In 1856, for example, the Republicans found that they had lost a very, very close election. And yes, they made some very slight corrections, identified only four states they needed to capture in 1860, and directed all their energies to those four, which they won, along with the presidency.
It would be a mistake to assume this was some monumental loss, or that the turnout model doesn't work---it can, it just didn't work well this time.
There are plenty of lessons to learn, but firing the coach, the quarterback, and the entire defensive line isn't one of them.
I am not discounting analysis and learning from defeat. My point, in the context of this thread, was not to accept this defeat as part of the normal, historical political cycle. Any real analysis will show that this was an historic defeat rare in recent American political history. We lost control of both Houses of Congress in a mid-term, no matter how close some of the key races were.
It would be a mistake to assume this was some monumental loss, or that the turnout model doesn't work---it can, it just didn't work well this time.
There is where we disagree. It was a monumental loss and could prove to be a critical turning point in the political balance of this country in much the same way that 1994. A lot will depend on how the Dems consolidate their gains and what the Reps do about it. No incumbent Dem lost.
There are plenty of lessons to learn, but firing the coach, the quarterback, and the entire defensive line isn't one of them.
I certainly haven't suggested that. The Reps need to do some real soul searching about what we stand for as a party and the need more unity on key issues. We don't have the luxury of being in the majority any longer. I see key issues like comprehensive immigration reform being a divisive issue within the party damaging our future chances of regaining the majority.
The Dems are going to be on their best behavior initially preaching a bipartisan approach to problems and hoping to achieve a record of accomplishment for 2008. They want to show the public what a difference a Dem controlled Congress can make in getting things done. I hope we can respond to the challenge and not put nails in our own coffin.