The Fall Elections
Republican prospects in the elections this fall are looking pretty glum.
The President’s popularity has fallen, even some Republicans are having doubts about the war in
The Democrats’ reaction to all this has been simple: It looks like we’re going to win this election hands down, so let’s not fumble. So, other than fulminating to appease their core supporters, they aren’t really offering any alternatives on the war or on immigration. They’re content to snip at Bush and play it safe and let nature take its course.
The Republican reaction to the impending electoral typhoon has had two legs: 1) Let’s get all these debates that are killing us off the table and make this election about something else. And 2) At the same time let’s fire up our base.
So, the Republicans want a fight with Democrats on gay marriage – which most voters agree with Republicans on and which lights a fire under the Republican base – and other, similar, issues.
But the real problem for Republicans is the war in
Terrorism was the issue in the 2002 election,
For Republicans, the bottom line is tough: We seem to be losing the war – or, maybe, it is kinder to say we’re not winning it fast enough – but, either way, all we can say is hold on and stay the course. Which is a harder political sell every day because the course in
The Democrats’ strategy, though they won’t put it quite this bluntly, is surrender. Get the hell out. We’ve fought the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time, so ring down the curtain.
Which, unfortunately, leaves the American people with no one saying, Here’s what I am going to do different to win this war. Which is what someone needs to figure out.
Because if they don’t it looks like voters will face two choices this fall: 1) sticking with Republicans and continuing the war, without what appears to be enough men or soldiers or something to defeat the terrorists; or 2) electing a Democratic Congress and watching them retreat out of the whole mess.
Neither choice has much appeal to voters.
But right now, at least, the Democrats have the upper hand as far as the election goes.
The Fall Elections
Republican prospects in the elections this fall are looking pretty glum.
The President’s popularity has fallen, even some Republicans are having doubts about the war in
The Democrats’ reaction to all this has been simple: It looks like we’re going to win this election hands down, so let’s not fumble. So, other than fulminating to appease their core supporters, they aren’t really offering any alternatives on the war or on immigration. They’re content to snip at Bush and play it safe and let nature take its course.
The Republican reaction to the impending electoral typhoon has had two legs: 1) Let’s get all these debates that are killing us off the table and make this election about something else. And 2) At the same time let’s fire up our base.
So, the Republicans want a fight with Democrats on gay marriage – which most voters agree with Republicans on and which lights a fire under the Republican base – and other, similar, issues.
But the real problem for Republicans is the war in
Terrorism was the issue in the 2002 election,
For Republicans, the bottom line is tough: We seem to be losing the war – or, maybe, it is kinder to say we’re not winning it fast enough – but, either way, all we can say is hold on and stay the course. Which is a harder political sell every day because the course in
The Democrats’ strategy, though they won’t put it quite this bluntly, is surrender. Get the hell out. We’ve fought the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time, so ring down the curtain.
Which, unfortunately, leaves the American people with no one saying, Here’s what I am going to do different to win this war. Which is what someone needs to figure out.
Because if they don’t it looks like voters will face two choices this fall: 1) sticking with Republicans and continuing the war, without what appears to be enough men or soldiers or something to defeat the terrorists; or 2) electing a Democratic Congress and watching them retreat out of the whole mess.
Neither choice has much appeal to voters.
But right now, at least, the Democrats have the upper hand as far as the election goes.