It wasn’t merely “immigration warriors” who stayed home. They were but one component.
Others were furious over the corruption in the party. There were people who saw that the GOP is now giving cover to perverts and child molesters. Then there was the handling by Hastert of the FBI investigation of William Jefferson (D-LA), where Hastert was saying the most extraordinarily stupid things as the FBI sought to search Jefferson’s offices and papers, with a warrant in hand.
Then there was the pork — entire feedlots of pork.
The GOP lost voters for Congressional seats not only on immigration, but on a whole series of stupid mistakes and even stupider positions.
It beggars belief that politicians and party hacks blame voters for the actions of voters in this case. More unmitigated goddamn gall I’ve never heard. The pols knew what their base wanted, and the pols flipped voters the finger and said “We know better than you” on issue after issue.
The candidates have nowhere to place blame but upon themselves. It shows the depth of their disconnect that they dare to blame voters. Voters are free to cast their vote as they will, and have no duty to vote for anyone they don’t believe deserves their vote.
The pols knew what their base wanted, and the pols flipped voters the finger and said “We know better than you” on issue after issue.
Spot on, and there seems to be no change forthcoming from the Republicans, from Hastert’s covering for Jefferson to the disgraceful cover up of the Mark Foley’s piccadillos we ahve been poorly led at the top.
Having lived in a state where there is no effective competition for the Democrats, I’ve seen the damage they can do. Having at least half of the office holders Repubs would have made it more difficult for the Dems to have their way, even with some of those being not quite as conservative as I might like.
Good Lord, you said all of that so well.
Thanks for a great descriptive post!