The natives are restless, but so what?
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I've been a little reluctant -- and still am -- to buy into the argument that Republicans are as good as dead in November because the voters are angry. That may be true -- heck, let's face it, it is true -- that the voters are angry. But this country returns incumbents to office in greater numbers than the Politburo in the '80s, number one. And, number two, the world is full of polls that show an incumbent hasn't got a prayer when the question is job-approval. It's only when you add a candidate -- one with a rootin' tootin' name -- as an opponent, that things start looking up.
Now, don't get me wrong: I'm not saying the Republicans will do well in November. I'm also not saying the Democrats will do well in November. I'm just saying that June is awfully early for me to know. Consequently, I don't. YMMV.
All that is a preamble to three things that struck me this week while I was on vacation as -- shall we say -- a stretch in the old "things are great" department.
1) Rep. Steve Sviggum saying because there's an anti-incumbent mood, and more Republicans are not running for re-election in the House than Democrats (in other words, there'll be more Democratic incumbents), that bodes well for GOP chances for retaining control of the House. Now, maybe it will. Maybe it won't. But other than the assasination, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
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2) Today's Pioneer Press op-ed page. OK, I'll be honest with you: I'm not a big fan of the PiPress op-ed page; not because it leans one way or the other, I just don't think it's very well written or put together and I think the person who selects Letters to the Editor, works for Bulletin Board on the side. Still, I had a hard time finding anything good on that page Sunday where Iraq was concerned. If Republicans have lost the Pioneer Press....
3) This quote from Tom Scheck's story on GOP chances in November.
"When you don't have effective leadership that says we're going to stick to our promises, what are we supposed to do? We end up hold the water for them and then they pretty much turn the bucket upon us." -- Rolando Perez, GOP activist.
Ouch.
Still, in order for that to hurt, wouldn't Republicans have to stay home in November? First, Republicans don't stay home in Novembers. They vote. Most Minnesotans vote. And what are folks like Rolando Perez going to do? They've almost got no choice but to hold their nose (in his case) and vote.
Some folks have been doing that for years.
So color me clueless. Again.
