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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com. This summer I am joined by Keir Wilmut and Omar Soliman.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The mid-term elections and the fate of the GOP
Reading over the posts of late, I've noticed how restrictive I've been to Canadian politics. That's not necessarily on purpose, it's just the way things worked out. I have actually been following the American mid-terms elections and the ugliness that has recently ensued with keen interest.
The Mark Foley scandal is so bad for so many reasons, not the least of which is the disgraceful and immoral behaviour of the former congressman. But, as noted in quite a bit of commentary, it has also reinforced extremely negative perceptions of the Republican Party, exposed internal divisions, and may even seal its fate in the fall elections, as noted in this excellent analysis by the conservative pollster Frank Luntz:
The Republican Party of 2006 is a tired, cranky shell of the aggressive, reformist movement that was swept into office in 1994 on a wave of positive change. I knew those Republicans. I worked for them. They were friends of mine. These Republicans are not those Republicans.
The leaders of the Republican Party in 1994 were bold, passionate visionaries with the courage to go to the people with a clearly defined agenda. Issues and principles drove them. Today, their agenda stretches no further than the next election. The same people who were elected on a platform of change have become the establishment bulls who fight change today.
The Republican Party has "lost its way" narrative may be getting pretty stale, but that doesn't make it wrong. Actually, it's 100% correct.
Some of the issues hurting congressional Republicans are beyond their control: the President's unpopularity, the war in Iraq and the bungling of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. But much of this is their fault. Indeed, the GOP reminds us of another political party we know and love: marred by corruption, lack of vision, weak leadership and a rudderless (read: non-existent) agenda.
Most analysis I've seen has teetered back and forth on who will win this November. Seems most people think the Republicans will hang on to the Senate but may lose the House. Unless things improve in the next month, I would say a possible House loss is looking like a probable loss.
For more good reading on this file check out George Will's column from last week. Also, I love the picture atop this article, which strikes me as a pretty accurate assessment.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 11:31 PM
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