Pelosi for Life?

Yesterday Heath Schuler from North Carolina announced he will challenge Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader in the new 112th Congress. Conventional wisdom,of course, says she will win. She would not be running if she didn't have the votes. That's how it works. I know the Republicans are salivating at the thought of her continuing to be the face of the Democratic Party. As one GOP insider put it; she is great at creating jobs, for House Republicans. I don't know how good it will be for our country. She is not only a rigid ideologue but she has no track record of be willing to compromise on anything. She rammed through healthcare, twisted arms to get the votes for Cap and Trade in the House which died a quick death in the Senate. After a crushing loss of 60+ seats, I cannot see how the Democrats think she should still lead the party. But so many of those Blue Dogs are gone. They lost to Republicans because many of them were in more conservative districts. What is left of the Democrats is a much more liberal minority. We are still stuck with Barney Frank and his ilk, who will no doubt vote for her. I am glad to see Schuler challenge her, if for no other reason than to say not everyone is afraid of her. He also promised his constituents that if he was re-elected that he would challenge her. He is more conservative, one of the few Blue Dogs that remain, and seems to be principled. However, it seems nothing is going to stop Pelosi. This reminds of an episode of Designing Women, in which Julia Sugarbaker ran for office and during a debate with her opponent got so exasperated that she uttered these words of wisdom, "I am a Christian and I get down on my knees and pray everyday. One of the things I pray for is that people with good sense will get power and people with power will get good sense and that the rest of us will be blessed with patience and the strength to survive people like you in the meantime!". It seems almost ironic that such an appropriate statement for where we are now would come from a sitcom character from nearly twenty years ago, especially a liberal one.

Looking for Ronald Reagan

As this "silly season" comes to an end and we cast our votes tomorrow, I have been struck by the mood of the country. I titled this piece as I did because throughout this midterm election Ronald Reagan has been referenced more than once. Is that who we are looking for? This generation's Reagan. He was President during my grade school years through my sophomore year in high school, so my firsthand knowledge of his administration is almost non existent. I do know, from the many video clips and documentaries I have seen that Ronald Reagan loved his country. His campaign ad "It's Morning in America" and "The Shining City on the Hill" weren't just slogans. He meant it. He saw America as a beacon to the world. He cherished individual freedom. I know many of the candidates seem to embody those sentiments but can any of them save us from our "Jimmy Carter"? I don't know. The mainstream media deride people like Marco Rubio, Sharron Angle and Sarah Palin, much as they did Reagan. They made fun of him for being an actor, someone to not be taken seriously. They mocked his intelligence. How many in the media have called Sarah Palin dumb? I want to believe that if the Republicans win tomorrow as it looks like they will, that out of this crop of "outsiders" will rise someone with Reagan's vision of this great country. After seeing our current president apologize to other countries for us, belittle the american people by insinuating that the only reason we would vote for republicans is because we are scared and not thinking clearly and not because his policies have failed and failed miserably. I would like to see someone in charge who inspires us again, and has the political will to do what it takes to solve our problems while still believing in our greatness. Is it Palin? Maybe. Could it be Paul Ryan and his roadmap for America? which no one else in the House will embrace but is the only substantive outline of ideas put forward. Could it be Michelle Bachman who seems to have the strength to stand up to the establishment of either party? Marco Rubio is quite impressive, but will he change Washington or will Washington change him? Maybe it will be New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He has shown he is not afraid of a fight. I love my country and it pains me to see the road we are travelling now. If there is a Reagan out there, we need to hear you.