Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

SUN EDITORIAL:

GOP fear and loathing

Republican presidential candidates pander to base with doom and gloom

Republicans lining up for the 2012 presidential run have started sounding a dour campaign theme: America is on a steep decline and headed for disaster.

Politico.com reported this week that potential candidates are speaking the language of many GOP faithful in key presidential primary states. There is a contingent of conservatives that sees doom and gloom and says the country has lost its stature in the world.

Thus, the Republican presidential contenders have been happy to play to the lowest-common denominator, casting America’s future in dire terms. For example:

• At an Iowa forum for Republican presidential candidates this month, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty played on conservatives’ fear of the national debt. “Just because we followed Greece into democracy doesn’t mean we need to follow them into bankruptcy,” he said.

• On a conservative radio talk show last month, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said President Barack Obama’s views were out of step with the average American because of “his perspective as growing up in Kenya with a Kenyan father and grandfather.” (Never mind that Obama didn’t grow up with his father and paternal grandfather nor did he grow up in Kenya.)

• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich last year accused Obama of having “played a wonderful con” on America by hiding his real views just so he could win the presidency. Gingrich told the conservative National Review Online that Obama was “authentically dishonest” and “fundamentally out of touch with how the world works.”

Well, that just settles things, doesn’t it? But just so we get this straight, let’s review: America might follow Greece into bankruptcy, and the president is a con artist who has pulled the wool over the nation’s eyes.

Seriously? They can’t really believe this stuff, can they?

The truth is that the candidates are being patronizing — not to mention inflaming — to conservative faithful. Some Republicans still believe that Obama isn’t a citizen and actually intends to harm the country, so all of the ridiculous talk of a grand conspiracy — a “wonderful con” — has a receptive audience.

The irony for Republican candidates is they are spreading a belief that the country is headed to hell in a hand basket. It stands to reason that by repeating this type of rhetoric, they’ll undoubtedly bring others to think so as well. If that type of belief spreads, it could potentially become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But America’s future shouldn’t be that sour. History has shown that this nation’s future can be as bright as the people want it to be. Strong leaders have encouraged the country onward to bigger and better things. And this is the time for a strong, positive vision for the country.

The country ought to be creating the future, but that takes not just vision but investment. America needs to put money into important areas — such as education, infrastructure and clean energy — that will pay long-term dividends.

The president has led the country toward a strong future, but has encountered fierce resistance from Republicans. They have focused on nearsighted plans and drastic cuts that will set the country back. Instead of offering vision and leadership, Republicans have preferred to chase conspiracy theories and spread fear.

What a shame, but so goes the Republican Party. Long gone is the optimism of Ronald Reagan, the conservative icon who preached a positive vision of America.

Given that Reagan’s words wouldn’t fly today with Republicans, they should recall another president’s famous words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

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