Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Nov 3, 2010 at 11:04am
I'm sensing an unusual hesitation to comment here on Ricochet. I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I know on my end, I'm having a conflicted reaction, and perhaps an ungracious one. On the one hand, these results are joyous; they're historic; and they're surely numerically game-changing. One does not wish to be anything but grateful for them. On the other, some highly symbolic races were lost. I don't want to spoil a good mood by reflecting too much on those, but in honesty, the photos of Barbara Boxer looking so damned pleased are like a mosquito bite on a beautiful summer evening.
Anyone else feel that way? I think I just need to grow up and get over it, probably.
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Kenneth:
Come on, people, stop whining. Remember where we were two short years ago. · Nov 3 at 11:46am
How about two short days ago.
Aug '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Larry Sabato put it best on Fox News last night when he said, "even in the biggest landslides you never win them all" or words to that effect. Very true.
I'm estatic because even though the hated Mark Dayton won the governorship here in MN we took over both the state house AND the senate!
Gridlock, baby!
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I was on the 2008 post-election NR cruise and I must say, the folks there were sunny and optimistic. It was a whine-free zone. They believed in this country and expected it to right itself in time, with effort.
Now, because we didn't take all the seats we might have hoped for, we're here moping?
Two lessons: (1) We have to be in this for the long haul, which means, above all else, educating the public. (2) We can win with good candidates like Rubio and Toomey. We cannot afford any more Angle's, O'Donnell's, Whitman's or Palin's.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I'm taking today to gloat on the FB. Openly. Changed my official "political views" to Triumphalist, and my status to "gloat, gloat, gloat."
The libs are rather sullen and dispirited, so things must be OK.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I like a point Ramesh just posted on the Corner:
If the tea partiers had gotten all we'd hoped for, we'd be in danger of inflated hopes and expectations going into 2012. The ones that got away from us are sobering in a good way. None of this is going to be easy. We have to be in it for the long haul.
As for O'Donnell and Angle, I am happy to concede that they were weak candidates; that the tea party needs to back better ones next time around, as long as the Republican establishment-types will grant that they'd better not expect us to get behind RINOs.
We need candidates (like Rubio, Haley, Noem, Johnson, Toomey, etc.) who are acceptable to both groups.
Oct '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Claire, I understand your hesitation. Though I'm happy with the overall results - especially with the GOP sweep here in Texas and the victories by Francisco Canseco in TX-23 and Blake Farenthold in TX-27 - I am very disappointed with the result in Nevada. And just as I expected, the Palin critics are out in force claiming that she somehow cost the GOP votes across the board. I guarantee this: without Sarah Palin and the energy she has brought during the past two years, the Republican gains around the country last night wouldn't have been half of what they were.
Nov '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
bernai: To say I was deflated over what has happened in my home state of California is an understatement. I am reminded of the last section from "Casey at the Bat"
"Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light.
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville -- mighty Casey has Struck Out."
Yes in many places the sun is indeed shining bright but I cannot help but feel like a resident from Mudville today.
Oh wherefore art thou Peter Robinson - I need a ray of sunny optimism today. · Nov 3 at 11:57am
Dittos. I'm walking around like a bombed-out shell today.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
If it helps Claire, the sit-lie law that you highlighted passed in SF by a wide margin, even though we failed to pass the measure requiring city employees to pay for their health care. If I'm being truly honest with myself I can't even get too upset about the latter because it was really a ham-handed way to deal with the issue and no serious person believes it isn't an issue.
Of course on FB most of my acquaintances view California today as a bastion of sanity. And as I told one friend, California's choices were not more rational (as he asserted) but they were consistent. We are now embarked on a European style experiment where Democrats have the reins to let government solve our problems (we also abolished a super majority requirement for budget passage) and "an experienced hand," and we'll see. It leads either to Sweden or to Greece.
But whichever one it is, once we get there, there will be no mistaking who is responsible.And in the meantime, it will probably cost us a few thousand more dollars to live here -- but no one is requiring us to stay.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
katievs:
As for O'Donnell and Angle, I am happy to concede that they were weak candidates; that the tea party needs to back better ones next time around, as long as the Republican establishment-types will grant that they'd better not expect us to get behind RINOs.
I like your game Katievs. Prior to last night you would not have given an EU millimeter that there was any weakness there. I'm glad we're on the same team.
Oct '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Regarding Sarah Palin's influence in this election cycle, consider this interesting fact: 30 of 43 Palin endorsees in the House won their races, and 7 of 12 did so in the Senate. Both her reputation and future are looking quite good.
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
@Kenneth
1. Palin picked 28-12 winners over losers.
2. California not so bad? 12.4 Unemployment rate. Pension debt disaster. It's warm in Texas too.
Glen Urquhart lost by the same margin.
