A more optimistic note

Although I am really planning to stop blogging for a bit, I just wanted to make a few points, which I didn't adequately convey previously on the blog: (1) The President's popularity is likely to go up as it has been steadily rising. The economy is good, he will probably sign into law a popular but probably misguided federal raise of the minimum wage and the Iraq situation will have significantly improved or we will have given up on it and it will be less of an issue of '08. (2) As the Democrats have de-emphasized social issues like abortion and conveniently ignored others like guns, Rockefeller Republican territory in places like CT and PA should be fertile territory again if Iraq goes away with a good candidate and with Republicans out of power an issue like Schiavo will become less likely to happen. Furthermore, red state Democrats will start having to vote on issues like gay marriage which will further divide their caucus. (3) I think we will get back Foley and Delay's seats once we run candidates who can actually have their name appear on the ballots. Probably Ney's as well unless Ohio completely collapses for us. The gap between Democrats and Republicans in the House will at the very least close. The pessimism that I displayed on the blog owed in part to my disappointment over the election and it is entirely possible that Republicans can take back both houses in ’08, if the right Presidential candidate comes along. That said; never underestimate the power of incumbency. Crawford, Texas is represented by a Democrat and in red seats the leadership will give a lot of help and leeway to the politician. Stephanie Herseth in South Dakota, the reddest of the red is a prime example.