This November and the Battle of Saratoga
A colleague from the Reagan speechwriting shop, Clark Judge is one of my oldest friends--and one of the most perceptive observers of American politics I've encountered. In an email this morning, Clark suggests that the election this November might prove even more significant than the most optimistic among us now supposes.
It is not just that political alignments and governing assumptions in place for decades are coming undone. An entirely new demand is rising in the electorate. Even now it is only murkily visible and faintly audible to today’s elites. And yet it hoists its flags and musters its masses and sounds its cries on the field of every poll and Tea Party rally...around the nation. If it has staying power, the unfinished portion of the transformation you and I participated in all those years ago will advance to fruition within the decade....The old George Will conundrum of a people opposed to all programs but their own is breaking down. Obama didn’t create this new constituency. But it has built in reaction to him and his frightening overreach.
The Obama overreach reminds Clark of Gen. Burgoyne, one of the British commanders during the American Revolution. Burgoyne attempted to march down the Hudson River Valley to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Burgoyne's campaign began well enough. But he soon encountered stiff American resistance. Although Burgoyne defeated the Americans at the Battle of Freeman's Farm on Sept. 19, 1777, he suffered heavy losses.
When Burgoyne continued his advance, launching a second attack on the Americans in the Oct. 7 Battle of Bemis Heights, the Americans proved determined and adventurous, withstanding a bayonet charge, then counterattacking so effectively that the British lines broke. The British retreated in disorder to entrenchments in their rear. Gen. Benedict Arnold (before he turned traitor, of course) then led determined attacks on both wings of the British defenses, capturing the second.
Having lost 1,000 men, Burgoyne now found himself outnumbered by three to one. He withdrew to the fortifications at Saratoga from which he had begun his advance. The Americans quickly surrounded him. On Oct. 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered.
Why did American resistance prove so much more determined than Burgoyne seems to have expected?
[T]he British overreached. They encouraged the Indian tribes to join them....[H]orrified, upstate New York’s undecided farmers and merchants rallied round the new flag, believing (rightly) the old one had turned against them.
So it is today. The last year and a half has prompted revulsion in large numbers who were previously undecided. They are not convinced that all in the GOP march with them, hence successful challenges to [GOP] incumbents and annointeds in state after state. But they know in the end which side they are on. The fight will be fearsome, but the outcome, I feel, is assured. And no part of the political world....will remain [untouched].
To which, there really is only one possible response, isn't there?
Huzzah!
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Comments :
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
That and, ack, Harry Reid isn't quite the goner he should be, yet. Rally the assembled and rally them good, for this isn't an over-by-Christmas sort of engagement.
May '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
It'll take more than big gains in Nov. to dispel that George Will conundrum, though. It will take those newly minted lawmakers' actively dismantling your program and my program while at the same time retaining our support. Then and only then will we have ushered in a new day.
May '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
I do not believe there has ever been a time in the life of the United States when her people did not believe that they were bequesting to the next generation a better life than the present one. That is until now.
The elites who send their children to the exclusive schools and live the dream of political dynasties do not comprehend. They believe we can be bought with borrowed money and class envy to which they also wish to be immune from.
I look at my four children and I fear for them greatly. (Especially for my oldest son and the baby brother who idolizes him, as he has decided to devote himself to the spirit of Semper Fidelis.)
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
Setting aside all other matters for one moment, let's pause to thank EJ Hill for having raised a son with the patriotism and sense of service to enter the U.S. Marine Corps. (Something tells me the baby brother is going to grow up to be a fine young man, too.)
Jun '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
Hear, hear. I add my thanks. My deepest regret in life was that I elected not to follow my father's footsteps into the USAF, despite the opportunity for a full scholarship at the academy. Yet I am grateful that in my career vocation (defense contractor - engineer), I know that even indirectly, what I do is for the ultimate benefit and safety of those who serve on the front lines of freedom. The Warfighter deserves my best effort, no matter how minor my role may be. May God bless and protect them all.
As James said, this is not an "over-by-Christmas engagement." It won't be over by 2013 either. To truly recapture the American heritage, it will take parents bequeathing to their children the principles of liberty, integrity and a sense of history. It starts with us.
May '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
Dittos and Amen to EJHill and sons.
May '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
An important article on the disconnect I spoke of can be found at the American Spectator.
Jul '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
Aside from the Spectator article referred to by EJ Hill, and Jonah Goldberg's essay on the changes he sees coming, Lee Harris has written a book entitled "The Next American Civil War: the populist revolt against the liberal elite."
The voting booth is of extraordinary importance right now. The USA has no more room for voter irregularities; the elections must be fair, and must be SEEN as fair. It's not a time to play games, because consequences could be extremely serious if such as Franken's election or the New Black Panthers' event recur.
Jul '10
Re: This November and the Battle of Saratoga
Everyone has a chance this election year (and moving forward) to contribute to the support of the republic. My repeated advice: Go local. Go vocal. Remember in November. Attend city council meetings — write up a report and submit it to your local paper. Attend school board meetings — write up a report and submit it to your local paper. Your local paper not printing your reports? Start a posterous account, or a WordPress blog, or an email newsletter. Volunteer as a poll worker, a precinct captain, a campaign flunky. Keep a point-and-shoot or video camera on you, take pix and POST them. Don't let new contracts with public employee unions be rubberstamped. Don't let friendly board members cooperate in pension spiking. Don't let new budgets be voted on without public scrutiny and discussion. Start now: Go local. Go vocal. Remember in November.