Licking Their Lips Over Victory
October 23rd, 2006 | by Omnipotent Poobah |The Dems are already licking their lips over possibly winning one or both houses of Congress in November. Much of that lip polishing is justified. They’ve been marginalized as the minority party and haven’t been able to do much except cluck about Republican shenanigans. Their impact on legislation has been virtually nill. They now look forward to the day when they can rake the other side over the coals like a circus fat man looks forward to a Thanksgiving dinner.
They’d be well advised to think about what they’re contemplating though.
Temptation is high to launch a tsunami of probes into Republican behavior, start impeachment proceedings, and generally whomp their sudden inferiors as hard as possible. If the partisan vitriol is bad now, it’s sure to get worse if the most extreme Democratic measures go ahead. There is much they can do to harm not only their party but also the nation.
First, their majority may be fragile. They’d do well to remember Bush’s proclamation about spending the “political capital” from his “mandate”. Of course he didn’t have a mandate, but only the slimmest of majorities. And, what little capital he did have disappeared like fish down the maw of a whale. To affect true change, Dems will need to stifle their baser impulses and learn to craft coalitions and compromises. We’ve all see what happens when one side dictates debate and the other is left out in the cold - just watch the evening news.
There’s also their own unpopularity to consider. As each new scandal erupts, the public’s opinion of both parties drops a few points. Both houses of Congress have turned into adult day care centers where the kids run the joint and delight in poking each other in the eye. Their preoccupation with playing gotcha with anyone not of their political persuasion is one reason The Great Decider has gotten such legislative swill passed. He understands the power of divide and conquer, but as with many things he does, takes it a step too far. For him, it isn’t enough to just cleave the Democrats asunder, he’s more than happy to cut a swath through his own party too. The result leaves no one strong enough to resist his consistent idiocy.
It would also behoove the Dems to remember that they’ve had their share of scandals too. Republicans don’t have a corner on the crapweasel market and dredging up every Republican indiscretion, no matter how small, will bring the DA to their doors too. We’d all be better served if they spend some of that stone throwing time in putting their own glass house in order.
It’s easy to see why Dems want to beat the Republicans senseless. The Republicans visited a host of awful things on this country, things that will take us years to recover from. So the Dems are quick to point out that someone should be held accountable for those awful things - and they’d be right. However, not every indiscretion is worthy of a lynch mob. Just ask Bill Clinton about blowjobs and I’m sure you’ll get a lecture on the politics of personal destruction.
If the Dems are smart, they’ll start by cleaning up their own act and becoming truly fit to call themselves the Party of Morals. Only then, should they take on Republican indiscretions. When they run across an issue, they should bring it out in the open, but try to keep it in perspective. Most of the smaller issues could easily be dealt with by a truly non-partisan Ethics Committee that issues admonishments, censures, and other more civilized punishments. However, if there’s a big issue, spare no expense in bringing the offender to heel. Just make sure to do it in a reasonable and balanced way. If the indiscretion is important enough, it will show through without a lot of partisan embellishment.
The big prize, however, is impeachment. On a personal level, I’d like nothing better than to see George run out of town on a rail, but doing so carries a hefty price I don’t want the country to pay. One need look no farther than Monicagate to see how impeachment can divide the country. The last one left a welt on our national consciousness that it still glows red six years later. Much of the bickering now took root in that sorry episode and for the good of the nation, someone has to be the first to stand up and stop it. I think the Dems are more capable of that than the Republicans. I only hope I’m right.
The country craves and deserves a return to the days of civil debate and fair compromises in the halls of Congress. The public, regardless or their party affiliation, is fed up with the endless catcalls and attacks. We face huge problems and now is not the time to engage our vengeful fantasies at the expense of the common good. Honest disagreements are fine, but at the end of the day we need to reach a consensus to get anything done. I hope the Dems are mindful of that should they take over power.
And if they aren’t, I may find myself shopping for a new party.
Cross Posted at The Omnipotent Poobah Speaks!
