The See-Saw

So, that was a wierd little episode. But very interesting.

For years now the defining characteristic of the national Republican party - and one of the keys to its success - has been its iron discipline. This is best characterized by the House leadership (although I hate to use any non-pejorative term to describe anything about him) of Tom DeLay. Central control is complete, even down to statements of dissent - MOCs from districts where particular DeLay-Authorized [TM] policies or positions are unpopular routinely clear their statements through him, and are allowed to vote against the party line only when it will not endanger DeLay-Authorized [TM] legislation. Such Delay Authorized [TM] dissents are parcelled out as gifts, as are lobbying positions for former staffers, etc. Punishments are severe and certain, and control is complete. This attitude of discipline is consistent throughout the Republican community, including its media arms.

The Alaska Republicans, on the other hand, have always been notable for their lack of discipline. The wacky hijinks 0f Wally Hickel and Jack Coghill come to mind, of course, as do any number of Anchorage mayoral races, where multiple wingnut candidates tore themselves apart, allowing a moderate to take office.

So what does this weekend's Velvet Revolution in the legislature have to say about the state of the Republican majority?

Well, clearly the party discipline message worked in the end, and the punishments will be severe enough so that there is unlikely to be any more seesawing, at least for a while. There is such a thing as too much discipline, though - especially when the folks giving the marching orders are incompetent idealogues. There is a growing sense of pressure to find a long-term fiscal solution to our annual budget "crises," and a growing lack of confidence in the Majority's ability or willingness to do so. Legislators' willingness to toe the party line will start to wane quickly if there is no fiscal plan adopted this session - they'll have their own hides to save.