You CAN? On what basis?
I don't recall that happening int he last 6 years while the Republicans had majority and I find absolutley no rationale for expecting (or even hoping) that it will mysteriously begin to happen now.
I also am beyond perplexed by so many Freepers saying things like "now the Dems will be forced to ..."
WHEN have they been forced to do anything?
WHEN have they been forced to make good on their talk?
WHEN have they been forced to be even remotely consistent?
WHEN have they been forced to so much as obey the law?
WHEN have they been held accountable for their actions?
WHEN have they been held accountable for their words?
I do not see it in recent history - at all.
HOW can I intelligently/reasonably imagine that it may begin now?
I cannot.
And therein lies the rub.
On one of the few bright sides, at least Chaffee lost. Hell a few of the new democrats elected were more conservative than him, at least during the election. No doubt most will show their true colors once they get to their Mecca of power, but maybe there's a Zell Miller of two in there.
Truth is this loss was earned. Not because of Iraq, or the price of gas, or some idiot with a thing for Congressional pages. All of those issues are noise that that the MSM hypes to blur the issues.
Truth is Americans want to win the war on terror, in Afgahnistan, Iraq, and any other place the terrorists are stupid enough to stick their heads out of the holes they call home. The hardest part of this election for me is that the men and women of our armed forces might think, if only for a second, that our nation doesn't support the sacrafice they are making for our safety, security, and lives. I've got two kids who know that our American soldiers protect them from the monsters that not even daddy can, and a third that will once he is old enough. I hope to God, that our men and women don't think we have failed or abondoned them.
In my opinion this loss was earned from the standard inability of the Republican party to accept success and lead; provide a clear vision for the future; and have the guts to follow through and get to a vote that the American people can see and judge. Screw winning or losing, take the vote and make people accountable.
The House has to be accountable - no vision, no plan, no consolidate message. Blame it on the defensive posture caused by the myriad of crap flung at them by the MSM if you want, but those distractions didn't work under Newt. The freaking Republicans need to learn that holding power means nothing if you don't have an agenda for the nation, and you don't use that power to advance it. That failure pretty much sums up the last six years, and this election.
The Senate has to be accountable. As I noted above - at least Chaffee is gone. Too many of those middle of the road, position changes with the wind idiots in that elitist group of obstructionists to start with. Dems +1, Reblicans +5, what's the difference? Standard has been at supermajority for any productive results out of that flapping wing of the government so expect more of the same - nothing. Hastert might have been able to steer the House here and there, but with the effectiveness roadblock known as the Senate operating at SNAFU, it had to be like banging his head on a brick wall.
What now?
Build a plan. Call it contract with America II, call it whatever you want, but build a plan. Don't poll people about what they think of the plan. Just build a plan for our nation that represents American values. Spend the next six months refining that plan (no polls or focus groups). Get it air tight. Package it. Get it out, get it known. Make the promise that if you elect us (not me) these things will happen. Make it clear that if these things happen the United States will be better off because these will be the results.
Fact is voters have changed. "Keep it simple stupid" and "its the economy" are bygones of a past era. Nothing is simple anymore, and most people don't understand the economy. Voters want results.
Worth clarifying - voters want results, and people who will provide them.