It’s interesting to see the Republican Party progress through the stages of grief. We are beginning to see signs that they have arrived at the acceptance stage. Signs like this:
“We’re too outnumbered to govern, to set policy,” said Representative John Fleming, a Louisiana Republican who has taken confrontational postures in the past. “But we can shape policy as the loyal opposition.”
Perhaps in the next stage, the Republicans can ruminate about the meaning of loyalty. What does it really mean in the context of a political party in the minority but still with partial responsibility for governing? How much deference do they need to show? Should the Speaker of the House consider himself an extension of the administration, at least to a degree? At least on foreign policy? Perhaps, on economic policy? Should the Republicans at least get out of the way on those big issues and focus more on social issues and developing policy for the next elections?
I think so.
