The Game Has Changed: What Will Pelosi, Obama, and Reid do Next?

As most everyone is noting, the election of Scott Brown is a game changer.  With the balance of power shifted, the Democrats will undoubtedly change their strategies.  They will do it for two reasons.  One is that their Senate super-majority is gone, and they simply cannot ram through whatever legislation that they want.  The second is unstated, and even denied, but is there none the less.  They know that the elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts sent a message.  They are running scared.

So then, what might they do?  Here are some thoughts.

There are some, mainly among the progressive wing, that would still like a kamikaze charge towards health care reform.  They are unlikely to succeed, as the Senate will not go for a public option, and the House progressives won’t support a bill without one.  This essentially leaves the current plan dead, unless Pelosi and Reid can put some sort of compromise together.  I don’t think that will happen, as they already had problems paying off all of their members and constituencies.  In other words, their house of cards has collapsed.  That, and too many Democrats want to keep their jobs, and they know that the current plan is unpopular.

What I do think will happen is that they will start over.  They will attempt to “work” with the Republicans.  However, it will be a long string of manipulations and setups.  I think the Democrats will propose whatever they think they can get away with, as well as things that will never fly.  They will do this to wear down the Republicans.  They will propose all sorts of regulations or amendments that they know the Republicans will refuse, and then use their lapdogs in the media to describe the Republicans as “obstructionists”, and the “party of no.”  Then, as the theory goes, they can wear down the Republicans into accepting what they think they can get away with anyway.  Clinton did this to Gingrich in the government shutdown in the 90′s.  Given that some of the same staffers the worked for Clinton are now in the Obama camp, expect similar tactics.

In their view, all they have to get is something passed.  It’s for Obama’s legacy, and for future considerations.  For example, if they can pass legislation that will eventually cause the insurance industry to collapse (per Cloward-Piven), they only need to  wait until the damage is done, blame the Republicans and capitalism for the fail that they themselves caused, and then propose more government intervention.  Obviously, we need to avoid that.

Also, resting in limbo, is Cap and Trade.  Shelved when Reid determined that he couldn’t pass it, there have been rumblings to pass a limited version, like only capping emissions from power plants.  What they might be hoping is that they can get this past the Republicans, who might be pressured into showing that they “care” about AGW.  Again, just like health care, this is for future shenanigans.  They get their foot in the door, and at some future point, they will ask for more in exchange for compromises in exchange for Republican legislation, and if/when they regain super-majorities.

So, what can he Republicans do?  I have some ideas and assumptions to follow:

1. Stick with the “Big Three” issues that seems to be resonating with the base; fiscal responsibility, small government, and free markets.
2. Keep the moral high ground.  Stick with the fact that you are fighting for our Republic, and that people have soured on the myth of “hope and change.”
3. The media will NEVER like, or approve of you.  They will say whatever the left wants.  They will take your comments out of context, and make up what they can’t find.  Get over it and move on.
4. The Democrats, and especially the progressive wing, believes that the ends justify the means.  They will lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want.  Expect it, and prepare accordingly.
5. Do not vote for ANYTHING with an earmark!  Obama promised this, and conveniently forgot about it.  Steal his thunder, and make a big deal out of it.
6. Do not vote for anything that raises taxes.  Stress that taxes kill jobs.  When he Democrats claim that this is for the rich, counter that small businesses create most of the jobs.
7. Refuse anything that increases costs on working families.  Prepare to defend that.
8. Offer, and follow up on that offer, to work on health care.  Promote plans that increase patient choice, lower costs, and focus free market solutions.  Make the Democrats vote them down, and point that fact out whenever it happens.
9. Insist on transparency.  Cite the POTUS, and the fact that it hasn’t been followed.  It’ll keep the Democrats honest (in as much as this is possible).
10. Resist growth of government, cite that this does not work.
11. If the Democrats threaten to pass something without you, force the issue.  Make them pass something undesirable in spite of your resistance.  Keep the high ground, and explain your resistance.
12. Hold press conferences, offer interviews, and try to engage the press.  They’ll likely punt on it, but as long as FOX and the internet exist, your message will get out, and the MSM will be forced to continue it’s bias and  ignore you. Or, they’ll cover you, and try to put a false spin on it.  In the end, it will only hurt the MSM, and the Democrats.  In other words, MAKE them ignore or distort you.
13. Point out the hypocrisy of the left.  They’re going to try to play nice and act bi-partisan, at least outwardly.  Remind everyone of how they acted in 2009.
14. Ignore the RNC.  Steele isn’t performing as advertised, and WE helped Brown win.

And finally…

DON’T SCREW THIS UP!!  We are watching you, and independents are as well.  If you honor the base,  we’ll have your back.  If you act like RINOs, our attention will be on you, but it won’t be friendly.

Do not forget 2006 & 2008.  When you acted like Republicrats, we didn’t show up for you.  If you prove to us that you are up to governing like Conservatives, we’ll show up at the polls, on the streets, and checkbooks will open.