November 03, 2010

Further quick thoughts on yesterday's election

While I wait for the Fed announcement, here are some more thoughts on yesterday's election:

  • You know who this hurts the most?  Palin.
  • You know who this doesn't help at all?  Romney.
  • Cantor may just be the big winner going into 2012 here.  If he allies with Rand Paul and hones his message, people could start to take him seriously.
  • Rand Paul is fucking impressive.  He's the single most important pickup for the GOP.  It looks to me like he's got his father's fiscal chops and fighting spirit, without all the excess baggage.
  • Paul and Rubio will be the ones to watch for clues as to where the GOP is headed.  They're both rock stars at the moment, but they'll have to back that up with sound fiscal policy.
  • The GOP can be thankful they didn't win the Senate, as it buys them time to get their act together going into 2012.
  • Both tea partiers and the GOP could come out ahead if they look to where they succeeded (Rubio, Paul, etc.) and failed (eg. Angle for the tea partiers, Fiorina for the GOP) and cooperate on fielding candidates that are both fiscally sound and electable.  Finger pointing would be a huge mistake -- learn and move forward.
  • Jim DeMint is quietly becoming the most powerful conservative politician.  DeMint, far more than Palin, will determine who the next GOP candidate for President is.
  • Palin should stick to fund raising and energizing the base.  She'd be most effective if she allies more closely with DeMint, and takes a party position, rather than trying for elected office.

In big picture, practical terms, none of this means much right now.  Once the new Congress is seated, it will be seen whether the GOP has any real fiscal balls or not.  I still think that, even if they want to play hardball, they won't be able to do much more than tinker around the edges and position for 2012.  Time will tell.

Posted by: Hermit Dave at 09:02 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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