed to kicking the Republicans out of power; they opened the doors to the Party, embracing anyone with a pulse, without checking their core politics, beliefs and credentials.

Sure, the Democrats got the big numbers they were seeking, as well as the people’s attention and votes, but the open door, we take all comers philosophy is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. In our estimation, the Democrats have willingly placed land mines and time bombs along the road to healthcare reform, war de-escalation and long overdue financial/banking regulation, by including within their ranks, individuals who could blow their platform sky-high at any time, on any issue.

In the final analysis, the Democrats would be wise to co-opt this Republican litmus test moving forward in order to avoid gridlock in their own Party. Click here to download the podcast