Inside the GOP 'civil war': 4 fierce conflicts
It didn't take long for Republican unity to break down after the party's historic victory in the midterms
![Michelle Bachmann battles for the role of Republican Conference chairman, a job that is seen as a steppingstone to higher leadership positions.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gjuTvS8EpmaNTLPS5RkMsj-415-80.jpg)
Just days after their midterm landslide, Republicans are already resuming the internecine bickering that characterized their primaries. The GOP's "civil war" pits long-time, establishment lawmakers, who say they represent the Republican mainstream, against upstart Tea-Party-allied newcomers, who believe they have a mandate to take charge. Here are four battles that have already broken out:
Christine O'Donnell vs. GOP "Cannibals"
What happened: There's no love lost between the insurgent candidate for Delaware's Senate seat and the Republican party. O'Donnell claimed Republican "cannibalism" was responsible for her loss, and went on to say that her unpopularity within the establishment was down to "bruised egos" among "big boys in the Republican party."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What people said: Sorry, Christine, says David C. Wilson at The Huffington Post, but you're the only one to blame for your humiliating loss. You performed badly in debates, mishandled the media, and worst of all "failed to connect with Delaware voters." But don't think that the "populist vs. establishment storyline" finished with the 2010 elections, says Jonah Goldberg at the Houston Chronicle. It will be "back with a vengeance" before 2012, "particularly given the crowded field of potential GOP presidential contenders." It's unlikely that O'Donnell will be among them, though.
Lindsey Graham vs. Jim DeMint
What happened: The Republican Party's failure to win the Senate was the fault of those who pushed Tea Party candidates into running, according to South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham. "Candidates matter," he said. He went on to say that Delaware — where Christine O'Donnell defeated GOP favorite Mike Castle in the primary, only to flounder on Election Day — was a "wake-up call for Republicans." Politico notes that Graham's fellow South Carolina senator, Jim DeMint, is a key figure among the "party purists", and has been accused of hurting the "party's common cause" with his alliance with the Tea Party.
What people said: Senate Republicans should "blame themselves" for not winning the upper chamber, says Erick Erickson at RedState. It didn't "fund a ground game operation" for its candidates, and instead left the money-raising to "Karl Rove." Do people like Graham really think that "Jim DeMint is stupid for siding with the voters," and not the establishment? But in "real world policy terms," say Peter Dreier and Jake Blumgart at The Huffington Post, this spat "doesn't mean anything." Both sides will now "join forces to try to stop Obama and his fellow Democrats from winning any more legislative victories."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Michele Bachmann vs. Jeb Hensarling
What happened: Congress has four key leadership positions, and they all look to have been filled by allies of John Boehner, reports Politico, except the role of conference chairman, which Tea Party favorite Michele Bachmann is said to be keen to fill. However, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) is the "insider's choice," and if Bachmann wants the job she will have to "run an insurgent race" to do it. She is reportedly gathering allies in support of a run.
What people said: Senior House Republicans are keen to keep Bachmann out, says Jon Ward at the Daily Caller. The conference chair is "an elevated platform," and many feel that Bachmann would make "an unserious and unhelpful spokesman for the party." My money's on establishment choice Hensarling, says Stuart Shapiro at Liberaland. "The Republicans want 'change' but despite the rhetoric, they don't want that much change."
Rand Paul vs. the neo-cons
What happened: The newly-elected Kentucky senator pledged to introduce a balanced budget amendment, and conceded that "there's waste in the military budget," which he would work with Democrats to cut. That puts him in opposition to neo-conservative hawks in the Senate who would argue that military spending ought to be sacrosanct.
What people said: Don't forget Paul was endorsed by noted neoconservative hawk Jim DeMint, says Justin Raimondo at AntiWar.com. He moved toward "neoconnish foreign policy positions" while running for senator. "Will he stay true to his nationwide libertarian constituency?" I don't think so. Paul is becoming more and more open about his belief that "government can only be fixed by radically changing it," says Noah Kristula-Green at FrumForum. On the question of cutting defense, he's even suggesting a willingness to partner with Democrats.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - July 25, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - a new forecast, an old bumper sticker, and more
By The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published