From the right to the left on our staff, we're shaking our heads today at the craziness being displayed across the professional political spectrum.
It would be easy to understand the mistakes being made if the people whose actions we're questioning were amateur political hacks, young 20-somethings who mumble uninformed rumors at political events - with their microphones still on.
The people who are making mistakes, though, are political veterans in both parties.
In Delaware and New Hampshire, a pair of traditionally Democratic leaning states, the GOP has two candidates making strong showings in each Senate race. The only problem? One of each of those on the ballot is a Tea Party backed candidate, who is likely to lose the general election, even if they win their primary races today. In both cases, the GOP establishment knew that far-right anti-establishment candidates had good chances this year - but like amateurs, they ignored the rise of those candidates and remained in denial. Now they're at war with themselves.
This insanity continues on the national level with loopy things happening on both ends of the political spectrum.
As we mentioned yesterday, Rep John Boehner agreed on Sunday's Face The Nation television broadcast that he might be willing to agree to the President and Democrats' idea to extend the tax cuts for the middle class, while letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire. This is a winning position for Republicans, and allows their candidates to say, going into the general election, "We did what we could on tax cuts, but those damn Democrats undermined us."
Instead, just like clockwork, the right-wing spin and hate machine attacked Rep. Boehner on Monday. The reason, of course, was for Mr. Boehner being willing to find ANY common ground with Democrats on ANY issue - especially tax cuts. It was fascinating how quickly he was yanked back into line.
Don't even get us started on the insane actions of current and former state governors with aspirations for national office, like Dave Heineman, Haley Barbour, Charlie Crist, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Tim Pawlenty, or Sarah Palin. They all continue to amaze and appall.
Common wisdom might say many of these things are great developments for the Democrats.The CBO even announced yesterday that during President Obama's first complete fiscal year the Federal budget deficit DECREASED by as much as thirteen percent! Yet, Democrats are still looking at serious chances of losing their majority in the House of Representatives in November.
Have you ever imagined what it might look like if the Chicago Cubs were involved in politics, and played both sides of the plate?
You're looking at it this year, my friends.
Welcome to Autumn.
