Landscape-Altering Vote Last Night

self ^ | 11/19/05 | LS

[LS]

Before Congressman Billybob jumps in with what I know will be an astute analysis, I'll get my two cents in on last night's vote. I consider it to be potentially a landscape-altering vote.

First, as a caveat for all you "The-Republicans-Always-Snatch-Defeat-From-The-Jaws-of-Victory" crowd, let me admit it's a long way to 2006 and the GOP still can shoot itself in the foot, ankle, and probably rectum several times before the election. So can Bush. However, tactically this was brillilant (thank you J.D. Hayworth, Denny Hastert, and all who spoke), and for now, the GOP not only seized the high ground, but they have the Dems fully on the run.

Pay no attention to what the MSM says about this vote ("Fox and Friends" mindless twitterers were already saying, "Well, of course we can't just pull out now," which, of course is exactly what Murtha recommended and what the Dems want to do). This was a huge vote, a potentially landscape-altering vote. The GOP forced the Dems to choose between the general election next year and the primaries, and the Dems chose the general election. The result will be threefold: 1) a dramatic decrease in funding of the Dems across the board, but especially the House members' campaigns (as if Dean wasn't hurting them enough in that area anyway); 2) a decrease in the committed volunteers from the Michael Moore/Moveon/Moonbat wing; and 3) probably the most serious, intense challenges in the primaries for many of these incumbents from the left. By the way, for all the Rush Limbaugh bashers on the board, this was precisely the strategy that Rush recommended before he left on break: MAKE the Dems become more extreme and cater to their base even more.

When you add to that the sound bite gifts that the Dems gave the Republicans who can use it in all campaigns ("Our soldiers have become the enemy," for example), this tactical maneuver not only recaptured all the lost momentum from the last two months, but put the Dems on the defensive on their worst issue, and the one currently costing Bush the most at the polls. Then you have the great sound bites from the GOP side, including Congresswoman Schmidt's fantastic "cowards surrender, Marines never do!" THAT ONE will be on all the ads, you can believe it. (And it doesn't matter that she "withdrew" her remarks: they are still playing it on the tube). She is in the district next to mine, and I'm glad those fine people in Hamilton County sent her to Congress and not DeWine the lesser.

As if all this weren't enough, several Republicans emerged as stars through their actions and speeches, including Schmidt, Hayworth of Arizona, and Sam Johnson of Texas. Others severely damaged their credibility by either praising Murtha (Curt Weldon, who badly damaged his Able Danger campaign with his stupid speech) or taking the opportunity to nip at Bush (Tom Tancredo, who hurt the immigration issue that badly needs fixing). If one wonders why such people aren't in positions of power in the GOP, that was a good example of the fact that they cannot keep their eye on the ball and, to mix metaphors, "bunt the runner over to third" by sticking to the topic.

Perhaps most important, anyone watching the incredible debate had to come away with a sense that in fact these Democrats are not "patriots" and that they indeed wish we could somehow lose in Iraq. It is interesting that to my knowledge not one Dem read a single letter from a soldier at the front (I think Murtha read one from a guy in a mental ward). ALL the GOP letters were from soldiers at the front.

These comments will get out, despite the MSM. The new media will get them out; campaign ads will get them out, and if I were the GOP, right now I would assemble an ad with sound bites of these Dems' treasonous comments and start running them immediately! THE CAMPAIGN STARTS TODAY.

My take on this is that if correctly played, last night's vote possibly could cost the Dems up to 30 seats in the House in 2006. This could very well be as significant as the vote in 1900 "for" continuing to fight the Filipino Insurrection and to keep McKinley in the White House. You heard it here first. We'll see if Frist and the Senate have the same cajones or political insight that the House members have.

LS

(co-author, "A Patriot's History of the United States")

[LS]

Thank you.

[LS]

Sometimes we want vengeance on our enemies, but consider this: if WE get the retribution, God can't. (Prov. 24:17) "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; (18) lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

So this is tough, but if we want the Dems to continue to melt down, we can't enjoy it too much :)O

[LS]

Right. So when the GOP does something brilliant, it's only because it's "cornered," and when it does nothing, it's "cowardly." You're as useful as the Dems. I can get that analysis at moveon.org.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Tom Coburn!!! We need someone who will rip the hearts out of the Democrat traitors, not some whimp that rolls over for the treasonous Democrat Party.

