The Dangers of Winning and Complacency

The Republican Party needs to be careful in the aftermath of the 2004 Election not to take this victory too far. Despite picking up a few more seats in the House and the Senate, as well as retaining the Presidency, the divided country will expect the GOP to carry through in its promise and leading the nation to prosperity. Further stumblign could result in a very sharp backlash.

I think the recent actions in the House in changing the rules for Tom Delay is a bad idea as it smacks of party-politics. Professor Bainbridge articulates this concern much more eloquently. Indeed, I agree that the downfall for the Republican Party in 2006 or 2008 would likely not be a strong Democratic contender, but failings by the GOP itself. I seem to recall that people voted not as much for Kerry, but rather against Bush despite what the rhetoric of the exit polls seem to suggest.

One thing that bothers me is the disappearance of the middle. Indeed, Time Magazine has an article entitled, "Conservatives Go RINO Hunting" discussing the uproar by the religious right about Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector's comments about the unlikelihood of the Senate confirming justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Hopefully, other elements such as the fiscal conservatives can bring about a check on certain elements of the GOP to prevent it from imploding since the country as a whole gains nothing by allowing one entity to gain too much power.