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- All is not quiet in conservative America. Sure, Republicans are in an excellent position heading into the 2014 midterm elections-the President's approval ratings are low, and Democrats are being forced to defend more vulnerable Senate seats-but the right can't seem to stop fighting with itself.
- First there was Arizona, where governor Jan Brewer, under intense pressure from business interests and establishment Republicans, vetoed a bill giving the state's approval to discrimination against gay people. A happy ending, but an uncomfortable few days for a party trying to shed its image of intolerance.
- Then yesterday, a group of Tea Partiers celebrated the fifth anniversary of the movement with an event on Capitol Hill, at which many gleeful pledges for future infighting were made. "It would probably come as little surprise to Mr. Boehner," reported the New York Times, "that one of the biggest applause lines for the Tea Party crowd on Thursday was when Representative Tim Huelskamp of Kansas called for the speaker's removal."
- When Representative Dave Camp unveiled the latest Republican tax proposal yesterday, it contained a surprising number of specific provisions, including the elimination of special tax status for hedge fund managers and an increase in taxes on banks. Wall Street, as always putting the country's interests above its own, has officially freaked out. "Private equity and investment firms in New York are telling key Republican players in D.C. that commitments for big-dollar fundraising have been 'canceled for the foreseeable future,' according to one GOP lobbyist with knowledge of the conversations."
- But they don't have to worry. When he was asked about the particulars of Camp's plan, Speaker Boehner responded, "Blah, blah, blah," signaling his intense interest in working through the details and passing a bill. For his part, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell already said there is "no hope" of tax reform passing this year.
- Things are just as problematic out in the heartland. The Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives has voted to decriminalize ticket scalping, angering Mitt Romney endorser Kid Rock, who, despite his fondness for wealthy candidates, works hard to keep his concert ticket prices affordable for fans. Perhaps he ought to consider other ways to fight for what he believes in. How does "Governor Rock" sound?
