Hearst: Ten reasons why the Massachusetts Senate race is very, very important
This comes to us from Texas on the Potomac, a Houston Chronicle political blog.
It's almost impossible to overstate the political significance of (Tuesday's) Massachusetts Senate election. Here are ten reasons why the election is so important nationally:
1. Massachusetts is one of the most Democratic states in the nation.
2. Health-care reform is at stake.
3. Democrat-only legislative power would come to an end.
4. This is the "Kennedy" seat.
5. This is where the Boston Tea Party took place.
6. This is a test of the power of political independents.
7. It's a good indicator of voters' desire for divided government.
8. It could give a jump start to GOP recruiting efforts in other states.
9. It's proof that Republicans don't have to be moderates to win on Democratic turf.
10. It would be a personal and political repudiation of President Obama.
Here is the link to the entire post.
I tend to agree more with 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
As far as health care reform being at-stake (No. 2), I disagree. Quite simply, Dems are going to pass something and all the House has to do is pass the senate bill. They might hold their nose while doing so, but I think it will happen (unless abortion language isn't strong enough for some).
Still, watching Democrats squirm will make tonight must-see TV. Make no mistake win or lose the Democrat brand has been damaged, but a loss is very significant to the rest of America.
It's almost impossible to overstate the political significance of (Tuesday's) Massachusetts Senate election. Here are ten reasons why the election is so important nationally:
1. Massachusetts is one of the most Democratic states in the nation.
2. Health-care reform is at stake.
3. Democrat-only legislative power would come to an end.
4. This is the "Kennedy" seat.
5. This is where the Boston Tea Party took place.
6. This is a test of the power of political independents.
7. It's a good indicator of voters' desire for divided government.
8. It could give a jump start to GOP recruiting efforts in other states.
9. It's proof that Republicans don't have to be moderates to win on Democratic turf.
10. It would be a personal and political repudiation of President Obama.
Here is the link to the entire post.
I tend to agree more with 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
As far as health care reform being at-stake (No. 2), I disagree. Quite simply, Dems are going to pass something and all the House has to do is pass the senate bill. They might hold their nose while doing so, but I think it will happen (unless abortion language isn't strong enough for some).
Still, watching Democrats squirm will make tonight must-see TV. Make no mistake win or lose the Democrat brand has been damaged, but a loss is very significant to the rest of America.
Comment
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Comment by Peggy Capwell on January 22, 2010 at 3:15am -
Stew...I'm only a little fish in a great big pond, but I disagree that this as important as the media reports. The most important part is that a traditional democratic seat was won by a republican. Period. As a registered Democratic constituent(independent in spirit) I simply don't see it as a "wake up call to Obama" and certainly not "a personal and political repudiation of President Obama". President Obama simply plods on with the day-to-day necessity of "steering a great ship" inch by inch to sail in the opposite direction. Also I think it is dangerous to read into the results that the voters desire a divided government. It's my feeling that the people want both parties to consider the good of the people and the country, but so far have endured only obstructionist tactics meant to destroy the Obama administration.
I hope the Senate bill does not have the support of the House. It remains imperative that there be a competitor for the business presently enjoyed by the cartel of insurance corporations operating now, and the House bill covers that and all the other standards set out by the President. I hope Washington has the political will to push through the House bill as it should have done before Christmas, by whatever means necessary, since the republicans and conservative democrats offer nothing constructive for the people(voting "no" on everything and anything) - only for the good of the insurance corporations. And the Senate bill is a give-away to the industry
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Comment by Dom Evets on January 19, 2010 at 4:55pm
- I doubt they have enough votes in the house to pass the senate bill.
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