Republicans in Trouble

After losing two national elections across the map, the Republican Party has now found itself in need of repair.

The gains Republicans made in the 1990s and in the early part of this decade have been wiped out. The George Bush victories of 2000 and 2004 are now a thing of the past, as the Democrats completely swept power back into their favor.

In 2006 and 2008 when we had our midterm and presidential elections, you saw red Bush states flock over to the Democrats in massive numbers. Both times around, they were historic sweeps.

In 2006, the Democrats won Senate seats in a lot of those moderate swing states of 2004. They won in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Virginia. In addition, there was a Senate gain for the Democrats in Montana which is a red state.

It was thanks to those five states in particular that the power swung back to the Democrats in the Senate for 2006. It was the same story in the House, but just different states.

A lot of the House gains were in places such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky-where ever manufacturing jobs were lost. In addition, that was the election there were more signs of Democratic growth and Republican decay in western states, as well as the northeast.

In 2008, when we had our presidential election and Barack Obama won, the Republicans really got blown away in those two areas mentioned above.

In the west, it was a landslide. John McCain and Congressional Republicans lost in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, where an increasing number of Hispanics lived. People argued that Obama and Democrats would have prospered in Arizona too if McCain was not the Senator from there.

Then in the northeast, we are at the point where the Republicans don't even exist anymore. McCain didn't win one northeast state in 2008-let alone never competed in one. McCain literally never even went up to the northeast, unless it was New Hampshire. National Republicans did the same thing.

Another thing about northeast Republicans is there are none of them left. After the 2008 election and Senator Arlen Specter's party switch, the Republicans are basically extinct.

Congressionally in the House, there isn't one Republican in New England. None in Maine, none in New Hampshire, none in Massachusetts, none in Connecticut, none in Rhode Island and none in Vermont. In addition, Republicans are becoming more endangered in the northeast states of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Not many Republicans there either.

In the Senate, it is the same story. With Arlen Specter switching, there are no Democratic Senators in every northeast state, except New Hampshire (which soon might not be the case) and Maine. But every other state, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Maryland have no Republican Senators. Not one.

Then in swing states, Republicans are becoming more endangered. There are some swing states where there will be no Republican Senators. Missouri, Ohio, New Hampshire and Florida are the big examples. In addition, other swing states like Colorado and Nevada have all Democratic Senators.

Some of these swing states even are in danger of having the two Democratic Senators and a Democratic governor. Colorado and New Mexico already do. But so could Missouri, Ohio and New Hampshire.

It is becoming clear that the Republicans are becoming a one regional party-the southeast. They have been prosperous out there, but there are even some House seats where they've had to fight for their money, such as a Mississippi and Louisiana seat.

Coming up in 2010, it won't get any easier for the Republicans. Right now Republicans are associated with Rush Limbaugh and right wing talk radio, as well as Fox News, which is just as far right.

Republicans are seen as anti-poor, anti-middle class, anti-union, anti-blue collar and just about anti-everything that isn't rich, Christian and white. Notice why the Republicans have only won the south and the corn belt Midwest.

In 2010, the Republicans face another tidal wave in the Senate. Seats such as Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio are ground zero once again for Democratic pickups. Assuming Republicans don't win in any state held by Democrats; Democrats will have about 65 or so seats. That would be a total landslide of historic proportions for the Democrats beating up on Republicans.

However, there is one role model they could all look up to right now and that is Governor Charlie Crist of Florida. Right now, Crist enjoys high approval ratings from his state, despite a real toxic atmosphere for the rest of the Republican.

The reason for that is because Crist is a sound moderate. Crist supported Obama's stimulus, he is known for working across party lines to accomplish stuff for his state citizens. Crist is a good guy and doesn't show bitterness when appearing on the TV. The Republicans of Florida would be wise to nominate Crist over the right wing candidate, or that state will tip over as well.

Republicans have to face it. Their era of right wing extremist politics is over. This country has started to shift more toward center left, instead of center right.

The politics of big business, corporate elitism and breaks for the rich, as well as anti-poor and middle class policies for the Republicans will have to end. They have a choice. They could change and become competitive again, or they could lose by appealing to Fox News' audience and agenda.

The choice is up to them.