Beware the coming Democratic sea-change

[fencesitter]

(A lamentation) By David Frum

Published: February 7 2008 02:00

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0e901f02-d51e-11dc-9af1-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

The conservative ascendancy in American politics is coming to an end. For three decades, the right has dominated, with the Republicans winning five of the seven presidential elections since 1980. Conservatives did more than just win elections: even when liberals gained power, they governed on conservative terms.

********

John Mitchell, Richard Nixon's attorney-general, predicted in 1970: "This country is going so far right you won't recognise it." His prophecy was vindicated. Now its time is up: 2008 is shaping up to be the first decisive Democratic victory since 1964 - a 1980 in reverse. The signs are gathering everywhere. Three-quarters of Americans now describe the country as "on the wrong track". Almost 90 per cent express strong dissatisfaction with the costly healthcare system.

In primaries and caucuses, Democratic contests have drawn more voters than Republican ones. An early estimate after Super Tuesday suggests that, thus far, 11m Americans have cast ballots for Republican candidates, while more than 15m have voted for Democratic ones. Democrats outpolled Republicans by 20 per cent even in the state of South Carolina, maybe the most conservative in the nation.

Usually pundits expect that the party that chooses its nominee first will win the election. That will probably not be true this time. Although the Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama contest looks likely to continue longer than John McCain's march to the Republican nomination, Democrats tell pollsters they like both candidates - they are just deciding which they like best. Republicans remain divided, with Mr McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee each passionately disliked by opposing factions within their party.

In polls, Americans express preference for Democrats over Republicans on almost every issue surveyed, including such traditional Republican advantages as taxes, ethics and competence.

We're doomed! Doomed, I say!

[groovedaddy]

1. Yes, greed and corruption driven policies seldom work

and Americans are sure paying a high price for Republican rule.

[NC_Nurse]

2. It sure took people a long time to realize we're circling

the drain! I guess I'm glad they finally noticed. :eyes:

[paparush]

3. The Neocon Election Stealing Machine (tm) Begs to Differ

Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, et al are beginning the "Push McCain Further Right Tour of 2008"

Huckabee has the Christo-Fascists speaking in tongues and making sure they have on clean underwear for when they are swept by the great Jesus-Hoover in the sky.

Rove and his Blackberry wielding minions are out there...somewhere.

Cheney has plenty of time to not prevent another "attack" or to launch another premeditated war (thanks Isreal).



The votes don't mean shit.