It’s tempting to make a lot out of various state-level elections last night, Tuesday November 8th. After all, Ohio’s Beatles-loving (the band) Kasich suffered defeat on SB-2 and his radical war on collective bargaining decisively crushed. Mississippi similarly rejected a pro-life proposition that was so bizarrely drawn even Haley Barbour dropped his fond reminiscing of Jim Crow to muse even pro-lifers didn’t understand it. Maine rejected a Rightist rollback on voter registration access.
Would be nice to think that these small tactical defeats on Movement extremism represent its ideological and logistical over-extension. The establishment of a Non-Rightist Defensive Line, as it were. Sherrod Brown says Ohio’s action “is a decisive step towards rebuilding the middle class.” Such is the state of Opposition leadership. Still, wins are wins.
As noted by TPM and others, the message is more diluted. Ohio voters actually approved Issue 3 which called for an Ohio constitutional amendment to block implementation of Obama’s health care law.
Creating a proper political defensive line 18 months ago would have been the first priority of competent political professionals. These scatter shot successes, achieved in part by organization and mostly by Rightists’ over reaching, are but a step along that path. Halting an opponent’s Noon Tide and then switching oneself over to the offensive is an altogether trickier proposition. Given Obama’s personal inability to be authentically engaged in non-detached, non-judgmental politics, local successes such as achieved on November 8th will have to suffice: sua sponte, self-organizing (as in independent of Obama’s personal fate or trajectory). Billion dollars or no. Which means a proper defensive line, if it ever were to form, would have to hold for the next four years of Obama.
Sam Lowry says
About that defensive line….
TPM: Christmas Tree Farmers Upset Obama Delayed ‘Tax’ Proposal Over ‘Internet Rumor’
The punch line: “Christmas tree farmers are pretty upset that the administration caved so quickly, according to a release from the National Christmas Tree Association.”
At least they weren’t surprised. Just upset. I for one am not abandoning “the long retreat” quite yet.
RedPhillip says
@rkka
I suggest that the Obama was already sui generis pretzled. I believe he’s doing pretty much what he was employed to do: give ‘bipartisan’ endorsement and entrenchment of the Warlord’s internal security regime, accompanied with a somewhat less ham hand at dealing with the wogs.
Comment says
Putz Colin Powell just described rigged Wall St as Big Risk/Big Reward. No Effing risk, Powelll
Comment says
@rkka
Nothing more pathetic than BHO endless negotiations with McCain’s butler Lindsey Graham
rkka says
If his past is any guide, there is no defensive line than Obambi won’t abandon upon the approach of the enemy recon platoon to search for a hippie to punch, in the hopes of being seen by the villagers as “bipartisan”.
I saw his recent ad on YouTube, where he threatens us with the reversal of all his “accomplishments” if we don’t commit gobs of our time and money to his reelection.
The message I got from that ad is that he knows he’s toast and is building a case for diverting the blame to constituencies he betrayed.
Some free advice to the Obambi campaign: Why don’t you ask Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Joe Lieberman, and Ben Nelson for their money and time, since they are the ones you twisted yourself into a pretzel for?
Comment says
Clinton’s objections to Obama in his new book are apposite save his self serving anti class warfare bulls^^^t
Comment says
Off year elections are always a grab bag of guesses
DrLeoStrauss says
Agree it’s all about a post-Obama world. Your last sentence sums it up perfectly.
The Penn State tragedy offers convenient optical cover for several candidates. The media’s need to anoint a new anti-Romney is funny, turning improbably to Newt as we’ve discussed. His crash and promises unusually bright prospects entertainment-wise.
anxiousmodernman says
Good wins.
There isn’t a defensive line Obama can draw that’s worth fighting for. I think the administration intended for the health care reform act to be some kind of rallying point, but the execution was botched. It’s difficult to get the public excited about your back room deal, and Republicans have too many obstructionist options (and are willing to use them).
Political momentum rarely comes from this white house.