[tag]politics, elections, scandals, crapweasels, omnipotent+poobah, bring+it+on[/tag]
18 Responses to “Licking Their Lips Over Victory”
By SteveIL on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Poobah,
As the complete political conservative, I loved this post. Thanks for putting it out. I want to highlight a couple of things you said. First:
This is so true. I don’t know how to improve on it, and don’t believe I can.
Next:
I agree. It was pointless exercise for the Republicans to take this as far as they did. There was no need for it and showed a lot of the problems that have been going on for decades. And if Democrats can avoid sinking to the level of those Republicans who exacerbated the Clinton impeachment, more power to them.
Next:
To me, what America craves is leadership from the Congress. For the longest time, members of Congress (regardless of which House, or which party) have shown a complete ineptitude in leadership. They seem to be more interested in weaseling money out of the American taxpayer for garbage (having federal taxes completely fund the rebuilding of New Orleans, with the corrupt New Orleans and Louisiana politicians still in place; or Alaska’s “bridge to nowhere”) or complaining about the Executive Branch having too much power when it has been Congress that has given away its power. They are supposed to be an equal branch of the government (including the Judicial Branch), with a role and a mandate for leadership, and they’ve done much to abrogate that responsibility to the other two branches.
Lastly:
Hate to burst your bubble, even I can’t see a viable third (or even fourth) party being possible anytime soon; and I, for one, would love to see a real politically and Constitutionally conservative party to follow.
Thanks for the post. Great job.
By LesserFool on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
I already have reservations about the Democrats having a positive agenda and whether they are ready for prime time. The “I-aint-Bush-so-vote-for-me” strategy is unimaginative and uninspiring. It’s like - “Just vote for us to get rid of Bush & Co and then we will figure out what we are about and what we will focus on.” If the Democrats have a positive agenda, they aren’t saying what it is - at least not on the East Coast.
Americans are already fed up with the politics of division and politicians ignoring issues important to them. If the Democrats make their #1 priority to investigate, it will be the shortest power-switch you will ever see. Don’t get me wrong, Bush and his cronies deserve to be held to account; and there will be time for it — once Democrats have taken care of the people’s business, which has been largely ignored these last six years. For now, focus on healthcare costs, energy costs, stagnating wages. Then justice.
By Dusty on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
So, if the Dem’s get a majority, are you saying we should let the Shrub continue down his chosen path of war until 08 and spend their time building good-will and coalitions? He already has all the power he needs, to do whatever he wants, under the guise of the GWOT and the laws passed by the rubber stamping legislatures currently in office. The only way to end that power would be to clip his wings financially, i.e., unfund the war effort. I want his warmongering to stop as does over 60% of the american public.
For me, this is the utmost responsibility the Dem’s have, if and when they attain their majority.
Extending the olive branch is a wonderful idea, the problem is..it takes two parties to affect change to the current status quo. The repubes will not sit quietly, they will wail and fight the Dem’s tooth and nail over any changes, because the next big election season, the Presidential one, will still be looming on the horizon.
By Jersey McJones on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
The Dems will only have so much power come November 8. Bush will be rendered a lame duck no matter how it pans out. I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of vetos and there won’t be enough dems to override them. Perhaps if the dems just threatened Bush with some investigations, he would be less apt to veto good bills. We shall see…
JMJ
By Dusty on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
I think they will have to threaten him too Jersey. This administration has refused to listen to anyone on anything unless it serves their interests.
By Jersey McJones on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
I agree, but now’s not the time to do it. They should pick their fights next year. If the dems threatened that now, a lot of voters would be scared off, recalling the Cliton impeachment disaster.
JMJ
By Dusty on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
I meant if and when they get a majority in either branch. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.
By Omnipotent Poobah on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Dusty,
I’m not suggesting he get a free pass. I’m just suggesting that hearings etc. aren’t the first order of business. I also think the dems should do anything they can, given whatever majority they get, to stop many of the things Bush set going.
