GOP Sinking Ship Analysis: Yes, the Water is Rising. Reps. Cubin and Musgrave, We Hardly Knew Ye.
An addendum of sorts to Dave Weigel's post below discussing "Democrats on the march"--David Freddoso in the Sept. 10 issue of National Review provides a detailed scorecard analyzing the Republican congressional seats that the GOP is apt to lose in 2008.
Comments to "GOP Sinking Ship Analysis: Yes, the Water is Rising. Reps. Cubin and Musgrave, We Hardly Knew Ye.":
The Artist Formerly Know as Travis | September 17, 2007, 11:47am | #
First poster.... THANK YOU JEBUS !!Jake Boone | September 17, 2007, 11:53am | #
Travis -It's pretty clear you really enjoy getting first post on comment threads. You might also note that you're the only one gunning for it 'round here - we generally don't play that game. Please knock it off.
The Artist Formerly Know as Travis | September 17, 2007, 11:55am | #
What happened to you guys... You've changed, you used to be cool...squarooticus | September 17, 2007, 11:57am | #
Jake, don't feed the troll. Demonstrations of annoyance are exactly what they look for.The Artist Formerly Know as Travis | September 17, 2007, 11:59am | #
I am not troll sir. Now Dan T., he is a troll.Randolph Carter | September 17, 2007, 12:03pm | #
I remember when it was all about the posting, man. Now it's Urkobold this and Fruitbat that.Episiarch | September 17, 2007, 12:09pm | #
I am not troll sir.You keep posting "firsties" and a troll you shall be.
The Artist Formerly Know as Travis | September 17, 2007, 12:10pm | #
My sincere apologizes to all on the board. I will cease my quest to be the first poster on every new topic. Moreover, instead of mindless drivel I will do my best to contribute relevant, titillating and thought provoking commentary on current events, and the topics presented here. Thank you for your time.Jake Boone | September 17, 2007, 12:15pm | #
I don't think Travis is necessarily a troll - there are lots of places on the Intartubes where the "first post" game has a long and honorable history, and, depending on where he normally hangs out, it might be perfectly reasonable to assume that this would be one of 'em - we have our share of silliness around here. I just wanted to let him know that this site doesn't do the "first post" thing.Now that he knows, there's no need to call him a troll unless he persists (though I'll admit I'm saying this without the benefit of perusing old threads for his name).
Jake Boone | September 17, 2007, 12:16pm | #
Also, I should be more aware that my comments may become obsolete by the time I post them.Democratic house, democratic senate, and democratic president. Get used to it. Anyone who leans republican, even slightly like me, can blame GWB for this revoltin' development.
Hiro Moonbat | September 17, 2007, 12:29pm | #
Hiro Moonbat hereby warns the artist formerly known as Travis, and all citizens of H&R land that should this foolishness continue, my wrath will be terrible!!!!Ask yourselves if you really want to be tied to a chair while a hairy, muscular man in an Ayn Rand costume reads to you from tracts about the evils of the Federal Reserve. Hiro Moonbat can make that happen, knaves!!!!
The Artist Formerly Know as Travis | September 17, 2007, 12:33pm | #
"Hiro Moonbat hereby warns the artist formerly known as Travis, and all citizens of H&R land that should this foolishness continue, my wrath will be terrible!!!!Ask yourselves if you really want to be tied to a chair while a hairy, muscular man in an Ayn Rand costume reads to you from tracts about the evils of the Federal Reserve. Hiro Moonbat can make that happen, knaves!!!!"
Duely noted, but what if the punishment you propose is turning me on ?
Hiro Moonbat | September 17, 2007, 12:37pm | #
Then Hiro Moonbat has truly found a kindred soul!!!!J sub D | September 17, 2007, 12:37pm | #
Duely noted, but what if the punishment you propose is turning me on ?There will be a thread that evolves that way sometime soon. This one isn't it.
Jose Ortega y Gasset | September 17, 2007, 12:57pm | #
The real dilemma for the Republicans is that they don't know how to get back to a solid majority. The whole religious right gig is not playing to a packed house and the recurrent GOP scandals don't help. The fiscal responsibility song-and-dance seems pretty damn silly after the spending orgy of GWB. Oh, and "the war"? Everyone piles on the "we love our troops" thing, but I think most people now differentiate between "the troops" and "the war."prolefeed | September 17, 2007, 3:22pm | #
If the Democrats actually end the war once they sweep Congress and the White House in 2008 (said sweep seeming more and more like a lock), they'll be in good shape to hold power for a couple of election cycles before the temptation to engage in wretchedly excessive levels of corruption gets too strong.If they engage in joe-like "but -- but -- we need even bigger majorities before we can end Bush's war", it could be a short rule.
If a Democratic Party that actually has the power to end the Iraq War fails to do so, the Democrats will indeed see their gains reversed.
SIV | September 17, 2007, 4:05pm | #
(said sweep seeming more and more like a lock)Pretty damn early to be calling the elections.
Remember Bush is the President because of the weak candidates fielded by the Democrats in the past two elections.If the Dems implode the Republican nominee's coat tails could sweep it the other way.
J sub D | September 17, 2007, 4:11pm | #
Remember Bush is the President because of the weak candidates fielded by the Democrats in the past two elections.Your caution is noted. I should never underestimate the stupidity of the political parties.
Rick Barton | September 17, 2007, 4:29pm | #
I'm dubious about Musgrave losing. The Dems thru a ton of money into defeating her last time.If she did lose, it would likely be a loss for liberty. She votes to spend less money than all but 22 of the 435 members of the house.
http://www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=117
Also, she put up resistance against the filth in Washington (in this case, the Bush administration) vis a vis the Patriot Act.
Gene Berkman | September 17, 2007, 4:48pm | #
Rep Musgrave is likely to lose because she is such a reactionary on social issues - gay marriage in particular.More to the point, she only received 46% in a three way race. The third candidate was a former Reagan administration bureaucrat who received 11% as a Reform Party candidate. Next year the same ex-Reaganite will run as a Democrat against Musgrave, and should easily defeat her.
Rickey Ramone | September 17, 2007, 5:12pm | #
Gene:Next year the same ex-Reaganite will run as a Democrat against Musgrave, and should easily defeat her.
I didn't know that's what is going to transpire. I agree that she's pretty obnoxious on some social issues. I still like her relative to the Dems cuz I see her as impotent to effect changes congruent with her obnoxious social issues views. While her voting record vis a vis government spending is quite good. And the Dem will likely suck in comparison, if not suck outright.
Rick Barton | September 17, 2007, 6:44pm | #
Oops-"Rickey Ramone" is my Friday Fun Link screen name, which I was occasioned to use today on the "Freddie Thompson" thread.Off topic, but click on Gene Berkman's name to check out his very interesting bookstore. Among his inventory is a very large selection of libertarian-oriented volumes. For example, note the number of Hayek and Rothbard books that he has for sale.
One can only hope that Bill Sali will be removed by Idaho voters. Unfortunately, too many of our voters remain blissfully unaware of the bizarre rhetoric of this nutcase. Hopefully, even a huge splash of money from out-of-state Club for Growth members can't save this seat, even in bright red Idaho.
Eric Dondero | September 18, 2007, 8:09am | #
Last poll I saw out of Colorado had Rudy up 10 points in a match-up with Hillary. The pundits were puzzled as to why Rudy was doing so well in this increasingly purple state.Rudy's rise will help downticket races, especially in states like Colorado, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, PA and other states where he's polling well.