Lets get this straight: The federal deficit is such a big crisis that we cant extend benefits for millions of Americans who are unemployed many of them in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure? But without a second thought we can extend a massive temporary tax cut for the rich even though asking the wealthy to pay their fair share would go a long way toward erasing the deficit?
This as helpfully laid out by Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona is the Republican Partys economic policy. Its tempting to conclude that if Democrats lose big in November it will be their own fault because theyre running against a party thats preaching pure incoherence.
The thing is we already know that the Republicans prescription for the economy doesnt work. We gave their approach an eight-year trial under George W. Bush -- basically squeeze money out of the middle class and transfer it to the upper class which theoretically then shows its gratitude by creating jobs for what BPs chairman would call the small people.
The result of the experiment has been the worst economic slump since the Great Depression.
That should settle the question of what happens this fall.
Democrats ought to be looking at the prospect of only modest losses consistent with the historical pattern of midterm elections.
Instead they are going to have to fight tooth and nail to keep their congressional majorities especially in the House.
Im of the school that contends White House press secretary Robert Gibbs did his party a favor by publicly stating the obvious: Control of the House of Representatives is in play. Im also of the opinion that the Republican Partys prospects arent quite as sunny as some observers believe. But Gibbss candor seemed to jolt Democrats out of the sour lassitude in which they had been mired.
The party has now shifted into something resembling a sour frenzy but thats an improvement.
One reason Im not so confident of a Republican blowout in the fall is that while polls clearly show that the country is in an anti-incumbent mood theres also considerable evidence that people see the GOP as part of the problem not part of the solution. A new Post-ABC News poll for example showed that 58 percent of voters have just some confidence or even less in President Obamas leadership and that 68 percent were similarly doubtful about the ability of congressional Democrats to lead. But 72 percent had little or no faith in congressional Republicans -- which suggests to me that the GOP has work to do before its leaders start picking out new office suites in the Capitol.
Another reason for caution is that the Republican Party is out of step with the American public on so many issues.
Americans want to see unemployment benefits extended. They want tougher financial regulation complete with consumer protections. Even health-care reform which the GOP succeeded in painting as the apocalypse becomes more popular as the months pass and somehow the world does not end.
Its true that on some issues Republicans hold the more popular position. On illegal immigration for example most Americans agree with the GOPs get-tough border-first approach. But Latino voters are passionate in supporting Obamas policy of seeking comprehensive immigration reform including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already here.
If Democrats can harness this passion they can hold on to House and Senate seats that otherwise might slip away -- and in the process potentially cement the support of the nations largest minority group for decades to come.
After rising from the ashes of 2008 by uniting in opposition to anything Obama and the Democrats tried to do Republicans are defined more by the word no than by anything else. They have a rallying cry but not a program.
Are the populist Tea Party types really going to accept the fat-cat economic philosophy of the GOP congressional leadership?
Is drill baby drill a viable energy strategy after the BP disaster? Is Sen. Lindsey Graham the voice of the party on Afghanistan or is Michael Steele?
Thats a lot for Democrats to work with. I happen to believe that Obama and his party have established a remarkable record of achievement. Many Americans do not agree however and the thing for Democrats to do is not to sulk and feel mis-understood but to go out and change peoples minds.
Democrats need to get over themselves. And then they need to get busy.
Lets get this straight: The federal deficit is such a big crisis that we cant extend benefits for millions of Americans who are unemployed many of them in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure? But without a second thought we can extend a massive temporary tax cut for the rich even though asking the wealthy to pay their fair share would go a long way toward erasing the deficit?
This as helpfully laid out by Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona is the Republican Partys economic policy. Its tempting to conclude that if Democrats lose big in November it will be their own fault because theyre running against a party thats preaching pure incoherence.
The thing is we already know that the Republicans prescription for the economy doesnt work. We gave their approach an eight-year trial under George W. Bush -- basically squeeze money out of the middle class and transfer it to the upper class which theoretically then shows its gratitude by creating jobs for what BPs chairman would call the small people.
The result of the experiment has been the worst economic slump since the Great Depression.
That should settle the question of what happens this fall.
Democrats ought to be looking at the prospect of only modest losses consistent with the historical pattern of midterm elections.
Instead they are going to have to fight tooth and nail to keep their congressional majorities especially in the House.
Im of the school that contends White House press secretary Robert Gibbs did his party a favor by publicly stating the obvious: Control of the House of Representatives is in play. Im also of the opinion that the Republican Partys prospects arent quite as sunny as some observers believe. But Gibbss candor seemed to jolt Democrats out of the sour lassitude in which they had been mired.
The party has now shifted into something resembling a sour frenzy but thats an improvement.
One reason Im not so confident of a Republican blowout in the fall is that while polls clearly show that the country is in an anti-incumbent mood theres also considerable evidence that people see the GOP as part of the problem not part of the solution. A new Post-ABC News poll for example showed that 58 percent of voters have just some confidence or even less in President Obamas leadership and that 68 percent were similarly doubtful about the ability of congressional Democrats to lead. But 72 percent had little or no faith in congressional Republicans -- which suggests to me that the GOP has work to do before its leaders start picking out new office suites in the Capitol.
Another reason for caution is that the Republican Party is out of step with the American public on so many issues.
Americans want to see unemployment benefits extended. They want tougher financial regulation complete with consumer protections. Even health-care reform which the GOP succeeded in painting as the apocalypse becomes more popular as the months pass and somehow the world does not end.
Its true that on some issues Republicans hold the more popular position. On illegal immigration for example most Americans agree with the GOPs get-tough border-first approach. But Latino voters are passionate in supporting Obamas policy of seeking comprehensive immigration reform including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already here.
If Democrats can harness this passion they can hold on to House and Senate seats that otherwise might slip away -- and in the process potentially cement the support of the nations largest minority group for decades to come.
After rising from the ashes of 2008 by uniting in opposition to anything Obama and the Democrats tried to do Republicans are defined more by the word no than by anything else. They have a rallying cry but not a program.
Are the populist Tea Party types really going to accept the fat-cat economic philosophy of the GOP congressional leadership?
Is drill baby drill a viable energy strategy after the BP disaster? Is Sen. Lindsey Graham the voice of the party on Afghanistan or is Michael Steele?
Thats a lot for Democrats to work with. I happen to believe that Obama and his party have established a remarkable record of achievement. Many Americans do not agree however and the thing for Democrats to do is not to sulk and feel mis-understood but to go out and change peoples minds.
Democrats need to get over themselves. And then they need to get busy.
