Why The Big Losses? And What Next?

Posted by | November 5, 2014 12:21 | Filed under: Politics Top Stories

Republish
Reprint


Democrats took a rigorous hammering yesterday, but there’s more to the losses than Obama’s favorability ratings and the Democrats who stupidly distanced themselves from the guy who cut unemployment in half, got tens of millions of Americans good, affordable insurance, and killed Osama bin Laden. And I’d wager that this huge GOP “victory” won’t last a week into the next Congress.

As for the reasons behind what Jon Stewart compared to the most notorious scene in a very popular cable TV series, pundits on cable news dare not blame the media, but there’s good reason to point to the sensationalist stupidity that passes for news (and that targets the senior demographic), as both Martin Longman and Susie Madrak observe.

There is also the matter of Democratic leadership at the national level. As Alan reported, Ralph Nader had a few things to say about the matter, and it irks me to agree with “the spoiler.” The Doc agrees completely with both Atrios and  even moreso with Howie Klein, who points directly toward the Democrats’ record of retaining consultants whose campaign track record is a joke.

The Doc can tell you from his former career in corporate and political public relations that Democratic consultants have been giving bad advice to candidates since well before Al Gore lost, particularly on the issue of deportment. Swing voters do not respond strongly to gentility, even in the midwest, and are completely turned off by mealy-mouthed political drivel. Tough, strong, and cutting sound bites, on the other hand, do work. Imagine what would happen if, instead of refusing to answer the question about whether or not she had voted for Obama, Alison Lundergan Grimes had forcefully said yes while taking a swipe at the press (“What the heck kind of question is that? What’s next? ‘Is the Pope Catholic?'”) and then, after ticking off a litany of the President’s successes (“adopting Romneycare so we could start Kynect… killing bin Laden… strengthening the economy and doubling the value of your stock portfolio, Senator McConnell…”), stated that “the real question is why you, Senator McConnell, didn’t have the smarts to vote for Barack Obama instead of a guy who makes Gordon Gekko look like Norman Vincent Peale.”

Yes, the whole 2014 mess is infuriating. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to the 2015 mess that will confront Republicans:

This is the same Republican Party that forced a government shutdown because the Tea Party caucus blocked their own debt ceiling bill because it wasn’t extreme enough.

This is the same Republican Party that forced Speaker of the House John Boehner to pull his own immigration bill because the Tea Party caucus decided it wasn’t extreme enough.

This is the same Republican Party that has been threatening to impeach President Obama for years. Heck, they came up with a ridiculous lawsuit against the president that no law firm will take because judges keep laughing it out of court.

The Republican Party is controlled by crazed extremists and they will use their new found power to prove just how crazy they are. They can’t help themselves.

Go read the rest. Then fax a copy to your state’s Democratic Party office and any representatives you may have in DC. If Dems can come up with leadership ballsy enough to exploit the continuing GOP Civil War, turn their latest crop of wingnuts into the Party of [George] Lincoln [Rockwell]’s poster children, and show some spine, 2016 will be well worth the wait.

Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo

David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.

* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.

130 responses to Why The Big Losses? And What Next?

  1. Obewon November 5th, 2014 at 18:41

    Breaking! Midterm 2014 36.6% turnout Lowest since WW-II 1942 when voters were deployed! http://bluenationreview.com/2014-saw-lowest-voter-turnout-since-1940/

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 18:44

      Unbelievable when so much is at stake, I’m finding it hard to concern myself w/student debt, unemployment and the environment. It will be the coming generations that end up suffering the consequences.

    • arc99 November 5th, 2014 at 18:47

      I have done some digging into the Senate race in Iowa and the governor’s race in Maryland. Turnout was the key as the GOP winners last night won about the same number of votes as Romney did in 2012 when he lost both states decisively.

      When people come out to vote, Democrats win.

      When people stay home, well you see what happens…

  2. Wayout November 5th, 2014 at 17:59

    Why the big losses? It’s simple. The American people as a whole do not want to go where the liberal Dems want to take them. Not on illegal immigration, not on the continued deficit spending, not on the massive welfare society, not on the poor economy, and not on this Presidents indecisiveness in foreign policy.

    • tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 18:00

      lol, and the American people said yes they do, twice when they voted for Obama. In 2006 the Americans said hell no to bush and the teabagg/gop…don’t you agree? By the way, congress makes the budgets and spends the money you moron

    • Obewon November 5th, 2014 at 18:05

      Lol! That’s why your GOP Guber (R-PA) Corbett was dumped! And repubs lost 5 of the past 6 popular POTUS votes e.g. 2012~ via (D)51% to (R)47%, 3:2 332-206-Mitt’nRyan! Preceded by (D)53% to (R)47% 2:1 365-173-Mc’PalinBrawl.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 18:08

      If Obama’s tax plan had been followed along w/his jobs bills we would be enjoying Clinton era surpluses by now. Hope you don’t mind continued military spending while giving tax breaks to the 1%, and continue paying massive bills for environmental disasters which oil and coal companies pollute your drinking water.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 18:12

      btw, how’s that brownback, kansas “experiment” working out while christie continues to downgrade new jerseys credit rating.

