WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS???

As I have said before, and on more than one occasion, should the Republican Party successfully avoid what has become their standard practice of ever so skillfully snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and actually end up being fortunate enough to gain for themselves complete control of Congress, their window of opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that they’re doing so was worth the risk, will be a very narrow one.

And so it is then that these days I find myself in the rather unusual position of actually agreeing with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy recently warned that the GOP must make "radical changes" in the next two years if it does in fact succeed in taking control of the House and the Senate as a result of the midterm elections. It’s either that, he says, or the party will lose the 2016 presidential race. He’s correct in his assessment.

It was while speaking to a group of donors that McCarthy was heard to say, "I do know this, if we don’t capture the House stronger, and the Senate, and prove we could govern, there won’t be a Republican president in 2016." McCarthy’s plan is to build bridges with Republican senators so that they can reach the voters with one voice, and he’s already been talking to South Dakota Sen. John Thune about strengthening ties between the two chambers.

It’s been through a series of interviews that McCarthy has said, "My belief is you have one chance to make a first impression." He has also said, "From the very first day after the election, we should be laying out to the American public what the expectations are. Why make two different agendas?" Now while what he says does make a great deal of sense, it’s a very rare occasion when you see the actions of Republicans matching up with the rhetoric.

McCarthy says that there’s a "75 percent" chance the GOP will take the Senate, while noting that it the Democrats maintain control of the upper chamber it will be a tough time for him personally and the public. He said, "If it stays Democratic, it’s going to be a frustrating time." McCarthy may be overstating his party’s chances a bit, but he’s right about the consequences to be faced if the Democrats are able to maintain their control of the Senate.

The thing is, the task that McCarthy has set for himself and his party will not be an easy one, because it’s a sure thing that the Democrats will begin to construct every type of roadblock imaginable right after it becomes official that ‘Dingy Harry’ is out of his job. And if the Republicans hope to meet with any amount of success over the course of the next two years, then they will need to grow both a spine and a rather sizeable pair of cojones. Otherwise, what we’re hearing from McCarthy will amount to little more than just words.