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After the Wave
American Enterprise Institute ^ | 1-10-2011 | henry olsen

Posted on 03/22/2011 7:37:19 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB

Conservative Republicans are rightfully giddy about the results of the midterm elections. The enormous Republican wave washed away hundreds of Democrats at all levels of government, giving Republicans their highest number of seats in the House of Representatives since 1946, and their largest number of state legislators since 1928. More important, the currents that caused the wave clearly work to Republicans' benefit: Voters were expressing widespread opposition to the liberal direction in which President Obama and the Democratic Congress have taken the country. This has led many conservatives to argue that, on November 2, 2010, America returned to its normal equilibrium as a "center-right country"--one in which conservatism is the natural inclination and in which Republicans are the natural governing party.

This view is supported by considerable evidence. And yet it fails somehow to account for the continued difficulties that Republicans (at all levels of government) have had after past wave elections--principally, difficulties in implementing small-government agendas and in establishing lasting electoral majorities.

(Excerpt) Read more at aei.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aei; budget; debt; election; entitlements; moderates; spending; wave

1 posted on 03/22/2011 7:37:23 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB
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To: WOBBLY BOB
If the GOP establishment continues to bash conservatives in the house, senate and within the possible POTUS candidates the republican gains will quickly go away. I for one am totally disappointed in the actions of the GOP since Nov 2010
2 posted on 03/22/2011 7:43:29 AM PDT by unseen1
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To: unseen1

I was disappointed with them long before then.


3 posted on 03/22/2011 7:46:20 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: WOBBLY BOB

2010 was just a pressure pad over the arterial bleeding. There are years of very hard work ahead to set things in the right direction.

I wonder if Americans have the soul to desire a free country and to move toward it.


4 posted on 03/22/2011 7:50:57 AM PDT by lurk
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To: tet68

yeah about 1989 started my decades long disappointment with them.


5 posted on 03/22/2011 7:58:25 AM PDT by unseen1
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To: lurk

That depends on the leadership we elect.


6 posted on 03/22/2011 7:59:48 AM PDT by unseen1
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To: unseen1

If the article is correct in it’s assertion that white working-class folks are THE primary voting bloc, Sarah Palin should be a shoo-in during the 2012 election.


7 posted on 03/22/2011 8:58:43 AM PDT by bopdowah ("Unlike King Midas, whatever the Gubmint touches sure don't turn to Gold!')
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To: bopdowah
Palin’s biggest challenge will be upper middle class voters that worry more about status than about issues. but that is an issue for the general not the primary. She doesn't need those voters to win the nomination.
8 posted on 03/22/2011 9:05:28 AM PDT by unseen1
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To: bopdowah

Forgive me if that doesn’t fill me with hope. She doesn’t even support the elimination of the unconstitutional Dept. of Education, which is step one in any sane plan to get this monster under control.

Can you point me to any other major pieces of the federal behemoth that she has advocated doing away with?


9 posted on 03/22/2011 9:10:31 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (Pay heed to your principled position and you won't have to worry about your political position.)
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To: EternalVigilance

You’re looking too far ahead. We’re not talking policy specifics yet. It’s much like getting a job: first you gotta have a resume that’s interesting. Next you gotta get an interview. At the interview you have to avoid being eliminated. Once you make the final round, the employer decides. In terms of 2012 Presidential politics, we are at the resume stage; the primaries will be the interview stage.


10 posted on 03/22/2011 9:54:26 AM PDT by bopdowah ("Unlike King Midas, whatever the Gubmint touches sure don't turn to Gold!')
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To: bopdowah

Yeah right.


11 posted on 03/22/2011 11:23:50 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (Pay heed to your principled position and you won't have to worry about your political position.)
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