Let’s speak plainly. Republicans got their bleep kicked Tuesday night.
It was ugly. As I sat in a downtown D.C. coffeehouse on a cramped couch surrounded by bloggers blogging, I knew there’d be little good news for Republicans when the sun came up. The people spoke loudly and clearly: “You guys stink.”
In “Another Campaign Begins,” I tried to sum up, in 600 words, why I thought Republicans lost. While Americans voted for “conservative” policies, they rejected the men behind those policies. It is possible that people were so angry about the war in Iraq and recent scandals that they’ve indeed cut off their noses to spite their faces.
Self-mutilation isn’t illegal.
If former House Speaker Dennis Hastert had resigned after it was discovered that he’d known about former Congressman Mark Foley’s e-mails to underage boys for at least four years, would Republicans still be running things? Or if Bush had gone into Iraq more aggressively and cleanly? Or if Republicans had stuck to the “small government” principle? Or…who knows?
I can almost hear talk of socialized medicine, amnesty for illegal aliens (Bush must be in hog heaven!), more government regulations (interference is more precise), and appeasing Muslim terrorists and other murderous thugs. If Bush were a truly conservative president, I wouldn’t be worried. He still has the power to veto whatever he doesn’t like. But we know Bush isn’t a truly conservative president.
The Brits got it right on this one. The Democrats are directionless, and, after 12 years in the minority, out of practice. In another term or two, the people will sweep Republicans back into office. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy blogging about Democrats’ missteps, of which there will be plenty, and defending conservatism from a “minority” point of view.
Today I’ll listen in on a blogger conference call about “GOP leadership.” Yeah, right. The last thing I want to talk about is Republican leadership. Let’s talk about conservative leadership, socially conservative leadership.
The sun has set on Republican rule. But it will rise again. Next time, I hope it’s conservatives, and not just Republicans, in charge of things.
Update: Impeachment talk? Surely not! [sarcasm off]
Update (3:21 p.m.): VA Senator George Allen has honorably conceded the race to James Webb.
Sources:
- Captain Ed says: No, let’s wait before we start campaigning…
- Money quote: “Couldn’t it have waited a day or two longer?”
- Meet the Blue Dogs: pro-gun, anti-abortion – and Democrat: Yes!
- A Loss’s Silver Lining: “First, they were punished not for pursuing but for forgetting conservatism. Second, they admire market rationality, and the political market has worked. Third, on various important fronts, conservatism continued its advance Tuesday.”
- OK, Democrats: Time to show your plan
- Conservatism Was Not Defeated
- Election Not ‘Voter Rebuke’ for Conservatives, Leaders Say
- We need humor!
