That is, if the Republicans have any strategic sense at all. They should start working tomorrow to come up with the next election plan. The Democrats are going to overreach in 2009, they won’t be able to help it. I think Obama is smarter, more politically adept, and less mistake-prone than Bill Clinton – but also more ideological.

As for Congress, the difference between the leadership in 1994 and now is immense, both in terms of capability and radical predispositions. Once they begin to implement “change,” the American people will experience a major case of buyer’s remorse. If the GOP can present a principled, optimistic, sensible alternative, they will prevail. But this will require some smart, gutsy leadership, which has been in short supply lately.