Commentary

Rage sweeps out the trash

Unfortunately for Republicans in this midterm election, voters did not
ignore the criminal behavior, blind support for the Iraq war fiasco and
complete lack of fiscal discipline exhibited by congress. As it turns out,
Americans were very unhappy with those politicians who seemed to be in
touch only with themselves.

It seems that the party of patriotism and hyperactive flag waving turned
out be a source of embarrassment for many registered Republicans as
they headed for the polls on Tuesday.

According to exit polls, 60 percent of voters claimed that national issues
were more important than local concerns-poor Karl Rove, his trusty wedge
issues couldn’t compensate for congressional approval ratings that hovered
in the mid-teens.

Over a third of those surveyed said their House selection was cast with the
intention of opposing the president. Bush received a 57 percent disapproval
Rating, and 30 percent said they were actually incensed by his presence
in the White House.

The post election sampling of opinion also showed that the same middle-
class that thrust the Republicans to power in 1994 swung back to the
Democrats in this midterm election. Independent voters and even suburb-
anites also let their displeasure with the GOP be known- was this a revolt of
the ‘Soccer/Security Moms’?

As far as the issue of terrorism is concerned. it still ranked high on the
list with 70 percent considering it important to their vote. But, unlike 2004,
the voters were divided as to which party would do a better job protecting
America from dangerous foes. This is a drastic shift from the 20 percent
lead Republicans enjoyed two years ago.

As far as the Iraq war is concerned- I refuse to lump it together with the
wider war on terrorism (if you will note, I do not use “terror’ to title the war
against Islamic extremism because this could easily extend to all things scary-
movies, books, and even Halloween), 60 percent of those polled said it has not
improved America’s long-term security, and citizens in this category voted for
Democrats by a margin of 3 to 1.

It turns out that congress’s abysmal approval ratings, the low marks awarded
the president and growing pessimism over Iraq proved to be much more
important than any local concerns or bigoted/anti-science wedge issues for
voters in this election.

The electorate was incensed, and they sent a message to the Republicans:
anyone but you! In a stagnant, two-party system riddled with Representatives
and Senators who often serve for decades, that meant a vote for Democrats.

This election was a referendum on Bush, and it was a way to send a clear
signal to a self-centered, corrupt and out-of-touch Republican controlled
congress that rubber-stamped and funded his foreign policy disasters. The
issues on voters minds were also those covered most heavily by the television
networks. Scandals and war make for great viewing, but the issues of energy
independence, health care and the exploding federal budget deficit need to be
moved to center stage.

The Democrats are back in control of the House, and most likely the Senate.
They won because voters had no other choice. The electorate is fed up with
politicians who are obsessed only with extending their time in office. Congress
has been selling our nation’s interests to the highest campaign contributors for
too long. Instead of settling scores, the Democrats have to tackle the larger
issues that confront us. They have to restore trust in a badly damaged institution,
and that process has to start right away.

Greg Strid

© 2006 Splendid Marbles.