Republicans getting back to basics, because they have no other choice

It's looking bad for Republicans in the fall. Real bad. Super bad. They are starting to get worried. Scratch that, they are starting to panic. What to do? Start with meetings. On Tuesday, they lost a special election that they should have won. Damage control started right away.

At a tense, private post-mortem Wednesday morning, worried House Republicans demanded that their leadership come up with a plan to stave off potentially devastating losses in November. Republican officials said no leaders or top campaign strategists appeared to be in immediate danger of losing their positions, though in interviews, there was evidence of vast dissatisfaction, frustration and discouragement with the party’s position.

Heads are not rolling yet, but knives are being sharpened. Someone had a bright idea:

Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, said, “We need to, No. 1, prove that we are listening to the American people, and, No. 2, show that we have a plan of action to respond to what they are telling us.”

Yes, listening to the American people is key to getting them to vote for you. Nice to see that Republicans have figured that out. Figuring out a plan of action - also key.

Am I enjoying the Republican meltdown a bit too much? Perhaps. But I'm not going to stop, at least not for a while. Isn't this what campaigns are for, enjoying the competition? As a Barack Obama supporter, I feel a responsibility to be somewhat bipartisan. I have no problem with that. There are a lot of Republicans that I respect. But there are also a fair number that I would like to see gone from public office forever.