Storm Warnings

Democrats remind me of my friends on the Outer Banks last week: battening down, nervously watching the approaching storm and hoping it turns out to be a Category 1 that spares the house – and the Senate.
 
There are dire warnings of losing the state Senate and possibly even the House – or a result so close a couple of Democrats may bolt and elect a coalition Speaker.
 
Senate Democrats bravely counter that things are looking much better than that forecast.
 
The generic polls look foreboding. For all his political and rhetorical gifts – and granting that his unusual disciple and unique long-term strategic perspective may get him reelected in 2012 – President Obama isn’t giving Democrats any lift.
 
He could well face a Republican House next year. And if it’s a Category 4 storm, a Republican Senate.
 
There is just one course for Democrats to pursue: raise money, rally the dispirited troops and – most of all – savage your opponents. A positive message won’t win this year; you’ve got to make voters hate your opponent more than they hate you.
 
It’s an old and outdated cliché that Labor Day marks the beginning of the campaign. No, it began long ago.
 
This Labor Day means that Democrats have eight weeks to put their disaster-survival kits to use.
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Gary Pearce

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Storm Warnings

Democrats remind me of my friends on the Outer Banks last week: battening down, nervously watching the approaching storm and hoping it turns out to be a Category 1 that spares the house – and the Senate.
 
There are dire warnings of losing the state Senate and possibly even the House – or a result so close a couple of Democrats may bolt and elect a coalition Speaker.
 
Senate Democrats bravely counter that things are looking much better than that forecast.
 
The generic polls look foreboding. For all his political and rhetorical gifts – and granting that his unusual disciple and unique long-term strategic perspective may get him reelected in 2012 – President Obama isn’t giving Democrats any lift.
 
He could well face a Republican House next year. And if it’s a Category 4 storm, a Republican Senate.
 
There is just one course for Democrats to pursue: raise money, rally the dispirited troops and – most of all – savage your opponents. A positive message won’t win this year; you’ve got to make voters hate your opponent more than they hate you.
 
It’s an old and outdated cliché that Labor Day marks the beginning of the campaign. No, it began long ago.
 
This Labor Day means that Democrats have eight weeks to put their disaster-survival kits to use.
Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

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