My main point, though, is that the Democrats are simply not winning. They need to shape up because since this country is largely ruled by only two parties, we need both to be strong to keep the country centered. Otherwise, we'll always live in an extreme, which no one like. I certainly don't like the far right extreme we are in now. I am a heck of a lot closer to center than I am to the right.
The way I see it........the Dems were playing the game the way its been played for decades. Sometime over the past ten years, the GOP started changing the rules......probably as Rove was gaining traction nationally. It took the Dems a long time to understand the change of tactics. I think this last election was a watershed........I think the Dems. have finally figured out that this ain't your father's GOP.
That change is no where more apparent than here where I live. This state had a hotly contested gubnatorial race. Up til this point, the two parties had had a fairly friendly competition over the years. Suddenly, that changed this past November when Rove sent his legal goons out here. The GOP began attacking everyone blaming first incompetency, then fraud for their tight loss. They even attacked the popular GOP state commissioner who oversees state elections for following the rules in the election proceedings. They decided to contest the election and filed suit in the most GOP county in the state under a known GOP judge.
What Rove's legal goons didn't understand was that this state is essentially clean and it fights fair. In addition, the Dems mobilized like I never had seen before. Kerry sent out nearly a million dollars to do a recount within 48 hours of the election. The Dems best attorneys were out here.....scouring the state for evidence and information. They matched the GOP bullet point for bullet point.
This is the kind of response the Dems need to do on every occasion esp. when it comes to the new tactics of the GOP. However, it won't always work esp. in areas of the country that are more corrupted. For an example, I was surprised to see that that the GOP governor of OH had invested $50 million of state funds in a coin collection run by a GOP supporter. How was the governor able to pull that one off? Aren't there a system of checks in OH before state funds can be invested? Its seems in nearly every corner of the country there is a GOP pulling a fast one. From what I understand, they can't find a clean GOPer in San Diego to run for mayor. The GOP of CT was taking bribes through improvements to his house and other investments. The GOP mayor of Spokane refuses to resign even after they caught him offering city positions to men in exchange for sex. Those are just a few examples........this level of corruption goes on and on.
So the Dems. can fight back hard fairly, but that may not be enough to win against an opponent who seems to want power at any cost. In addition, its very costly.........I think the court fight cost both parties in the millions.
And btw I don't excuse the Dems for their screwups........they were caught sleeping and not paying attention.........that's clear. And Bill Clinton should have kept his dick in his pants.
ted |
