Can the Schadenfreude, GOP

American Thinker ^ | 22 JULY 2009 | Gene Schwimmer

[rdb3]

July 22, 2009

Can the Schadenfreude, GOP

Gene Schwimmer

One detects the acrid odor of hubris wafting from Republican quarters, the kind of hubris that leaves egg on the face of those arrogant enough to celebrate prematurely a flailing president's political demise.

While pointing out favorable (to Republicans) trends, Republicans need to avoid gloating lest they have their prematurely triumphal blogs and articles thrown back at them if, Clinton-like, Obama's numbers do a complete turnaround, and Obama resumes and even intensifies his egotistical preening, while his supporters gloat, "Hey, GOP, remember when you were publishing smug "analyses" of every decline in Obama's numbers?"  Right now, it's fun writing about Obama's falling numbers - but what will I write if, tomorrow, Obama's numbers are soaring?  Indeed, in today's Rasmussen poll, Obama's Approval Index has ticked up two points from its low of -8 and his overall approval rating remains above 50%  What if those numbers are signaling a trend reversal and Obama recovery?

I still recall, after the GOP won control of Congress in '94, buying a Clinton Countdown Calender, denoting the number of days till the anticipated end of his presidency on January 20, 1997 - which, of course, turned out to be waaaay premature.  When Clinton's popularity was in the cellar over the budget impasse, when all the GOP needed to do was stick to their principles and hold on and win, House Republicans caved.  Clinton recovered and Republicans lost House and Senate seats in every election from then on.  Never, ever underestimate the ability of the Stupid Party to shoot itself in the foot - and hand Obama an undeserved second term on a silver platter.

Much better, in this writer's view, to enjoy today's Rasmussen Poll showing 53% of likely voters now opposed to the Democrats' health care "bill," "reform," "system" or whatever.  Or this one giving Republicans a four point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot - a lead, incidentally, that the GOP has, for the first time in Obama's presidency, held for four weeks consecutively.

However improbable it may seem today, it certainly is possible for the economy to tick up and unemployment to tick down, in spite of Obama's policies, for him to take, and get, credit for the recovery and to be comfortably reelected in 2012.  The Israelis might also take out Iran's nuclear program, removing it as a threat to us and problem for Obama, at the same time allowing Obama to make harsh anti-Israel speeches to appease his Arab compadres (while inwardly thanking Israel).

So yes, talk about a possible recovery of GOP fortunes.  Point out the majority party's present-time difficulties.  Note Obama's current stumblings, congressional Democrats' trepidations at voting for his legislation, their inability even to write a coherent healthcare "reform."  But don't write Obama and the Democrats off.  Don't predict the future.

And above all, can the schadenfreude.  It's ugly, unbecoming and worst of all, may come back to haunt -- and taunt  us.  There will be plenty of time for celebrating if and when the final nail is pounded into Obama's political coffin anda new, Republican, president takes the Oath of Office in 2013.  Or as Ogden Nash put it:

Pray, butcher, spare yon tender calf!
Accept my plea on his behalf;
He's but a babe, too young by far
To perish in the abattoir.
Oh, cruel butcher, let him feed
And gambol on the verdant mead;
Let clovertops and grassy banks
Fill out those childish ribs and flanks.
Then may we, at some future meal,
Pitch into beef, instead of veal.

[rdb3]

A l'il something to think about.

Amazing << Hear this. Feel this, and tell me that this isn't music.

Oh, dear...

[dinoparty]

I agree and have been saying the same thing. There is still a year and a half until midterms.

[Da Coyote]

I agree. We should just wait for the upcoming Secret Service revolt. They must hurl at night after having to babysit a person that all of them surely regard as possibly the most idiotic, vain, and ignorant child-president ever to sludge the White House.

[EternalVigilance]

There will be plenty of time for celebrating if and when the final nail is pounded into Obama's political coffin anda new, Republican, president takes the Oath of Office in 2013.

That would be kinda like celebrating that you get to eat out of the pig trough now instead of the cesspool.

How's about we elect someone based on principle instead of mere party label?

[RED SOUTH]

Obama doesn’t have it in him to turn around. Clinton was an early memeber of the democratic leadership council whose goal was to break the democratic party from the liberalism that kept the party going from one defeat to another. Clinton had moderate instincts even if a liberal at heart.
Obama is a liberal with liberal instincts. He can’t change.
He’s going dow nthe tubes with Jimmy Carter.

[Clara Lou]

[Yep, it’s music! Original, imaginative, beautiful.]

[Recovering_Democrat]

Hussein worship continues in the media. I am glad to see his numbers dropping, but the fact is he is abominable even without dropping poll numbers.

We do need to stick with the issues primarily...but having some joy in seeing his numbers drop isn’t a bad thing either.

[EternalVigilance]

Oh, Obama WILL fail. Over-reaching leftists always do, finally.

The open question is whether we will be prepared with an alternative that is actually worth something.

[pgkdan]

Good point.

[ImpBill]

"How's about we elect someone based on principle instead of mere party label?"

It is absolutely how I see and will vote in the next election. Of course that might mean I will be leaving a few boxes blank. But so be it!

[EternalVigilance]

Nothing will change until conservatives refuse to vote against their stated principles.

Once that commitment is made, though, and acted upon, the whole political landscape will shift completely.

[TADSLOS]

How's about we elect someone based on principle instead of mere party label?

What a concept.

[TChad]

To put that hubris in perspective...

Here is a small demonstration of the level of competence of the RNC. Their GOP online store is still selling "Victor the Victory Elephant" dolls from the last presidential election.

https://secure.gop.com//store/ProductDetail.aspx?Guid=57eb2903-da1a-4089-828f-be8275fe6c7c

Here's the blurb:

Show your support for John McCain and all our GOP candidates by proudly displaying the Republican National Committee’s newest member, Victor the Victory Elephant.

Victor is ready to hit the Convention floor to place his nomination vote for John McCain and rally Republicans to victory with his Convention Pennant. This wonderful plush toy is available for a limited-time only. Actual size 5" x 4"

Apparently the RNC is unaware that McCain lost the election over eight months ago. Victor should have been removed from inventory on November 5, 2008.

The organization that is such a sure bet to defeat the leftists can't even keep its little website updated.

[LibLieSlayer]

As the economy tanks... so will the muzzie in chief.

LLS

[blue state conservative]

I you actually believe in free market principles there is no need to “cover your bases” in case things get better. In socialist Europe normal unemployment is around 12%. Everything Obama is doing to the economy violates Econ 101 as well as common sense, so no things are not going to get better.