Thus far the race for the Republican presidential nomination has largely been a story of disappointment. Many have entered the race with varying levels of experience and ideological purity to core conservative principles, yet Republican voters have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with their choices. Last night Jon Stewart delivered a rather harsh rebuke, arguing the real problem is not the candidates but the Republican base.
Republicans have never truly latched on to the Mitt Romney candidacy over concerns that he is too much of a moderate, or “Obama-lite” as Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) put it. Of particular concern is health care law that Romney signed while governor of Massachusetts, which has many similarities to “ObamaCare.”
A number of candidates have attempted to come forward as the “anti-Romney” candidate, but none have convinced Republicans that they are electable. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) has scared away many with her more extreme views on gay rights and abortion. Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) tried to hand the GOP base some red meat by calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme.” However, Perry quickly found that position was too extreme for independents and moderates and backed away.
Now some are calling for Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) to join the race for the GOP nomination, but Stewart argues that he is unlikely to satisfy the Republican base as well. In the end, Stewart claims the GOP base wants the impossible. They want a candidate who will cut taxes while simultaneously balancing the budget. They want a candidate who will get government out of people’s lives while outlawing gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research. Stewart ends with a clip in which Christie calls the people worried about Sharia law “crazy.” Stewart then leans over the counter and tells the Republican base “He’s talking about you.”
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