Op-Ed: Whose Republican Party Voice, The Plumber, McCain or Limbaugh?

Three men are often in the news these days, getting attention for the Republican party. They may not speak with one voice, but they mostly share the same script. Occasionally one may be more strident, however, depending on the occasion.

Joe the Plumber recently spoke at a major conference of conservatives, the Conservative Political Action Conference. He had a forum actually where he could peddle his book, hoping for great sales, which he didn't get. Joe was part of the mouthpiece for the John McCain camp in late 2008, when the Senator from Arizona had his campaign for the Presidency. He had lots to say, of course. Most of that had to do with condemning Democrats for all sorts of things while Joe spoke for the “common man.” It turned out that Joe hadn't paid all his taxes and wasn't really a licensed plumber after all. Furthermore he couldn't be relied upon to show up at the McCain affairs where he was designated to speak. But no matter, Joe has gone on to bigger and better things, as a writer, journalist, and speaker for all sorts of events with the Republican agenda part of his theme which is mostly Joe dominated. We sally forth to McCain, the big loser of the Presidential campaign. This is the fellow who said he didn't know much about the economy, rushed back to fix it before his big debate with Obama, actually trying to beg off from it, then didn't offer much detail or fresh ideas, according to reports. Now he speaks with authority about pork put forward even by members of his own party for the most part. And although he didn't offer it up, Arizona gets its slice of those extras substantially. Last but not least is Limbaugh. This red-faced, screeching orator-radio jock makes people tremble, and when he criticizes one of them, as he did Michael Steele new Chairman of the Republican party, the latter was forced to verbally grovel, apologizing to the Great One for daring to step out of line. Most of the media seem to be casting their votes for Limbaugh, given his money and power. I believe, however, that old soldiers never die, and McCain, given his hero status and his mighty temper will blare away as sore losers do and non-maverick like will lead the charge to nowhere. That's because nowhere is where the Republicans will end up with any one of these people the voice or in charge.