The most minimal, fundamental statement, the indivisible subatomic fact that cannot be further divided, divined, spun or rationalized regarding the 2006 election is that the Grand Old Party had their collective asses handed to them on a paper plate. Democrats wet their pants; and the most appropriate Republican to fall on his sword, was forced on his, to the hilt, by the collective weight of his shell-shocked party. The President and perceived new congressional leaders pledged bipartisan cooperation. And the media, the media, both left and right like wise sages knew what was going to happen all along.The Democrats won decisively, but this win should not be perceived as a mandate. The Democrats have nothing to resemble a unified message. They have a leadership as inspiring as piss-warm beer. They benefited from an unpopular war, an unpopular president and staff to a man and woman, and a jilted far-right evangelical Christian wing that stayed home. The Democrats should make no mistake. National Democratic Committee Chairman Howard Dean’s claim that that one in every three white Christian evangelicals who voted cast it for a Democrat is not merely naive; it is the same delusional thinking that has fueled the last seven years of Republican government. It is silly propaganda that is no more supportable than the agenda preached by that master propagandist, Karl Rove. The white Christian evangelicals, disgusted with their betrayl by the current administration stayed at home and that is one big reason the Democrats won.
What a gift for near-sensible political thinking. That is if this opportunity is not squandered by the Democrats. Get a message, Democrats, or the Party of Lincoln will return the favor in the near future. And none of us can afford that.
© Copyright, C. Michael Bailey, 2006
