The party fallout over Christine O'Donnell's victory in Delaware continues to dominate the blogs and Memeorandum. Charles Krauthammer, for example, in his column today reaffirms his statements from earlier in the week that her election is a win for the Democrats and the the Palin and DeMint endorsements were reckless and irresponsibleCan O'Donnell win in the general election? This article in the CSMonitor suggests that she has become a more mature candidate over time, which seems to indicate that should she run a smart campaign, she could indeed win. Linda Feldman, author of the piece quotes political scientist Joseph Pika who says:
“Democrats could be overconfident,” he continues. “Democrats could be overaggressive – she could quickly become a more sympathetic candidate if everyone seems to pile on. If Democrats seem to practice politics as usual – be seen as committing character assassination, for example – they could confirm the basic appeal she has of challenging the establishment and ‘politics as usual.’ ”
What is important to remember, Tea Party or not, is that the Senator from Delaware must represent the interests of Delaware, not the Tea Party. If the Tea Party got Christine O'Donnell to the general election, she will still need to convince Delaware voters that she will represent their interests. She may have to, at times, cast an unpopular vote if it's in the best interest of her state as Scott Brown has had to do for his state. However, Delaware voters cast their ballots for her so there is apparently some longing for a more conservative track.
Maybe is it just all an anti-incumbent, anti-establishment backlash. Either way, O'Donnell can still carry the day in November.
Peggy Noonan today explains that Tea Party candidates are being elected partially because voters want them to go to Washington and temper the out of control spending. Noonan constructs an elaborate yardstick and clock analogy, but she makes a valid point when she says:
"So there's a sense that dramatic action is needed, and a sense of profound urgency. Add drama to urgency and you get the victory of a Tea Party-backed candidate".The left is already throwing everything they can at Christine O'Donnell, who incidentally has hit the money bomb since Tuesday. TPMDC, in particular, is dredging up every word and utterance O'Donnell has made in the past twenty years, and O'Donnell is, so far, handling this gracefully. In a candidate forum yesterday she said
“I was in my twenties and very excited and passionate about my newfound faith. But I can assure you, my faith has matured and when I go to Washington, D.C. it’ll be the Constitution on which I base all of my decisions, not my personal beliefs,” she explained Thursday to cheers.She is definitely a candidate that can win; she's proven that now. It the end it is important to remember that the Republicans dug the hole they're in themselves and did it a long time ago. To place the peril of a potential Senate majority in the lap of Christine O'Donnell just isn't fair. And at this point, I'm not sure if the Republican establishment just may be doing her a favor by railing against her. While one would hope that the Republican party could unite and come together for the good of the party, it appears that the time for some pruning may be in order.
Christine seems to be doing just fine without them.
(AP Photo)
Just like Marco Rubio! I think it is ridiculous how the press dredges up a bunch of stuff a person says over twenty years and expects that to hold merit with people. It's not like she was committing crimes or being a hatemonger. I mean , thank God there isn't a complete public record of all the crap I've said and done over the past twenty years. We need to hold people to realistic standards and not expect perfection.
ReplyDeleteI believe a person's personal life should remain person, and that includes public officials. So if your Senator is having sex with someone they are not married to, while they are married to another, that is private. It used to be back when there wasn't a 24/7 news cycle.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this is what ya'all means. I concur.
All the Tea Party is, is the average citizens of this country standing up and finally saying what we've always believed in our hearts. The republicans can't stand it because they are so corrupt, and the democrats are too liberal. But at least the democrats tell you what they plan to do, unlike the republicans, who lie and say they want less taxes, and less spending then go to Washington and stab us right in the back. Both parties need to go! In Florida, the Tea Party has it's know line on the ballot and is running candidates against both other parties. That's the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteAll the Tea Party is, is the average citizens of this country standing up and finally saying what we've always believed in our hearts. The republicans can't stand it because they are so corrupt, and the democrats are too liberal. But at least the democrats tell you what they plan to do, unlike the republicans, who lie and say they want less taxes, and less spending then go to Washington and stab us right in the back. Both parties need to go! In Florida, the Tea Party has it's know line on the ballot and is running candidates against both other parties. That's the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteI don't get Krauthammer. I used to respect him but with his condemantion of this woman something is seriously wrong. Her opponent was about as Republican as Obama. It will be impossible for the Republicans to effect any major policy changes if they get 51 people in the Senate. The only thing that would do would be to change the chairmen. I realize that the chairmen have some power but I don't want that if it means a RINO or non-conservative in Congress. Rush seems to sum this up very well. But something is definitely going on with Rove and the other establishment being so vocal about this issue.
ReplyDeleteIf Rove and Krauthammer wanted right-leaning voters to rally to O'Donnell's side, they couldn't have played it more brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteI find it almost unbelievable that two such smart guys could get it so wrong.
After all, the voters now must choose between a bona fide conservative and a Marxist. That's a much clearer choice than they would have had if O'Donnell had lost.
And speaking of choices, the Old Guard of the GOP can either surf the Tea Party Tsunami of 2010 or be crushed by it.
What is Krauthammer's problem?! The Tea Party is planning to bring back the Constitution and fiscal responsibility, why would he be opposed to that? Sometimes I like this guy, other times I think he's lost it. The Tea Party is taking America by storm. I think it will be a new political party, they've already started one in Florida.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Tea Party has it right, form your own party and you don't have to put up with their crap.
ReplyDeletePeg Dunmire is the Tea Party candidate for Alan Grayson's seat. She is the next Christine O'Donnell. Check her out at: Dunmireforcongress.com. Vote all the bums out! Go Tea.
ReplyDelete