Thoughts On The Chambliss Victory
I am trying not to read too much into Senator Chambliss’ victory in yesterday’s runoff election. Despite what you may hear from Democrats and liberals trying to play this down, it is killing them that they couldn’t get their 60 seats. Chambliss is a conservative incumbent in a red state, and he beat an ineffective liberal, who pathetically tried to associate himself with Obama and have Ludacris appear at an election-eve rally for support. Yes…THAT Ludacris (Malkin has more on that). Put a conservative up against a liberal when you’re not voting for the first black president on the same ballot, and the conservative will win. No surprise really.
Another positive note is the Palin effect. She campaigned harder for Chambliss than any other Republican and according to him, she made all the difference.
There are no exit polls for the runoff, but all accounts are that Democratic turnout was low, especially among black voters, which ruined any chance of a fight for Jim Martin.
One more thing. I’ve always believed that Obama is an arrogant narcissist; he’s as power hungry and self-centered as politicians come. From the Greek columns to the meaningless “Office of the President-Elect” signs, it’s all about self-importance and hubris. The Democratic Party has staked alot on him and what his campaign machine can deliver, most likely to their detriment. Tantaros explains:
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?
Liberals and progressives are getting the message as well:
So now, because of this, you have a large majority (though not the whole) of his 10 million-person email list overarchingly organized around the celebrity Barack Obama – not really around issues (though certainly people can like Obama and support specific issues). That means he feels no real obligation to appointing “movement progressives” because he has his own movement – one that’s about helping, aiding and defending Barack Obama.
Like I said, I’m trying not to make much of this victory. As conservatives we have a lot of work ahead of us, which goes beyond Chambliss’ victory. But Michael Barone makes a good case for the other side of the argument.
Tags: Georgia Senate runoff election, Jim Martin, Liberals, Ludacris, Sarah Palin, Saxby Chambliss
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