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The American people are more than disappointed with the “change” they got
this past year and are worried about their future and the condition of the
economy.
The stunning upset in Massachusetts should send shock waves
through the Democratic Party nationwide. The people have spoken, yet again, with
the election of Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate and as such, have
soundly rejected the leadership of the president and the
Democratically-controlled Congress.
The elections in Virginia and New Jersey this past November should have been a
wake-up call for Democrats. Democratic candidates were defeated because the
people thought the candidates, like the leadership of the Democratic Party, were
out of touch with the needs of the citizenry. While Republicans focused on the
economy, job creation, deficit reduction and responsibility, Democrats were
bogged down -- almost exclusively -- on health care, blaming Bush and defending
their failed economic policies.
What a difference a year makes. In January of 2009, Obama supporters and many in
the media thought they were witnessing a messianic politician’s ascent to the
presidency. The Democrats in January of 2009 thought they would rule for 40
years. They took the election of 2008 as a “mandate” to do whatever they wanted,
whenever they wanted. Then reality set in.
The Democrats set forth an agenda that was 180 degrees opposite of what needed
to be done and what the American people wanted to see done.
The Democrats manufactured a “crisis” on health care, when we have an honest to
goodness economic crisis and recession -- the worst since the Great Depression.
The American people kept asking themselves the following question: “what good is
‘affordable’ health care if you do not have a job to pay for it?”
I honestly do not believe Democrats can recover in 2010 from the tremendous
damage that has been done to their ability to govern, or lack there of, due to
their own arrogance and abuse of power.
The American people are more than disappointed with the “change” they got this
past year and are worried about their future and the condition of the economy.
But it’s not over, the people will continue to let their frustration be known
this coming November in the midterm elections.
In light of the Democrats sudden reversal in fortunes, we will see Democratic
incumbents, (acting on an instinct for self- preservation) start to distance
themselves from the president as well as from Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. In
the coming days and weeks, I believe you will also see more forced retirements
of incumbents and more intra-party primary challenges to the status quo. In
short, the Democrats are in big trouble and are in disarray.
Republicans must be ready to capitalize on the opportunity that they are being
given by the Democrat’s incompetence in leadership and governance.
As for the GOP? Here’s my advice for my fellow Republicans: Don’t get too full
of yourselves and think 2010 will be a cakewalk. Field the best candidates you
can find, hone your message, unite the party under a common theme of fiscal
responsibility, job creation, debt reduction, security, and compassion and raise
as much money as you possibly can and do it as quickly as possible.
The success of the GOP in 2010 lies in the economy and the Party’s ability to
restore it. The American people want to feel confident again. They are scared
about their economic future and the future of their children. The GOP needs to
restore hope and confidence to the people and let them know help is on the way.
What has become crystal clear is that, just like the emperor in the old fairy
tale, the president has “no clothes” when it comes to governing but not only
that, he also has squandered his promise, prestige and power and thus, has “no
coattails” either.
Bradley A. Blakeman served in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001-4. He currently teaches public policy at Georgetown University. He is a frequent contributor to the Fox Forum.