<p>Oh yeah, I know McCain isn’t as centrist as he has sometimes seemed. But it’s all in the perception, isn’t it? People (even most Democrats) think he’s honest and straightforward even if they disagree with him. That’s very different than someone like Hilary Clinton who I think is quite moderate, but is perceived by many Republicans as a flaming liberal.</p>
<p>“Are you strictly referring to the war policy and if so, what do you think about today’s press conference. The new definition of “stay the course” is continually re-evaluating strategy, especially in light of the elections. hmmm???”</p>
<p>“Stay the course” has always meant “cut and run”. The only question is when and how quickly. The Republicans have already allocated $20 million for a victory celebration, and they aim to use it, and I say “let 'em”.</p>
<p>Response to thread title - </p>
<p>Yes, I am very very very very very very very very happy!!! The House, the Senate, the Governors, AND Rumsfeld. And close to home, I was delighted that 1) I didn’t have to be stuck with right-wing Steele but instead have a sound, sane, Mensch as senator who will be a perfect replacement for Sarbanes and 2) the arrested emotional development high school guys, Erhlich and Allen, who have never grown beyond their tiresome teenage sports metaphors, are gone with the wind that swept through Tara! </p>
<p>I did feel genuinely sorry for Bush during his press conference, in the same way that, as parents, we often feel compassion for the schoolyard bully who finally has to beg for mercy. He made a lot of bad choices pushing his agenda down our throats, but if this defeat allows him to change his perspective so he can collaborate and work as a part of a bi-partisan governing team, it will probably prevent some of the nastier investigation possibilities, lead to better relationships with our allies, improve the environment, and many other wonderful possibilities.</p>
<p>MM, I’m perfectly willing for the Democrats to take on the Republican base, no matter what they say or think. See also, yesterday. And may they enjoy the same fruits of bi-partisanship that that the Democrats have for the past six years. One of my goals is to disproportionately punish the Republicans for having taken narrow victories as a mandate, to make them so sorry that they ever thought of such a thing. It’s all at the feet of Bush/Rove.</p>
<p>
Wow, I didn’t realize you had run for office! Cool! It must be neat to have so much power in the world.</p>
<p>not only narrow victories, but stolen election as well.</p>
<p>Hillary is just another right-wing Democrat lacking the charm and chrisma of her husband.</p>
<p>mdkfjalksfjdslfjsl;dfjsa;oidfjaoeifjaspoiefaoweif</p>
<p>SJMom, one doesn’t have to run for office as you undoubtedly know. Money, message, and support are all assets that I contribute. You guys should really stop to think…if a relative moderate like me is this ****ed, just how energized is the Democratic party as a whole? We showed you yesterday. And you won’t have to ask, we’ll show you again.</p>
<p>TD,
There’s no way that you are a “relative moderate” in any sense, outside of the People’s Republic of Santa Monica. Your arrogance has just gotten worse lately, and it’s starting to lose it’s amusement value to me.</p>
<p>
And as we all know, that is our most important benchmark. ;)</p>
<p>SJMom, I don’t worry about whether I amuse anyone or not. Do not mistake partisan intensity with ideology. I’m right-center in the Democratic party, departing from party orthodoxy on any number of issues.</p>
<p>But all the shills and enablers of Bush, who cheered on or at least registered no objection to Bush’s my-way-or-the-highway version of “bi-partisanship,” including on national security where dissent has been equated with treason right up through the recently concluded campaign, should not look to me for any sympathy now when they start crying “bi-partisanship” when the Democrats take back the Hill. When it serves Democratic purposes, we will do so. When it doesn’t, Republicans should be prepared to receive a kick in the face as forcefully as we can muster. If you think this is unfair, the perhaps you should have strenuously objected when members of your party said such things as “a vote for Democrats is a vote for Al Qaeda” and similar utterances. Your side may have started the fight on those terms, we’ll finish it.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t find it curious at all. The only two Democratic candidates elected to the oval office since the Beatles broke up were DLC Democrats.</p>
<p>Since the Republicans have so graciously abandoned the political center, it’s only smart to move to fill the void.</p>
<p>
Aren’t we all here for entertainment? After all, most of us don’t presume that we will actually persuade someone to our point of view, do we?</p>
<p>TD:</p>
<p>You are exactly right–“a vote for _____(Dem) is a vote for Al Queda.” That was used in the Montana campaign against Tester, who is on these boards is considered a conservative Demo. In other ads, he was derided as a flaming liberal in the clutches of Ted Kennedy.</p>
<p>I hope for less bickering and bipartisanship. But I’m glad to punish the makers of the Henry Ford “Come hither to a white girl” ad. And I can’t be happier to imagine the smirk off Karl Rove’s face.</p>
<p>sjmom #30 (smackdown) :p:p:p</p>
<p>–Meant to add that I agree that “since the Republicans have so graciously abandoned the political center, it’s only smart to move to fill the void.” </p>
<p>I wonder how many Republicans are angry at <em>themselves</em> (like the Dems were in '94) for giving up the reins of their party to the fringes? Their silence, their willingness to get in bed with the fringies, brought them to this.</p>
<p>TheDad, # 32. That slapped the smug right off the mug. Nicely done. </p>
<p>On to the hearings. Sure am glad Republicans like building jails.;)</p>
<p>Smackdown? Yeah, right.</p>
<h1>38 - not really. 
I don’t really care that the Dems are in power or that Rumsfeld is gone. As long as I have my trusty remote control and can zap Pelosi, Hillary, Rangel, Begala, Reid, Bill, Schumer, Jackson, Durbin and all the rest of them with their insufferable sanctimony off the screen whenever they appear, I’m happy. 
Also, leaves me more time for reading–a good thing. :)</h1>
<p>Wow !!! You do that too. I do that all the time when Bush and Cheney come on TV.</p>
<p>Here is something you may like</p>
<p>WASHINGTON: Vice-president Dick Cheney will spend Election Day on his first hunting trip since he accidentally shot a companion last February while aiming at a covey of quail on a Texas ranch. </p>
<p><a href=“http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/350878.cms[/url]”>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/350878.cms</a></p>