Questionable Strategy

(Editorial cartoon by Lee Judge / The Kansas City Star (February 20, 2012)and featured at McClatchy DC. Click on image to enlarge.)















(Political cartoon by David Horsey (2/20/12) and published by the Los Angeles Times. Click on image to enlarge.)

No, I haven't gone off the rails with my obsession for political cartoons. It's just that nearly every one I checked out the past couple of days had essentially the same theme and the same mocking tone. These two were the best and both got published on the same day.

Apparently the Republicans have decided that campaigning on the economy isn't real viable right now because the economy is beginning to improve. Corporate profits are up and unemployment is down, if only a little bit. So, instead, they've settled on "social issues." It appears to be working for Rick Santorum right now, and the rest of the party has decided to get on board.

David Horsey thinks that's a dangerous strategy, and I happen to agree with him. His focus, as the cartoon illustrates, is on Rep. Issa's poorly designed House hearing on the birth control issue.

Republicans are trying hard to play this dispute to their advantage and win over religious voters, but they are not playing it smart. President Obama has already blunted most of the impact this issue might have among Catholic voters by compromising on the coverage requirement. As a result, Republicans do not seem to be gaining much traction with their accusations of an attack on religion, except among voters who are already on their side. But they are succeeding in scaring off independent females who are beginning to believe the real Republican agenda is to turn back the clock and limit access to contraceptives. [Emphasis added]

I think the Republicans are scaring off moderates of both sexes who have come to accept and appreciate contraceptives as part of their intimate lives. And it might also be scaring off the libertarian and Tea Party wings who don't want the government in their lives, much less their bedrooms.

But, hey! Have at it GOP. Ignore Mr. Horsey's very sage suggestion:

Republicans should check their calendars and take note that the year is 2012, not 1912.

Some lessons just never get learned.