This election was a rejection of Republicans, not Republicanism…..

[ClarkJKent]

Democrats have much to be happy about nowadays. After many years of hard work and ridicule from the right, America seems to be coming around. Progressives not only pulled off a substantial Presidential victory, but they also secured a firm Congressional majority and an apparent mandate from the populace. The world response to the election of Barack Obama has been powerful and moving. And as a result of this foreign outcry, many Americans are taking a long overdue look inward at how we really treat people around the world. In stark contrast to the last 8 years, it would be difficult to over-estimate the amount of hope and good will flourishing all over planet Earth.

However, as much as I would like to gloat and hand out my share of, "I told you sos," progressives should instead pay close attention to the circumstances, and possible scapegoats, of this election season. Although there are many to choose from, I predict the most successful excuse for conservatives everywhere will be the notion that modern Republicans no longer represent traditional Republicanism. It would be an easy case to make. After all, they no longer believe in fiscal responsibility, separation of powers, adherence to the Constitution, a system of checks & balances, responsible use of the military, respect for the privacy of an individual, accountability of the Executive branch, the rule of law, separation of Church & State, etcetera, etcetera.

This type of argument will be especially appealing to the average Republican. By accepting it, they will be able to proudly tell themselves and fellow conservatives that this election was by no means a repudiation of conservatism, but rather, the isolated individuals who fooled them to get elected. This will also allow them to claim that America's troubles are in no way a result of conservative policies. In fact, they will say, the many troubles we are facing are the only logical result of having such an un-conservative government for so long.

You can see the ground work being laid for this type of bait-and-switch already. Many "conservative" newspapers, journals, and pundits have been openly criticizing the Bush Administration's conservative bonafides over the past 6 months. Some even endorsed Barack Obama for President. Granted, this strategy will not be without its' own hazards and pitfalls. There will be many intellectual hoops one will have to jump through to fully accept this line of reasoning, not the least of which is the very obvious truth that most Republicans have been defending and cheering for Bush as he drove their Party off a cliff. And purveyors of this propaganda will have to try and make this point, while at the same time, use very little direct evidence or factual corroboration. After all, there will still be many members of this Republican Party functioning in our government after Jan 20th, and they will have to be careful to not rebuke those individuals or alienate themselves from them.

Now, many of my progressive compatriots tell me I am crazy. They tell me that the American people will never believe such a twisting of history, especially so soon after the actual events. I hope they are right. I hope this prediction is simply one of those many pessimistic hunches, all too common in liberal observers of politics. But still it lingers. I know that the margin of victory in the popular vote did not come close to reflecting how dissatisfied America is with current leadership. And I know, all too tragically, how short people's memories are, and how malleable our recollections can be. To me, one of the saddest truths of humanity is that we constantly need to relearn the same lessons over and over again. This is true on both an individual level and a societal one. That being said, I still cling to hope. And as long as we are vigilant, persistent, and thorough, I trust that it will not be in vain this time.

[Nurgel]

1. The price of liberty

is eternal vigilance - don't think for a minute Republicans are done for, they'll probably suprise you.

[hay rick]

2. Throwing Bush under the bus.

"I predict the most successful excuse for conservatives everywhere will be the notion that modern Republicans no longer represent traditional Republicanism. It would be an easy case to make. After all, they no longer believe in fiscal responsibility, separation of powers, adherence to the Constitution, a system of checks & balances, responsible use of the military, respect for the privacy of an individual, accountability of the Executive branch, the rule of law, separation of Church & State..."

I wonder how many voters who voted for Bush in '04 voted for Obama in '08. Very few I would guess. I believe McCain's problem was largely new voters with a sprinkling of Bush voters who stayed home.

Of the scapegoat items you enumerate, I think fiscal responsibility looms largest with the disenchanted "moderate" Republicans or would-be Republicans. The military adventure in Iraq is a probable second on the list of objections. The other items on your list may be deplored by some but I don't think they are deal breakers for most self-described conservatives.

I expect the media will be trying to hang our economic woes on Obama's head before he completes his first year in office. I agree with your central point- the Republicans will seek to use Bush as a scapegoat and also as an argument to keep most of their preferred talking points, I mean principles, in place.

[Demeter]

3. This Election Was About Stupid, and The Rejection Thereof

unfortunately, there was more than Stupid going on. There were large amounts of Criminality, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Discrimination of every kind, Pollution and Deregulation, Outsourcing, Fraud, Treaty and Law-Breaking, Theft, and Violation of the Constitution, and Imperialism, Fascism, and Enslavement of the Workers.

Until ALL of the Above are rejected, the GOP still has a chance of survival. The trouble is, we may just end up with smarter crooks next time. This new Great Bush Depression will kill off most of the Stupid ones.

[southernyankeebelle]

4. You Betcha

Boy you are so on target. Hell I only have a high school degree and I can see exactly what you are saying is true. I live in TN. These rednecks believe all their crap even at their own financial expense.

[Narkos]

5. K & R