Video: McCain on Rumsfeld and what went wrong in the midterms
posted at 7:40 pm on November 8, 2006 by Allahpundit
How bad was last night?
It appears that for the first time in history, a party (the Democrats) did not lose a single Senate, Governor or House seat it was defending.
The left topped us in turnout for the first time in 16 years, too, thus presenting the standard loser’s quandary: did we lose because the GOP betrayed its conservative principles or because it didn’t betray them enough? “The latter,” says Arlen Specter while receiving a warm, gentle tongue bath from the AP. “The former,” says everyone else, including Tom Coburn, Mitt Romney, John McCain (as you’ll see below), and most of the conservative blogosphere.
Wherever you come down in that debate — and I think See-Dub’s advice in point II of his post is well taken — there are two bad trends here worth noting.
1. Motivated young voters. Turnout among 30-and-under was the highest in at least 20 years, and was up by 2 million voters — or 25% — since 2002. Why is that worrisome? Revisit this graph from the Times that I posted a couple of months ago and you’ll see.
2. Geographic realignment. It’s a lot easier to flip a blue district in a red state than a blue state (or region). A lot of red islands got swallowed up last night. See Steyn’s item from 10:40 p.m. or Matthew Continetti’s short but dire piece in today’s Weekly Standard. Fred Barnes sees it too:
The defeat for Republicans was short of devastating–but only a little short. The House seats the party lost in New York and Connecticut and Pennsylvania will be hard to win back. Just as Republicans have locked in their gains in the South over the past two decades, Democrats should be able to solidify their hold on seats in the Northeast, as the nation continues to split sharply along North-South lines.
What should worry Republicans most, however, is erosion of its strength in the West and in two states in particular: Colorado and Arizona. Fours years ago, Colorado was solidly Republican. Since then, Democrats have won a Senate seat, two House seats, the governorship, and both houses of the state legislature. At the state level, that’s realignment.
Just something to think about. Pessimism is, after all, my business.
And business is good.
Here’s McCain.
Blowback
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That’s not exactly true. The Independant Joementum kicked the other Democrat’s ass.
God gave them a mulligan they don’t deserve.
Pablo on November 8, 2006 at 7:46 PM
John, are you serious or are you just flirting with me?
Pablo on November 8, 2006 at 7:51 PM
…this is going to be the party line from the MSM from now…the annointing of McCain as “spokesman”…perhaps the bitterest upshot of yesterday’s debacle….
Puritan1648 on November 8, 2006 at 7:52 PM
With regard to point II, I think one thing is clear without the need for any further examaination – you cannot run or portray yourself as the party of smaller government and then earmark the hell out of everything to the tune or record federal spending increases. Republicans are seen by many voters as the party of big government now, and it’s hard, nay impossible, to credibly defend them on that charge. That is clearly one area where they were not conservative enough.
thirteen28 on November 8, 2006 at 7:57 PM
Add immigration, and the lack of guts by most Republicans to convey the importance of fighting radical Islam and bingo, you lose.
lowandslow on November 8, 2006 at 8:18 PM
Charles Schumer was on The Factor tonight and basically said that if Rumsfeld had gone before the election the Republicans would probably have held the Congress.
noble_eagle on November 8, 2006 at 8:26 PM
Just the other night McCain said lots of happy trash to an assembly of Pentagon brass. I was there.
He can barely contain his giddy skippy enthusiasm.
seejanemom on November 8, 2006 at 8:29 PM
And if that’s true, then why didn’t he resign then…or why didn’t Bush fire him? I guess hingdsight is what it is.
SouthernGent on November 8, 2006 at 8:31 PM
Call me a rhino but I get sick of abortion litmus tests.
EF on November 8, 2006 at 8:36 PM
Opulent, wasteful, shameful spending. This republican party set records for wasting taxpayers money.
Submitted amnesty for illegal aliens.
Improperly handling Iraq (Bush, and Rumsfeld badly undermanned the troops, and poorly assesed Iranian, and Syria involvement even though we had very accurate intelligence that supported those countries had the means, and desire). We should have sent in 500,000 troops, sealed the borders, and whiped out the insurgents wherever they were located. The various cleric run militias should have been humiliated in battle, then whatever was left of them should have been treated as POW’s. Bush’s attempt to appease the political spectrum backfired and blew up in his face. He had the mandate and support, and wasted it trying to appease the left into supporting the war.
