A Message from Overseas (VANITY)

Myself | November 8, 2006 | Mad Ivan

[MadIvan]

Let's be brutally honest, today's results are absolutely dreadful. A lot of the worst people in American politics have just been granted power: Nancy Pelosi and her ilk, Harry Reid and of course, Hillary Clinton.

It is difficult to see how any progress can be made in the next 2 years. The race for 2008 begins today; Hillary, Obama et al will all be jockeying for position. It is likely they will do so by defining themselves in contra to President Bush. The President himself is probably feeling quite lonely this morning; I can picture him sitting in the Oval Office in the early morning, the dim light coming through the window, his head down, pondering what just happened and dreading what is to come.

Make no mistake, this is a dark hour. I am sure that in the caves of Pakistan, terrorists are smiling. Iran's mullahs probably have a spring in their step today. Chirac must be feeling slightly less impotent than usual.

However, we have been here before. When Clinton's grip on power seemed secure, there were predictions of doom and gloom for the country and the world. Yes, there were setbacks and disasters, but America carried on, largely because good people were determined that it would do so. These good people are represented still by the assembly we see on this site today.

There is a choice to be made; the conservatives can continue to dine on ashes, or take this defeat as being instructive. Setbacks always teach one something; in this case, it has taught several lessons:

1. Expose so-called "conservative Democrats" early. This year has seen unprecedented numbers of Democrats in Republican clothing. My perception is that they were not hit hard enough on the fact that a vote for them was a vote for a liberal agenda out of step with their constituents.
2. The Media is still powerful. I have been shocked by the blatant bias coming out of American television stations. It was so naked that it was difficult to imagine that it was believed - but indeed, it was.
3. A return to a more conservative agenda is required. Republicans spent a great deal on pork and entitlement programmes like the expansion of Medicare. This was done for noble motives, largely so that Republicans can be seen as "compassionate". However, when presented with an option to vote for faux Democrats and the real thing, voters opted for the real thing. Genuine conservatives need to stop mirroring the Democrats in the race for government goodies.

There are other lessons to be sure. There will be time to reflect on them. Furthermore, the Democrats are about to run into a brick wall; it's quite one thing to define oneself in relation to an enemy that holds power. It's quite another to do something with power when it is in one's hands. The Republicans, with a smile, should hand over the reigns and say, "It's over to you. What are you going to do?" The answer, given the lack of intellectual rigour on the Left, is likely to be either vague or insane. "Hate Bush" may be a strategy for winning an election, but it is not a plan for government. They should be needled on this at every occasion.

However, the last thing that needs to happen is for conservatives to turn introspection into civil war. Blame and retribution help no one. We are likely to see a very rocky period over the next 2 years; there may even be an impeachment attempt against the President. To successfully resist that, the base needs to be strong and united.

The President will also require that support in order to sustain the War on Terror. Without the support of Congress, he is plainly going to have to resort to the Bully Pulpit to get the necessary votes for his initiatives in Iraq and reaffirmation of the Patriot Act. He cannot do it without the assistance of the grassroots.

The world and conservatism have suffered a defeat. But it is just a battle, not the war. It is not the end of all things; rather, if used constructively, this period could be as seminal as Impeachment was for getting the conservative movement fired up. It's time to wipe ones eyes, take an aspirin, and get back to work.

[MadIvan]

Just my two pence worth.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[MadIvan]

To the Democrats:

"We shall have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst, and we will do our best....We do not expect to hit without being hit back, and we intend with every week that passes to hit harder. Prepare yourselves then, my friends and comrades, for this renewal of your exertions. We shall never turn from our purpose, however sombre the road, however grievous the cost, because we know that out of this time of trial and tribulation will be born a new freedom and glory for all mankind." - Winston Churchill, 1941

Regards, Ivan

[Dog]

Thank you.

[Dallas59]

If they try to impeach Bush on Iraq.....It will backfire big time...If they succeed..Every President from then on won't lift a finger to defend the US.