    • arc99 November 5th, 2014 at 18:15

      Initial reports indicate we just had the lowest election turnout in nearly 60 years.

      The American people “as a whole” stayed at home, so it is the height of delusion for you to come to this forum and make pronouncements about what they want.

      And please get a clue. Foreign policy decisions that you disagree with do not constitute “indecisiveness”.

      EDIT: and the deficit has been cut in half… But don’t let facts get in the way. Obama-hating right wingers never do.

    • Tommy6860 November 5th, 2014 at 18:21

      You’re living in a dream world, seriously. Obama was elected twice, and he was the first president elected with over 51% of the vote both times since Ike. Voter turnout is being reported between 35%-40%, and that is abysmal. Turnout is something you don’t want. Obama and the dems beat the crap out of the wingers in 2008 when just 62% of voter participation, think about that. And in 2012 (IIRC) only around 55% participated and we gained seats in the house then. Remember 2006, when the GOP ran away from Bush and it was a huge sweep for the dems?

      Let the GOP sink our nation yet again. It’s too bad that among that 35-40% who voted, over 60% of them consisted of people age 60yrs+, and they are typically GOP, of which puzzles me. They don’t want their Medicare and SS touched, but they stupidly vote against their own interest. Maybe we should let them have what the GOP wants to give them, medical coverage vouchers and see the tide turn deep blue.

    • fancypants November 7th, 2014 at 22:13

      We didn’t want a 10yr going on infinity war either but I guess that’s not on your pie chart where all our $$$$ and troops are going. Had we realized the rest of the world could give a sh!t about fighting in the middle east ( and still to this day no major attacks ) we wouldn’t look like a nation of stooges who fell into their trap.

  3. Wayout November 5th, 2014 at 18:59

    Why the big losses? It’s simple. The American people as a whole do not want to go where the liberal Dems want to take them. Not on illegal immigration, not on the continued deficit spending, not on the massive welfare society, not on the poor economy, and not on this Presidents indecisiveness in foreign policy.

    • tracey marie November 5th, 2014 at 19:00

      lol, and the American people said yes they do, twice when they voted for Obama. In 2006 the Americans said hell no to bush and the teabagg/gop…don’t you agree? By the way, congress makes the budgets and spends the money you moron

    • Obewon November 5th, 2014 at 19:05

      Lol! That’s why your GOP Guber (R-PA) Corbett was dumped! And repubs lost 5 of the past 6 popular POTUS votes e.g. 2012~ via (D)51% to (R)47%, 3:2 332-206-Mitt’nRyan. Preceded by (D)53% to (R)47% 2:1 365-173-Mc’PalinBrawl.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 19:08

      If Obama’s tax plan had been followed along w/his jobs bills we would be enjoying Clinton era surpluses by now. Hope you don’t mind continued military spending while giving tax breaks to the 1%, and continue paying massive bills for environmental disasters while oil and coal companies pollute your drinking water.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 19:12

      btw, how’s that brownback, kansas “experiment” working out while christie continues to downgrade new jerseys credit rating.

    • arc99 November 5th, 2014 at 19:15

      Initial reports indicate we just had the lowest election turnout in nearly 60 years.

      The American people “as a whole” stayed at home, so it is the height of delusion for you to come to this forum and make pronouncements about what they want.

      And please get a clue. Foreign policy decisions that you disagree with do not constitute “indecisiveness”.

      EDIT: and the deficit has been cut in half… But don’t let facts get in the way. Obama-hating right wingers never do.

    • Tommy6860 November 5th, 2014 at 19:21

      You’re living in a dream world, seriously. Obama was elected twice, and he was the first president elected with over 51% of the vote both times since Ike. Voter turnout is being reported between 35%-40%, and that is abysmal. Turnout is something you don’t want. Obama and the dems beat the crap out of the wingers in 2008 with just 62% of voter participation, think about that. And in 2012 (IIRC) only around 55% participated and we gained seats in the house then. Remember 2006, when the GOP ran away from Bush and it was a huge sweep for the dems?

      Let the GOP sink our nation yet again. It’s too bad that among that 35-40% who voted, over 60% of them consisted of people age 60yrs+, and they are typically GOP, of which puzzles me. They don’t want their Medicare and SS touched, but they stupidly vote against their own interest. Maybe we should let them have what the GOP wants to give them, medical coverage vouchers and see the tide turn deep blue.

    • fancypants November 7th, 2014 at 23:13

      We didn’t want a 10yr going on infinity war either but I guess that’s not on your pie chart where all our $$$$ and troops are going. Had we realized the rest of the world could give a sh!t about fighting in the middle east ( and still to this day no major attacks ) we wouldn’t look like a nation of stooges who fell into their trap.

