In case you didn't hear, the impossible happened tonight. Scott Brown, the Republican candidate for the late Senator Ted Kennedy's seat, has won the special election, making him the first Republican Senator from Massachusetts in over 30 years. This is significant on so many levels, it's incredible. This changes the political landscape considerably by robbing Democrats of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. A lot of folks are talking about how this will affect the health care debate. That's very important, but Brown's victory is bigger than that.
The pundits will hash this out over the coming days and weeks, but let's be clear about one thing: Massachusetts voters were not voting FOR the Republican. They were voting against Obama's health care bill. They were voting against the record level of debt and outrageous spending. They were voting against the way Washington is being run.
This is a big moment for Republicans. I have to say, I'm a little worried that we'll blow this opportunity. Right now, people all over the country are furious, they're fed up, and they're ready to throw Congress out. However, it would be a mistake to assume that means they want Republicans in charge. The key for Republicans right now is going to be showing the voters that we have plans to get the country back on track. Rehashing the old talking points isn't going to cut it. We have to have something concrete, and we have to have it now.
Can we do it? Time will tell.
1 comment:
Could not have written it better.
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