Posted by
Brett on Saturday, November 11, 2006 2:39:40 AM
I was completely wrong this time. I underestimated the sentiment of
voters who were angry with Republicans after the big win of 2004. After
a couple of days to reflect, gather my thoughts, and read some analysis
of the disastrous day, here is what I have come up with.
If you haven't read Hugh Hewitt's
Townhall article,
check it out. He convincingly lays out the argument that John McCain is
largely responsible for the defeat in the last election. To a large
degree I agree with him. Hewitt points out three key events led by
McCain that helped the Democrats win a huge victory.
The
Republicans were riding high after the crushing victory in 2004 and had
huge momentum. The biggest issue on the plate was the issue of
appointing Judges and crushing the Democrats ability to filibuster. The
"nuclear option" was on the table and we were heading towards
implementing it, putting an end to the unconstitutional use of
filibusters on judicial nominees. Right when the Senate Republicans
were about to use this option, McCain pulled the rug out from
underneath them and, along with the "Gang of 14", made a compromise
with the obstructionist Democrats keeping the filibuster option on the
table. Yes, we did get two fine Supreme Court Judges but the filibuster
is still there for another day. That day has come and it cannot
prevented. Thanks John.
Time after time, Republicans in the
Senate acted like they were in the minority and compromised with the
Democrats. They did not stand with the President and did not pursue
promises made to the voters. The voters gave them a victory on promises
of strong conservatism but instead, they were weak and cowered to the
Democrats on almost every issue.
The House fared little better. They
had opportunities to go on the offensive against corruption but chose
not to. When a Democrat was found with money in his freezer from
illegal payments, Dennis
Hastert
chose to defend one of his fellow Congressmen rather than demand
resignation. The Democrats would not have been so kind. As they have
shown over and over again, at the first sign of scandal they demand
that everyone with an (R) next to their name resign.
The people
grew tired of Republicans who campaigned on conservative principals but
did not back it up with action. Bush is guilty of this as well. He had
many opportunities to go right to the American people and define issues
like the economy (which is great), the war (which is not going
perfectly but huge progress is being made), tax cuts (which are
working) and so on. Instead, he let the media and the Democrats define
these issues.
- Conservatism wins elections.
The past
three elections proved this. Republicans won seats in an historic
midterm election in 2002. The war was part of this but they ran as
conservatives on the heels of tax cuts, defense,
originalism of judges, and so on. They won big in 2004 then stopped being conservative.
Clinton
may have won two Presidential election in the 90's but the House and
the Senate both became Republican because of such things as the
Contract with America. Americans like conservative ideas and
principles. When those ideas and principles are clearly presented to
them, Republicans win big. For the past two years the Republicans acted
like liberals and paid for it. They got lazy. They got complacent with
our money and spent it like crazy. This most recent election was not a
referendum for liberal politics but conservative politics. People
rejected the Republicans because they stopped being conservative, not
because they wanted liberalism.
- Democrats are the party of whiners and cheaters.
It
is amazing how there were no accusations of cheating involved. When
Republicans lose, they concede and move on. When Democrats lose, they
whine and sue anyone and everyone. I guarantee that there would have
been countless claims of cheating and lawsuits if the Republicans would
have won enough close races to keep control of the House and/or Senate.
Democrats believe in their fantasy world that they deserve to win every
election and if they don't, there must have been cheating involved.
Surely the people wouldn't be so stupid to reject their vision for
America. Would they? We all know that stupid people join the military,
don't we? Or do they go to church? Or live in the South? I can't
remember. Maybe there are just tons of stupid people that vote
Republican. With the Democrats constant focus on cheating, I am
beginning to wonder if maybe...no, they wouldn't cheat.
- The next two years are crucial.
The Democrats now have the power in Congress. They have to lead rather than
namecall.
Republicans need to regather, refocus, and recover the House and Senate
while holding on to the White House. The best weapon for the
Republicans is the Democrats. When they talk, people get fired up and
vote. The Republicans must return to Conservatism however because if
they do not regain both the House and the Senate in 08, we are in
trouble. If they lose the White House, that means Hillary, and that is
not allowable. That woman can not be allowed anywhere near the White
House again. Losing the House and the Senate for a couple of years is
unfortunate, losing it beyond that along with the White House would be
disastrous.