Political Hay
One Step Forward, Two Races Back
The stresses and strains of post-defeat spinning.
“Victory has a thousand fathers,” said John F. Kennedy, “but defeat is an orphan.”
David Axelrod, netting the prize for the most shameless display of post-defeat spinning, added an additional father to Bob McDonnell’s victory in Virginia: Barack Obama.
McDonnell ran “not as a Sarah Palin Republican, but more as a Barack Obama centrist,” said Axelrod, according to liberal columnist E.J. Dionne.
Axelrod’s fanciful description of Obama as a “centrist” betrays what he denies: that hundreds of thousands of voters in major states once thought permanently blue did recoil from a year of radical, Obama-led change, both real and proposed.
Democrats console themselves with the spin that “local issues” drove the losses, as if a repudiation of local liberalism is less ominous than a repudiation of national liberalism. The “local issues” were liberal issues, questions of excessive taxation. Jon Corzine raised property taxes; Creigh Deeds proposed to raise transportation ones.
Had Corzine and Deeds won, Obama’s participation in their campaigns would have been cast as decisive. Since they lost, it is irrelevant. All is well, say White House aides, even as they secretly shake in their boots.
After Democrats lost in 1994, a stung Bill Clinton didn’t even bother to spin it; he just hired Dick Morris. But Democrats this year, at least publicly, are in denial mode, taking solace in a Democrat replacing a Democrat in California and a jumbled squeaker in New York. Nancy Pelosi summoned the energy for her trademark brittle smile and said Democrats “won” on Tuesday.
The media-driven expectation, after Republicans lose, is that the party will move not just to the middle but to the left. When Democrats lose, they aren’t even expected to move to the middle. No, they can keep up their prattle about the “civil war” in the Republican Party and the value of a “Big Tent” even as they dismantle the last remaining stakes of their own.
When has the Democratic Party establishment in recent years ever run the equivalent of a Dede Scozzafava? It is unimaginable. They can hardly abide moderate Democrats, let alone the Zell Millers. Pro-life Democrats can’t speak at their conventions, and while they claim to “reach out to independents,” mistreat the ones closest to them, as Joe Lieberman now knows well. Big Tent advocates of the left, heal thyselves.
But Tuesday’s results won’t make the Democrats any less ‘doctrinaire. A liberal defeat, as they see it, is a call not for less liberalism but a more vigorously stated one: Deeds failed to embrace Obama’s policies more tightly and espouse them more eloquently, they complain, for example.
The only party that Democrats seek to reform after a defeat is the Republican Party: How can we mau-mau the other side into running the most feeble candidates, de facto Democrats with an R after their names who will collaborate with our agenda rather than resist it?
Were the “purge of moderates” as “politically disastrous” for the Republican Party as Axelrod claims, he would stop acting like Olympia Snowe’s press secretary and encourage it. He should want Republicans to lose. But he knows that they won’t; conservative Republicans will win over the next few years and foul up Obama’s agenda.
Don’t listen to “Fox News,” Axelrod tells the media establishment; don’t listen to conservatives, he tells the Republican one. Why? Well, because Obama just shouldn’t have opponents apparently.
Democracy is proving inconvenient to “hope” and “change.” America stubbornly refuses to become the liberal utopia of Obama’s dreams; even progressive Maine couldn’t bring itself to endorse gay marriage. The Democrats’ claimed expertise on appealing to independents and moderates looks fairly hollow at the moment.
Were independents wedded to Democratic policies, their shift from Obama last year to Christie and McDonnell this one would be inexplicable. The much-touted youth vote also looks less ideologically significant one year later. According to pollster Charlie Cook, college students didn’t trouble themselves to vote for Deeds and Corzine because they have a strictly “personal relationship” with Obama. Unless he is running, they don’t care.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (67) | Leave a comment
Related Articles
More Articles by George Neumayr
More Articles From Political Hay
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/11/06/one-step-forward-two-races-bac
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
drudge ette obama| 11.6.09 @ 6:44AM
I am waiting for some reporter to laugh when Axlerod meanders into la-la land, claiming victory after defeat. I laugh. I know puttin' on a face when I see it. Pelosi's puttin on a face is fascinating, like seeing a 600 pound woman in a string bikini. You don't want to watch, but you can't help yourself.
