Gutless

I'm not gonna lie to you by saying I'm shocked that the GOP Senate majority failed to pass a measure to repeal (or even reform) Obamacare. Despite controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, the Republicans appeared to have found a way to bungle their 7-year quest to rid America of that monstrosity. Heck, they also controlled all of D.C. from 2003 thru 2007, yet managed to increase the size and scope of government in that span. Yes, there's definitely recent precedence for GOP ineptitude in Washington.

What I truly do not understand is why the GOP doesn't have confidence in their ability to carry a coherent message. It's obvious Obamacare is failing. That's not even debatable anymore. And the Congressional Budget Office's projections of 22 million people "losing" coverage via the AHCA is a chanting point which woefully lacks nuance and can be easily slapped down with facts. Despite that, some Republicans (particularly the moderate ilk of Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, John McCain et al) merely seem content to make O-care "suck less." Hardly an inspiring message.

Say what you want about the Dems, but they were willing to suffer catastrophic losses at the ballot box by passing Obamacare in early 2010. Some speculate that it was intentional this massive entitlement package (which took over 1/6 of the U.S. economy) would be such a bureaucratic nightmare that it could never be undone. But in the event O-Care did fail? Well then, the progressive dream of single payer can finally become a reality, which would indicate the left was willing to endure short-term election losses to achieve this long-term goal. If Republicans have even a scintilla of that type of conviction, they should be willing to do everything in their power to thwart any possibility that single payer will emerge.

In the end, it appears many Congressional Republicans only exert boldness and conviction when they're the minority party. Failure to make good on a promise which led to substantial victories 3 of the past 4 election cycles could well render them minority status for the foreseeable future.

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