2002, the dims are flabbergasted that the electorate hadn't bought into their message.
2004, the dims can't believe that the electorate didn't buy into their message.
Wonder what their excuse will be in 2006.
There's been a clerical error here: That was my post-election column from 2002. My post-election column from 2004 goes like . . . well, actually, it goes pretty much the same. It'd be easier just to take the second week in November off every two years and let my editors run the timeless classic whither-the-Democrats? column. All that changes is the local color.