Betraying their grass roots supporters on everything from school vouchers, tighter budgets, to reducing abortions.
The Republican Party lost touch with their constituents.
Rode Werk on November 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM
Time for a third party???
Reps are in disarray, and are traitors for the conservative base…
Dems are worse….
Romeo13 on November 8, 2006 at 8:39 PM
It’s the Left that has a litmus test on abortion. There are plenty of Republicans who are pro choice and they are even allowed to speak at the Republican National Convention while pro-life Democrats are not allowed to even speak at the Democratic National convention.
TheBigOldDog on November 8, 2006 at 8:46 PM
I have really been down on McCain for years now from the Incumbent protection act to the global warming crap, but he has his chance now to impress. Will he stand up to the Dems? Or roll over?
Dawnsblood on November 8, 2006 at 8:52 PM
If you haven’t heard McCain also resigned yesterday as a voting member on a Board of Trustees from a well known university in D.C. citing embarrassment for the school (in so many words). Not a joke here.
McCain resigns!!
Kokonut on November 8, 2006 at 8:54 PM
Okay RHINO — I’m sure the party of death would love to have you.
wytammic on November 8, 2006 at 8:54 PM
The republicans are the party of the dead — dead last. Get use to it.
EF on November 8, 2006 at 9:03 PM
That depends on whether the Democrats in Colorado and Arizona ran as liberals or conservatives. I suspect the latter, which means that Republicans were punished for not being conservative enough. I mean, is Montana now a blue state because it elected a conservative Democrat? Neither is Colorado or Arizona.
In a two party system, if the party in power does not satisfy voters, the other party will make a correction. The Democrats became more conservative.
januarius on November 8, 2006 at 9:04 PM
The dumbing down of America’s youth by our public schools is taking its toll. It appears that the National Education Association’s master plan of liberal indoctrination is working.
Ramblinrog on November 8, 2006 at 9:08 PM
What should worry Republicans most, however, is erosion of its strength in the West and in two states in particular: Colorado and Arizona.
Does one even dare to ask if immigration has anything to do with this, as it clearly did in California (also at one time a Republican stronghold)?
Lehuster on November 8, 2006 at 9:15 PM
Well, i was hoping Republicans wouldn’t go through the predictable “everything’s gone and we’re doomed” phase, but it looks like they are. You can talk all you want, but this election was about Iraq. Dems and the media have spent the past two years hammering away on it and it worked. The 18-25 crowd voted Dem because all they hear from thier teachers, media, etc., is that Bush is a war criminal. Republicans have been lazy and stagnant the past two years and Dems and the media filled the void. Instead of complaining and tearing themselves apart, Republicans should get up off their ass and take the high ground back.
Scot on November 8, 2006 at 9:23 PM
If no illegals voted in Arizona I’ll kiss all of y’alls assess, and I ain’t puckerin’ up yet either.
SouthernGent on November 8, 2006 at 9:30 PM
We know why Republicans lost, ineptitude. The bulk of which was sitting on their collective ass as the BSD’s of the political landscape, while doing nothing and wasting alot money while doing it.
The goodnews.
Democrats were not running on the liberal platform we have come to despise, there wasn’t any Pelosism in those campaigns. I can gaurantee you the voters that elected John Tester are not soft on jihad, so America still conservative? Yes and we as conservatives must be dedicated to changing the real politik in this country. Awareness of radical islam, tax cuts, supporting our troops, NOT going to Darfur, etc. Force the Democrats to stay accountable to the conservative values alot of their candidates ran on. Should Pelosism raise its ugly, tightfaced head it will open the doors for Republicans in 2008.
America to Democrats sh$% or get off the pot.
Theworldisnotenough on November 8, 2006 at 9:37 PM
From sexiest man alive in ‘03 to out the door.
