Did you vote?

[dsheinem]

And they succeeded, brilliantly. In the last two months the GOP managed to strangle the Tea Party in any contested states (probably a win for all concerned) and went entirely mum on the subjects of the ACA, border control, taxes, reproductive rights - anything that can incite moderates and liberals to go to the polls. It was an amazing gameplan and it paid off.

Yup. Props where props are due. It is pretty typical for the party in opposition to the sitting president to pick up a half dozen senate seats or so in a midterm (which is why the results aren't that shocking), but the Republicans did manage to run a campaign of non-information and non-crazy talk for the most part.

Fits well with their practices of non-governing, I think

And the Dems in the Senate didnt pass House bills, so it works both ways in this one.

The House is seen as the cock-blocker, since the Senate and President are usually on board for the same things. The Republicans have had an open policy of obstructionism instead of negotiation and compromise, so it is clear the root cause for inactivity rests with them.

In truth I don't really understand why so many people are fed up with Obama's administration or with Democratic officials since we've continued to have steady economic growth and no major terrorist attacks/military engagements in his time in office. I think the Dems are stupidly running away from a good success record because Obama isn't loved as a person...even though many more people have insurance, many more people have jobs, and the stats on people's satisfaction with the elements of Obamacare and other policies passed in his time in office are wildly positive.

BUT...when you attach Obama's name to those stats, favorables shoot down sharply. When you ask people what they think of Obama, people say they don't like him...but not really "why" in any way that is informed about actual policy. I really feel like this election was a vote against a caricature of the president, or a vote cast out of unfounded fear...and not one that was actually in response to his record or one that was excited about some kind of Republican plan for a better tomorrow.

[Flake]

And they succeeded, brilliantly. In the last two months the GOP managed to strangle the Tea Party in any contested states (probably a win for all concerned) and went entirely mum on the subjects of the ACA, border control, taxes, reproductive rights - anything that can incite moderates and liberals to go to the polls. It was an amazing gameplan and it paid off.

Yup. Props where props are due. It is pretty typical for the party in opposition to the sitting president to pick up a half dozen senate seats or so in a midterm (which is why the results aren't that shocking), but the Republicans did manage to run a campaign of non-information and non-crazy talk for the most part.

Fits well with their practices of non-governing, I think

And the Dems in the Senate didnt pass House bills, so it works both ways in this one.

I think that the difference Dsh is trying to emphasize is that Republican policy in the Senate has not been to offer any bills but to block the passage of any legislation that stood a chance of making it through the House and to prevent the confirmation of any leaders to positions in governmental bodies with regulatory powers.

Now, this is going to change pretty hard core. The Republicans are in a type of Prisoner's Dilemma now. They have no clue who their candidate will be in 2016. They have to at least TRY to pass legislation that will be viewed by their base as a reward (expect another vote on the ACA before March 2015) but they also know that they cannot take any positions that are so toxic to independents or young voters that they hand the presidential election to Hillary Clinton. She hasn't declared her candidacy but I really can't imagine who else it would be.

As hard as this was for the Democrats (and it really, really was) the upside is that this was akin to ripping a bandaid off. Republicans now have a stake in making the government function - blaming Obama for everything is going to wear thin on a base that feels they have already given the GOP all the tools they need. The Democrats only need to keep the economy improving and avoid any international conflicts or faux pas in order to make an argument that they are good stewards of the White House in 2016. Getting the ACA fixed so that it actually works the way it is meant to would be a huge boon, too.

[Jmustang1968]

And they succeeded, brilliantly. In the last two months the GOP managed to strangle the Tea Party in any contested states (probably a win for all concerned) and went entirely mum on the subjects of the ACA, border control, taxes, reproductive rights - anything that can incite moderates and liberals to go to the polls. It was an amazing gameplan and it paid off.

You kinda just did what you warned jvalentine against in your 4th paragraph...

Not at all - I think you're reading negativity where none exists. Objectively, those are the things that the GOP almost always goes a little too extreme in their public views and that is what gets Democrats and Independents - who are notoriously unreliable in non-Presidential elections - out to vote.

To cite an example: Wendy Davis. She got beat last night in Texas. It wasn't even close. But it was a LOT closer than it really should have been given that Greg Abbot has been groomed for this position for over a decade. She wouldn't have even been an electoral blip if Rick Perry hadn't overreached on the topic of reproductive rights last year.

I meant your 3rd paragraph, I think I had accidentaly counted the quoted one. Basically sweeping generalizations that those who vote republican are irrational etc... You just did it more eloquently.