[LS]

Thanks, madame.

[LS]

Sorry, I've seen some pretty hard hitting ads. This one is definitely ad material.

[street_lawyer]

Much obliged to you Cboldt

[Zack Nguyen]

We'll see - I hope you're right!

[cardinal4]

Good post. I was also pleased to see the restraint and dignity on the Republican side as opposed to the catcalls and interuptions from the democrat side. Further, I was real impressed with Gingrey, I thought he did a great job, in not responding to the nonsense from the other side. I had never watched that much CSPAN before, and was fascinated by the machinations and inner workings. And like I said, the difference in decorum between the Republicans and Democrats was night and day. All in all, a great week for our side!

[rodguy911]

Excellent takes and having been on one media payroll or another since 72 I know that a lot of what you are saying is true.

Fortunately I don't think FNC has lost any great commentators except for possibly Tony Snow who may be having second thoughts at this point, although he is probably figuring out you can only do so much.

No doubt living in a rat infested city(NYC) is bound to influx you. Probably one of the reasons (besides taxes)that Rush left.
IF FNC is thinking, "well we can do anything we want because the Conservatives have nowhere else to go', bad strategy. If there is no where else, guess what, the market place will provide one sooner or later.

Besides, conservatives are getting a little tired of being equated(no where else to go) with the dem black voters. Which is becoming all to valid a comparison.(except for last night)

[street_lawyer]

Vote against staying the course:  McKinney, Serrano, Wexler, while I disagree, I respect their right to dissent.

 These representatives hid in their foxholes while their fellow combatants took up the fight. They are not worthy of the high office they hold. They are the cowards of the House: Capuano, Clay, Hinchey, McDermott, Nadler, Owens voted PRESENT.

These democrats are afraid of their own shadow and who were also absent without excuse and failed to cast a vote: Berman, Boswell, Boyd,Davis (AL)

These are republicans in name only, who deserted America in time of war. They were absent without excuse. They failed to perform their duty, which is to govern. They are not one of us. Davis (AL), Fossella, Gallegly, Hall, Jindal, LaHood, Miller, Gary, Moran (KS), Northup, Paul, Peterson (PA), Shadegg,  Young (AK)

 

[polymuser]

House roll call vote 607, H.RES.572, Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 571) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the deployment of United States forces in Iraq be terminated immediately...

This was the vote to vote, where the RINO's showed themselves.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll607.xml

[shield]

Good advise. At times, one forgets. We've got each other to remind us when it's hard to see. The study of the scripture is refreshing, up lifting with enduring comfort. And I have found the greatest of all teachers. ;o) Thanks.

Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God

[thoughtomator]

Bullseye!

[Reverend Bob]

Good assessment -- IF the Republicans can continue to behave like the majority party they were last night. My only quibble is that, due to gerrymandering, I don't think a 30 seat pick-up is possible even in the best of circumstances.

[GOPPachyderm]

I believe they also had access to information they elected not to review.

[GOPPachyderm]

I'm sure he will say that it wasn't his resolution since he was calling for six-month withdrawal. Which is different from an immediate pullout how? They allow them time to pack?

[GOPPachyderm]

It has been proposed that there are politicial reasons for why he did what he did for his fellow Pennsylvania congressman. Perhaps Able Danger. Maybe we should wait and see!

[LS]

If George Gilder is right about TV, Fox will be constantly nipped at from the right by new entrants. We may not see it immediately, but it will come: for every "Weekly Standard," there is an "American Spectator." For every "powerlineblog," there is a "freerepublic."

[LS]

I agree, but probably even some of the Moonbats will have trouble following this. They'll scream "CAPITULATION!" Certainly the public won't get this. What the public will get, no matter how the MSM tries to spin it, is that the war was put up for a vote and it wasn't even close, so the GOP can go around and say, "See, even the Dems agree we need to stay in," while at the same time on the campaign trail bash them with their words in the debate! It's a win-win for us, and a lose-lose for them.