M. Savage was brutal on Sec. Rumsfelt tonight.
Sometimes I don’t get MS’s process. He’s bright and
make’s many thought provoking statements. But tonight he
just blew any and all Repubs to pieces. G.W. Rummy, McCain, Rush,ect. And that was his light side . When he got to the
dems, Well he just went nuts.
I still like him. He does not hold back. . . .
Texyank on November 8, 2006 at 9:49 PM
Unfortunately, he will becomee the defacto “spokesman” for the “conservatives” over the next two years. Right in the limelight where he wants to be.
Get ready folks with the new crew coming in, we will be paying for each baby, illegal immigrant medical care, illegal immigrant education, … You name it. We will be paying for it. And Pelosi, Schumer, Kennedy, et al, will shove down our throat.
AZ_Redneck on November 8, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Have any more oxymorons to share?
AZ_Redneck on November 8, 2006 at 10:13 PM
What went wrong? McCain wants to tell us what went wrong? I’ll tell you what went wrong Senator: look in the stinking mirror. Remember the gang of 14? Remember civil rights for terrorists? Remember the nativists who opposed your immigration views? Remember your anti torture water carrying for the Democrats? YOU and that hillbilly moron from South Carolina are the problem; you and the rest of the feckless pack of RINO’S infesting the senate like maggots in a dead dog. Almost every position the GOP stuck it to the conservative base one has McCain’s involvement; I don’t care how tough he talks; I don’t care what his remedies are…I don’t care if the democrats draft Hugo Chavez as their 2008 candidate…I will not vote for John McCain..just seeing him makes me want to &^%%ing hurl. As far as I’m concerned..Foley, out of control spending…none of that depressed the base as much as the continuous betrayls perpatrated by the Senate and led by McCain. You want to know why we got a collective groining last night? Take a bow Senator McCain.
austinnelly on November 8, 2006 at 10:27 PM
First of all, get the hell out of our party. There are two aspects to the conservative movement: small government and traditional values. Without either of those platforms, conservatives would be nothing. Without the conservative movement, the Republican Party is nothing. I’m getting sick and tired of RINOs trying to kick out the social conservatives in effort to please the left. If you don’t value the lives of all humans, born and unborn, take wytammic’s advice and join the party of death (see Ramesh Ponnuru’s book). There’s no room for you here.
tiekitwist on November 8, 2006 at 10:28 PM
QFT
Hehehe, wouldn’t it be just rich if due to a Dem victory and the prospect of a Dem in the Whitehouse in 08, that they ramp up the military action in Iraq and SQUISH em. muahaha.
“Mr President, it’s time to give the President Elect the national security briefing.”
“Just a sec, gotta press this red button first”
- The Cat
MirCat on November 8, 2006 at 10:29 PM
If you can’t drive a car without passing a drivers test, why can’t voting be confined to people who actually have a clue? I can’t remember when an election was actually decided over the difference of opinion of issues. It’s always been the truth vs lies. Case in point, the war in Iraq. I can’t believe how many people in this country actually believe that Iraq has nothing to do with the war on terror! These people make me realize that we’re no longer fighting against different views on policy, we’re fighting against ignorance!! It’s been that way as long as I can remember! So why can’t we rid ourselves of this problem by requiring voters to pass some kind of entrance exam? I realize I’m getting into a weird area with this, but I’m tired of idiotic legislation getting passed in the name of something it’s not. If peole want to kill unborn americans, that’s fine with me. Just admit that’s what you stand for and quit hiding behind lies of women’s rights. If you want all the hard working Americans paying for the lifestyles of lazy Americans, that’s fine too. Just admit that’s what your doing and quit hiding behind lies of rich people stealing from the poor. I could go on forever and perhaps I should stop now. Anyway, I’m 31 and I’ve voted Republican since I was old enough to vote. But I’ve been told by my peers that I act like an old man, so where does that leave us?
Joshua P. Allem on November 8, 2006 at 11:20 PM
I think the American Right will be well-served over the next few years if they develop and stick to a strategy of using Europe–”Eurabia”–like a medical cadaver: Bring to light the many points of similarity between the Democrats and the Europeans and point out the deadliness of the politics they have in common.