[Jmustang1968]

Well if Clinton gets the Dem nod, I think she will have issues with being an unlikable person to a good portion of voters. She has her die-hard following and supporters, but she is very polarizing among moderates.

[dsheinem]

Without a doubt what Coach K understands, he understands very well. Not just basketball, but education, leadership, mentoring, being a Father, and I'm pretty sure he's also the best coach in any sport of all time. He understands more than just balls of baskets.

He's a good coach, but a better recruiter. A superb bullshitter.

He strikes me as an immense asshole, but I also think that's part and parcel with being a good coach. Boeheim is one too, but I love him anyway.

You said it. Powell isn't a politician, he's a leader.

But his leadership style isn't one suited to political office or the kinds of things one needs to do in that position of power. Some leadership styles are, even if they aren't the kind of styles you like.

[Flake]

I meant your 3rd paragraph, I think I had accidentaly counted the quoted one. Basically sweeping generalizations that those who vote republican are irrational etc... You just did it more eloquently.

Oh, fair enough. Maybe 'uninformed' would have been a better choice? The specter of Obama coming for Guns or Churches being torn down to be replaced with Mosques - the Alex Jones gets the die hard Republican base fired up despite the lack of evidence that these things are happening. It does push a lot of content on Facebook and the Drudge report, though.

There are liberal equivalents, too.

[AppleQueso]

*toots*

[Jmustang1968]

I meant your 3rd paragraph, I think I had accidentaly counted the quoted one. Basically sweeping generalizations that those who vote republican are irrational etc... You just did it more eloquently.

Oh, fair enough. Maybe 'uninformed' would have been a better choice? The specter of Obama coming for Guns or Churches being torn down to be replaced with Mosques - the Alex Jones gets the die hard Republican base fired up despite the lack of evidence that these things are happening. It does push a lot of content on Facebook and the Drudge report, though.

There are liberal equivalents, too.

But evem still you are exaggerating. I have been on drudge, it is mostly just linking news stories that support conservative mindset. It isnt all that different than stuff HuffPost links. Some of the paranoia stuff is too much and riles some up, especially on some of the pro conservative Facebook articles I see linked at times.
But Democrats would like to severely limit and go after guns. They have in some states.

[Luke]

He's a good coach, but a better recruiter. A superb bullshitter.

He strikes me as an immense asshole, but I also think that's part and parcel with being a good coach. Boeheim is one too, but I love him anyway.

You said it. Powell isn't a politician, he's a leader.

But his leadership style isn't one suited to political office or the kinds of things one needs to do in that position of power. Some leadership styles are, even if they aren't the kind of styles you like.[/quote]

Great Coach, and proven. No doubt about it. Greater recruiter, no doubt and proven...which his institution has much to do with.

Bullshitter? Possibly, but not proven. All his players and staff seem to love him. To the moon and back at that.

I've given up as having a leader as a president a long time ago. I was in Cub scouts when I realized that. I would vote for an asshole I didn't agree with only to give him/her a shot as long as they weren't full of crap and had the stance of "You may not like it, but it is for the greater good". You learn by trying.

In an "it would never happen" situation, if a candidate said "I will cut off your Grandparent's social security, but I promise you that every child in America will have a bed to sleep on, and a dinner to eat" I'd vote for said candidate. I do want a leader, a radical, just to test the waters.

[Tanooki]

I won't do the song and dance again. However, if you (or anyone else) is OK with blanket generalizations of all Democrats as lazy welfare layabouts simply because the vote and post swing your way, that is pretty weak.

No I'm not, I was just poking at it. I do have an issue with welfare abusers, not those who legitimately need it. I hear enough about people who abuse it driving expensive autos pulling through walgreens to get free meds from my mother in law (pharmacy tech) while I get stuck with the bill for not being a cheat.

My whole view on last night is that the system has been super broken the last six years as you had a mostly unchecked president getting anything he wants, that's not good for business as there was no compromise, just agree with me or shut up and go sit in a corner style governing. Last night has forced either two situations, 2 years of nothing if Obama won't change his tune, or two years of things finally getting done by both parties trying to work junk out finally. Last night former leader Reed said something I actually laughed out at, that next year we need to listen to both sides and come together. He did everything to stop that for 8 years as it was fine when he could get his way and that's not how it should work. I don't get the blind childish hatred of the republican party in this thread (or for democrats either.) Both sides have their fringe scumbags (tea party, socialists) but the moderate types are in far larger numbers and at least they're willing to try and work together. The fact the right put the tea party clowns to bed finally is a good thing, they really just need to go the hell away and stop trying to run as republicans as they're not, they're nuts.