The Admin Spin Team Keeps Frittering, While the Republicans Just Scream

After Scott Brown's election in MA it appeared to all reasonable folks that healthcare reform ("HCR"), at least an encompassing package, was dead. Put aside for a moment the rights or wrongs of such reform, can the decision on the part of the Administration to revive its hopes (and those who support it) HCR be defended? The political insanity defies explanation. While wonderful statistics can be sighted for HCR (i.e., first in healthcare spending 37th in results), is it the principle issue facing the country right now?

Sure, the country is in serious economic trouble, far more trouble than understood within the Administration or Congress. Put aside the empty ranting of the Republicans in Congress, the Administration has no one to blame but themselves. They are completely out-of-touch with the body politic and that said, the frightening thing is they seem wholly unaware of this fact. They seem to content themselves with the fact that a majority of Americans support HCR, but notably not either one approved by the House nor the Senate. Why do they continue then?

In my view, there are two primary reasons, arrogance and bad advice. Why doesn't a President, one with enough political chops to move from a first term Senator (with no House resume) to the Oval Office, get it? No one credibly argues it's a lack of brains, although some argue too many brains is at least equally problematical. How is it that someone within the Administration does not possess the President's trust to be able to tell him that he's off course and that those individuals within the Administration leading him so must go. It befuddles me how an Administration that has failed so horribly on its principle policy goals retains those who championed the failed policies (don't David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett need to spend more time with their families).

On the Republican side, the 2010 election wins will be quite substantial, but what does that mean? I have no idea. The struggle for who leads the party is an open question. That is not to say the party is not without highly capable leaders, however I'm not so sure the right people are being thrust to the front. At this point there aren't enough balls on the field for all those rushing to the podium. Rather than substantive debate of the real issues facing this country, the Republicans will continue to scream about the Administration.

That said, is there any hope? I think so, although hope, I expect, won't come from the politicians. One thing for sure, the pain ain't over, not even close.

The Implosion of the Democrats - Evan Bayh

Evan Bayh's decision not to seek another Senate term is shocking. He is a bright, reasonable Senator from a red state that had his most difficult possible opponent step aside last week (Mike Pence). Although admonished from the left, Bayh, represented the Democratic party of years gone by, that is, he was reasonable and thoughtful. Traits now deemed untenable by the idiots on the far left end of the Democratic party. A pitiful crew of zealots desirous of destroying the Democratic party as constituted way back in 2008.

Since Bayh's announcement, Mike Pence has reiterated his intention not to run for the Senate seat giving an open path to (current North Carolina resident?) Dan Coates. Coates, the former IN Senator, whose seat Bayh took when Coates "retired," must be jumping with glee. In my opinion, Coates is a mere placeholder for the Republicans based upon his inauspicious Senate history. Despite this, it's a deathblow as sorts to the Democratic party in Indiana.

The Democrats have no one in the stable with statewide recognition that will have a chance in 2010 given the present political environment. As such, the prospects of a Democratic victory, or for that matter even a close race are dim indeed. Word on the street is that Bayh announced his intentions to staff last Friday, but notified Harry Reid 25 minutes before his announcement. In many ways that is more shocking than the announcement itself. It indicates to me that he had no intention of being talked out of his decision. Word has it that his possible path is to run for governor in 2012, and if so, a Presidential bid in 2016. A lifetime away in political terms.

As I indicated above, the impact to the party and the President is severe, but will they listen? The party "faithful" no. The Administration is another matter entirely. The economy is in absolute shambles irrespective of what you hear from Washington or Wall St. The possibility of a significant downturn is significant, if not likely. What will the Administration do to stem the bleeding? The answer is unclear given the ineffectual leadership they have displayed to date. One thing is readily apparent, the loss of Bayh means the voices of reason within the Democratic party are even more muted. That said, will the Administration recognize the peril they find themselves in? Probably, but whether they have the leadership to effectively govern and get re-elected are open questions indeed.

In my view, the Democrats have seen the enemy and it is them. Yes, Mitch McConnell and his lieutenants, Boehner, Cantor, Pence and Ryan deserve credit (politically) for remaining steadfast. The larger question is what the economy will look like once they regain power in Congress (whether in fact majorities or certainly more significant minorities) and who will lead the party. Both are formidable challenges and the stakes enormous.

The Mess That is Our Government

I am beyond disgust. What has happened the last week. Obama finally talks about jobs and then sources say he'll fund it with TARP funds. The knucklehead Harry Reid gets some semblance of a health care bill through (although it's ultimate prospects remain unclear). All this followed by the EPA's display of hubris, by saying if Congress didn't act that they'd put forward their own onerous version of cap and trade (put aside the ridiculously long amount of time that would take). This idiocy is only rivaled by the inanity of the loyal opposition. The Republicans say nothing meaningful.

The only conclusion I can draw is that they are completely out of touch with reality. It is shocking, simply shocking that all these idiots can do is either try to shout the other side down or trying to push forward a laundry list of political priorities irrespective of the economic reality we find ourselves in now. I have always been a political afficiando, but never have I felt so entirely voiceless. The situation is glum indeed.

New Spin on Health Care Reform

Let me start this piece by saying that health care reform is needed. There is simply no way it is acceptable that our per capita spending is first amongst industrialized countries, yet our results are 37th amongst the same group. Moreover, the rate of increase in costs is daunting.

That said, the latest spin is that not passing health care is worse for Democrats than passing something, anything. Given the precarious state of our economy, I find that contention patently absurd. The two disparate bills generated by the House and Senate are fraught with problems. What the bills do display in abundance is the problems with our Congress and their lack of connection with body politic. Much has been made of the deal to get Senator Mary Landrieu to buy off on cloture. That seedy deal is normal Washington politics, headline benefit with little to nothing accomplished.

The fact is the Democrats are no where near a deal on health care and the Republicans have decided to take their toys and go home. This is not to say a deal won't get done, but the abomination that will emerge if it gets done, will be ever more frightening. The Republicans seem to be hoping this happens so they can hoist the Democrats on their own petard in the '10 elections. The lack of leadership is frightening, and the complete abdication of leadership from the White House is nothing short of shocking.

The spin that something no matter how fetid and obese is better than nothing at all is obscene. Our legislature cannot effectively legislate. Moreover, the Administration pitiful silence is deafening. Do they simply not get it, not understand what their jobs are?

Major Deficit Reduction Proferred

The administration has offered their first attempt at reducing the deficit, they're going to utilize unused TARP funds. A brave, disciplined move no doubt. I mean let it sit around a little longer Nancy and the troops will find a way to spend the cash. The country is in a quandary, Obama has promised not to raise taxes on those taxpayers making less than $200,000 (or was it $250,000, no matter), but the fact is that absent raising taxes the debt load is daunting. Moreover, it somewhat robs the Republicans of their primary legislative offering, lower taxes. No worry, nothing to see here just move along. Our feckless politicians will continue their dopey dance, providing no leadership whatever. Our government is failing (although not in a way knucklehead Glenn Beck screams about), but we continue to fiddle while Rome burns, alas.