Well, it’s not looking good for the Republicans. As of this writing, they’ve lost the house and the senate still hangs precariously in the balance. If there is any saving grace, it is only that it has not been the bloodletting that some have predicted, though it has been worse than I’d hoped.
I do have a few thoughts on the night that I’d like to share.
- We have a handful of talented Republicans that have lost or may still lose that I still expect greater things from because of their worthiness. Chief among these are Maryland’s Michael Steele and Missouri’s Jim Talent.
- This election, in my opinion, showed less as a referendum on Iraq and more as a testament to the continuing strength of the mainstream media. For an example, please check the ability of the MSM to trump up stories about Foley and Macaca while downplaying frozen bribery money and improving economic trends. If right wing blogs made a ripple, it was generally unnoticed by the masses during the tempest.
- In many ways, the GOP congressional leadership deserves this for their spineless behaviour. After the 2004 election, serious reforms should have moved forward; instead, the likes of Frist and Hastert fiddled.
- On the bright side, the Dems are now in positions of leadership. Okay, that’s not much of a bright side but it could be key for 2008 so bear with me. The party of Nancy Pelosi, John Conyers and Charles Rangel now will be expected to actuall lead. No more 20/20 hindsight on military efforts, no more constant second guessing, and a year of constant investigations is a loser approach heading into the next presidential election cycle. The Dems will now have to actually present something — anything — and it will have to be a serious proposal. They will have to turn their Iraq drawdown and timeline slogans into something that is not a cut-and-run defeat and, believe you me, John Murtha’s Okinawa statements will not see the light of day in any serious attempt. Right now, I’d like to issue the Dems two challenges: first, let Rangel, destined apparently to be chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, bring forth his draft legislation that he has repeatedly submitted rather than letting it continue to languish as an email threat; and second, match the Republicans on their own internal ethics rules. After that, lead away and let’s see where you try to take us.
- Well, at least tonight’s results should lay to rest the claims of a fascistic Bush-Rove state that several on the far left had claimed … but it won’t.
That’s it for now. Good night folks, and let’s see what tomorrow may bring. I ain’t optimistic about the path we’ve chosen right now.
