Posted on 11/13/2004 11:07:19 AM PST by Mike Fieschko
President Bush says winning elections is refreshing. And losing them? Bitter medicine, indeed. Every political concession speech is a tale of heartache. Over time, though, comes a "you win some; you lose some" equanimity that allows even the most disappointed to go on--to the next campaign, the next candidate, the next cause. But after their dismal showing this year, congressional Democrats face a difficult future. In a painful replay of 2002, they didn't just lose some; they lost almost everything. "I just want to die," confessed one Democratic congressional aide, "or stay drunk for a long time."
It's no wonder. Not only did a Republican stay in the White House, but Republicans--already holding the reins in Congress--picked up even more seats in both the House and the Senate. Translation: Democrats will have a mighty tough time doing anything let alone fending off President Bush's legislative agenda.
"When you win, there is a . . . feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view. And that's what I intend to tell the Congress," Bush said in declaring victory. "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it."
Aftermath. While the president eagerly plans his spending spree, the desultory opposition has been left soul-searching in the bargain basement: "We Democrats better think long and hard about . . . how our party is going to connect with the hopes and aspirations of people," said Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut after watching his party lose four Senate seats, including that of its leader, Tom Daschle. The gains give the GOP a 55-to-44 advantage in the Senate, with one independent. The news was at least as bad for Democrats in the 435-member House. Republicans, who went into the election with a 227-to-205 edge, emerged with 231 seats; the margin could widen, depending on the outcome of two Louisiana runoff races next month.
Democrats privately acknowledge that they were repeatedly outmaneuvered by the GOP on everything from prescription drugs to education reform. That made it all the more galling when four incumbent Senate Democrats from Texas lost after Majority Leader Tom DeLay masterminded a controversial plan to reshape their districts into GOP-filled pockets. "Obviously, the DeLay strategy worked," sighed House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Among the Texas losers: Reps. Martin Frost and Charles Stenholm, both 26-year veterans of the House.
There were isolated bright spots for the Democrats. Most notable: wins by rising political star Barack Obama, who picked up an open Senate seat in Illinois, and political newcomer Melissa Bean, who toppled veteran Illinois GOP conservative Rep. Phil Crane.
So, what happened? Ask Republicans and they'll say the voters made it clear they prefer their party's platform. Ask the Dems and they'll say the GOP manipulated the country, successfully diverting voters' attention from real issues like jobs and education to moral issues like gay marriage. "They exploited the loveliness of the American people, the devoutness of people of faith for political end," fumes Pelosi.
The bottom line: Republicans are the big winners this time around. The only thing left to do, says Rep. Robert Matsui, is go on to the next campaign, the next candidate, the next cause. "Obviously, we look to 2006," says Matsui, cochair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "We are going to be out there recruiting candidates; we are going to be out there raising money." Yes--but so are the Republicans.
Okay. 2006. Republicans--let's find someone from North Dakota who really wants to go to Washington and oust one or two of their three members of Congress. (all Democrats)
Wrong analysis. Your ideas tend to suck.
Never underestimate a Donk party that has the mass media doing their PR work gratis.
That's a pretty neat trick by the Texas Democrats, but you'd think that Kay Bailey Hutchinson would have noticed that she was sharing her desk with four democrats.
Translation: "They offered an alternative to the bottom-feeding scum that the Democrats had to offer."
They exploited the loveliness of the American people, the devoutness of people of faith for political end," fumes Pelosi.
What in the hell does this mean???
That is soo true and sooo funny.
The Socialist Democratic Left keeps repeating the same mantra: They just didn't understand our Message.
What these lotus-eaters won't realize is that the USA got and understood the message of the Socialists. And outside of urban areas that would receive the Democratic Governmental Largesses (read: voter buy off), it was rejected, in toto!
As long as they continue to delude themselves, they will find themselves stymied at every turn. What they need is to forge a new philosophy based on real compassion for real people, not the vote-buying scheme that worked for John Kennedy, Bill Klintoon and their womanizing ilk.
Wow, when the President is from your state all kinds of things get changed in your favor.
/sarcasm
"They exploited the loveliness of the American people, the devoutness of people of faith for political end," fumes Pelosi.
I'm so tired of being exploited for my loveliness! Beauty is but a curse to us Republicans...
Americans are gullible morons.
Notice that two of the worst Republican defeats were in the same state. The GOP leadership in Illinois needs to be taken to the woodshed and whipped. If they hadn't pushed out Fitzgerald both seats might still be Republican.
Both of them had DEMOCRATICALLY GERIMANDERED DISTRICTS for their entire careers. Their new districts are quite compact and symmetrical. I didn't know Bela Pelosi could sigh
See Mark Twain's definition of the "fundamental sigh".
"They exploited the loveliness of the American people, the devoutness of people of faith for political end," fumes Pelosi."
In other words, "The American people are so stupid that they didn't know the issues and voted on faith alone."
One thing I do know is that we aren't so stupid that we don't know when we are being spoken down to.
You say, "Notice that two of the worst Republican defeats were in the same state. The GOP leadership in Illinois needs to be taken to the woodshed and whipped. If they hadn't pushed out Fitzgerald both seats might still be Republican.
I suspect that, had the election not been fixed in Illinois, they wouldn't even have these two to cling to - there hasn't been an honest election in Illinois since JFK became President due to their funny business.
She's fine as long as they keep a bucket of drywall patch and a trowel on standby in case her face cracks.
You guys have it wrong. In order for them to have lost 4 senate seats they must have had at least 8 since the senate staggers their terms only 1/3 of senators are up for election at every 2 years.
And still they ask "In a democracy, how can so many be so wrong?"
The voters of the state of Illinois ar not too bright. Electing Mr. Obama, no matter what the MSM says about him will do absolutely nothing for the residents and voters of Illinois. Mr. Obama has no power whatsoever in the "real" world!!! He is dead on arrival, as dead as the Black Congressional Caucus is today!!! The BCC is now just a "Black social and meeting club!!! Voters of Illinois, learn this. Being a "traitor" Democrat is passe!!!
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