Change is Bad

In 2008 the stars were aligned for the Democrats. Amidst two unpopular wars, an economic downswing and the general discontentment that comes from 6-8 years of one-party rule, the Republicans got their clocks cleaned. A political outsider was swept into office with high praise and higher hopes. The media fawning was so ridiculous, talk radio starting referring to him as "The Messiah" and "The Anointed One." To be fair, liberals actually did create messianic icons of him. Note the unicorn in the background.

After a year in office, and being protested for not keeping his promises even in the friendly territory of a Barbara Boxer rally, Obama is on the defensive. Cindy Sheehan has even branded the President a "warmonger" and warned that people bought the "Obama hype." Even Obama girl, who had a viral Youtube video expressing her enthusiasm for Obama during the campaign has said that she has "fell out of love" with Obama. As hard as it is to believe that the liberals are eating their own when their own is the most liberal President since Woodrow Wilson, assisted by two Democrat-controlled Houses of Congress, some of the most strident opposition comes from the Tea Party.

A year ago, the Tea Party even as a concept sounded unlikely. Liberals march for anything but conservatives never seemed to have the desire to get involved in that forum. Liberals alternately praise and bash the Tea Party depending on their internal polling. Nancy Pelosi called the Tea Parties "Astro-turfing" mocking the grassroots base of the Tea Party and then turned around to say that she agreed with many aspects of the Tea Party.



If even the most hardcore liberal in one of the safest districts in the US is afraid to go after the Tea Party, we may actually be a force to be reckoned with in '10. I have zero illusions about Pelosi losing her seat but she will probably lose her Speakership.

Even Bush is making a comeback due to Obama's lackluster performance. Despite staying out of the spotlight with the exception of his Haiti fund, 46% of Americans would like to bring Bush back. Even Joe Biden now calls the war in Iraq a success. Although now that Joe Biden has said it I'm no longer sure...

To be sure Bush's compassionate conservatism did not resonate with his base. I opposed his Medicare Prescription Drug Plan as another unsustainable entitlement and I feel he opened the door for Obama with his bailout plan regardless of how "compassionate" it was. However after the Fort Hood shooter and the Christmas bomber, one great thing about Bush does leap forward. He kept us safe. I don't trust Obama to keep the nation safe either economically or militarily. I am not alone, in '09 60% of our troops said they too were wary about Obama.

So the question becomes, if liberals are disenchanted with Obama and conservatives strongly oppose him, does the man who was swept into office on a wave of support and enthusiasm even have a constituency anymore?