Fear Grips Democrats in November 2009
When the polls close tonight, and the returns begin to show Republican and conservative dominance in New Jersey, Virginia and upstate New York, the Democrats will say it doesn't matter.
Rather than admit they're worried and acknowledge that perhaps they should be more inclusive in their legislative affairs -- as President Barack Obama promised they would a year ago -- they'll smugly tell you that the president's agenda wasn't on any of the ballots cast today, and that these elections were about local issues.
I beg to differ. While it may be true that not a single national race was on the ballot today, national politics was definitely on voters' minds.
I'm not sure how different Pennsylvania is from New Jersey, Virginia or upstate New York, but I do think there are more similarities between them than differences. After working a polling place this morning, and hearing what Republicans and Democrats had to say about why they turned out, I'm not so sure I buy ol' Tip O'Neill's argument anymore ("All politics is local").
That's because the number one issue today among the folks I spoke with was the economy. This is significant because not a single national race was on the ballot today. Pennsylvanians were retaining and electing state judges and justices, school board members, township supervisors and jury commissioners. And, yet, it was national politics that motivated them.
So, when I hear Democrats talking about how these races don't really matter for the president, that this isn't a report card on his progress (or lack thereof), I'm more doubtful about it today than I was yesterday.
And I was pretty doubtful yesterday.
If this were indeed the case, I doubt the president would have put so much time and so many resources into a special election for a single Congressional race in upstate New York or would have campaigned so heartily for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia. The president knows what's at stake here. Don't let his minions insult your intelligence by telling you otherwise.
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Comments
Justin –
“the returns begin to show Republican and conservative dominance in New Jersey, Virginia and upstate New York, the Democrats will say it doesn’t matter.”
Well, let’s see how that panned out:
New Jersey has voted against the party in power in Washington in their sequential off-year election since 1985. And a three point win hardly demonstrates “dominance”.
Virginia has voted against the party in power in Washington in their sequential off-year election for the past 40 years. McDonnell ran as a moderate, often praising Obama. Think about it. He felt that he had to run as a moderate in order to win. In Virginia.
NY-23, Hoffman lost. As you predicted, to your credit. However, it hardly demonstartes conservative dominance.
IOW, yes, the election of Barack Obama has not changed historical voting trends. Except, of course, in CA-10. Not.
I fear that Republicans are taking exactly the wrong message out of these elections. There will probably be gains in House seats in 2010, However, the way to go is not ‘more conservative’. It may appeal to some conservative Independents, but it will not win consistent majorities. They need to go wider, not deeper. I’ve seen it before, here in Illinois. The Illinois Republican Party turned out a sitting moderate Senator to endorse a more conservative candidate, And helped elect Barack Obama.
On a personal note, I find a headline like “Fear Grips Democrats” more appropriate for Harlequin Romance.com than a proper forum like about.com:US Conservatives. As a fellow tripod, I find it unseemly. Kindly consider more appropriate headlines like “Tension filled the air like peanut brittle” or “Acid reflux ruins Democratic dinner”. For your consideration.
I don’t think you’re exactly in tune with your fellow libs, there RT. It’s not just the pubs that are, in your opinion “taking the wrong message” away from these elections.
For example:
http://usliberals.about.com/b/2009/11/04/president-obama-watched-basketball-while-democrats-got-drubbed.htm
And I wouldn’t hold my breath about me changing my headlines any time soon. Sorry, but this is an opinion site WITH an agenda. I appreciate the suggestion, but must flatly reject it. Just callin’ it like I see it, and I don’t like to water down my headlines (My favorite recent headline: “House Dems Pimp Out Climate Change for Tax Money” — appropriate, factual and to the point), although I might occasionally.
Certainly, I think the headline in this case is warranted. As you can see from the article linked above, fear is clearly gripping Democrats in November 2009.
Justin –
“It’s not just the pubs that are, in your opinion “taking the wrong message” away from these elections.”
Excellent! We are in agreement. And your point is made. US Liberals is just as bad. Was that supposed to be probative?
“Sorry, but this is an opinion site WITH an agenda.”
Could you state that agenda? Possibly with a mission statement? Would that agenda be conservative? Or partisan? If partisan, you might consider a change to the name of the site.
Is your goal to rouse the sleeping far right wing masses? Do you wish to preach to the choir? If you want to do Hannity-lite? There are plenty of other competitors who are heavy of feelings and light on facts. Surely you aren’t trying to convert anyone to the correctness of your cause. I have no idea what traffic to this site is like.
There is nothing inherently conservative about over-hyping a local Congressional race where the vote count barely made six digits. There is nothing inherently conservative about speculating about the opposing party’s state of mind. Were it not for cable news, nobody would have noticed. As it is, I doubt that anyone is going to remember much in 6 months.
And there is nothing inherently conservative about crowing about “Republican and conservative dominance” before the votes are in. In fact, it’s an almost liberal trait, as your link showed. Yes, your headlines are worse than hyperbole. They are blond.
Please yourself. It’s your blog.
Thanks for giving me your permission, RT. I feel gratified that I now can do as I please. What a relief!