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 11.6.09 @ 9:42AM
They're starting to sound like Baghdad Bob to me. "We have destroyed the Americans, and drove them from Iraq", just then a bomb blows up outside the press conference room. And Bob says? "Oh that? That's just the Air Conditioner kicking on". They only know how to lie!!
Dixie Pixie| 11.8.09 @ 2:47PM
It is a belief of the members of the american legal system that political appearance is political reality. David Axelrod and the rest of the Obama drones believe they can shape the current political reality by media manipulation. Why not, It got Obama elected. Too bad the strings on this puppet are becoming more visible with every lie.
Appleby| 11.6.09 @ 6:55AM
So TheKids will not raise their heads from their Binkies to go vote or still their twiddling thumbs long enough to salute the myrmiddion of Hopey McChange unless it will allow them to stick a thumb in the eye of their parents?
What a surprise.
JimP| 11.6.09 @ 8:32AM
I'll add that the 'yoots' won't even want the personal relationship with Obama in 2012 because they are all finding it really difficult to find work. And, at the rate things are going, I bet the AA community will not come out to vote for him in 2012 either. They like being able to find work too.
Son Of Sam | 11.6.09 @ 11:53AM
EXACTLY so Jim! My own 20 year was all agog -- as were many of her friends -- over the wondrousness of the TelePrompter Messiah. Now that she's about to graduate into a country with double digit unemployment and shes trying desperately to find a job, a place to live and a deferrment for her student loans, now the bloom is off the rose
And she's not the only one
But let us not forget: we not only must defeat the ObamaNazi scum at the ballot box. We must also investiagte them, indict, prosecute, convict and jail them. Those that have committed treason should be executed. That is the only way to make sure that they do not slither back into the body politic as lobbyists consultants or pundits at MSNBC
strand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com/
Tom Bruner| 11.6.09 @ 2:52PM
The 'yoots' are a particularly fickle group, probably at least in part due to the fact that membership in the group is very temporary. The Grammy for Best New Artist is an award of particular interest to the 'yoots.' Four years ago, in 2005, the award went to Maroon 5. Today Maroon 5 is comtemplating making a swan song album having apparently run their course. Four years from 'best' to 'buh-bye.' Sounds about right.
Louis Jenkins| 11.6.09 @ 8:54AM
McDonnell ran "not as a Sarah Palin Republican, but more as a Barack Obama centrist," said Axelrod,...
What part of "We won" does this buffoon not understand? Sooner or later he'll have to stop and deal with it. Late Tuesday night in the Democrat's war bunker while the klaxtons were sounding off and the red lights were flashing Davyboy put together his straight faced lies for the newsmedia. They lapped the spew up like kur dogs. The Statists and the state run media march on arm and arm, and in lock step. The next election will be even more interesting.
Pingback| 11.6.09 @ 8:55AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : One Step Forward, Two Races Back [sp links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bo Darville| 11.6.09 @ 11:35AM
Indeed, David Axelrod is quite fattening.
Howard| 11.6.09 @ 10:34AM
One thing not mentioned is that 10% unemployment is a splash of cold water on the faces of young Obama supporters. They were hot and heavy for him last year when the unemployment rate was still reasonable. Now they have to get off their asses and look for work as opposed to handing out flyers.
Pete| 11.6.09 @ 10:05PM
The Mocha Messiah has a plan for that too..."community service" on the taxpayer dime. You've seen the commercials. No job? The federal government will pay you for a year to do its bidding.
J. Kelley| 11.6.09 @ 10:34AM
This has been going for years. Democrats win when they lose,the race was closer than expected, so it was a win for the Dem. They are saying the recesion is over. But unemployment is at 10.2 percent and revenue to the Federal Gov. is way down, and going lower. If we heave free elections in 2010, we must make some real changes.
Ken (Old Texican| 11.6.09 @ 11:20AM
George, excellent essay/peek behind the curtains.
Please peek at my comment on Klein's article here today.
Thanks for the encouragement too.
