A few thoughts on election 2010

Howdy folks.

Looking at some of the exit polls and other data, there seems to be some lessons to be learned from the disaster of the democrats.


First: Low to no turn-out in the ranks. About 50% of the registered voters turned out to vote and we know what party and ideas they represented. Worse than normal democratic support among union families and older americans; worse among women voters. I am awaiting more detailed "exit poll data" before going further.

Second: Money. Dems won in areas they turned on the money tap for the most part. Pubs had endless money supply and attacked everywhere at once. By the way, $4 billion spent is the current estimate. Perhaps we should have an election every year, seems good for the economy as a stimulus.

Third: lack of enthusiasm, messaging and more: Most voters did not understand or know of the democrats improvements and most voters viewed achievements as very poor or destructive. PR is not the strong suit of the losers this election.

Four: Most of the survivors of the dems are going "right" on issues to try to protect their seats. Alas, that is most likely to be a losing tactic in the upcoming elections. Dissing the base is not a wise political move for dissing the base is why dems lost many an election.

Five: looks as if some of the democrats sabotaged their own (historically repeating theme with blue dogs and party). Many dems bailed rather than fact tough election. We can go on and on, but many view the democrats as craven cowards, turncoats and worse. No wonder teabaggers kicked behinds.

Six: Many dems ran a poor, poor campaign. In some places, results were very tight and if the bases would have turned out; dems would have won. Going right among the survivers is not a winner for it will alienate base in next election.

Seven: dems did not field canidates in a variety of elections. Hell, they did not even run a canidate for US Senate in one state. Looks to me (and many others) dems took a position of a cutting and running campaign; something not a winner.

Eight: Dems did not oppose teabaggers early on, letting them frame the issues. In Missouri, there was no opposition for instance of Prop C (rejection of Obamacare). The teabag victory helped Mr. Blunt get elected to the senate riding on a wave of right-wing enthusiasm. We could go on and on.

Nixon, Claire, Obama and dems in general; time to get off duffs and get working for the people unless you are thinking of unemployment next election. You were elected to lead, not run like craven dogs in the face of special interests. The major lesson of this 2010 disaster is that you are failing to lead and that the GOP was not given a mandate on the issues. If you cave to right wing tax breaks and more, you are giving up your day jobs in 2012. I hope I am wrong, but I suspect not.