When you examine the data, (http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/bop/) there is only one word that accurately describes the midterm results. The word is *MANDATE*.
When you look at the turnovers at the federal and state level, it wasn't even close. Republicans got ZERO. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Nuthin. Not.A.Single.One.
55% of Americans voted against Republicans running for Congress. 59% of Americans voted against Republicans in Senate contests. 62% of Americans voted against Republicans running for governor.
Adding insult to injury, Independents broke 2 to 1 for Democratic candidates.
This thumping will leave a mark. Bush might have avoided Icarus' fate if he had spent more time in the reality-based world. Icarus can make all the noise he wants about bi-partisan intentions. No one is listening. Here's the beauty of this victory: Armed with a popular mandate that spans the nation, our job is simple. We have to keep the Corrupt Bastards grounded in reality and put cement shoes on the neo-cons, their apologists, shills, and cronies.
I could put up a laundry list of items I think we need to work on, but I won't. Instead, I will take a step back and repeat a strategic perspective I've shared before: Democrats need to be clear, consistent, committed and credible. In the past, I have championed that strategy as critical to winning. It is also critical to leading. As long as we do that, I am comfortable with the wisdom of our collective decision making.
1) Clarity matters: We are here to protect and defend the Constitution.
2) Consistency matters: We are here to uphold the rule of law.
3) Commitment matters: We are here to leave a legacy worth inheriting.
4) Credibility matters: We are here to return transparency to government.
Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. However, that is only useful if we use it. Moreover, we must never lose sight of the fact that we won because Independents broke 2 to 1 for Democrats.
Democrats have to deliver real change. If we are going to turn that mandate into a public trust, we need to prove there is a material difference between Democrats and Republicans. That is not just a matter of words, spin, positioning, framing, or slogans. We have to be committed to demonstrating that difference every day -- clearly, consistently, and credibly. I believe it all boils down to the difference in how Democrats and Republicans define a single word:
OVERSIGHT
Exercising oversight (as opposed to pretending things were missed due to oversight) is going to be a constant battle. I believe that is why Americans sent Democrats to the House, the Senate, and the Governor's Mansion. I know a lot of folks are fried from the last few weeks; so rest up, eat your Wheaties, and don't forget to Give Thanks this year for all the folks who helped us reclaim our country.
We'll be here when you get back.
Felix D.
2006-11-10 22:01:26 EST
"8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE.
No, you don't. Tuesday's results aren't going to automatically change the nation's direction as if we were a flock of birds, nor does it signal the start of the Age of Aquarius. The Dems won by running a lot of DINO's, and if you're a single issue voter (as I am ) and that issue happens to be firearms ownership, then the Second Amendment did very well indeed. Fifty-Four of the newly elected Dems are "blue dogs" and they like guns, don't care for abortion, and are ready to cut the size of government. These are the new Zell Millers in the party, and Pelosi dares not ignore them.
Plus, states that had lefty social issues on the ballot voted them down: four states said no to gay marriage, and Michigan did away with affirmative action. Lots of punitive tax measures (especially the ones in California) also went down.
You have a mandate, and that mandate is simple: cut the shit, put up a program, and sell it to the people. You'll know if it works two years from now.
8ackgr0und N015e
2006-11-10 22:27:30 EST
Felix D. wrote: > "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > > > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their > > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. > > No, you don't.
Oh yes we do. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN WON A TURNOVER...
Not a single Senator Not a single Representative Not a single Governor
That's a shut out.
That's a mandate for change.
PLMerite
2006-11-11 00:02:39 EST
"8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1163215650.684252.298510@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... > > Felix D. wrote: >> "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message >> news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... >> >> > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their >> > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. >> >> No, you don't. > > Oh yes we do. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN WON A TURNOVER... > > Not a single Senator > Not a single Representative > Not a single Governor > > That's a shut out. > > That's a mandate for change.
It'll be quick two years and gone for you guys then.
Regards, PLMerite
Carl Nisarel
2006-11-11 08:03:37 EST
Go gcreime na p\ufffdisteoga do cheann "Morton Davis" <antikerry@go.com>:
> Time for something other than the lies and bullshit that got them this > far.
