A Democrat’s view of Election 2006
Election Analysis & Commentary
By Ben Jones
At this writing, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and other Democratic leaders are heading up Pennsylvania Avenue for what could be one of the most important lunches ever taken inside the Beltway. I don’t know what is on the menu in the way of food, but what is on the menu in the way of attitude, honest feelings, and domestic diplomacy is what should interest all of us.
There has been a major sea change in American politics, and after the storm of Tuesday night, we need some steady hands at the helm. President George Bush’s press conference Wedesday was not encouraging. He did not appear to have fully comprehended the new paradigm, the new chemistry of power that should not have been a surprise at all.
As every poll in the country (except for Karl Rove’s mythical secret intelligence) has been telling us for months, a majority of Americans oppose the Iraq War, and are fed up with the corruption, incompetence, and arrogance of the Administration and the Republican led Congress. And yet Bush had spent two weeks campaigning with a manic attack on the judgment and indeed the patriotism of those who disagreed with him and his policies. In other words, he was running hard against the voice of the people. In that contest, the people will win every time.
But though his silly, stammering, joking manner of Wednesday seemed to betray a loss of self-assurance, his words did not bode well for the much needed comity that must come if there is to be genuine cooperation between the White House and Capitol Hill in the next two years. The President quite simply cannot accept that the Iraq invasion was a disastrous misadventure that was entirely his fault. He still doesn’t accept the verdict of the governed, or if in fact he does, he is not ready to admit it. His continued public denial of culpability only exacerbates the division between himself and those he wishes to lead.
The big question is still Iraq. There is little this new Congress can do about it. As Speaker-designate Pelosi pointed out, our troops deserve our support and every protection, but the President and the Defense Department run that operation. It is a mess of their making.
While the Democrats dance and try unsuccessfully not to gloat, the Republican spin and propaganda machine hasn’t missed a beat. As always after a loss, they are turning on each other, but they also know at the RNC that the 2008 primary season has begun, and there will be no kind words for Ms. Pelosi, et.al.
Meanwhile, the President must not appear to be bucking the Vox Populi, or to appear as obstructionist on popular issues. He is the one on the tightrope. Things have to get done, and he has to do it without alienating his base. Serves him right, in my opinion.
Right now, everybody is making nice. That will not last long. When the legislating begins, it would behoove the Democrats to stay on the high road, keep it simple, tack to America’s center, enunciate a clear, unified message, and literally clean House on ethical matters. When Nancy Pelosi says she wants to “drain the swamp” think: Jack Abramoff.
Personally, I am glowing in the Democratic sweep, and so proud of Jim Webb’s victory that I could bust. America is different today, and the Democratic Party now assumes great responsibility at a critical time in the life of the planet. If you are the praying sort, it is time to pray for our leaders and for genuine healing among well-intentioned public servants.
Ben Jones is a former Democratic Congressman from Georgia and television actor who played “Cooter” in the TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard.
-- Ben Jones
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