Who will lead?

Since the Democratic reemergence tn the national scene in the past two elections there has been an eerie consensus that the Republican Party is dead. Although Republicans are presently down in the dumps, they will surly bounce back as they have in 1964, 1974, and 1992. The only question is who will lead the eventual renaissance? Who will be the Republican Obama? It’s probably impossible to answer that question today but a look at current GOP leaders may provide some insight.

Dick Cheney-The defensive Republican
Cheney is back…much to the dismay of Republicans who hold their breath when the man speaks. After leaving office with his head in his hands, Cheney has come back to defend the Bush administration, more specifically, its national security agenda. This is hardly surprising as Cheney, a man with enormous pride, thinks he hasn’t gotten a fair shake and that history will eventually vindicate him. Someone has to stand up for the Bush administration, Bush said that he would grant Obama a grace period before jumping back into the fray, but Republican’s worry that Cheney’s message is lost because of his vilified persona. Republicans would be much happier, should say, Condoleezza Rice make the case for Bush instead. Unfortunately, we are stuck with Dick.

Rush Limbaugh- The loud Republican
Rush Limbaugh, one of the most controversial figures in the U.S., has been anointed as the new face of the party by left-leaning pundits and Democrats alike. His in your face, often provocative, style is one that inspires both love and hate. Somehow he always manages to stir the Republican pot. His initial challenge of Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Party, created internal strife. More recently, Dick Cheney, on a Sunday Talk Show, said that he “would rather have Rush Limbaugh than Colon Powell in the Republican Party,” a quote that further perpetuated the idea that Republicans are only talking to themselves, that they are expelling all moderate voices from the party. Although Limbaugh proves to be very divisive, he does fire up the base of the party. This is good. The problem Republicans face is that by playing to the base, something all national parties must do, they have alienated moderates. Limbaugh’s voice has become too loud and has drowned out dissenting opinions, this is his fault.

Michael Steele- The hip Republican
The new chairman of the party has made a lot of noise recently. The Black, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, election was viewed by many as a transparent attempt to reach out to minorities in America. Although this played a role in his election, certainly no more than Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, Steele brings much more to the table than just the color of his skin. He is an articulate new face for the party, something we desperately need. Besides, he’s from Maryland; I have to show him love. Although he has had some awkward moments, with forced lingo like, “straight up,” he has a bright future if he can come across as genuine.