Before it’s all over and the pundits begin analyzing who did what right or wrong, I would like to give kudos to the Democratic Party candidates. This election season, the Democrats have shown unanimity like no other time in history. Besides the president’s office, the country is likely to see Democrats gain more seats in the house and senate.
Sure when Senator Hillary Clinton lost in the primary, there was disappointment and even factions between Senator Barack Obama and Clinton supporters. But, it was in fact at these caucuses and delegate meetings over Obama and Clinton that the Party saw opportunity in the air—divided they would fail. At some point, the Party realized that there was too much at stake. They had to come together for the sake of the party—united.
While I’m not privy to closed-door conversations, it is clear to me that somewhere and somehow the Democrats came up with a campaign strategy for their candidates.
- Keep it Simple. Ask constituents are you better off today?
- Stay on Message. Associate opponents with Bush.
- Be Disciplined. Do not put yourself on the defense.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is falling apart. They have no meaningful issue to bring to the table. They clearly did not have a succession plan. They don’t particularly like their presidential nominee. They are unable to claim victory on any issue in the past eight years. And they want nothing to do with the current administration.
Republicans only have themselves to blame. They had control of the White House, Congress, and the Senate for six of the last eight years. That was the time to show real leadership and use of political capital the Bush administration had gained. Instead all we saw was a ballooning deficit, a failing economy, the stripping of civil liberties and the planting of seeds of fear into the American way of life.
Besides the lack of leadership, the Republican Party revealed many weaknesses that the Democrats are only too happy to take advantage of. Three examples come to mind; First, Republicans failed to grasp the changing demographics of the country. Secondly, they underestimated the impact of associations with George Bush, Karl Rove, convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and other corruption scandals plaguing the party. And third, with astonishing arrogance they ignored the growing dissatisfaction of the American people.
Regardless of who wins, the Democrats as a party have shown remarkable discipline and consistency this election season and for that they get my vote and two thumbs up.
