US Elections: The Power of Money and Democrat Losses in Congress (and the White House?)

Democrats are becoming resigned to losing heavily in November. And, as politicians are apt to do, they are looking for someone other than themselves to blame. The argument, put out by Obama himself, runs that the electorate would fully support progressive policies if only the message was not insidiously sabotaged by the dirty campaign money of wealthy individuals and big business. 

The Citizens United ruling of the Supreme Court, and the resulting spending during this election, has only reinforced this liberal worldview. So although the Democrats may have given up on this election, expect the real fireworks to begin next year as they try to fend off the assault of a Sarah Palin or Mike Huckerbee, bankrolled by conservative 501 groups, on the reelection bid of President Obama. The current president may like to present himself as the representative of a new transparent politics, but if he doesn’t get down and dirty next year, come January 2013 he will find himself on the outside looking in.

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US Politics: The "Progressive" Battles of the Democrats and the "Pledge" of the Republicans (Haddigan)

The next days will see the drawing of battle lines that will dominate the campaign trail in the weeks before November. Democrats will argue Republican gains in Congress will destroy any hope of progressive change in the next two years, pointing their voters to the measures defeated in Congress this week. Republicans will counter with the now-famous mantra, even if it was created by a Democrat, "It’s the economy, stupid", and they will remind their supporters that victories will help them push back against the unpopular reforms that Obama has managed to achieve.

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