Election 2010: The Blame Game

With the exception of a few spots where the results aren't fully tallied, the mid-term elections are over. And already we're hearing blame being assigned for this and that.

First, the Democrats. They're turning on each other. The moderates are blaming the radicals for adopting too liberal an agenda and forcing all the Democrats to go along with it. The liberals are blaming the moderates for "watering down" the agenda and forcing compromise. And some, such as Obama, think the only problem was that they just didn't explain everything well enough so us thick-skulled neanderthals could understand it.

Meanwhile, voters in exit polls made it crystal clear that they voted against the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39990920/ns/politics-decision_2010

Exit polling data indicated that nearly four in 10 voters said they backed Republican House candidates as a way to thumb their nose at Obama, but David Hyde, also of Danville, identified two other villains: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Pelosi of California.

Hyde said he backed Perriello because Hurt "has just went along with whatever Reid and Pelosi wanted."

All three sides do, however, agree on this: it's mostly the White House's fault. Obama set the agenda and then, depending upon which Democrat you're listening to, either allowed moderates to muddy the message and drag out the process by watering down the initiatives, or he listened too much to the extreme wing of the Democrats and pursued too liberal an agenda. Or maybe the Great Communicator just didn't sell his agenda well enough. Regardless, Obama did it.

And speaking of poor Obama, he is in COMPLETE denial.


Yes, Obama thinks that the ONLY reason the Democrats lost is NOT because voters disliked their agenda, but rather because the economy is poor.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/127511-obama-said-election-underscores-that-he-has-to-do-a-better-job

The president largely rejected the notion that Americans overwhelming voted for Republicans Tuesday as a failing grade on his policies, blaming instead high unemployment and a slow economic recovery.

Those of you who were hoping Obama might start listening to us after we spoke loud and clear at the polling booths MIGHT want to think again. He heard the message that he WANTED to hear, and will proceed on exactly the course that he WANTS to pursue.

So that's on the Democrat side.

The Republicans, however, are whining and blaming, too. WHY? Didn't they take 60 seats in the house and six in the Senate? Why in the WORLD are they whining???

Apparently, blame is flying over why they didn't take the majority in the Senate, too.

The "pragmatic" wing of the party is blaming the more conservative and Tea Party elements for advancing candidates who were "too conservative to win in competitive districts." In their view, placing liberals on the ballot as GOP candidates is fine and dandy, just so long as they win the election.

The conservative and Tea Party folks, however, are blaming those same "pragmatics," claiming that they denigrated and refused to support those conservative candidates.

I have to tell you, it's an incredibly amusing sight. After a huge electoral victory that the President described as a "shellacking," the Republicans are whining and moaning because their gain in the Senate wasn't BIGGER??? Spare me.

And at least some of the Republicans don't get it. I got a "congratulations" email from Governor Riley, in which he takes credit for Tuesday's Republican sweep of Alabama government. In his mind, Republican victories were scored because we all love Republicans, rather than because we really don't trust Democrats right now.

So it remains to be seen how the two parties will react in the long term, after they stop acting like petulant six-year-olds.

God grant that moment comes soon...