"In November 2008, the American people voted for change. In the two years since then, Democrats have worked hard to rebuild America's economy and renew the American Dream." But tonight, voters sent a message that change has not happened fast enough."
Kaine is correct, but I'm not sure his party really understands why or how. Hopefully they will learn it in the next two years. The voters who really decide elections, who are not ideologically bound before they every look at a candidate, are like a mass of people trapped in a room that is growing warmer and warmer. Every time someone sees a possible exit, they all rush to it. "Try the Democrats!" "Try Obama." "Try the Tea Party!" "Try the Republicans." Now the Republicans ARE "Washington." Watch out for what happens two years from now. I'm not saying the tide will be Democratic. I'm just saying, watch out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point Siarlys. I think what we will see is the more moderate Democrats distancing themselves further from President Obama and his agenda. Perhaps even some hard left leaning ones will moderate to some extent. As for what will happen in two years-who knows.
ReplyDeleteGood analogy and observations but there is another point: The country will remember what happens when the Left governs. They may not have good long term memory but long enough to keep the far Left out of power for more than a few election cycles.
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Cabbie, I don't think "moderate" or "left" are adequate terms to define anyone, just as I don't find "extreme" particularly enlightening. With those terms set aside, maybe you and I could get together for lunch next time I visit my sister's family in da Bronx.
ReplyDeleteMiggie, voters actually have a very short term memory. President Obama was not speaking inaccurately when he said that the guys who drove our car into the ditch want us to give them the keys back again. But, voters generally want to know "What have you done for me lately?"
I had higher hopes for the Obama administration than he has delivered, but there is no point in blaming Republicans for doing something that, from their viewpoint, worked. Nor is there any point in insulting voters who thought it good to try this path. I doubt that the next two years will be particularly inspiring for any of us.
Many times voters do forget ... specifics. They do remember things in a general sense such as things were bad under Jimmy Carter but they don't recall the double digit interest rates. They recall the hostages in Iran and the feeling of helplessness but perhaps not the failed rescue attempt. They remember Truman and Kennedy fondly for one general reason or another.
ReplyDeleteI think the time under Obama will be remembered as outrageous generally. Too many people are having a hard time and he will be blamed for implementing socialistic policies that made the economy worse.
People who are raped or forced to accept something they don't want (Obamacare, for example) aren't likely to forget. We'll have to wait to see what kind of legacy Obama leaves and we may only have to wait 2 more years to find out.
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Miggie, every survey of public opinion, for whatever they are worth, show more people who are disappointed the health care bill didn't go far enough, than people who think it over-reached.
ReplyDeleteevery survey of public opinion, for whatever they are worth, show more people who are disappointed the health care bill didn't go far enough, than people who think it over-reached.
ReplyDeleteLast I read, it was 2-1 in favor of people who thought that the problem was that it didn't go far enough.
Siarlys,
ReplyDelete"Miggie, every survey of public opinion, for whatever they are worth, show more people who are disappointed the health care bill didn't go far enough, than people who think it over-reached."
I don't know where you get your polling info. I Googled polls on ObamaCare and got the exact opposite information.
http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2010/11/05/obamacare-repeal-gains-polls
http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2010/09/16/what-the-negative-polls-on-obamacare-really-tell-us/
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/can-republicans-read-polls-obamacare
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/57588
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Siarlys, beware of Miggie's links to nowhere. They often don't say what he says that they're saying. A quick look at these seems to indicate that he's up to his old tricks again.
ReplyDeleteThe first and the last seem to be the exact same article as well.
The poll to which I referred is referenced here in this article. Warning: my links actually say what I claim they're saying.
Thanks Lance. It's good someone knows their facts around here. Disraeli said something insightful about Miggie once.
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