Blow: This Is Not 2009

The New York Times ^ | May 24, 2013 | Charles M. Blow

[2ndDivisionVet]

With the scent of scandal encircling the White House, some Republicans are already licking their chops over the 2014 midterm elections, while some Democrats are pre-emptively licking their wounds.

Not so fast, folks. Retract those tongues.

While it is impossible to predict what might drive voter attitudes in an election 18 months away, there are quite a few signs that 2014 will be nothing like 2010, which produced tremendous success for Republicans.

First, the electorate is less conservative.

In May 2009, the Tea Party had just begun to flex its muscle and feel its power on a national level. Now, the movement has lost momentum.

An April 2012 Associated Press report included a finding from Theda Skocpol, a Harvard professor, that the number of Tea Party groups had fallen from about 1,000 to about 600. And a Washington Post/ABC News poll released this week found that the portion of people saying they strongly support the Tea Party, just 10 percent, was the lowest they had recorded since 2011.....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Well, if Chuck Blow, noted columnist and homosexual activist says we're through, we might as well throw in the towel, huh?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The reason 2012 was not a repeat of 2010 was because the LGBT-in-Chief learned his lesson in 2010 and shut down the conservative momentum with the IRS.

The IRS intimidation of Tea Party groups was voter suppression, the very thing they accuse us of.

If we don't get the IRS's balls cut off, then ours will be.

[Ge0ffrey]

The IRS needs to do an Angelina Jolie, as does the government in general.

[Mike Darancette]

Whistling past the graveyard.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Do you think that’s his real name or did he change it to that after he became a ‘homosexual activist’?

[AZLiberty]

In May 2009, the Tea Party had just begun to flex its muscle and feel its power on a national level. Now, the movement has lost momentum.

If it has, it's due in large part to Obama's "dirty tricks".

[Mark]

Blow: This Is Not 2009.
More like 1929.

[muawiyah]

Democrats will have the same 50% drop off in voting they always have. Republicans have a far smaller drop off unless the Democrats can tie an homosexual scandal on them.

[MestaMachine]

This must be what passes for a wet dream in nytlandia.

[Travis McGee]

[headstamp 2]

“An April 2012 Associated Press report included a finding from Theda Skocpol, a Harvard professor, that the number of Tea Party groups had fallen from about 1,000 to about 600.”

I wonder why Charlie?

[The Antiyuppie]

I think that this is wishful thinking on his part.

The Tea Party is not “running” here. Republicans are. I suspect that there will be more than a few middle of the road Dems casting protest Republican ballots after this fiasco cluster.