The Empire Strikes Back

First, take a look at the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq, which many Democrats voted for (and now regret). The fact that it was a month before the 2002 midterm elections says something about timing, or the Administration's strategery, forcing the Dems to vote to give the president the authority to use force . . . or risk looking "unpatriotic."

So now that the Dems are being "unpatriotic" and questioning the president's motives, the Administration is pulling out all the stops to make sure Americans remember how grand an idea the Dems thought this war was. Y'know, before Bush started it.

See, this is where I'm stuck. It was a vote to authorize the use of force. Which Bush stated was to be a last resort. He sent in inspectors and, when they didn't find anything immediately, he pulled them out hastily and started gearing up for an attack. Two months later: Mission accomplished.

The GOP recognizes that they can't let the Democrats dictate the rules of the Game and continue to let the Democrats kick their asses at that game. So they're fighting back.

Meanwhile, the Dems' sole message is, "Bush is bad." Well, yeah. And?

Guys? Howard? You gotta give us something. Something positive. Something to rally behind. Something to vote for and not against.

Election Day 2005

If we look at these results as a referendum on the Republican stranglehold on power in this country, or a backlash against stupidity, the midterm elections next year should be preeeetttty interesting.