[Mrs Ivan]

Always appropriate.

[shezza]

Good advice, Ivan. Thanks for the chins-up.

[Miss Marple]

Hi, Ivan. The President was trying to buck an historical trend, and although we lost, at least it wasn't a bloodbath. The average loss of House seats in the 6th year of a presidency is 29, so we should have actually expected more.

I regret the loss of Santorum, and hope that he finds a niche for his leadership and talents.

I agree we shouldn't be pointing fingers, but that so far hasn't stopped various one-issue gloaters from already appearing on FR.

I DO hold responsible several columnists, pundits, and radio talk show hosts for personally attacking the President over the last year and a half, which eroded his base. Most of these folks are mostly in the business of sucking up money from gullible conservatives, and I, for one, swore off giving them any money or time some time ago.

I always remember that we were disheartened when Clinton wasn't removed from office, but as it turned out we didn't know that Gore was insane, and would have been an incumbent president who probably would have won, and would have been in charge on September 11. God's ways are not our ways, and so I remain hopeful that things will work out all right.

I do think, however, with Pelosi 3rd in line for the presidency and the level of Bush Derangement in the nation, both the President and Vice President need greater levels of Secret Service protection.

[MNJohnnie]

We have lost a battle. We have not lost the war.

Conservatives need to see this as an opportunity, NOT a disaster. The Moderates ran our party and ran it on the rocks. OK, just like in 1976 and 1992 time for the Conservatives to take back their party. To start with NEW Congress, NEW Leadership. Time for a hard charging no nonsense leadership in the US Senate and US House. Time for the Republican Insurgency to teach the Democrats what a REAL quagmire looks like. They wanted it. They lied to the American people about their real agenda to get it. Let them enjoy their Phyrric victory in 2006. They won most races by a few thousands votes. Let them go home in 2008 and try to defend their record of voting for Ms Nancy and Hillary Clinton's Big Socialist Agenda after running as Republican Lite in 2006.

Our job going forward is prevent them from doing too much damage between now and then. Then we win it all back in 2008.

[ClaireSolt]

The press set out to duplicate their deception of the American people about war, as they did in Vietnam. I think that is partly because it is so clear that they don't want to risk their own lives and comfort to cover it. So, the least educated have fallen for a vague promise of "change." In the process they elected the ruthless and opportunistic who can be counted on to stiff them in the end. They never catch on, though.

The president is a student of history, and I think he needs to change his speech writers to someone who can explain to the people what is going on and place it in context, because the media won't. He must have spinmeisters, now.

[Mo1]

The world and conservatism have suffered a defeat. But it is just a battle, not the war. It is not the end of all things; rather, if used constructively, this period could be as seminal as Impeachment was for getting the conservative movement fired up. It's time to wipe ones eyes, take an aspirin, and get back to work.

I've had some sleep and I feel even more sicker to my stomach then I did last night

The "trues" are feeling a little cocky this morning .. they think the won .. when in fact they lost

Bill Krystal was on F&F with a huge grin on his face talking about how Rummy will be resigning soon

The Dems didn't get their 94 wave .. far from it

But America and the world will soon learn that the next 2 years with the Dems will make Clinton's term look like a day in the park

George Soros bought and paid for this this (dem) party and this election

He ain't going to just walk away now

[Hegemony Cricket]

Great Stuff, Ivan! Thanks for your 'big picture' perspective. He's right, folks - this is no time to go wobbly!

[1rudeboy]

Thanks, no need to go wobbly now. For anybody.

[chgomac]

I think you are right Ivan. This election was a disappointing result for conservatives....but I don't have the sickening feeling I had after Bill Clinton's presidential wins.

This was the historical swing vote for checks and ballance--not a landslide for a "progressive" (aka socialist)platform.

[GVnana]

We got spanked real bad, but history was not on our side.

My county went all Republican on statewide positions and all Democrat on federal positions. An anti-war and anti-Bush vote.