Hugh Hewitt: The High Water Mark for the 2006 Democrats Was A Week Ago

Townhall ^ | October 11, 2006 | Hugh Hewitt

[RWR8189]

It took 48 hours of loose nukes in the control of bad hair kooks to get the electorate refocused on the stakes in November's elections.  But even before North Korea reminded the electorate of the wonders of Clinton-Albright era diplomacy, even as "The Path to 9/11" and The Looming Tower had done, the Foley effect had begun to dissipate as the reality of the choice before the country broke through even the MSM's fascination with the destruction of the Republicans because of the notorious IMs.

Now Santorum in Pennsylvania, DeWine in Ohio, and Corker in Tennessee have showed strong momentum to match that of Allen's in Virginia.  Jim Talent will win in Missouri, and Democratic nominee McCaskill's remarkable ability to churn out gaffes might make it a breakaway.  Key Congressional candidates have the same momentum, as does Bob Beuprez in Colorado.  Arnold out west and Charles Crist in Florida are crushing their Democratic opponents and with them, Democratic enthusiasm in those states.

To this mix we add increasing focus on the hard left politics of the Nancy Pelosi/John Murtha appeasement Democrats, and the unexpected assists intentional and unintentional received from folks like David Zucker and Jimmy Carter, respectively.

The timely return to the lists of Jimmy C. --original enabler of the Ayatollah Khomeni and shrewd poker player with Kim Jung Il-- is a special treat for Republicans, even better than Bill Clinton's FNC reprise of his best finger wagging moment.  Dean has dealt with it, but I don't think even that fine post summarizes the impact of James Earl Carter on the nation's decision making when it comes to politics.  His election was birthed in reaction to political scandal of course, and we got what we paid for, the very disasters that haunt us to this day. 

And still there are other advantages at work for the GOP, both with the evangelical/conservative Catholic base, and in places like Montana and other individual-rights minded locales.

I shipped off my World Magazine column this morning on the absurdity of the idea of evangelicals and conservatives Catholics staying home in November or the even bigger horselaugh about a sudden defection.  I'll post the column when it comes out, but it begins with this observation:

Justice John Paul Steven is 86. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 73. Justices Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy are both 70. Justice Stephen Breyer is 68. Justice David Souter is 67.

 

Senators elected in November will be casting votes on replacements for how many of these six justices during their six year terms? It is in the realm of possibility that all six will retire in the next half-dozen years, and a near certainty that more than one will.

 

I think this reality will impact Montana's Senate race decisively as the issue of the future of the Supreme Court gets attention over the next four weeks.  The current court majority is anti-property rights and pro-terrorist rights; hostile to the unborn and gun-owners; confused on racial quotas and a host of other issues.  Jon Tester will join Patrick Leahy in obstructing nominees like Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito.  So would Sherrod Brown.  So would Harold Ford and Claire McCaskill. Robert Menendez already has, voting against New Jersey native son Alito.

 

And so would even Robert Casey, Jr., posing as a pro-life Democrat whose absurd position would be instantly revealed the moment he voted to organize the Senate under Harry Reid, with Leahy back as Chair of Judiciary.

 

The reality of the Dems anti-border security position has also registered.  There is a split among Republicans over the extent of the regularization to be offered those who entered the country illegally, but there is general agreement as shown by the fence vote that border security must come first. 

 

Every issue works for the public except Foley and, we are told, Iraq.

 

But I return to the point I made yesterday in this post on the killing in Iraq of an al Qaeda terrorist who had escaped prison in Afghanistan: Retreat in Iraq is retreat in the war with al Qaeda.

 

Dissatisfaction with the war doesn't mean that all or even a majority of the dissatisfied want to lose or retreat, and the appeasement Democrats are finding that out in Connecticut with the Lieberman pounding of Kosputin's man, Ned Lamont.

