Friday, November 10, 2006

 

Icarus says "bipartisan," Americans say "Bye partisans!"

When you examine the data, there is only one word that accurately describes the midterm results.  The word is MANDATE.  When you look at the turnovers at the federal and state level, it wasn't even close.  Republicans got ZERO. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Nuthin. Not.A.Single.One.


55% of America voted against Republicans running for congress.
59% of America voted against Republicans running for the senate.
62% of America voted against Republicans running for governor.


Adding insult to injury, Independents broke 2 to 1 for Democratic candidates.

This thumping will leave a mark.   Bush might have avoided Icarus' fate if he had spent more time in the reality-based world.  The Decider Icarus can make all the noise he wants about bi-partisan intentions.    No one is listening.   Here's the beauty of this victory: Armed with a popular mandate that spans the nation, our job is simple.  We have to keep the Corrupt Bastards grounded in  reality.  I want to revisit a strategic vision that should help put cement shoes on the neo-cons, their apologists, shills, and cronies.


I could put up a laundry list of items I think we need to work on, but I won't.  Instead, I will take a step back and repeat a strategic perspective I've shared before: We need to be clear, consistent, committed and credible.  In the past, I have championed that strategy as critical to winning.  It is also critical to leading.  As long as we do that, I am comfortable with the wisdom of our collective decision making.  


1) Clarity matters:
We are here to protect and defend the Constitution.

2) Consistency matters:
We are here to uphold the rule of law.

3) Commitment matters:
We are here to leave a legacy worth inheriting.

4) Credibility matters:

We are here to return transparency to government.


We do not have to be timid here.  The Corrupt Bastards had their accountability moment, and lost -- Big Time.  Now we have a MANDATE.  However, that is only useful if we use it.  Moreover, we must never lose sight of the fact that we won because Independents broke 2 to 1 for Democrats.  


We have to deliver real change.  If we are going to turn that mandate into a public trust, we need to prove there is a material difference between Democrats and Republicans.  That is not just a matter of words, spin, positioning, framing, or slogans.  We have to be committed to demonstrating that difference every day -- clearly, consistently, and credibly.  I believe it all boils down to the difference in how Democrats and Republicans define a single word:


OVERSIGHT


After looking at the data, I believe that is why Americans sent Democrats to the House, the Senate, and the Governor's Mansion.  Exercising oversight (as opposed to pretending things were missed due to oversight) is going to be a constant battle, so rest up, eat your Wheaties, and don't forget to Give Thanks this year for all the folks who helped us reclaim our country.  We'll be here when you get back.


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