It’s like the Democrats finally beat up the schoolyard bully. And, it turns out the bully is all talk and really a wimp. Winning seems to have inspired Obama and the Hill Democrats. Losing has caused angst in the GOP. That’s the assessment from one of the papers that covers Congress, The Hill:
Political momentum has shifted so fast over the last week that it has given Republicans whiplash.Democrats are heading into the two-week Easter recess in high spirits after passing the most sweeping domestic policy reform since Medicare was enacted four decades ago.
President Barack Obama on Thursday dared Republicans to make healthcare reform a campaign issue.
“They’re actually going to run on a platform of repeal in November,” Obama said. “Well, I say go for it.”
But even as some Republicans talk of using healthcare as a cudgel, others are questioning the hard-line opposition strategy that limited their input on the substance of healthcare reform and may deny them any chance of shaping financial regulatory reform later this year.
Cracks emerged in the unified front Republicans held throughout most of the healthcare debate.
Congress is taking a two week vacation district work period. Let’s hope the Democrats come back even more fired up. The GOPers are regrouping and plotting their next moves of obstruction. But, we need to exploit the “cracks” in the “unified front.”
And, let’s keep that momentum going til November. Passing more progressive legislation — and being bold about it — will help.
Markos tracks the “intensity gap” in the “Daily Kos Weekly State of the Nation Poll.” This week, that gap, which has favored the GOP, narrowed. The tracking poll is here. The analysis arrived via email:
While both sides saw big spikes in their numbers, Democrats were particularly energized, with that intensity gap narrowing from 11 points to a far more manageable seven. First the first time in over a year, Democrats have a reason to get excited about their party, and are newly engaging in the political process.This intensity gap will bear tracking the rest of this cycle. Democrats can continue to close the gap by ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, passing tough financial regulatory reform, make progress on comprehensive immigration reform, and continue to talk tough against the obstructionist GOP.
The base has awakened. Democrats keep to it inspired.
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