Inside two sides of the GOP

The most fascinating thing in politics right now is the infighting int he GOP as they try to find themselves and regroup after being rebuked by voters in 2012. It wasn't exactly a landslide election for the Dems, but considering the state of the economy and mood of the country, the failure to unseat Obama was massive one.
Now we see two different approaches moving forward. One, best exemplified by Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey is to moderate extreme stances on social issues and relent on the manaical assault on the credibility of government as a whole. Make no mistake, CC is still conservative, but he is strategic and effective as a con governing a very blue state. He has established great cross party cred and is well liked across the political spectrum, something few others in the GOP can say.
The 2nd approach to being rebuffed is best shown by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. The js from the bluegrass state and scion of the biggest name in libertarian circles has lead the charge from the teaparty/isolationist wing of the GOP base. In contrast to "establishment" pols like Christie, Paul sees government and corporate synergy as a huge problem and has launched a zealous crusade against the growth of big government and big business in the name of individual liberty. His support is more fevereant than Christie, but unless he can expand his message beyond the older, predominatly white, fox news watching crowd, his method of doubling down on isolationist conservatism is doomed to fail at the pols.
And that is not just my idealogical opinion, it is a demographic certainty in 21st Century America.
Unless they can broaden their tent to draw in more young people, the lgbt community, and minorities, who are currently shunning the GOP in astonishing numbers, the 2010 midterms will stand as the highwater mark of Paul's brand of libertarian conservatism. The Tea Party will surely be remembered fondly for generations by those politically left behind, similar in a manner as Pickett's charge was (and is) viewed by those with confederate sympathies after the civil war. The high water mark of a glorius lost cause for a demographic out of time, out of power, and out of new ideas.

No Debate on PATRIOT ACT in Senate

The US Senate did something it rarely does today. Both parties agreed to swiftly end debate and bring a bill up for a yes/no vote without getting wrapped up in deliberation and amendments. Cloture was brought to end debate on a bill to extend provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (including the portion that authorizes roaming wiretaps) that were set to expire if no action was taken by Friday.

In a 74-8 vote; with 18 being too afraid, lazy, or corrupt to participate, a bipartisan supermajority with the support of leadership in both parties voted to extend the all out assault on privacy and civil liberties that has been going on in this Country for nearly a decade.

I would like to take the time to personally extend my thanks and gratitude to the 8 brave Senators who stood up to power and party in boldly voting no, the rest of the lot today acted like traitors and cowards.

The 8 NO Votes:

Max Baucus and Jon Tester of Montana

Rand Paul of Kentucky

Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

Dean Heller of Nevada

Jeff Merkley of Oregon

Bernie Sanders of Vermont

These men and women, 4 Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 1 Socialist deserve our support and admiration. And of course we must also take the time to remember former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who voted against the original heinous bill and no doubt would have once again authentically stood up for liberty if he hadn’t been so unfairly smeared and steamrolled out of the Senate in the 2010 Wave.