While the title may be more or less true depending on the reader, the results of a particularly interesting election have hit the papers this morning. Scott Brown, a Republican from the state of Massachusetts, has defeated his opponent Martha Coakley. Personally, I have no opinion of Mr. Brown, I have not followed this election closely enough to know his politics well. I am happy to see a potentially conservative voice enter the Senate. Competition and debate . It is a complete farce to believe that a contentious environment cannot produce meaningful legislation. It means that parties have to compromise. I don’t think the Democrats have grown up enough since their giddy entry into power to do this though. Of course, Republicans will receive the blame for not just letting Democratic bills roll through Congress.
Previous Congresses along with the Bush Administration failed at the task of compromising and certainly paid the price for it. The Democratic response to that administration seems evidence enough. When you hold a position of power you have the ability to create enemies and allies and also neutralize former enemies.
To think that the absolute best idea for the country only comes from a single source, your party, stands as foolish and losing view. As much as people seem to enjoy mocking Americans, the American public recognizes what happens when a major piece of legislation passes. The Brown election does not give Republicans any sort of leading majority, not even close, but it will make it possible to filibuster. The Republicans do not have to filibuster to render this newly-found ability worthwhile; the threat alone of the filibuster creates a powerful incentive for compromise.
What could this indicate for Democrats in upcoming elections?
Other Democratic priorities are now also uncertain. Although they still hold substantial majorities in both chambers, nervous Democrats with an eye on November midterm elections could start to keep their distance from the White House.
This sounds similar to what happened to George Bush as 2006 rolled around, an election which saw the likes of Nancy Pelosi elected. Republicans began to distance themselves from the President prior to the election. This will be a struggle for the Obama Administration looking to pass several landmark bills in the near future.
One obvious outcome of the past year of the Obama Administration is the transfer of responsibility to him from the preceding administration:
Mr. Brown benefited from antigovernment sentiment, a sour economy and discontent with Mr. Obama’s agenda.
During the 2008 election, I felt extremely confident that the wave of anti-Bush euphoria pushing Democratic success could not last long, that view seems to be vindicated, at least in part. This is the challenge for the Obama Administration and Democrats heading into the 2010 midterm elections and the 2012 presidential election. How does the administration turn its accomplishments into something meaningful for people without attaching a huge ‘BUT”? That being, that the economy is still tough for people and it’s not clear we’ve done anything to prevent a similar financial collapse.
Regardless of your politics, this election makes the next year a little bit more interesting. The 2010 midterm elections will certainly end up as an important barometer of the country’s feelings.
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