Has anyone here seen my old friend Teddy's senate seat? Can you tell me where it's gone?
Suspending disbelief for a moment, you have to give Scott Brown his due, devil that he is... He caught the entire Democratic Party asleep at the wheel. Somehow the entire party thought the only thing that mattered was getting a health care bill passed... That's important, but this is a country in deep economic trouble too, and the perception of many, even in Massachusetts is nothing's being done about it.
Or is it white anger cascading to a crescendo of catchy discontent nation-wide? Not likely because Massachusetts voted Obama in by 62%. Brown only won with 51%. Massachusetts also has a black governor named Deval Patrick whom they voted in with 56% in 2006... It's got to be something else.
Scott Brown wins by a few thousand Independent and Reagan Democrat votes. These voters are key to every election for the foreseeable future.
Since last June, there have been 2 narratives running simultaneously in America: 1) The Obama narrative that every American should have health care; 2) Republican insistence that Obama is out of step with Americans because he pushes health care and is a socialist...
Forgetting that the country is in the grips of a most devastating economic crisis due to recent Republican leadership in all three branches of government, the Republican narrative has delivered them the late Ted Kennedy's senate seat anyway... How is this possible? Anything is possible with Democrats simply. They are a fractious group by political nature. However, Democrats were caught still living in November 2008...
But there can be no finger pointing in this defeat. Allowing a Republican to take Teddy's senate seat is like allowing Mark McGuire to play in Hank Aaron's uniform... The American economy has gotten so bad that even the bluest Democratic states are willing to kill tradition for jobs and better living wages. Even some Democrats are willing to buy into foolishness if it sounds like they will not have to make sacrifices as we all will if we plan on righting the country's economic ship.
Let's face it, no man could reverse in 1 year the economic destruction that took Bush 8 years to create.
Unfortunately for Obama and the Democrats, they don't have time to write a third narrative about how they're trying to undo what Bush and the Republicans have done. Especially with a dishonest media trotting out, as legitimate voices of reason,"wingnuts" who beguile an uniformed electorate with corporate bait i.e. tea parties.
For the most part, some Americans will vote for anyone whom they think inoculates them from experiencing hard times... Especially those willing to blame someone or some group for their own troubles. They'll even try Scott Brown in Massachusetts once.
Obama should work to make sure the public understands his agenda by carrying it out to the fullest...
Forget bi-partisanship, man! Do what the people voted you in to do... Change Washington, and do it boldly. You've lost 1 senate seat in the process, but you still have 59 to work with... which is more than enough.
G.L.M.
2 comments:
Gregg you hit the nail on the head. Democrates cannot rest on their laurals. Change is inevitalbe and will run over you if you fail to pay constant attention. We have to be constantly villigant to make sure our president has the time to implement his programs. He cannot second-guess his instincts. They are good and he needs to follow them and not be swayed by all the flack being thrown at him. Patience is a virture lacking in so many of us. We forget so easily how we got to where we are and expect instant change and improvement when reality tells us it never happens instantly, (other than in a dream world.) We have to keep our eyes on the prize, our focus clear, and commetment strong.
Democrats are like the Los Angeles Dodgers- A bunch of good guys with endless potential, but too afraid to win. The democrats swept many seats (not to mention the ultimate seat) in the first round of the "playoffs". However, facing a tough challenge in the second and final round before reaching the promiseland, the democrats folded like cheap suits. Everyone knows that these guys have what it takes to begin a dynasty. But year after year it seems that they are content to just "show-up". Damn Yankees, er I mean Republicans! As much as I despise their political agenda, you can't help yourself but admire their willingness to win. Here's hoping hope springs eternal. After all, hope is what got President Barack Obama elected. Would it be too much to ask for a dynasty? Will just one championship do? Are we doomed to cry the Cubbie's lament: "Wait till next year!" Somebody tell me that we democrats are not the loveable losers! It takes backbone to win year-after-year. You gota have teeth if your going to run with the big dogs. Ah, but don't blame it all on our President. The team he leads needs to play their supporting role accordingly. Ruth didn't do it alone. Dimaggio, Mantle, and Reggie had a good supporting cast that came through in the clutch. Mr. President, The Democrats had a chance to sign a top-knotch free agent. But, alas it got away. The key to your dynasty slipped away. Damn Yankees!, Damn Republicans!!!
Tony Mora
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