 

The world's dangers clarified the choice, but it would have worked its way to the front of voter consciousness in any event.  The acceleration of the process may in fact make uphill runs against Democratic Senate seats in Minnesota, Michigan and Washington State doable, and may yet surprise in some House districts written off as lost.

 

But a breezy week does not a hurricane make, and many eyebrows are beginning to be raised at numbers like Santorum's and Allen's. 

[eureka!]

Thanks for the skinny in OH. Looks like the GOP has seen the whites of some eyes and are starting to fire away. And yes, Foley was dropped early to change the mo' W got going and was looking to bury the Rats. They (and the presstitutes) bet on "sex sells" to make it last but overplayed their hand, again. I'm so pumped now I'm sending another contribution to the RNC following one last week...

[PghBaldy]

Hugh Hewitt is a good guy, and a gentleman. He is especially helpful on legal issues. I also like his optimism and thoroughness.

[LS]

I'll tell you something else: I've been out three times, and one of my history dept. colleagues has been out once. There are NEVER Dem walkers or lit droppers out.

Now, I don't care if you're God Almighty, people don't turn out to vote in large numbers unless you TURN THEM OUT. I think the Dems are in for a huge shock on 11/8.

[PghBaldy]

On Al Gore's radioshow, it would have been "Morning Glory"..."Deadly NightShade."

[eureka!]

I agree. I read a great article on Mehlman/Rove's ground game and it was heartening. As a Californian, I send what $$ I can to help fund that ground game. Gotta run. Have a great evening and thanks for your efforts and work...

[samadams2000]

So..Pelosi, Reid and Kennedy are having dinner tonight:

" I think we should address your murder first, your bride second and my fake face third"

[Suzy Quzy]

No Kidding!!! We are going to CREAM the Democrats!!

[Mamzelle]

Bribe? (sorry, it was just a funny bloop)

[ajolympian2004]

Thanks for posting this.

Another thing I like about Hugh and his show are the listeners. During today's show Hugh suggested creating a National Security Academy along the lines of the military service academies and the folks who called in to offer their critiques and suggestion were former DIA officers, Air Force academy professors and other military veterans.

Another thing I like about Hugh is that he can take on liberals, leftists and democrats without having to hang up on them to 'end' the debate. He is a master of asking a seemingly simple question that allows folks from the dark side of politics just enough rope to hang themselves on any issue out there.

[Valin]

The Dems released the Foley stuff because they sensed not just a defeat but a STUNNING defeat, losing perhaps 3 seats in the Senate and 5 seats in the House, if they didn't do something to break the momentum.

I think Foley bought them a week, but at the cost of being able to break open the Foley stuff 10 days out of the election.


I always thought they brought this story out too early, but coundn't figure out why...until now.
You get an attaboy
ATTABOY

[Valin]

And he doesn't scream and yell and go negative all the time like someone I could mention (Michael Savage) Did I say that out loud?

[jongaltsr]

The problem with the Dems is that they Jumped the Shark one to many times.

Then again it may have been more like 2 or 3 times to many.

Do I hear more?

[LS]

Thank you sir. Heard Irey yesterday on Quinn and Rose. She has a shot. Sounds like she's on top of her ground game, where is where it all will come down.

[LS]

Actually, they jumped the gun, not the shark. They came out too early because---contrary to what some gloomster freepers say---they KNEW the polls were bogus and that they were looking at some serious losses.

[Valin]

I want this clown (Murtha) GONE!
The thing is if he would've kept his big mouth shut he wouldn't be is this tough race. In politics the limelight can be your enemy.

[George W. Bush]

Justice John Paul Steven is 86.

A key point.

We really need to pass a law to force retirment of judges and the ruling classes at 70.

[IamConservative]

Other than the depressing thought of not having the immense intellect and conservative jurist prudence of Antonin Scalia on the bench at some point in the future, a very positive outlook indeed for the political right.

[attiladhun2]

I believe Savage is 100% phony--a legend in his own mind.