  4. allison1050 November 5th, 2014 at 18:55

    Totally agree with the article.

  5. allison1050 November 5th, 2014 at 19:55

    Totally agree with the article.

  6. Ruble November 5th, 2014 at 20:12

    Here is my thoughts about the election on Nov. 4, 2014. Republican
    Rob Maness with the help of the True Tea Party got 14% of the vote in
    Louisiana. I heard people talk about, how he should have dropped out.
    People get this straight, Ross Perot (the Billionaire) got 19% of the
    vote in 1992. Maness proves the point the Republicans need to wake up
    (& fly right). What just happened across the country; the True Tea
    party pushed the Republican party to the right, not the left. South
    Carolina’s Tim Scott became the first black US Senator elected in
    the South since Reconstruction, with the help of the Tea Party. The True
    Tea party is what this country needed, and they flexed their muscle on
    election night. The Republicans should start including more people
    instead of acting like an exclusive country club. The Black people are
    waking up too; look at LA. Senator Guillory, switching to the Republican
    Party (He too has attended Tea Party events). The people want what the
    Tea Party is stands for; less government, less taxes, less restrictions
    in personal liberties & business affairs, less involvement in world
    affairs and rebuild our own country with a sound economy, safe food,
    clean water and an eye for the future. It is clear, WE WANT OUR COUNTRY
    BACK! The GOP did not win last night the Tea Party did. Rob Maness,
    Thank you and the Tea Party Patriots all across this country. To the
    Republicans who were returned to office you have been warned.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 20:30

      You want lower taxes, well they’re at the lowest they’ve been in 30 years, you want less restrictions in personal liberties unless of course you’re talking abut a woman’s body. You want less government unless you want safe roads, bridges, a secure border clean elections, fire protection, mail delivery 6 days a week, and schools for your children. You want safe food and medicine but w/o paying for the FDA. You want safe working conditions but w/o OSHA and you want clean air and water but w/o paying for the EPA.

      WAKE THE F UP

  7. Ruble November 5th, 2014 at 21:12

    Here is my thoughts about the election on Nov. 4, 2014. Republican
    Rob Maness with the help of the True Tea Party got 14% of the vote in
    Louisiana. I heard people talk about, how he should have dropped out.
    People get this straight, Ross Perot (the Billionaire) got 19% of the
    vote in 1992. Maness proves the point the Republicans need to wake up
    (& fly right). What just happened across the country; the True Tea
    party pushed the Republican party to the right, not the left. South
    Carolina’s Tim Scott became the first black US Senator elected in
    the South since Reconstruction, with the help of the Tea Party. The True
    Tea party is what this country needed, and they flexed their muscle on
    election night. The Republicans should start including more people
    instead of acting like an exclusive country club. The Black people are
    waking up too; look at LA. Senator Guillory, switching to the Republican
    Party (He too has attended Tea Party events). The people want what the
    Tea Party is stands for; less government, less taxes, less restrictions
    in personal liberties & business affairs, less involvement in world
    affairs and rebuild our own country with a sound economy, safe food,
    clean water and an eye for the future. It is clear, WE WANT OUR COUNTRY
    BACK! The GOP did not win last night the Tea Party did. Rob Maness,
    Thank you and the Tea Party Patriots all across this country. To the
    Republicans who were returned to office you have been warned.

    • edmeyer_able November 5th, 2014 at 21:30

      You want lower taxes, well they’re at the lowest they’ve been in 30 years, you want less restrictions in personal liberties unless of course you’re talking abut a woman’s body. You want less government unless you want safe roads, bridges, a secure border clean elections, fire protection, mail delivery 6 days a week, and schools for your children. You want safe food and medicine but w/o paying for the FDA. You want safe working conditions but w/o OSHA and you want clean air and water but w/o paying for the EPA.

      WAKE UP

  8. Intaglio Oglothorpe November 12th, 2014 at 01:11

    You people are seriously posting Bush quotes? In 2006 Republicans weren’t posting Clinton pictures. You are seriously sore losers.

    If you couldn’t be bothered to vote or point out all these great “accomplishments” over the past two years then take it for what it was. Oh thats right, you’re the party that always wants a recount when its close until you win and then when you can’t claim that you make excuses. Must be all the racists that gave Obama the first Democratic majority popular vote since LBJ. Or maybe they’ve caught on that the reason you hate organized religion is the only god worth worshipping are your delusions which have been proven over the last 6 years not to work. Seventh Day Adventists are more critical thinking than you are.

  9. fancypants January 6th, 2015 at 23:22

    unfortunately my state is at the bottom along with its credit rating. Its hard enough to stomach our elected going to jail much less finding a Dem who has the brass to right the wrong
    Very sad

  10. fancypants January 7th, 2015 at 00:22

    unfortunately my state is at the bottom along with its credit rating. Its hard enough to stomach our elected going to jail much less finding a Dem who has the brass to right the wrong
    Very sad

1 2

Leave a Reply