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Thursday, February 02, 2006

The Grey Lady’s Wishful Thinking

In its coverage of John Boehner's upset win over Roy Blunt to become the new House Majority Leader, the New York Times cannot resist editorializing/wishful thinking about the upcoming 2006 mid-term elections.

Halfway through the article, here's what readers are treated to (my emphasis):

There are now 231 Republicans in the House, to 201 Democrats and 1 independent; there are 2 vacancies. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on Republican embarrassment over the lobbying scandal to cut into the G.O.P. lead in the fall elections, or perhaps even regain the House for the first time in 12 years.


That is pure fantasy, based on the Democrats' performance during the President's State of the Union speech on Tuesday. The overwhelming majority of Democrats conspicuousy sat on their hands like petulant children in response to any forceful rhetoric concerning the War on Terror, Iraq, the Patriot Act, and just about any other initiative (such as wiretapping) intended to protect the lives of Americans and the American way of life.

People notice this. They get angry. They don't forget.

The only time they were able to muster the energy to get out of their seats and applaud was when, in a particularly craven display, they were all too happy to salute themselves for blocking the President's attempts at Social Security reform. It was a disgusting reminder of the political cowardice that characterizes today's Democratic Party.

Let the NYT suggest that a Democratic takeover of the House is possible. Please. In fact, keep it up. Run editorials to that effect. Publish friendly puff-pieces about all these Democrats who are supposedly going to wrest control from the Republican majority.

I distinctly remember language to this effect in 2002, only to see Republicans pick up seats across the board to the shock and dismay of the Times and the Democrats for whom they so eagerly play the role of town crier.

Democrat behavior during the SOTU is emblematic of everything they stand for as a party:

1. Do nothing in terms of defending America from real, violent enemies
2. Act only when pandering to a particular special interest wins them cheap political victories that cost the American people in the long run

Yeah, that's a strategy for winning.

Republicans should replay the Democrats' SOTU spectacle in ads right through the mid term elections with a new slogan:

Remember In November.

Update: In keeping with the overall topic of the New York Times and Democrats, Michelle Malkin highlights a new Commentary piece that wonders if the paper's efforts to expose the NSA's wiretapping policies are a direct violation of the law and makes a strong case to this effect. Democrats, meanwhile, have dutifully run with the information revealed by the NYT and used it to try and further undermine the War on Terror.

Unsurprising, given that the Times is the de facto media organ for the Dems, who are simply not serious when it comes to protecting America and its citizens. This is all very pertinent to the mid-term discussion. How ironic will it be if it's the scandalous actions of the New York Times that ultimately help drive voters away from Democrats and back into the welcoming arms of the Republican majority?

The table is set.

Alex Nunez is the keeper of The Noonz Wire, where this was originally posted.

Comments

Avatar for Bat One

If memory serves, when the President first tried to tackle the question of Social Security reform, he laid out his proposal, then invited Democrats to do the same, specifically stating that everything was negotiable, nothing was “off the table,” and that the point was to get on with it and address the problem.

The Democrats, the ones who were so cravenly congratulated themselves two nights ago, thumbed their noses at the President’s request to at least start some sort of effort to deal with a problem which was considered by both Clinton and AlGore to be of enormous significance when it was “their” issue.  One Democratic congressman, Ron Wexler of Florida, offered a mild proposal, but that was quickly withdrawn at the “prompting” of Democratic Party Pooh-Bahs.

Voters should certainly remember not only what the Republicans have accomplished, but what the Democrats have managed not to do.  In five years, they have offered no substantive proposals for any of the problems the nation faces.  None.

If the voters believe, quite rightly, that Democrats are not to be trusted with our nation’s security and foreign affairs, there is little evidence to suggest that there are any areas of public policy where they can be trusted, or where they truly have anything at all to offer as an alternative.

Any party which roundly applauds itself for not even bothering to show up is hardly qualified to lead anyone anywhere.

Bat One on February 2, 2006 at 09:02 pm
Rob
Rob
18547 comments
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The Dems have a long way to go before they can get the House back, but Republicans (with their big-spending ways) are kind of being helpful.

Right now, for me, the GOP is the lesser of two evils.  I’m not about to start voting Democrat (because they’d be worse) but the Republicans had better get back on track addressing some of the serious issues out there (tax reform, SS reform, spending cuts) or there’s going to be some bloodletting in November.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on February 2, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Avatar for Bat One

I suspect, Rob, that yours is a very common attitude, and that it will be reflected in the turnout at the polls later this year.

Reflected too in those numbers will be the increased enmity between the two bitter camps within the Democratic Party.  It will be interesting to see which side’s marginal supporters drop off most quickly, as that is likely to determine the election results… all else being equal.

Bat One on February 3, 2006 at 03:02 am
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