Rmm| 11.6.09 @ 11:32AM
It had to happen eventually. The people lulled into believing the O was the answer to all of our troubles have realized the Obama-Pelosi gang are going to bleed us till we bleed no more. They dare not look reality in the face, because truth is not part of the dialogue. Axelrod is a buffoon if he thinks anyone buys his spin.
james| 11.6.09 @ 11:33AM
This is all true, as far as it goes, but the nagging question, at least to me, is How can so many Americans vote, year after year, for the wretched dregs that populate the US Congress? Unless and until we a hundred Barney Franks thrown out I will have no confidence in the American public to save itself.
TonyRaskoon| 11.6.09 @ 4:20PM
I believe I can answer this: gerrymandering. These whackos are from engineered safe districts.
Tim| 11.6.09 @ 11:43AM
Obama has created or saved millions of Republicans. How can you Label that failure?
DaveS| 11.7.09 @ 6:35PM
And how many Kenyans!
MikeN| 11.6.09 @ 11:44AM
The Democrat establishment have been running people as far right as Dede is left for years. That's why they have 80 guys in McCain districts.
Anthony| 11.6.09 @ 12:25PM
I bet Axelrod has Orwell's "1984" memorized and can recite it by heart. We know he carries Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" in his back pocket instead of the Constitution. Oh wait, that is his & Obama's constitution.
Come 2012, Axelrod's "centrist" ass will be back in Chicago where political thugs belong. He and his fellow Leftists can take a page out of another famous Orwell novel and shuffle around some Ill. forest reciting lines from their favorite Marxists. P.S. Great line Tim!!
Ken (Old Texican)| 11.6.09 @ 2:03PM
Please Americans, hit this link, scroll down, and watch your President sell out America on youtube.
Out of context?????
Riiiiiiiiiight!
http://www.americanthinker.com....._beli.html
gerald stephens| 11.6.09 @ 2:17PM
Obama is a LAME DUCK in more sense than one. Now that the world knows he and his CHANGE is having trouble getting arrested they will rightly conclude his Policy of Engagement won't yield a ride on the NYC subway.
Playing him for the inexperienced fool is the new game in town and we can expect to find ourselves in deep international dung.
News of the Iranian nuclear bomb trigger will force 'great leader' to face up to Israel after pulling their chain.
WE HAVE PROBLEMS. I absolutely love object lessons but we could do without involvement in this one.
Gerald Stephens
Hartford, CT
TonyRaskoon| 11.6.09 @ 4:27PM
RINOS have weakened the Republican party immensely. The only time that the Democrats give Republicans advise to come to the Center is when conservatism is gaining popular traction politically. No more fake Republicans please. RNC stop calling my house.
John Blake| 11.6.09 @ 9:49PM
Extradite Soetoro!
Pingback| 11.7.09 @ 3:40AM
Professional Style Polyester Foam Front Five Panel Pro Style Mesh Back Adjustable Hat links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.7.09 @ 4:40AM
Professional Style Polyester Foam Front Five Panel Pro Style Mesh Back Adjustable Hat links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.7.09 @ 7:40AM
Professional Style Polyester Foam Front Oak Leaves High Crown Golf Style Mesh Back Ad links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Mark Well| 11.7.09 @ 5:49PM
John Kennedy may have said it, but he certainly didn't say it first.
defeated pigs| 11.7.09 @ 6:00PM
The cool part is democrats will hang the abortion agenda like a carrot but real it in at the last minute to secure the vote. Republican jackasses. When it comes down to it, who should pay for an abortion? The man. lmao.
GINO| 11.8.09 @ 3:24PM
If Axelrod were spinning for the GOP; we would see column after column about GOP LIES.
Since he is the spinner for Democrats; he is given space and allowed to spin.
All LIARS eventually get caught; it is easier to just tell the truth.
jackie chan | 11.8.09 @ 10:22PM
I think I will try to recommend this post to my friends and family, cuz it’s really helpful.
Yosemeti Sam| 11.9.09 @ 12:06AM
LOL.
White House Rasputin infers all is well despite
chiseled defeats in VA and NJ.
These BHO turkeys, whistling as they traverse the
political cemeterys' latest salient donkey casualties saying - we're cool; yeah, you heard us - we're cool.
www.us-bapeoutlet.com | 4.3.10 @ 9:15PM
www.us-bapeoutlet.com
www.sunglass-mall.com | 4.5.10 @ 9:07PM
You won't have to worry about having your sunglass merchandise to gather dust on its display racks waiting for the summer season to commence www.sunglass-mall.com