It’s true the Repubs might not be williing to play nice, but I’d be willing to give them a chance just in case it’s possible, They might surprise me. Maybe a defeat would get their attention long enough to scare them into a more peaceful truce with the left side of the aisle. I think it’s important to try. If it doesn’t work out, we can cross that bridge when we cone to it.
By Dusty on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Well, I think that goes without saying Poobie..they should attempt to bridge the gap between the left and right side of the aisle first with regard to the war, loss of habeus corpus, wiretapping, healthcare, min wage, jeebus..the list is endless. I just don’t see the right rolling over and joining the Dem’s in righting all the wrongs. I guess it will be about priorities..and who makes up the big list of what to go after first.
I hope moderate voices will prevail, even though I am considered a far leftwing moonbat by most. The moderates will have the best chance of building any kind of “coalition” with the moderate republicans. The far left and right will be left out of the equation.
By Dusty on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Another thought too..our deficit will keep us from really addressing healthcare, energy and a host of other important issues. We could spend the next two years attempting to overcome the deficit and not get anything really accomplished.
By BillH on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Licking their wounds will be more like it as the demoncraps get spanked once again on Nov 7th
By liberpublican on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
An excellent post. Wishful thinking though. The process is so corrupted that neither of our current parties will be able to clean it up. Term limits is the only thing that could even begin to bring the politicians back in line. Return the word service to politics and get rid of the word career. You had better start your own party now because neither the demoncrats nor the repugnicans will clean themselves up in our lifetimes. Politician = Liar = Thief. Remember that it is your money and mine that they spend and not theirs. Oh yeah, dusty, the deficit never stopped us from taking care of business in the past and it won’t now either, It is at a historically low level as a percentage of the economy which is just another sign of the health of the economy which is just another nail in the democrats electoral coffin.
By Jersey McJones on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Term Limits are useless. If you want to clean up the syatem, ban all corporate and institutional money and cap all contributions at ten dollars. Period.
JMJ
By Craig R. Harmon on Oct 23, 2006 | Reply
Heh!
Jersey, I over heard a conversation in a McDonald’s today that goes term limits one better. “We should elect them to four year terms and then hang them at the end of their term”.
In a personal follow up with the advisor, I opined that that sounded pretty harsh. He said to me, “Politicians…what else are they good for but hanging?”
Now this appeared to be a farmer here in small town farmland Indiana and presumably (although not for sure) Republican. Ouch!
If that’s representative of the general view, and the generic congressional favorability polls have been very low indeed, incumbants could be in trouble this year.
Of course, this is purely anecdotal, with a sample size of one so extrapolations could be problematic… :^)
By SheaNC on Oct 24, 2006 | Reply
I think Bush and Cheney should be impeached. Not because of a personal vendetta, but because it is vitally important that crimes of that magnitude not go unpunished. Democrats are already perceived as wimpy and submissive tools of the Republicans. If we simply let the Bush administration off the hook in order to “not make waves”, then we’re sending a message to all politicians, and to the world, that an American regime can get away with murder. They need to be punished for their transgressions, regardless of whether it is controversial or provocative.
By Liberal Jarhead on Oct 24, 2006 | Reply
I think the priority needs to be solving problems and putting out fires, although I agree that Bush and his key people need to be held accountable. And I think and hope that a fair number of moderate Republicans would willingly go back to civility and putting nation ahead of party rather than continue the current fratricide - as long as the Dems don’t gloat or get vindictive.
If the Democrats are able to gain majorities in both houses, they could undo a lot of the damage first using control of the pursestrings, second by passing laws repealing some of the outrageous measures the current Congress has rubber-stamped, third by (without bowing and scraping) acting to make sincere amends in places around the world where we have a moral obligation to do so. W would veto all these things, but if they’re reasonable, enough of those same moderate Republicans might join the Dems to override him. Then he’d probably throw such a tantrum in public that he’d flush what’s left of his credibility. What’s he going to do, declare over half the Congress unlawful enemy combatants and send them to Gitmo?
By Jersey McJones on Oct 24, 2006 | Reply
No Craig, I do think that’s how most people think!
JMJ