Nancy Pelosi says Democrats won last night. What a laugh.
GOP leaders are making the same claim. Hilarious.
The truth is that neither side enjoyed the type of day that could change American politics. By the time we went to sleep last night, even Barack Obama’s improbable victory last year was looking less than transformative.
Reagan’s OMB Director, David Stockman, got it right 25 years ago when he wrote that revolutions don’t happen in American politics–and they shouldn’t.
But you should always run away from any political party that tries to move 300 million or so Americans too far to the left or right based on a single election result.
It’s tough to herd that many Americans and take them along for that kind of ride. After all, we’re a gruff bunch who want to go to work, find time to be with our families and be left alone by politicians.
Most of us have no more time for left wing extremists than we do for right wing nuts. If you don’t believe me, just check out where the independents broke yesterday.
Oh yeah. We all learned another lesson Tuesday night.
People in Upstate New York don’t give a damn about national ideological wars. They want results. And not from guys who don’t even live in their district.
The radical middle has once again spoken.
The question is whether politicians in Washington will listen.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I voted for President Obama because he heard my voice for CHANGE. Lobbyists, Congress career members, the haves who make up rules to suit them. I am part of the silent majority who surprised America and voted a year ago. Change will happen in my lifetime. History is made by President Obama each day. GOP and Dems do not represent people. President Obama does. The World is watching President Obama.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
You hit the nail on the head.
With your insights on our government do you think our politicians ever again work together for what’s best for America or will they continue to work for what’s best for their respective parties?
November 4th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Joe, I love your honesty and not getting caught in the hoopla. I am an Obama fan but very sad that the politics of Washington was much more daunting then he probably imagined. So, it is politics as usual. If Obama cannot do it with the support that he has had I don’t think I will ever see it. His own party is owned by lobbyists and none of them will risk their jobs to do the right thing. The extremists are gaining ground and the parties that I grew up with are dying because they are all messed up! Keep up the fight.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Thanks Joe for bringing common sense to the discussion. Wish other political analyst would worry less about advancing their own ideology and instead provide honest analysis. Love the show, truly “fair and balanced”.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
The NY 23rd district would have been won by Hoffman had he had just another week of campaigning time, but considering he threw his hat in the ring only weeks prior to the election yesterday say’s alot though he didn’t win outright IMO. Corzine beat himself by allowing BO to campaign for him on several occasions where by Christie call it exactly right when he said BO might be stumping for Corzine but at the end of the day BO is going back to DC and nothing is gonna change and he was right.
With or without BO stumping for Corzine didn’t matter one way or another and the people were more interested in what each candidate was going to do to fix there economy and lower the taxes in Jersey, period end of story. But with the said it also included with that, that BO’s polices weren’t helping NJ, Virginia, NY 23, and many other states and it will come out to be more evident come 2010.
It’s also my firm belief that HCR, Cap & Tax will be shelved for the next 3 years at a minimum, again my opinion but I’m not the only one saying this as you might well know from your contacts within except Mr. Reindel which knew COrzine was going to win.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I understand sometimes you feel that the Republicans are lost, way too far to the right. But if we follow the Democrats, Joe, this country will be lost for a very long time. Last night for me was a breath of hope, yes that word again, but a different meaning, hope that this country can survive this president and this congress until 2010.
Joe, you drive me crazy in the morning sometimes with your guests, but i turn your show on every morning. I like to see both sides, but i love to see my side win. That I have not seen for a year. You should think about getting back into politics, but understand if you would not, who would want the headache. I love this country as I am sure you do too, but this is a scary time. This president and congress will make us bankrupt. My father was a banker and I am married to a banker, they are from small city banks, where you walk in and everyone knows who you are,. Great banks by todays standards. I want my children to have as good or better of a life than mine, I am 53, but right now I think that is in doubt. That goes against the American dream. All the peope of this country want to do is wake up and go to work and make a living for their families. The goverment should praise people with that work ethic, they pay for everything in this country. I still wake up and think what has this country done and I still wonder do you continue to tell your mother everything will be alright. I remember watching Peggy Noonan on Fridays during the election on Morning Joe, and think how can you say the things you are saying. Now I read her colums and I think she feels she made a mistake, but has not really admitted it yet. Well, I watch you show every morning, you can still make me mad, but you have the best political discussion in the morning, and I love politics. When I get frustruated with you I just turn the TV off for awhile. Thanks, Rene
November 4th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I like your assessment. We don’t need the kind of compelling events that drive us to war as 9/11/2001 did. Thinking back over history they are all traumatic, example: Pearl Harbor, the Lusitania. We react to those events with passion, which seldom serves us well. I think other nations trust us because we don’t move precipitously. Another reason Bush II was not well liked, and Dick Cheney is feared.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
And that’s why you are my favorite Republican, well said.
— From a loyal Democrat and fan of President Obama
November 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Hi Joe. Great to see you adding your commentary to your site. You are the last best hope for restoring the prominence of conservative/libertarian values. You have the right tone to reinvigorate a movement. I’m excited to read your posts and learn from your point of view. Thank you for all of your efforts.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
You have a blog. Great. The economy is the most important issue for most voters, followed probably by the wars. But the loudest activists, pundits and pols from both parties are still rallying around social wedge issues. Liberals and Conservatives alike need to sharpen their thinking and positions on the economy and on foreign policy. We don’t necessarily need ideologies, but we do need solutions. Right now, DC looks like they are making it up as they go.