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| Home Front: Politix |
| Brown Upset - Populist Ire |
| 2010-01-21 |
| The remarkable Republican victory in Massachusetts demonstrated convincingly that the deep populist anger fueling the Tea Party movement has migrated from the political fringe to the mainstream, forcing both parties to confront how to channel a growing mood of public resentment to their own ends. "Democrats are beginning to understand that this is the center of American politics and not the far right," said Dick Armey, the former House Republican leader who has been instrumental in helping organize the conservative grass-roots movement. I doubt it, but this in the NY Times. But it was impossible to judge whether the manner of Mr. Brown's win would become the rule or an exception. National Republicans and the grass roots could easily find themselves in clashes over conservative dogma that ultimately weaken general election candidates. The divide between the party establishment and grass-roots conservatives already cost Republicans a House seat in New York this year, complicated the battle for the party's Senate nomination in Florida and is threatening to erupt in other races. Members of the Tea Party movement pride themselves on a willingness to take on Republicans who do not embrace what they consider proper conservative standards. "If you are a Republican in a red state, don't think this can't happen to you," warned Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, referring to Ms. Coakley's humbling defeat and the delicate relationship between the political class and the expanding grass roots network. Amid the day's gloom, Democrats saw opportunity as well. They view the financial regulatory overhaul taking shape in Congress as a way to appeal to Americans angry about their own economic struggles at a time when bankers -- widely viewed as the culprits in the financial meltdown -- are again reaping huge bonuses. Many Republicans have been resistant to tighter oversight of Wall Street and big banks, setting up a clear contrast between the parties. But the dance with disaffected Americans is clearly trickier for Democrats. As the party in power -- granted by some of the same angry voters in 2006 and 2008 -- Democrats are by definition the establishment that voters seem to want to punish. Moreover, there is a deep divide between liberals, who are increasingly arguing that President Obama has been too timid and too quick to fold on matters of principle, and moderates, who think the White House and Congressional Democrats need to move to the political center. Still, incumbency and control of Congress grant Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats a big stage from which to make a case, and they seem to be settling on a two-pronged strategy. First, they seem intent on striking a more populist economic tone, mainly by taking a hard line against Wall Street. In the last week Mr. Obama has sought to impose a tax on big banks to recoup the costs of the financial bailout. He is also trying to thwart efforts to kill a proposal for a new agency to protect consumers from financial excesses and fraud. Second, they are starting to take steps to show independent and centrist voters that they will do more to attack the budget deficit and national debt. Not even after pigs fly. Members of both parties agree the electorate is unsettled and unhappy. Many Americans see themselves as people who play by the rules but struggle to keep their heads above water while the government devotes its attention to saving those who made bad or irresponsible decisions, like bankers and auto executives. Financial distress is compounded by security fears worsened by the Christmas Day bombing attempt. Yep. "That is a pretty potent combination," said Senator Bob Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania. "We have to constantly remind folks that we are working on their problems and we are focused on jobs." And you were trying your best to create a zillion jobs - in government. Other centrist Democrats said the results in Massachusetts could become a blessing in disguise by forcing Democrats to rein in their legislative agenda and focus on less expansive policies than the health care overhaul now teetering with the loss of the Democratic majority's crucial 60th vote. Maybe they'll rethink their 'leadership'. "The loss in Massachusetts should serve as a wake-up call to the wing of the Democratic Party that wants the federal government to overreach and overspend," said Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana. "We need to get back to the basics." One of the more conservative dems, it seems Even Republicans privately acknowledged that the redrawn Congressional landscape could hold benefits for the most vulnerable Democrats in November by easing pressure on them to vote as part of a united 60-member Democratic bloc and sparing them from providing decisive votes on contentious issues. |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #2 Typical of the MSM that they go to one of the old gaurd for the commentary. They totally misrepresent the NY Scozzafava election and they insist on trying to pin their definition on conservatives. Scuzzie is a big government tax and spend type NOT a conservative. 'pubs could have ridden the conservative horse to a victory but they went with the system insider. System insiders are anathema to a true tea party type. Teapartiers are motivated by fears in the areas of Taxing, spending, loss of freedoms and safety. That's about it. Individual tea partiers are all over the map on the much, much less important "social" issues of gay marriage or the war on drugs or abortion. As long as the 'Pubs understand that and become the party of fiscal conservatism and defense they will enjoy grass roots support. As soon as they revert to caring more about the sanctity of marriage then the sanctity of the budget (i.e. DON'T give in to the rent seekers and corporatists) they will lose any traction. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2010-01-21 11:38 |
| #1 Heard on Fox that 71% of the vote for Brown were independents. That should be a message to both parties to straighten up. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-01-21 09:20 |