Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
These days, when I go into the office, someone immediately collars me and asks, “So what’s going to happen? Do you still think … ?” And I answer that I do still think. I really do.
Back on 2 September, in a post entitled Restoring Constitutional Government, I predicted that the Republicans would pick up more than 70 seats in the House and would take the Senate. None of the pundits have yet gotten to the point where I was then, but – when I consult Real Clear Politics, pay a visit to Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, glance at Rasmussen, give Gallup a gander, or dig up Jay Cost or Nate Silver, I consistently find that they have inched yet one more step in my direction – and right now they are very, very nervous. For, like me, they sense that something big is coming, and they have not seen the like. As Stuart Rothenberg put it this morning,
With a week to go until Election Day, House Democrats face the potential of a political bloodbath the size of which we haven’t seen since the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The largest midterm House loss for the president’s party during the last 50 years was 52 seats in 1994. The previous largest losses were 55 seats in 1942 and 71 seats in 1938.
While some Democrats say their party will keep Republican gains to fewer than 39 seats, Democratic losses are likely to be much higher.
Democratic district-level polling suggesting manageable losses is contradicted by GOP surveys, which show more than eight dozen Democrats under 50 percent in general election ballot tests, and dozens of Democratic nominees either trailing their Republican opponents or sitting in the mid-40s.
In wave elections, incumbents of the party at risk tend not to receive the votes of people who are undecided late, so most Democrats need to hold comfortable leads and be near the 50 percent mark if they are going to survive on Election Day.
Ladies and Gentlemen, mark my words! On 2 November 2010, the American people are going to make history. This will, I think, be bigger than 1938, 1942, 1946, 1966, 1980, and 1994. And on the evening of 2 November, I am going to celebrate.
The rest of you can stay up and watch until the glorious end, counting the votes and cackling as you do. Me, I am going to go right to bed if I learn, as I expect to learn, that Barney Frank has lost his seat on the House. After such a consummation, devoutly to be wished, what is there to look forward to? What could top it?
Peter Robinson will tell me: “the demise of Barbara Boxer.” And if I lived in California, I might agree. But the man who prevented the proper regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – well, he’s the man I most want to see go down!
- Comment (18)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Gosh, Professor, you're coming on all Conan:
"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women."
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
By Barney!
Reading Yer optimism is quite contagious.
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Kenneth - it doesn't quite work without the Arnoldian accent.
Listen, we need to give President Obama some credit. He has been honest in his goals (well, after securing the election) and has made it perfectly clear to the American people what he seeks to accomplish. How often have we conservatives lamented the shell games that Democrats play?
He has drawn a bright line, and given us an opportunity to vote on that agenda. Next Tuesday we shall have a referendum on Obama-ist socialism. That is what this is all about, Charlie Brown (Sorry, I'm watching The Great Pumpkin as I type) .
If the American people can reverse their course this firmly, it gives me great hope that we have not "lost it" yet.
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Alright.
"To cruuchz your enemies, see dem driven before you und ear da lamentation of der vemen."
Edited on Oct 28, 2010 at 6:10pmSep '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
chickens not hatched...wait before counting. this is what one learns as a Buckeye fan.
Sep '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
It's a sad state of affairs that it would take the near collapse of our economy to get the people of the MA 4th district to kind of wake up to what's going on. Frank's an arrogant and mean-spirited man. I've read many times about what a witty, clever guy he is, but I've still yet to see it.
May '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
This should prove a great boon to MSNBC. Its talent pool will increase enormously and its rating as well among distraught and confused progressives.
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
2010 may go down as "The Year of the Greatest Awakening Since Jonathan Edwards" in Massachusetts. First Scott Brown, then Barney Frank.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
May '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
So I just participated in a phone survey:
Have I voted already? Yes.
How? By mail
Boxer or Fiorina: Fiorina
Do I consider myself Democrat, Republican or Independent: Republican (though I almost said Independent just to mess with them.)
in 2008, McCain or Obama: Obama (my favorite part of the poll).
Paid for by the National Democratic Senatorial Committee, not affiliated with any specific candidate:
Of course, who else would call a San Franciscan in the middle of Game Two?
Edited on Oct 28, 2010 at 8:06pmSep '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Maybe Barney can go back to his old gig and don the purple dinosaur suit again.
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Trace Urdan: So I just participated in a phone survey:
Have I voted already? Yes.
How? By mail
Boxer or Fiorina: Fiorina
Do I consider myself Democrat, Republican or Independent: Republican (though I almost said Independent just to mess with them.)
in 2008, McCain or Obama: Obama (my favorite part of the poll).
Paid for by the National Democratic Senatorial Committee, not affiliated with any specific candidate:
Of course, who else would call a San Franciscan in the middle of Game Two? · Oct 28 at 7:51pm
Edited on Oct 28 at 08:06 pm
Trace: Obama? Please, please, please tell me it ain't so.
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Don't do this to me, Paul. I'm now actively wondering if Frank is going to lose. The next step is hope, then expectation, and if it doesn't happen, deep deep depression.
Do you promise me it's going to happen?
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Rob Long: Don't do this to me, Paul. I'm now actively wondering if Frank is going to lose. The next step is hope, then expectation, and if it doesn't happen, deep deep depression.
Do you promise me it's going to happen? · Oct 28 at 8:45pm
No kidding. His optimism, and My inexperience, I don't need this.... if he retains his seat.
Trace: that is hilarious!
May '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Light it on Fire baby, Light-it-on-Fire!...
It's like the last days of the Raj, The Democrats in Congress will end up like this scene from Ripping Yarns - Roger of the Raj - "You know what you have to do..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s2FshRUgwQ&feature=related
Edited on Oct 29, 2010 at 6:48amOct '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
I just hope the fire departments in New York and Washington are preparing to install nets outside the editorial offices of the New York Times and the Washington Post to catch potential jumpers the night of November 2nd. Their worst nightmare is coming to pass as the voters take their country back. It will be a great night!
Barney Frank and Barbara Boxer will both lose. Scott Brown won Barney's district; Barney had to lend his campaign $200K and call in Bill Clinton; and Scott Bielatt has run a campaign that Barney can only envy, getting Barney to admit he may have made a mistake on Fannie and Freddie. I would also add Jim Geraghty's excellent "Campaign Spot" on NRO http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot to the sources listed above for insightful predictions.
I voted absentee for Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. The Giants will win the World Series, and will not have to go back to San Francisco to do it.
May '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Kenneth
Trace: Obama? Please, please, please tell me it ain't so. · Oct 28 at 8:11pm
I've already had that tearful confessional twice on this forum Kenneth.
Jul '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Well, no one bats a thousand.
May '10
Re: Sayonara, Barney? Another Massachusetts Miracle?
Trace Urdan
Kenneth
Trace: Obama? Please, please, please tell me it ain't so. · Oct 28 at 8:11pm
I've already had that tearful confessional twice on this forum Kenneth. · Oct 29 at 4:39am
So, what changed your mind about Obama? I'm assuming your mind was changed since you mentioned the tears.