Some election afterthoughts

Been listening to a lot of pundits and talking heads today. The reason for the Republicans' loss today has varied from one end of the spectrum to the other.

One thing I have not heard, but think is worth some thought is that there are striking similarities between George HW Bush's loss in 1992 and the Republican's loss yesterday.

HW Bush had been riding the Reagan wave, and the quick and relatively painless Gulf War I had him at incredibly high approval ratings. Yet he lost the election. Two reasons have been sited for his loss:

1. "Read my lips. No new taxes." And then he raised taxes.
2. In 1989, HW Bush signed into law the Assault Weapon Ban.

Both of these acts disenfranchised a massive part of the Conservative base.The now defunct Republican Congress that has ruled since 1994 has also disenfranchised a massive part of the Conservative base.

1. Amnesty for illegal aliens.
2. Massive, out of control spending.
3. Many Republicans (ala John McCain) have done everything they possibly could to weaken our position on the ongoing war and refused to do anything about securing our border. In fact, many Republicans have been Republicans in Name Only and have pretty much bent over backwards to kiss the ass of any liberal idea that flew in their office door.

By not acting like Republicans, the party has squandered an opportunity that has rarely presented itself in American politics. Instead of setting an agenda from a position of power, they have done whatever they thought made them seem "accommodating", "understanding", or "compassionate" to a liberal Democrat Party that could care less about anything other than getting back in power. As a result, the Republican base, who sent people to Washington to minimize the size of government, control spending, fight a war like you want to win it, and protect our borders has sat on its hands this election day.

Add in to the mix the Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, and Tom Foley scandals and you create a perfect storm, if you will that caused the silent majority to stay home or vote with their feet.

The pundits are claiming that this election was everything to do with the people wanting change.

I don't buy it.

This election was about an incensed Conservative base who stayed home.

I hope the Republicans learn their lesson, go home and lick their wounds, and come out fighting next year; and fighting to win control back in '08.

In case they aren't sure what they need to do, the list is simple:

1. Win the war by any means necessary. Stop acting as if someone's opinion in some shithole 3rd world country matters one bit when it comes to our own security.
2. Cut taxes. Permanently.
3. Lower spending.
4. Protect the Border.