Grand Old Predicament

Seems like the GOP leadership is at a crossroads. First, there's the global warming thing. Ever since Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize, Republican hopefuls for president have been torn between acknowledging reality (and thereby complimenting a Democrat) and staying true to President Bush (a tactic that's sure to sink you at this point in time). For example: Fred Thompson has gone from poking fun at the issue to taking it more seriously; John McCain claims to have been a convert since 2001.

As for the flip-flopping Heckle & Jeckle of the GOP primaries?

Mr. Romney and Mr. Giuliani say little about the potential dangers of climate change and almost nothing about curbing emissions of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide. They talk almost exclusively about the need for independence from foreign oil as a necessity for national security...

[snip]

...In the tangled Republican race, Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Romney have been much more hesitant to criticize policies of President Bush, who in his two presidential campaigns said that more study of climate change was needed before imposing restrictions on heat-trapping gases.

Gotta play it safe, y'know?

Speaking of "playing it safe," it also appears that once-passionate GOP donors are holding their purses this time. Why?

Matt Fong, a former California state treasurer, 1998 U.S.
Senate candidate and two-time Bush Pioneer, said that after months of
disappointment in the Republican Party, he had hoped to be recharged by the new
crop of presidential candidates.

"I have yet to get interested in any of them," he said.
"I'm just not happy with the direction of our party. I think we have a huge
credibility problem, which I have not seen any of the candidates show the
ability to rise above..."

[snip]

"...The Republican brand is not selling very well," said Christine Todd Whitman, a former New Jersey governor, Bush Cabinet member and 2004 Ranger. "There are a lot of frustrated people. They are not seeing anybody who has sent them over the top."

Alvin R. "Pete" Carpenter, a former chief executive of CSX Transportation and a Bush Pioneer in 2000, said it was a combination of the Iraq war and the free spending of Republicans when they controlled Congress that slowly drained his enthusiasm for the party. Carpenter, 65, said he has been a lifelong Republican and was a "Goldwater kid." But this year he sent a contribution to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

"I have opted out for all the well-documented reasons that disaffected Republicans use," Carpenter said. "I'm not sure which primary I'll vote in. At the moment I will say I'm keeping my powder dry. It's the first time I'm really a bit confused about what I should be doing, or where the country should be headed."

Hmmm. Well, like I said before: it seems like the GOP leadership is at a crossroads.