Michael, Michael, Michael, have you subsribed to the David Diano School of Spin? You say “We have seen the shift in the mood of the electorate unfold over the summer . . . “. You say it as if there has been some earthshaking change demonstrated by the electorate. Hate to tell you this, but there has been no general elction held since last fall when the voters turned out large for Obama.

I know the Republicans are in such sad shape, dominated by right wing extremists and others out of touch with the voters, that you are reaching for straws and hoping for any spark of a resurgence. However, it’s nothing but pure spin to pretend that “we have seen the shift”. In your mind’s eye, perhaps. Until it shows up at the polls, it’s nothing more than wishful thinking.

But don’t stop trying to create a false impression. You could get kicked out of Spin School.

the state gop has won 5 state wide races since 2000 ag 3 times 2000 senate and 2004 senate. The Democrats have won 12 3 presidentials. 3 treasurers 3 auditor generals 2 governors and 1 senate. thats twice as many. the strength of the state gop is grossly overrated. btw a pro-life candidate has not beaten a pro-choice candidate for the senate or governor since 1994. as far as the senate toomey is more conservative than santourmn who suffered one of the worst defeats of an incumbent in pa history. plus 1 million plus voter registration advantage for d’s means that the gop candidates well be increasingly conservative and lack statewide appeal. actually only 1 winning gop candidate (santourumn) for governor or senate since 1980 has been what is now defined as a regular republican; (pro-life, kill all glbt citizens, anti-tax,anti-government).

Joan Orie Melvin is frighteningly far to the right. Pat Toomey’s record shows that he is ridiculously far right himself.

As for the PA GOP, how can anyone take them seriously when they issue press released accusing a (then) sitting senator of palling around with terrorists? It’s unfortunate we don’t have more Goldwater conservatives and a state GOP that is interested in more than libel and petty partisanship.

“I am simply pointing out that the endorsement of the Republican Party practically guarantees victory in a primary election. Look it up.”

That’s because you’re party is a monolithic collection of lemmings that can’t think independently. Old, white men running under a theocratic, xenophobic doctrine of fear and power.

Not something to be proud of. Discipline is impressive, if it is directed toward the purpose of common good. The Stepford Party style doesn’t work for Dems.

It’s just flat out wrong to say that the national climate is turning against Democrats. The GOP hasn’t been able to crack 30% in the generic ballot question all year, and the high point of their favorables was a net -37 back in January, wallowing around -50 more recently. John Boehner’s has been hovering around 14-18% favorability all year. Health care actually gained 3 points in the polls after the GOP’s big August stunt which left them looking even more unserious and untrustworthy than they did in the months prior. Show me one poll showing that the tea party freak parade was able to boost the GOP’s numbers. The tactics merely dragged down both parties, but in a first-past-the-post electoral system like ours, that just fucks up Republicans’ electoral fortunes even worse. But I understand you have to grasp for any strategy at all now that you’re a regional rump party with but a few dwindling pockets of strength outside your shrinking old white male base in the South.

wishful thinking. the pa GOP can’t find their way outta a cardboard box!

I don’t see how any rational person could deny that the Obama Administration has been disappointing and that the momentum has begun to shift back to the Republican Party this year. Whether it is a sufficient shift to overcome other Democratic advantages, or whether the Republicans continuing move to the right will undue the advantages they gain from Obama’s weakness, remain open questions. But anyone who doesn’t see the problems simply isn’t paying attention.

Michael-
The “disappointment” is among three groups:
1) the Dems that want him to go farther (and expected every campaign promise to magically appear in the first week)
2) and the people that irrationally believed Obama could correct the 8 years of Bush administration policies (and cure the economy) in a few months.
3) fake “disappointers” from his political enemies that are trying to capitalize on unrealistic pace expected by the first two group. at the same time, this group is actively involved in obstructionism and trying to make Obama fail (regardless of the cost to the country).

There is always a little push back in the aftermath of a big Presidential election. The allies get complacent and the foes get energized.

However, much of 2010 will turn on how much the economy has recovered and the trajectory it’s on a year from now. I realize the GOP is rooting for a bad economy, otherwise their economic philosophy will be revealed as the wrong path. I get it.

When Obama came in, the economy was on a downward spiral, worse than models had suggested during the election. It was a tough problem, with no “good” solutions, and some unavoidable pain.
The policies of McCain/Palin would have accelerated the downward spiral and we’d be seeing 15% unemployment. That isn’t much comfort to those suffering under our brush with 10%, but the country really dodged a bullet.

BTW, it’s “undo” not “undue”.

http://www.pa2010.com/2010/03/montco-dems-forgo-senate-endorsement/