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What the Georgia Win Really Means
Categories: Obama
After gobs of money, a barrage of advertising and an appearance by rapper Ludacris, we finally have an outcome in the Georgia circus (aka: special election) and it's good news for Republicans. Incumbent Saxby Chambliss defeated his opponent, Jim Martin by a large margin (58 percent to 42 percent). Sure massive amounts of cash the Republicans channeled south of the mason dixon helped, and the idea of a filibuster proof Senate was likely unsettling to Georgians, but the real story is that the Democratic Party is nothing without Obama.
He's the star, he controls the lists, the money and the power. But when it comes to the Democratic brand, the party is in no better shape than the GOP. There is no Obama effect when he's not on the ballot. Turnout pales in comparison. And he doesn't seem to care. Obama didn't stump for Martin in the Peach State just like Obama didn't stump for his colleagues in the Presidential election. We heard rumblings throughout the year that there were tensions between the Obama campaign and Capitol Hill Democrats and Obama's army-of-one mentality was likely the crux of that tension. No man is an island but apparently Obama believes that he is. Maybe he doesn't need anyone else, but what will that do for the future of the Democratic Party?
It reminds me of Governor George Pataki's career in New York. The NY GOP was all about him because that's how he and his handlers wanted it. Anyone who tried to step up and shine was crushed. I'm not saying Obama will destroy anyone who tries to steal his thunder (because his new Secretary of State is certainly going to try and likely suceed) but my point is that the party was Pataki, and nothing more. When he left office, the party was vapid.
Martin lost for a few reasons but the most apparent was that African Americans didn't show up at the polls for Martin as they did for Obama in November. Martin needed Obama's help to get them there but the President elect was too busy for a quick jaunt to the South. It would have been worth his time. A Martin win would have only benefitted him. If Democrats achieved a filibuster proof Senate he would have had a much easier time governing. This was a tactical mitake by Obama and he hasn't even stepped into office. Their loss, our gain.
He's the star, he controls the lists, the money and the power. But when it comes to the Democratic brand, the party is in no better shape than the GOP. There is no Obama effect when he's not on the ballot. Turnout pales in comparison. And he doesn't seem to care. Obama didn't stump for Martin in the Peach State just like Obama didn't stump for his colleagues in the Presidential election. We heard rumblings throughout the year that there were tensions between the Obama campaign and Capitol Hill Democrats and Obama's army-of-one mentality was likely the crux of that tension. No man is an island but apparently Obama believes that he is. Maybe he doesn't need anyone else, but what will that do for the future of the Democratic Party?
It reminds me of Governor George Pataki's career in New York. The NY GOP was all about him because that's how he and his handlers wanted it. Anyone who tried to step up and shine was crushed. I'm not saying Obama will destroy anyone who tries to steal his thunder (because his new Secretary of State is certainly going to try and likely suceed) but my point is that the party was Pataki, and nothing more. When he left office, the party was vapid.
Martin lost for a few reasons but the most apparent was that African Americans didn't show up at the polls for Martin as they did for Obama in November. Martin needed Obama's help to get them there but the President elect was too busy for a quick jaunt to the South. It would have been worth his time. A Martin win would have only benefitted him. If Democrats achieved a filibuster proof Senate he would have had a much easier time governing. This was a tactical mitake by Obama and he hasn't even stepped into office. Their loss, our gain.
Posted by atantaros at 8:33 AM | Link | 0 comments
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