How Will Conservatives Fare With a Democratic Congress in 2009?
Monday November 10, 2008
As they watch Democrats sharpen their claws and prepare to implement one of the most liberal agendas in American history, conservatives are understandably nervous.
Will Republicans be able to stop the more liberal aspects of the Democratic agenda? Will the new Congress become a rubber stamp for the Barack Obama administration's legislative initiatives? What are the Democratic priorities facing Congress in Obama's first 100 days?
In the coming weeks, we'll attempt to answer the most frequently asked questions about the fallout from last week's election. Today, we analyze the legislative priorities of Democratic leaders to find out what conservatives can expect in the first year of the 111th Congress.
More on the Transition of Power:
Comments
Okay, I have a few issues with this latest post:
“Undoubtedly, this rhetoric has emboldened Osama bin Laden…”
Funny you should say that, considering how Osama bin Laden was reportedly looking forward to a McCain presidency. I’m sorry, but I fail to see how attacking our *actual* enemies where they *actually* are, ending torture (which was what McCain was going to do anyway), and improving our poor global reputation “emboldens” bin Laden.
“…it appears — for the moment, anyway — that Republicans have not lost their ability to filibuster. That’s a huge relief…”
Yeah, because God forbid the 111th Congress actually make progress on reversing some of George Bush’s disastrous policies. A partisan gridlock is SO much more productive.
“What will the White House be like with Obama — and *gulp* — Joe Biden in it?”
This one made me laugh, because McCain’s running mate was far more terrifying than Obama’s. Republicans are in big trouble if Wasilla Barbie is their best hope for 2012.
“If they expect to regroup over the next four years, they’ll need to strike a more inclusive tone that will appeal to young conservatives and right-leaning independents.”
Here’s another suggestion (and this isn’t aimed at you, Justin): stop encouraging ignorance. If the Republicans continue to proudly proclaim themselves to be the cornpone no-nothing party, then Barack Obama has already secured my vote for his reelection.
Typical.
Shouldn’t your blog be asking how THE COUNTRY will fare with a Democratic Congress?!!
Self-important, egocentric, power-hungry monsters.
Actually, no. The name of this site is US Conservative Politics and Perspectives. That means my job is to write about politics as it relates to conservatives. Just doing my job.
But your comment certainly shows what’s wrong with our country, and how national politics can become so divisive so quickly. It’s ignorant people like you, childishly calling people they disagree with names, who ruin politics and create partisanship.
Good job!
OK, Robert. Let’s look at this stuff another way.
Yesterday, Osama bin Laden released the first statement he’s released in months basically saying that now that Obama has been elected, he’s ready to outdo 9/11. He said months ago that McCain was his pick, you’re right about that, but do you honestly think we can believe a single word he has to say? I certainly don’t. As for attacking our enemies where they actually are — I’m all for it. As for hunting down bin Laden like we should have — I’m excited about it. I’m not even bothered by the fact that while Obama promised to bring home the troops from Iraq, it appears that he’s bringing them to Afghanistan instead. I find it weird, but I’m not opposed to it. I do, however, believe that once we’re “out” of Iraq, al Queda will move its operations there instead of Afghanistan. The reason we haven’t left Iraq yet is because the Iraqi troops are not ready to defend themselves. Many of them don’t want to fight or still lack the necessary training. Trust me, it’s a problem.
On filibustering. Perhaps you agree with the radical liberal agenda the Democrats have proposed, and that’s fine if you do, but some of us don’t. Losing the ability to filibuster basically removes any debate — and agree or not — that’s always a bad thing. Would it be a bad thing if Republicans were in control and Democrats had no filibuster? As Sarah Palin would say — “You betcha.”
Speaking of Palin — love her or hate her — she’s got nothing to do with the new administration and the new Congress. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of Biden. I don’t like his politics or his personality. Some people compare him to LBJ, but he doesn’t have the leadership that say a Hillary Clinton has. I mean, not even the Democrats wanted him anywhere close to the Oval Office. He was one of the first people to exit the race because he had virtually no popular support. If — Godforbid — something should happen to Obama, this country will be worse off with Biden. It actually sends a shiver down my spine just thinking about it.
On your last point, I think we’re agreed. We may disagree about the players, but Republicans need to focus on policy for awhile and not morality. They need to be the party of ideas, not the party of rhetoric. As for voting for Obama — we’ll see. I actually voted for Clinton in his second term, so I’m not willing to count Obama out, and I sincerely wish him the best, but I vote on conscience, not rhetoric.
Thanks for your respectful comments, though. At least you didn’t call me names. I don’t mind disagreement, but I do mind malice.
You say at one point in your post that “[t]he other major initiative will be to fix the broken No Child Left Behind Act, which has turned the American education system into a paper-work bureaucracy for administrators, a testing nightmare for students and a troublesome obstacle for teachers, who are forced to ‘teach to the test.’”
Funny you should mention that. NCLB was one of President Bush’s initiatives, and it was passed by a Republican Congress. Now it needs “fixing”.
Hey Bob,
I realize that NCLB was one of President Bush’s initiatives. As I’ve said a thousand times (hundreds on this site alone), I’ve never been a fan of George Bush’s. For some reason, liberals seem to think that Bush was somehow a hero for all conservatives. Let me set the record straight: he was not. He was a terrible spender-of-money. I would say the worst of all time, except for the fact that Obama has now taken that mantle. As for NCLB, sometimes a bad idea is just a bad idea … regardless of who puts it forward. But, if you’re trying to point out some inconsistency on my part, you’ll have to try again. I’ve never voted for a Bush in my life, and No Child Left Behind was one of his worst programs.