2010 Midterms in Retrospect

Yes the Dems got Shellacked.

Why did it happen and what does it mean?

#1. Why?
Was it because the Dems failed to produce any results? No. They produced health care reform, stimulus that saved and/or created millions of jobs, more in the last year than during the entire 8 year term of Bush.

Was it because they did not follow thru on promises? No. They got the US out of Iraq (for the most part), the house voted to repeal DADT, health care reform was completed, financial reform was enacted, and many other reforms that just didn't make the news.

Was it because the of the economy? maybe, but only because most people failed to recognize that not falling into a depression was a huge success of the Stimulus.

The reasons the Dems failed in 2010 was because they failed to effectively inform the public about what they managed to do despite an obstructionist, say no to everything GOP. They did not stay ahead of the message, they fell behind it, and the GOP took the lead in publicity and rhetoric. They failed because they were unable to counter the gross lies of the GOP about health care, about stimulus money and about Obama himself. And they failed to accurately depict the GOP for what they are: Corporate puppets.


#2 What it all means
So, what does this shellacking mean for Dems going forward? Not much. Yeah, they lost the house, but presidents typically have to operate with an opposition congress, so that is nothing new. The GOP will continue its obstructionist policy for the next two year. It worked for them before, why not go with what works. The Dems will sit back and try not to stir the boat too much for the next two years, so as not to give any credence to the new GOP majority, so basically we are looking at 2 years of not-much-gonna-happen.

In the broader picture, the two parties ebb and flow on a regular basis. Neither one is going anywhere. If the economy recovers, it will be up to the Dems or GOP to stake a claim on that recovery (my money is on the GOP, since most Americans don't pay enough attention to really understand how the whole economic system works).

#3 Tea Party
I think something needs to be said about this group. I am grateful for them, for helping to prevent further losses, including the Sentate. Racist, ignorant, and grossly misinformed they may be, but they did divide the GOP vote enough, and put enough idiots on the ballot to allow the Dems to keep the senate for at least two more years.

#4 Obama
Obama is a great president and he has done some great things. But a great communicator he is not. He failed to promote his successes and his many, many accomplishments. He clung to the bipartisanship idea too long, and allowed the GOP to get the upper hand in rhetoric. Doing things "the right way" took precedence over getting things done. And this hurt him, and the Dems.

#5 2012

What will happen in 2 years? Hard to say. If the economy rebounds, who will get the credit? If it fails, who will take the blame? The Dems need to position themselves and prepare for either situation. If the economy fails to recover, Obama will be out. If it does recover, the dems need to be able to claim responsibility for it. Otherwise you can be sure the GOP will take the Senate, and possibly the White House.