Reid was the only race that wasn't predicted with accuracy. Take away message?
Candidates are "weak" or "strong" depending on the prevailing movement in the electorate of that region and the amount of support (GOTV, etc.) and advertising that they have. Both O'Donnell and Angle were picked by the MSM (and the GOP establishment) as candidates that represent the Tea Party and considered them "weak." Both conspired for their own reasons to undo their campaigns and many fell for their caricatures. The former because they want Dems to win, the latter because they enjoy the power they've held. The MSM, as much as we'd like to mock them, is a very powerful organization still.
As for Mr. Ponnuru's assessment. If more Tea Partiers won, that would have been more historic and would put a repeal on Obama's desk every week.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
You made some great comments last night, Katie. We're a big, happy, bickering family. Only reason I'm relieved that la Christine lost was that now I don't have to wear a ladybug costume with Ricochet.com painted on me chest. Peeved that Angle lost the gimme seat, but it's huge anyway you slice it.
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
For those of You feeling down, "Do what I do... Say what I say...." Stand up and chant (at the risk of violating the Code of Conduct):
U! S! A! U! S! A! U! S! A!
Works every time.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
My enthusiasm is muted because we don't know what we've got yet. How many Republicans truly are driven by principles and are willing to fight for them? How will they use the power they have been given? How will they maintain voter support and enthusiasm until we can elect a Republican president?
It's a strong start for an uphill climb.
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Michael Tee: @Kenneth
1. Palin picked 28-12 winners over losers.
Michael, do a little research and find out when Palin endorsed those candidates. She had an interesting habit of coming in mostly when the polls already showed them to be viable.
Sort of like me putting down my wager on horse that's 5 lengths ahead on the home stretch.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I am on cloud 9. I've never in my life been involved in the political process until last year. Since then I've been on a bus trip rally to DC, attended meetings, worked on phone banks, distributed political flyers, knocked on doors and worked outside of a polling place.
And as an added bonus, my 3 candidates, Meehan PA-7, Corbett PA Governor and Toomey US Senate won! It was very hard work, harder than I ever imagined and it won't stop there. But today I'm on cloud 9 and I feel hopeful for the country because the power of the Democrat machine in PA is a force to be reckoned with.
And when I think about Harry Reid I remind myself what it would've been like to see & listen to Chucky Schumer. And then, as the song says, then I don't feel so bad.
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I am cautious to celebrate because the gravity of the situation has crystallized. One day after one of the greatest victories in our democracy's history, we must grapple with the fact that Republicans control only half of the legislature and must continue to stare down a far-left executive. We have a lot of work to do before celebrations are in order.
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Hey, by the way--who won our election pool? Sorry if this has been announced and I'm slow on the uptake: I've been behind on everything today, to the point that I was just formulating my happy remarks about Nikki Haley when I realized the whole election chat had been shut down and everyone had gone to bed. Time zones: sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. (That's philosophically deep, I know.)
May '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
Trace Urdan
katievs:
As for O'Donnell and Angle, I am happy to concede that they were weak candidates; that the tea party needs to back better ones next time around, as long as the Republican establishment-types will grant that they'd better not expect us to get behind RINOs.
I like your game Katievs. Prior to last night you would not have given an EU millimeter that there was any weakness there. I'm glad we're on the same team. · Nov 3 at 12:49pm
I'm glad we're on the same team too, Trace, but you don't quite do me justice. I don't think I've commented on Angle at all, because I didn't know anything about her. With respect to Christine, I've been open from the beginning about her weaknesses as a candidate. I explicitly deplored them Ricochet, no less.
I just thought 1) they were minor compared to Castle's or Coons', 2) that her strengths, values and principles made her worth supporting, and 3) that conservatives (however unimpressed they may have justly been with her cv) shouldn't be swallowing the opposition research version of her character.
Jul '10
Re: Post-Election Punditry Hesitation
I think talking about the need for picking good candidates can be unproductive, especially in super-blue states such as they are. I suggest that we need to pick conservative candidates and stand behind them. This looking down your nose at a Sharon Angle because she doesn't fit your ideal is counter-productive. She's conservative and that is what should matter. When the Democrats choose someone, anyone, they unite behind them quickly and steadfastly. There are criminals (e.g. Marion Barry - first one that came to mind) that Democrats support without question. There are no skeletons in Barney Frank's closet? Is he the ideal Democratic candidate? (Wait...he may be...)
While it is nice to have every single candidate be able to star on the Yale debate team, it is more important to have foot soldiers to carry the burden of making the votes. You cannot do that with a RINO squish. Like a unwilling soldier, you cannot count on that person to do the right thing when the chips are down. Let Rubio, Ryan, et al. be the superstars. What is needed are solid conservatives to deliver the votes.