"In lockstep" is defined in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary as "in perfect or rigid, often mindless, conformity or unison, e.g., politicians marching in lockstep with the party line.
The Republicans in Congress are often accused of operating in lockstep because they vote with almost 95 percent unity on any partisan vote. Democrats are a more unruly bunch, often splitting into factions based on individual conscience. While this is commendable, it presents unique difficulties when faced with a slim majority, such as in the U.S. Senate.
The Republicans have been accused of operating as a rubber stamp for George W. Bush, and this presents unique difficulties due to his low rating in the polls and the unpopularity of the Iraq war, especially concerning the coming national elections.
As President of a public relations and copywriting firm, Cut-It-Out Communications, Inc., I have a somewhat unique view of Republican Party strategy regarding the bill on Children's Health Insurance (CHIP). In order to uncouple the Republican Party's fortune from President Bush, the inner council of the RNC has orchestrated an elaborate dance.
The President will veto the bill and pretend to be philosophically against it, and then the Republicans in Congress, after token resistance from a very few (as well as the Republican candidates for President to demonstrate their loyalty to Bush for primary voters) will prove to be instrumental in overriding the veto.
As a result, even though incapable of speaking out formally against "The Commander-in-Chief," the Republicans will establish their independence from the President in the voters' minds.
As conspiracy theories go, this one is rather tame, but it makes sense for all involved. In addition to improving their chances to keep their jobs, the Republicans also position themselves for an independent race for the White House, reducing the drag from the Bush regime. Bush, from his perspective, isn't running for re-election anyway, and Republican victories increase his chances for prolonging the Iraq war, an effort he clings to with the obstinacy and one-track focus of a lemming throwing itself off a cliff.
Even if this strategy was not pre-determined by the Republicans, it is sure to occur to them informally during the coming weeks.
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- Willy Gissen
- In 2003, Willy Gissen founded Cut-It-Out Communications, a full-service public relations agency based in Hartsdale, New York. His organization specializes in the incorporation of online activities into traditional public relations programs, primarily for business-to-business clients.
These activities include the creation of e-newsletters, the set up and maintenance of internal blogs, and the development of inbound links to maximize a client’s search engine ranking.
See his other articles at public relations instruction, and visit his other blog, New York Times Leader, for an analysis of each morning's lead story.