The Dems (along with the IRS) have been targeting the tea party ever since 2010. Remember the Black Caucus members marching through a tea party demonstration at the Capitol trying to elicit racial remarks? The Dems truly fear the tea party because it is a true grassroots movement. And because it non-hierarchical and diffuse, they can't train their guns on one individual or group. The Dems are used to their astro-turfed mobs drummed up by the unions and interest groups.
The message of the tea party is the most powerful one. It brings into focus our real problems of massive debt and the impact of the welfare state on our financial future and individual rights. We are at an ideological divide that cannot be bridged by compromise and bipartisanship. We must win. The status quo is losing.
What's your feeling, kabar, regarding the mid-terms and the cueing up of issues? Dems seem to win with debt limit/shutdown but their recent kicking the can just 3 months down the road doesn't set it up as a campaign issue. Whereas, Obamacare will remain and perhaps grow as an issue throughout next year until it's repealed. '10 redux X 2, imho.
The American public has a short attention span. The shutdown and the debt ceiling debate will fade in the background by the time people start focusing on the midterms in September 2014.
Obamacare could become the major campaign issue if it continues to fail. Since it affects so many people, it will be hard to spin. I have said that Obama could very well decide to make the individual mandate optional for a year just to prevent the system from collapsing. But he will make it seem like a concession to wring something out of the GOP.
There will be some battles within the GOP during the Senate primaries that could divide the party more, especially if some big names lose. The Dems will try to capitalize on that.
I am also concerned about the budget deal that may be struck between Ryan and Murray. Both parties want to get rid of sequestration. The Reps hate the impact it is having on DOD while the Dems hate the reduced spending on welfare programs. We could have some phony deal that will essentially result in the lifting of sequestration for some future promises on entitlement and tax reform. I think we are being set up for that reality. I don't trust Ryan and the GOPe, which likes Big Government and big spending. Most of Congress likes to bring back the pork to their districts. A bad deal could cause a lot of Reps to stay home.
If history is any guide, the opposition party should pick up seats in this midterm, i.e., after the reelection of a President. We shall see. The Stupid Party could pass immigration reform that will legalize the status of the 11 to 20 million illegal aliens as well as increasing the number of guest workers to take even more American jobs. With over 20 million Americans unemployed or underemployed, this could wreak havoc in 2014.
The GOP must unite in public and stop demeaning their conservative colleagues with personal attacks. The Dems never do this. 2014 may be the most important midterm elections in our history. If Obama regains the House and retains the Senate, it is game, set, and match for this country--if it isn't already.
Of course they hate the TP, it shut down their precious gummit.
Pray America is Waking Up