Robert James Bidnotto sums it up nicely:
In my opinion, the GOP is paying the price for years of systematic betrayals of its (at least nominal) limited-government, free-market principles. Cynical political opportunism, pork-barreling, and neocon welfare statism have obliterated any meaningful philosophical distinctions between the two major parties. Meanwhile, Democrats are cleverly positioning themselves as more conservative than they really are, and in some cases, more conservative than their Republican rivals.
So, in the absence of philosophical differences, voters are left to choose among candidates only on the basis of perceived personal character and competence. And with the economy in the tank and the war effort so badly mismanaged, they are now, in their frustration, willing to give the Democrats a shot, simply by default.
Like the 1994 congressional races, where principled-sounding GOP candidates trounced corrupt Democrat rivals, 2008 is shaping up to be a punitive election, with angry voters stomping on a party that they feel has betrayed their trust.
For good reason, I would argue.
As things stand today. I’m willing to bet that Barack Obama will be the next President and that the Democrats will pick up at least 15 seats in the House and 5 seats in the Senate, including John Warner’s in Virginia.
Anyone willing to take me on ?
May 14th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I’ll take you on Doug. I say they pick up more seats. Your prediction is a wee bit light I think.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Of course, if bloggers and mainstream media keep pissing away everyone’s time with inane comparisons of the various he saids and she saids, without forcing these candidates to face and answer real questions, we could get our first mulatto President.
Electing Obama will signal to the world that Americans are no longer capable of governing ourselves; that so many among our population have dulled their brains with both legal and illegal narcotics, our citizens no longer can discern good from evil, or even stupid from smart. The first warning on this point was electing Bush to a second term.
We must insist that candidates answer questions about plans for governing, thoroughly and that each base their answers on the Constitutional principle that shall permit their proposed actions.
Jack Kennedy did not know how to fly to the Moon and Ronald Reagan didn’t know how to build stealth aircraft and build a missile shield, but both of these men knew how to lead Americans to greatness. Neither Billary nor Obama can do that.
We need to be hearing ideas and plans about reviving our industrial base and restoring our strategic manufacturing capabilities.
We should be hearing about energy independence plans to make our nation free from foreign oil by 2020.
We should be seeing rationale for a new wave of anti-trust actions against major monopolies and oligopolies, so that markets will again be competitive.
We need our next President to commit this nation to restoring equal rights for all citizens, including those yet to be born. He must also return our society to being a MERIT based society where superior performance is what matters and there are no citizens with special deals based on their gene pool of origin or their gender.
The next President must step back from the further creation of an imperial Presidency and return our government back to the three co-equal branches that provide checks and balances on each other branch’s power. We must return to a government for our People and not for the multinational corporations.
We must resolve to never again send our troops to war without a declaration from Congress.
Our next President must also end the extra-Constitutional use of government spying organizations to perform warrantless and unwarranted spying on Americans. The “War on Terror” is not a war at all; it is an attack on the Rights and Freedoms of the citizens of the United States.
Our next President must be John McCain because he is the only candidate with the capability of leading our nation back to being a Constitutional Republic. If he will actually be brave enough to change the course of our leviathan government and save our Republic, remains to be seen.
I urge others to write about issues that they see as being paramount to the restoration, survival and indeed the steps that they see will lead us again to living in a land where our Liberty is flourishing.
Do not tolerate bloggers or mainstream media to peddle mindless pap in the guise of political discourse and debate. Insist that every politician answer the hard questions and discuss, in depth, real issues that matter to all of our families. Always challenge the political candidates, both local and national; to tell you how they intend to ENHANCE our LIBERTY.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I think McCain’ll win in November. Obama has too any negatives and conservatives will make sure to keep the neo-marxist out of office. They are stubborn sods conservatives but they are not stupid. It is inherent on all of us to make sure that everyone knows what Obama truly is and what he will do to the country.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Whom Gods Would Destroy - The Coming Republican Bl…
A portent. An augury. An omen. You don’t need a crystal ball or psychic ability to recognize that Tuesday’s Republican House seat loss in Mississippi, the third such recent special election House loss in a previously safe Republican district is spell…
May 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Andrew,
If McCain wins, it will be by a miracle.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Strike that.
It doesn’t matter who wins.
America is still screwed.