We need to bring Presidential energy to the mid-terms of 2014. We need to take back the House. We need to break the last gasp of the Tea Party. This will force the end to almost 50 years of the GOP as constructed around the so-called 'Southern Strategy'. As one GOP strategist said a few months ago, "This will be the last Presidential campaign in which the GOP relies on the white vote." (paraphrased)
Historically, in mid-terms the rule-of-thumb has the incumbent POTUS' party loseing seats in Congress. It need not be so - if we get out the vote. Rules-of-thumb are not axioms because they do not always play out true. Let's make 2014 one of these exceptions.
Consider the implications of breaking the GOP's November 2014 campaign. That would be a resounding rejection of their 2010 success. It would announce the Southern Strategy as DOA. This would force the GOP into a scramble to find a new formulation. Any remaining denial about that would be crushed. The GOP would have to change, and there'd be no more mistaking that.
But our GOP friends have really painted themselves into a demographic corner. Where do they go outside of their older white male base? I have no idea. That strikes me as a rather large problem for the GOP going forward. And that in turn tells me the GOP will be going into the 2016 Presidential season in disarray.
That's a nice thought..
If you are like me, a Wisconsin resident who feels lie the past two years has been one continuous election campaign, you are probably ready for a year or more of taking a break from the 'sausage factory'. Well, damn it, take that break. We all need our batteries recharged. But don't make it an entire year, OK?
The time to commit the reserves is when the opponent is cracking and about to break. The GOP is cracking. In 2014 we can break them. Break them and send them reeling into the election for Barack Obama's successor. A 2016 win gives us a 2020 incumbent to run. Don't visualize; make it happen.
Sixteen years of Democratic occupation of the Oval Office. Time enough to transform the SCOTUS into two G.W. Bush appointees and seven Obama/successor appointees. That bodes well for a Progressive-leaning America. For the rest of my lifetime, certainly. And perhaps yours as well.
Rest up but get back in action. 2014: the mid-term election that can transform America. Surely you can suck it up for another 24 months? Of course you can. You can do this GOTV stuff in your sleep now.
Forward ho.