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Bush opposition needs backbone

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Also by Mike Skelly:

Burger Boat Co. contract latest sign of troubled system (February 8, 2006)
Bush opposition needs backbone (October 31, 2006)
Cartoon uproar bad for Islam, West (February 16, 2006)
Potential withdrawal imperils Iraqis (November 21, 2006)
Virginia police cross line (February 22, 2006)

by Mike Skelly

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

For anyone who has paid even scant attention to the news media lately regarding the upcoming mid-term elections, everyone should be aware that this is an especially pivotal election cycle. The consensus speculation is that this year will see the Democrats gain control in either one or both chambers of Congress in much the same way as the Republicans did in 1994. This is due to numerous polls showing that election races are tightening, approval ratings for the Bush administration are dropping and an increasing number of people are beginning to question the decision to go into Iraq and the subsequent deterioration of stability there.

The closeness of this election is largely due to President Bush himself, who has been weathering a difficult second term and has had to serve as the figurehead of the Republican Party during a particularly tumultuous and scandal-ridden period. From Jack Abramoff to Mark Foley, gaffe after gaffe has called into question the integrity and efficacy of the Republicans, resulting in a breakdown of their machine as individual candidates try to distance themselves from the appearance of impropriety.

The implications of the erosion of Republican support have changed the very nature and importance of the election itself. Previously, the elections were a struggle over the control of Congress, with the ability of the administration to achieve its goals on the line. Now, the race has changed into a referendum on not only the Bush administration, but also the Republican Party itself.

One of the telltale signs of this occurrence is quite noticeable even among local elections. For instance, Governor Doyle has run ads highlighting Mark Green's record in Congress and made a point of emphasizing Mr. Green's concurrence in views with George Bush. While in years past, an ad highlighting a candidate's support of a two-term president would have been run by the candidate himself, the political climate has changed so much that his opponent now uses this support as a weapon.

The magnitude of this type of attack is not solely limited to Wisconsin politics, either. According to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, there are 89 different commercials nationwide for Democratic House candidates featuring President Bush. "No other issue is that dominant," says DCCC spokesman Bill Burton.

While the initial reaction of Democratic candidates might be to continue criticizing the policies of the Bush administration and the stagnant and ineffective nature of Congress, this might not represent the most opportune strategy. Over the past few years, the Democrats have been quick to point out the mistakes of the Bush administration and the Republican Party, but have often been remiss in offering any constructive alternatives with which to proceed. Though this strategy can be used to place the opposition in a bad light, it does nothing to suggest why the Democrats could possibly produce anything better.

For the Democrats to be able to take control of Congress, it is not enough to simply abide by a reactive strategy comprised mainly of criticisms, because that has done little to counter the Republicans in the last few elections. The necessary step for the Democrats is to step out of the Republican's shadow by presenting a comprehensive platform that can act as an acceptable and viable policy alternative. Rather than place emphasis on highlighting the deficiencies of the Republican Party and the Bush administration, Democrats should instead try to increase the electorate's awareness of their platform. That way, people will have actual alternatives to vote for as opposed to just voting for the other party. If the Democrats want to take control of Congress and be the leading party in the United States, it's time that they stood up and started acting like it. Mike Skelly (meskelly@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in finance and political science.

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Anonymous (October 31, 2006 @ 7:55am):

Sadly, my prediction is that the Republicans will hold the house and senate. The public is satisfied with the current course and fears change (same as 2004).

To prove my point: if Americans were not satisfied with the current course, we would expect much greater than 30% of voters to show up to the election booth. Also, if we were not satisfied, we would expect election results to be uneven in favor of the opposition.

Until Republican voters dig their heads out of their asses, this country is best described as "satisfied."

Anonymous (October 31, 2006 @ 8:53am):

Reads like a republican talking point. Well regurgitated! This is the rally cry of Republicans and children everywhere. "So we screwed up really bad. Well, how are you going to do it better wussy?!"

Letting the current administration and congressional leadership self-destruct on its own allows the citizens of America to learn and absorb the error in how these "uniting deciders" were brought to power. It is a referendum on the republicans because the "unpatriotic liberal activist terrorist-comforting democrats" are unwilling to take the bait and ride the sinking ship down.

It seems you aren't old enough, nor studied in your major enough to explain that platforms and vision are very powerful, but most governments in the world churn based on the dissatisfaction or even the utter contempt of the people against corrupt power.

The current administration is explicit in its goals of undermining core ideas which have buttressed this 'experiment' in democracy. Even Ronald Reagan, patron saint of modern conservatism condemned the sacrifice of freedoms in the name of security. Concentrated power in the executive. The rubber stamp of the legislature. The installation of conservative-activist judicial servants. Middle of the road Americans see it now that it's obvious.

Just as liberals carved districts, loaded courts, and built the machines which turn taxes into bills for more taxing and spending, this group of leaders have fallen prey to their own power. It is time for them to be judged and the jury is awakening to empty pockets, a "do-nothing" government, and living in the fear of "freedom haters."

If you had an employee who not only did poor work, but hurt your business you'd fire them - replace them. You wouldn't ask an interviewee to do the work for nothing and keep on the slacker. Finance, right? You can do the numbers there.

What it's time for is republicans to "soul-search" themselves and return to writing great contracts that they never live up to. Conservatism, great. Republicanism, wretched!

"(Stand) up and start acting like (a man)?" How about the republicans start growing up and acting like men and women who truly believe in what this nation was designed for. Freedom, liberty, and the peace to pursue it.

There are better ways, but this leadership has already said they don't plan on considering another way. It's time to change.

Anonymous (October 31, 2006 @ 11:01am):

To the previous commentor. "It's time to change".. to WHAT? That was the whole point of the article. The Democrats whole platform is that they are not the Bush White House. Fine. Then what are you? Give some frickin alternatives. Man i could barely get through your whining, and way to go for personal attacks on Mike, "you arent old enough nor studied in your major" Get off your high horse. This is why i hate democrats.

Anonymous (October 31, 2006 @ 12:23pm):

"Reads like a republican talking point. Well regurgitated!"

Nope, I don't believe he's a Republican. He wrote "Sadly, my prediction is that the Republicans will hold the house and senate."

The guy's just being realistic, or at least he's not trying to be overly optimistic. I'm a liberal myself and I'm not blind to the fact that we liberals don't smell too good either nowadays. If we're gonna see a victory anytime soon, we're gonna have to shed some excess baggage and get some new faces and ideas.

Take tax reform, for example. The Republicans are gathering phenomenal support simply because they have the FairTax bill on their agenda. In stead of throwing their support behind it too-or coming up with a better idea-Democrats have chosen to simply oppose it. And they oppose it only because Republicans are for it. If Democrats want to know where they should stand in order to score any points, they should ask the people. 93% of voters and taxpayers want the FairTax bill to become law. They're totally fed up with they current tax scheme. While the FairTax may not be perfect-what piece of legislation ever was-it's still worth a shot. They should either support the FairTax, come up with a better idea or get the hell out of the way.

Democrats, like Republicans, are completely out of touch with reality. That's why they're losing and will continue to lose. Nowadays, an election is just a mere question of choosing the lesser evil.

Anonymous (October 31, 2006 @ 12:28pm):

About conservatism: the status quo has a finite shelf-life. How long can this great country set its goals to yesterday's standards? The best example of my point is the Ford Taurus. At one point, the Ford Taurus was the top selling car in America, much like America was once a shining beacon unto the world. Did Ford keep improving its product to compete not only domestically, but internationally? No, they kept making the same car with minimal upgrades until it stunk like old fish.

To the Conservatives who fear liberal "progress," do you smell something?