I remember the day after the 1994 elections. I was working with a liberal Democrat — almost a professional liberal Democrat. And he was quite sour, as you can imagine. He sniffed, “Well, Ted Kennedy won in Massachusetts.” The senior senator had faced down a stiff challenge from Mitt Romney. I said, “Yes, a Kennedy won in Massachusetts. Congratulations.”
The Democrats had some wins last night — painful wins, to me. But it was still a big night for the Republicans. Very.
After the 2006 and 2008 elections, Republicans were supposed to spend some time in the wilderness — a long time. It turned out, they spent a very, very short time in the wilderness. They were there barely long enough to enjoy some solitude.
People were talking about “the death of conservatism.” I think James Carville wrote a book about the Democrats’ coming 40-year reign. You have to be a little cautious, when evaluating American politics. The pendulum can swing back and knock you on your behind.
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All my life, Democrats have portrayed the Republicans as a racist party. I imagine they will do this for another hundred years or so. But I think that the charge will wear thinner and thinner. There may well come a time — and soon — when the Republicans have as many “minority” officeholders as the Democrats do.
Over and over, the Republicans nominate black candidates, and white liberal Democrats defeat them — as is their right. And then the Democrats say, “Ha, ha: You Republicans have no black officeholders.” In 2006 alone, I think of Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania, Ken Blackwell in Ohio, and Michael Steele in Maryland. They were all beaten by standard white liberals. Fine. But then the Democrats said, “Ha, ha, you have no . . .”
What is it about conservative Republican Indian-American governors? It is thrilling, is all I can say.
Col. Allen West is a blazing Reagan Republican, black, who won in a very, very white Florida House district. There is much to ponder there: not so much about West as about the American people. For a profile I did of this extraordinary candidate last May, go here.
If you don’t know Ron Johnson — the senator-elect from Wisconsin — you will want to know him. He is the personification of the Tea Party candidate: a businessman who rose up and decided to run for office because the country was headed alarmingly downward. For a piece I did on his race with Senator Feingold, go here.
I thought Sean Bielat would beat Barney Frank, I really did. And I thought the Republican would beat the governor, Deval Patrick. I was badly wrong on both counts. And I took some ribbing about this, at a little Election Night party I had. “What were you smokin’?” my guests said (savvy politicos all). I could only reply, “Scott Brown played with my mind. After his victory there, I thought Massachusetts was truly different. But it turns out to be pretty much the Massachusetts we have long known.”
The wins I was most hoping for, did not come to pass. My three highest wishes were these: Angle over Reid; the return of Bob Ehrlich to the governorship in Maryland; and Carly over Boxer.
Angle is supposed to be dumb, Reid swift (or swifter). I think they had just one debate — one organized debate. I did not see all of it, but I saw excerpts. And I thought that Angle was the more impressive, one’s political preferences quite aside. I thought she outclassed him. Reid, I thought, was barely coherent. I almost felt sorry for him.
Bob Ehrlich is one of the smartest, most interesting, most likable, most appealing politicians in the country. Maryland is simply too Democratic for him. He said he had to be perfect to win in 2002 (which he did). He said he had to be more than perfect to win this year (which, of course, he did not). Those were his exact words to me, when I interviewed him some months ago: “We have to be more than perfect.” In any other state, probably — maybe not Massachusetts! — he’d be governor. I hope the Republicans find a place for him somewhere, sometime. Cabinet?
He might well have an easier time getting elected president than getting elected governor of Maryland. I swear.
I hope the Republicans find a place for Carly Fiorina, too: a big, big talent, an asset to the party nationally. It was extremely hard to do what she tried to do: beat Barbara Boxer in California. She performed valiantly, I believe.
Unfortunately, you are correct regarding the prospects of California. Texas, and other business-friendly states, should ramp-up their efforts to aggressively market themselves as states that support and encourage business growth. Many businesses have already relocated to Texas and other business-friendly states, and my guess is that many more, especially in states that elect/re-elect the likes of Brown and Boxer (California) and Patrick and Frank (Massachusetts), will perform cost-benefit analysis regarding relocating to more ‘friendly environs’. If the leaders and a majority of voters in states like California want to usher out businesses and taxpayers, states like Texas should support those wishes by putting out ‘Welcome’ mats. After all, it’s only the neighborly thing to do.
Regards,
Dino
PS...Let’s hope more people begin to realize that in the global marketplace we are (i.e., the U.S.) becoming more like California, Michigan and New York, and less like Texas. However, it is obviously quite difficult to overcome the self-inflicted wounds, or ‘toxic brew’, of an educational system that combines reduced standards with liberal ‘social-justice’ indoctrination.
....here in nyc...i don't get the north east...cuomo was head of hud, w/ all the fiscal probs fannie 'n freddie put forth....'n yet his was a no contest....so screwy...
"The dynastic element in American politics is amazing."
I'd have said "disgusting" myself...the virtues of the young Quayle notwithstanding.
Consider this, for example. California has long been the most populous state--there are now thirty-seven million people living there. Yet since World War II, the only Democrats they've managed to find to elect as Governor have been Edmund Gerald Brown, Sr., Edmund Gerald Brown, Jr. ...oh, and that one poor sap they wound up recalling, probably because his name did not have "Edmund", "Gerald", or "Brown" anywhere in it.
If there is ever a new term-limits movement, we should make sure an anti-dynastic component is included as well. Or did we decide, one day when I wasn't looking, that America is actually okay with handing over political power to hereditary aristocracies?
The elite with a sense of arrogance and the underclass with a sense of entitlement: They deserve each other. To the last member of the middle class to leave CA: Turn out the lights.
Mike Kelly (PA-3) is another guy who decided to run when he got mad at current conditions.
In his case, it happened when Government Motors called him up and informed him that he'd be allowed to keep his Chevy franchise, but not his Cadillac franchise. He won in arbitration, but he decided that if there was anything he could to prevent the bought and paid for property of Americans from being unilaterally revoked by the government, he would.
After the 2006 and 2008 elections, Republicans were supposed to spend some time in the wilderness — a long time. It turned out, they spent a very, very short time in the wilderness. They were there barely long enough to enjoy some solitude.
