But in reality, what the nation is watching is the disintegration of the Goldwater-Reagan ascendency, a conservative surge that came to dominate and define national politics over the past 30 or so years.
Consider these three points of evidence: the GOP is now intellectually bankrupt — obstructionism is its only legislative strategy and tactic. Republican economic and tax policies have been proven to be destructive in the long run — even Reagan Democrats now understand this. And the party has not been able to field a presidential candidate behind whom the faithful can rally.
Mitt Romney, of course, leads the remaining gang of four in delegates. And while there is a chance he may yet still be derailed, his organization and financial firepower will most likely power him on to more split decisions and unsatisfying victories until the nomination is his.
Romney's weapon of choice is the negative television ad. It's not a call to vote for Romney, it's a plea to vote against Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. In this he mirrors the party he hopes to lead: stand for nothing but oppose everything.
There are certainly many reasons not to vote for Santorum and Gingrich, but is there any reason to vote for Romney?
Romney is the personification of Republican establishment politics, and those politics stink.
Related:
Tax time?, How is Obama doing?, A fool for everyone, More 
- Tax time?
State House of Representatives leaders have served the Commonwealth well with their austere new budget: they have shown us the tremendous sacrifices we will need to make, and the drastic cuts that will be put into effect, if we don't raise new revenues.
- How is Obama doing?
In response to a question from Oprah Winfrey about how he would grade his time in office, President Barack Obama gave himself a "solid B-plus."
- A fool for everyone
Time to dispose of a few inconsequential gubernatorial candidates.
- Poor reception
The right loves to rant against the "liberal-media elite," but there's one key media sector where the conservative id reigns supreme: talk radio.
- Impeach John Roberts
It is time for an enterprising and courageous member of the US House of Representatives to file articles of impeachment against the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Roberts. The charge: lying under oath.
- Workin' man blues
Election years are always times of high anxiety for politicians. That may explain why they say and do so many stupid things.
- Oil, oil, everywhere
It is not enough that British Petroleum’s wounded oil well in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico continues to bleed millions of gallons of viscous crude oil, killing marshes that could offer protection from future hurricanes, destroying habitats for migrating birds, fouling coastal commercial-fishing grounds.
- Political pig pile
For some time now, we at Casa Diablo have been aware of what is either a heinous conspiracy involving the timing of local news revelations or just another unfair law of nature.
- Gonna change directions
That’s not intended as a negative reflection on the Son of God, who can’t be held responsible for the deficiencies in Beardsley’s early campaign style.
- Saving America from itself
The nation’s inability to regulate the corporate class is bringing death, destruction, and economic ruin.
- The birth of conservative talk radio
Providence cultural center AS220 is kicking off its latest season of "Action Speaks!" roundtable discussions. The theme for this fall's chats: "What's Eating Us?," a look at the patterns of consumption that precipitated the economic crash — and may help us get out.
- Less
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The Editorial Page
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