Nah, the Bush Administration will continue with the lies and bullshit.
-- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
Morton Davis
2006-11-11 08:03:54 EST
"Felix D." <#1Chekist@OGPU.net> wrote in message news:RKqdnbuVUPKZoMjYnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com... > > "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > > > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their > > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. > > No, you don't. Tuesday's results aren't going to automatically change the > nation's direction as if we were a flock of birds, nor does it signal the > start of the Age of Aquarius. The Dems won by running a lot of DINO's, and > if you're a single issue voter (as I am ) and that issue happens to be > firearms ownership, then the Second Amendment did very well indeed. > Fifty-Four of the newly elected Dems are "blue dogs" and they like guns, > don't care for abortion, and are ready to cut the size of government. These > are the new Zell Millers in the party, and Pelosi dares not ignore them. > > Plus, states that had lefty social issues on the ballot voted them down: > four states said no to gay marriage, and Michigan did away with affirmative > action. Lots of punitive tax measures (especially the ones in California) > also went down. > > You have a mandate, and that mandate is simple: cut the shit, put up a > program, and sell it to the people. You'll know if it works two years from > now. > > Yup. Time for something other than the lies and bullshit that got them this far.
8ackgr0und N015e
2006-11-11 15:10:03 EST
PLMerite wrote: > "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1163215650.684252.298510@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... > > > > Felix D. wrote: > >> "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > >> news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > >> > >> > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their > >> > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. > >> > >> No, you don't. > > > > Oh yes we do. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN WON A TURNOVER... > > > > Not a single Senator > > Not a single Representative > > Not a single Governor > > > > That's a shut out. > > > > That's a mandate for change. > > > It'll be quick two years and gone for you guys then. > > > Regards, PLMerite
I'll quote you on that :)
8ackgr0und N015e
2006-11-11 15:10:04 EST
PLMerite wrote: > "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:1163215650.684252.298510@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... > > > > Felix D. wrote: > >> "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message > >> news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > >> > >> > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had their > >> > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. > >> > >> No, you don't. > > > > Oh yes we do. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN WON A TURNOVER... > > > > Not a single Senator > > Not a single Representative > > Not a single Governor > > > > That's a shut out. > > > > That's a mandate for change. > > > It'll be quick two years and gone for you guys then. > > > Regards, PLMerite
I'll quote you on that :)
Felix D.
2006-11-12 15:40:29 EST
"8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1163275804.517343.235700@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com... > > PLMerite wrote: >> "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message >> news:1163215650.684252.298510@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... >> > >> > Felix D. wrote: >> >> "8ackgr0und N015e" <background.static@gmail.com> wrote in message >> >> news:1163211818.092053.165940@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... >> >> >> >> > Democrats do not have to be timid here. The Corrupt Bastards had >> >> > their >> >> > accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time. Now we have a MANDATE. >> >> >> >> No, you don't. >> > >> > Oh yes we do. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN WON A TURNOVER... >> > >> > Not a single Senator >> > Not a single Representative >> > Not a single Governor >> > >> > That's a shut out. >> > >> > That's a mandate for change. >> >> >> It'll be quick two years and gone for you guys then. >> >> >> Regards, PLMerite > > I'll quote you on that :)
You said this before. Are you worried already? LOL!
Felix D.
2006-11-12 15:42:35 EST
"Morton Davis" <antikerry@go.com> wrote in message news:_Sj5h.232266$FQ1.29765@attbi_s71... > > "Felix D." <#1Chekist@OGPU.net> wrote in message > news:RKqdnbuVUPKZoMjYnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> You have a mandate, and that mandate is simple: cut the shit, put up a >> program, and sell it to the people. You'll know if it works two years >> from >> now. >> > Yup. Time for something other than the lies and bullshit that got them > this > far.
Abortion, affirmative action, gay rights, gun control. These are the four issues that drive the Dems and they won't be able to resist advancing these "causes." Luckily, their "supermajority" rule for the Senate is in place.