Republican't (Cockburn / The Nation)

Republicans in disarray after Arlen Specter’s defection
Alexander Cockburn on Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrats
But picking a battle over Barack Obama’s upcoming nominations for the Supreme Court could provide a road out of the wilderness
By Alexander Cockburn
FIRST POSTED MAY 1, 2009

... A mere 21 per cent of the adult population now identify themselves as Republicans ... Six months ago, 32 per cent of voters in the presidential election identified themselves as Republican.

Since then the Republican leadership has had one dumb idea after another, most conspicuously with the big 'No' on Obama's economic stimulus bill. Amid crisis, they have no ideas, beyond insisting that water-boarding captives is a terrific idea and saved America ...

But at this moment of crisis for the Republicans, there is a ray of hope that matters weightier than silicon implants will come to their rescue. Justice David Souter has announced he is stepping down from the US Supreme Court. At a relatively youthful 69, he says he’s sick of Washington DC and wants to go back to his log cabin in New Hampshire ...

In line behind Souter as candidates for retirement or summary removal by the Reaper are Stevens, who turned 89 on April 20, and Ruth Bader Ginzberg, who just had surgery for pancreatic cancer. Two more liberals. Obama could well be nominating three in his first term. He no longer has the alibi of a threatened Republican filibuster as excuse to pick a 'centrist' ...

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/47317,opinion,republicans-in-disarray-after-arlen-specters-defection-barack-obama-alexander-cockburn