Let’s stop pretending, folks — the Republican Party has perfected the art of losing without even being forced onto the battlefield. We claim to be the party of limited government, freedom, and constitutional values, but when it comes time to actually wield power, what do we do? We hand the playbook, the whistle, and the flag — to the other team. Nothing proves this embarrassing addiction more than how we treat the Senate Parliamentarian’s office.
Here’s the fact that should make every Republican furious: Democrats appoint Parliamentarians. Then when Republicans take control of the Senate, our leaders just… keep them. No strategy. No effort to secure the procedural advantage that’s rightfully ours. Just a shrug and a hope that somehow the appointee of the other side will call it down the middle. That’s not statesmanship — that’s surrender.
Look at Elizabeth MacDonough. Appointed by Harry Reid in 2012. Republicans win the majority in 2015 — and what does Mitch McConnell (Republican, Kentucky; Majority Leader 2015–2021) do? He keeps her. No change. When Democrats regain control in 2021, does Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York; Majority Leader 2021–2025) replace her? Not at all. Schumer keeps her too — just like Reid did — because they’re more than happy to stick with the Parliamentarian who’s been at the center of rulings that have blocked conservative priorities. And now Republicans have retaken the majority with John Thune (Republican, South Dakota; Majority Leader since January 3, 2025) — and what did he do? He kept her too. No surprise. Same movie. Same ending. Same failure.
This isn’t an oversight. This is what we do. And it’s been happening for decades. Charles L. Watkins. Floyd M. Riddick. Alan Frumin. Democrats picked them, and GOP leaders consistently left them in place during Republican majorities. Over and over, we voluntarily tie one hand behind our back.
And let’s be clear why this matters: The Parliamentarian isn’t just some neutral referee handing out procedural guidance. Their interpretations shape what can and can’t get passed. The Byrd Rule? Reconciliation? These are judgment calls, and they decide whether Republican priorities move forward or get tossed aside. Yet we keep leaving Democratic appointees in charge, knowing full well what that means for our agenda.
Meanwhile, look at how Democrats operate. When Robert Dove, a Republican appointee, held the office? They didn’t hesitate. In 1987 — replaced. In 2001 — fired on the spot by Tom Daschle. Democrats understand the stakes. They play to win. They don’t worry about polite applause from pundits. They protect their ability to advance their policies. We could learn a thing or two — if we had the nerve.
Here’s the core issue: Republican leaders are so scared of being called partisan, so desperate to be seen as fair, that we throw away our own tools for victory. We have every right to appoint a Parliamentarian who will fairly and expertly interpret the rules — but we choose not to. We are more afraid of media criticism than we are of losing the policy battles that matter to the future of this country.
It’s time we stop congratulating ourselves for being “above the fray” while we get outmaneuvered at every turn. The American people don’t send Republicans to Washington to politely lose. They send us there to fight for their values — and that means using every lawful advantage at our disposal. Until we do, we’ll keep watching our priorities stall, while Democrats thank us for making their job easier.
