MA Senate Election

So the big election in Massachusetts is over, and the Democrats have again been shown (for the third time in as many months - see also governor elections in VA and NJ) that they have completely lost touch with the people. And President Obama has put his political capitol on the line in all three races, and lost each one. If that's not a repudiation of his policies, in sections of the country that SHOULD support them, I don't know what is. The Democrats can blame Martha Coakley for a lackluster campaign, but I think they all - all the way up to the White House, which coordinated this campaign - felt it was a slam dunk once the primaries were over. So by blaming Coakley, they are really blaming themselves for complacency in the face of massive dissatisfaction - with the economy, with the bloated health care bills now being negotiated behind closed doors, with the costs of these bailouts for various industries but not Main Street, and mainly by the arrogance shown by the Democrats in the last year. Unfortunately, I doubt there will be major changes (except, of course, those brought on by the fact that the Democrats no longer have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate) in their approach and, most importantly, attitude. While I'm not a big fan of the tea-partiers, I do think that some sort of protest in that vein certainly reflects the larger sentiments of the population, if not so verbose or radical.

At the same time, the Republicans should not necessarily take this as a validation of their party or ideals. Brown ran more as an independent than a Republican, and frankly, the Republicans have been complaining about many of the same tactics used by the Democrats, they they have used in the past, and would use again if in the same position the Democrats are today. So, the Republicans should not be crowing about this election either, but take a sober look at where they are as a party (too far right, IMHO) and correct course.

I'm interested to see how Brown fares in 2012, when he is up for re-election on the regular cycle. Only thing I am sure of is that Martha Coakley won't be his opponent!

I am going to try to post at least 4 times a week, from this point on. I need to start writing more, and think I can come up with enough topics on which to comment!