I find it difficult to get too enthused about November -- I prefer guarded pessimism with a dash of optimism, so that it's understood that we have to fight and scratch and claw and figure every angle.
Also, frankly, I'd be much happier if Bush found a way to do something right and thereby drive his numbers up. It wouldn't help the Democrats, but it would help the country if he'd just fire a few people (apart from Chertoff, who is toast) and bring in some sane grown-ups from his dad's administration. However, it won't happen, because he's nuts, so we'll have to make do with hanging him around the GOP's neck.
I also call B.S. on Rasmussen's statement that the wiretapping was a good issue for Bush. That's what he and Rove and Cheney kept saying, and the Democrats mostly timidly ran from the issue -- but there's been no evidence whatsoever that this has been a winning issue for the administration.
Posted by M.A. at March 3, 2006 07:41 PMSteve,
I just read Rassmussen's summary and it is filled with GOP talking points. He may be right on the Dubai matter but I sure hope that beltway Democrats don't read his piece because it will make them want to drop everything else.
Posted by eriposte at March 3, 2006 07:57 PMI'd like to be an optimnist, but I'm a skeptic. November is months away, the media doesn't cover scandals like it did during Blowjobgate, and posturing by GOP moderates may save their hides. Still, Iraq is falling apart and we may yet have our "Tet Offensive" moment--the Right is moving away from Bush, but in a hawkishway that lets them try to keep the national security high ground. We need more indictments and protracted enough wounding of Bush's credibility ro keep moderates and people like Broder from going back to him. I don't see these things yet.
Posted by Rich at March 3, 2006 08:14 PMPS---One plus is seeing Sabato be realistic rather than reflexively say good things about Republicans. He used to be omnipresent (esp. in the Washington Post), but he's taken a lower profile in the last few years (actually a good thing, he's probably less likely to mug for the cameras and talk out of his ass).
Posted by Rich at March 3, 2006 08:16 PMIt is a long way to November, and we know the bag of illegal and dirty tricks is being filled by Rove. I tentatively have hopes that the ongoing scandals in the next two years will continue to erode the GOP. One thing I have learned in the past five years is that put nothing pass these criminals and never underestimate the stupidity of the voting public.
Posted by Judith at March 4, 2006 04:29 AMAnd then there is DIEBOLD.
Posted by Judith at March 4, 2006 04:30 AMI think this outrageous, Neocon-fantasy deal with India is going generate an acrimonious fight that is going to damage Bush and offend the Indians.
Posted by bob h at March 4, 2006 05:33 AMWasn't ther esome talk about putting minimum wage ballot items on in some states as well. To counter the fundie initiatives?
The 2006 congressional elections are a referendum on George W. Bush. If you like his work, send the republicans back to congress, if you don't send the democrats and let's either impeach him or at least make him irrelevant.
Posted by Mike at March 4, 2006 08:52 AMMike above has it right, the 2006 election is about little Bush. If your happy, vote GOP, if not at least an opposition congress can keep things from getting any worse. Keep it simple.
Posted by herbal tee at March 4, 2006 12:22 PMThe expanding rate of leaks and new scandals coming out of DC, coupled with the Democrats' capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, means it is way to early to predict any outcomes. The only certainty is that we will all be blind-sided by the next huge thing when it comes out of the blue. Regardless of what happens this year, the reactionaries still own the voting machines, the judiciary, the military, and most of the corporate media, and are spreading the message that the greatest threat facing this nation are the Christian-hating liberal terrorist sympathizers within the Democratic party.
Posted by coal_train at March 4, 2006 11:30 PMCoal-train, nice summary. I hate to be pessimistic, but for five plus years I have had hope time and time again that this "evil doer" would stare justice in the face. He's like a cockroach that refuses to die.
Posted by Judith at March 4, 2006 11:52 PMI have lost all hope--which given my track record of predicting election results (see 2002, 2004)--should mean that the Dems will take the House and the Senate.
Posted by at March 5, 2006 08:42 AMNot just helping India with their nuclear ambitions: stiffing their rivals, Pakistan, on nuclear issues (which strengthens Russia and China's hand in Pakistan, and gives Iran a possible window to get Pakistan's help with their nuclear program) and doing the Indian nuclear deal in a way that appears to go round the UN framework for controlling nuclear efforts.
These are major blunders that I've not seen the media describe accurately.
I agree the opportunity is there. We'll see if Democratic politicians are bright enough to do the right thing, call a spade a spade.
Posted by Fred at March 5, 2006 06:36 PM