Posted on 11/04/2004 11:13:50 AM PST by Nascardude
'DEMOCRATS CONFRONT A GRIM FUTURE' [11/04 01:59 PM]
When perpetual pessimist Bob Novak writes a column saying this, you know it's about as good as it can get for the GOP:
The devastation of Tuesday's returns cannot be minimized. The transformation of the ''Solid South'' from Democrat to Republican was completed. Not only were all 11 states of the old Confederacy carried by President Bush, but the pickup of all five Senate seats left vacant by retiring Democrats means 18 of the region's 22 senators are Republican. Domination of Congress by the GOP now enters its second decade, with Democrats largely restricted to enclaves on both coasts and some Midwestern industrial areas.
Democrats confront a grim future. Bush's 3.5-million-vote edge in the popular vote reflects a party out of touch with the country on social issues, the role of government and the war against terrorism. Democrats face the bitter reality of minority party status and what to do about it...
The electorate is simply too conservative for the Democrats, as shown by the defeat of Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota. The formula of taking the straight liberal line in Washington and talking conservative at home does not work when a Democrat's every move becomes visible as a member of the leadership.
In the wake of Kerry's unimpressive candidacy, Democrats ponder the alternative of Howard Dean's radicalism that is even further removed from the political mainstream. The more attractive course would be a return to the artful Southerner model of Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton — conservative in style, liberal in substance. But with the Republican sweep in Dixie, there are no such Democrats to choose from — certainly not Sen. John Edwards, who as vice presidential candidate exerted no impact in his own state of North Carolina. Sen. Hillary Clinton as the presidential nominee in 2008 would only compound the party's dilemma.
It is Republicans who would be facing internal carnage had Bush been defeated. Karl Rove would have been blamed for catering to the religious right, and the battle to moderate the party would be joined. Instead, the anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, socially conservative agenda is ascendant, and the GOP will not abandon it any time soon.
I think it is safe to say that many, many Democrats never expected this kind of result - huge turnout and a solid win for Bush and the GOP.
I hope that the GOP new voters who came out this year continue to come out in force every year from now on. Remember gay marriage will most likely not be on the ballot in most states anytime soon so hopefully the GOP can find a way to keep these guys motivated
There's not been enough analysis yet of how closely Osama's latest tape and the DNC/leftie talking points are almost identical!
"The more attractive course would be a return to the artful Southerner model of Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton — conservative in style, liberal in substance."
What does this mean? It seems to suggest that for the dems to be successful they will have to try to appear conservative while actually being liberal. Didn't this fail for Daschle? I think Novak is still missing the point. But I am not surprised by that.
Maybe the South didn't change - maybe it's that the Dem's moved left to Socialist/Progressive/Secularists, and (unfortunately) the Pub's are now where the Dem's were 20 years ago.
No surprise that NY Times etc. are admonishing the President to "reach out" in the spirit of "bipartisanship".
Fat chance - please Mr. President - America has spoken and laid your opponents out on the floor - don't take your foot off their throat (no doubt you all remember that Drudge headline)
Remember, the Dems are out of touch with suburban, mainstream America and the only reason they get what they get is because of urban liberal enclaves like Portland, LA, NYC, Seattle, St. Paul, Detroit, Philly, etc. I wonder if this trend will stick...
I would be interesting to see a "Blue - Red" map by 'congressional' districts nationwide. If anyone can come up with this, it would be great to analyze.
Has anyone checked Fort Marcy Park for Terry McAuliffe??
Have not heard from him in a while.
Just wondering.
Great read.
If the GOP ever decides to get serious about getting rid of abortion and creating federal school voucher laws and homeschooling laws, we'll keep coming to the polls.
Maybe the President could finally show up at the March for Life sometime.
Maybe the President could keep Specter off the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Maybe the President could make statements like: "I think the issue of abortion should be left up to the states."
So who is the most electable of the Democrats? Who, in 2008, whould give the GOP the most difficulty in defeating?
" The more attractive course would be a return to the artful Southerner model of Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton — conservative in style, liberal in substance "
Wrong. It's all about ideology.
Democrats have their ideology and it's 180 from Republicans.
It's like saying that all buggy whip manufacturers have to do for success, is to modify their buggy whips and all will be well for their industry.
If the Democrats say they are now going to be for lower taxes, a strong defense , a moral climate and a climate of life-
they won't be Democrats, they'll be Republicans.
Not really. The Democrat future could be really bright.
The Demonrats won 49% of the electorate with a treasonous, anti-American slacker and his landshark sidekick. Imagine how the would do if the nominated decent human beings. Their problem is the primary, not the national election.
Some of the southern Dem senators are just an election away from removal (Landrieu, Nelson). Some of the "blue" states are VERY much within "pickin' range."
The only thing that really bothers me is that we don't seem to have a strategy for capturing the two coasts.
Jay Nixon, Attorney General of Missouri.
Talks with a natural twang, speaks in complete sentences of common English words.
If he however had any ambitions in this direction he would have to pull a Gephardt and become pro-abortion and anti-gun.
In 2000, Nader got 2.6 million votes. In 2004, most of these votes went to Kerry.
That's what make Bush's 3.5 million margin more impressive.
Somebody like Evan Bayh w/ a southerner on the ticket will be the Dems only hope in '08.
If Hillary is really serious about running for prez, she'll back out of the '06 Senate race if Rudy decides to run for the Senate. She would never take a chance of losing to Rudy since a loss would exterminate her already slim chances of winning the '08 nomination.
Zell Miller.
I think Gay marriage is coming up for a vote in Kansas next April.
I imagine it would be coming up again in Louisiana after some court struck down their vote. I won't be surprised if it comes up for a vote in Washington State after some recent lunacy among their courts on this issue also.
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