Kralizec
http://kralizec.wordpress.com/
Kralizec on November 8, 2006 at 11:53 PM
I apologize if this sounds arrogant, but I believe we have a winner:
And a consolation prize for last place, too:
Sorry, Tex, but when you set the radio station to Savage, you pretty much know what’s coming. He’s a first rate horse’s ass, and I would debate you on the “bright” part.
Jaibones on November 9, 2006 at 1:01 AM
M. Savage was brutal on Sec. Rumsfelt tonight.
Sorry, Tex, but when you set the radio station to Savage, you pretty much know what’s coming. He’s a first rate horse’s ass, and I would debate you on the “bright” part.
Jaibones on November 9, 2006 at 1:01 AM
He comes on right after Hannity. He is vicious and never
holds back. I don’t listen regularly but know his style.
He hates all politicians. . . He claims to be conservative.
Has a knack for ticking off anyone who doesn’t see it his way.
But to say he’s not bright. I have to disagree. “Sorry”
He’s good in respect that he keeps the pressure on conservatives
to stay honest. He’s was just brutal today.
Texyank on November 9, 2006 at 1:33 AM
Ya wanna know why the “young people” voted?
Four words.
Daily Show. Colbert Report.
They’ve been spoon feeding Democrat fiction and speaking “truthiness” to power. This is how the MTV generation wants its politics.
Afraid? You should be. There is NO political thought there. The only bright side to it is that the Democrats can’t possibly live up to their own fiction and thus the Colbert Report will have to eat its own or be revealed for the poser he is.
Skywise on November 9, 2006 at 1:50 AM
Sorry, M. Savage is nothing more than a grumpy old Seinfeld.
Skywise on November 9, 2006 at 1:51 AM
Sorry, M. Savage is nothing more than a grumpy old Seinfeld.
Skywise on November 9, 2006 at 1:51 AM
And that’s when he’s in a good mood . : )
Texyank on November 9, 2006 at 2:07 AM
First, it’s not your party. Second, go fk yourself, loser.
EF on November 9, 2006 at 2:08 AM
Obviously, not. See responses to my post. I’ve been kicked out of the republican party by some anonymous losers on the internet. lol!
EF on November 9, 2006 at 2:10 AM
I’m glad that Republicans can debate without resorting to ad hominem attacks. Oh… wait…
tiekitwist on November 9, 2006 at 6:39 AM
Maybe EF should debate the liberals for us. Oh wait, he agrees with them and it sounds like he’s been taking language lessons from potty mouth Sheehan.
wytammic on November 9, 2006 at 7:37 AM
Well, not the self-anointed republicans like you and your friends.
First, it’s people like you who guarantee liberals are put in office, and, second, go fk yourself, loser.
EF on November 9, 2006 at 8:23 AM
It is at once depressing and encouraging to see senators who brought home the bacon through injudicious use of earmarks will now be able to stay home and enjoy the pork that was supposed to help them stay in the senate. Idiots.
kmcguire on November 9, 2006 at 9:08 AM
Aaaaauuuuuuuugggggh. Somebody cheer me up! I’m sinkin’ over here…!
S. Weasel on November 9, 2006 at 11:01 AM
IMO, Senator John McCain is the laughing stock of the Republican Party.
Mr. McCain, thanks for serving in the arms forces, and the U.S. Senate, but now please leave politics. The Republicans need new leadership, not mavericship.
byteshredder on November 9, 2006 at 11:26 AM
this is one thing that elections will never change. Our core beliefs in our values.
Our fellow americans can be occasionaly duped into voting for the democrats but I will not lose faith in the things I believe in and abandon them because our country takes a wrong turn.
I hope we as republicans DROP the blame game and self incriminations that are following this election. Our values are far to important to short change them for spur of the moment regrets.
he fight isnt over its just beginning. If we can ask our troops to sacrifice their lives for our freedoms then we must ourselves bite the bullet and fight harder than ever to return the country back to where it belongs.
Our values havent changed. The good in what we beleive havent change. The enemies of America are emboldened by our losses but that should only make us more couragous and more willing to fight harder for what we believe in.
If nuts like Osama can survive and thrive after defeats then surely we American true beleives can also. The dems won by being more motivated this must also be our rallying cry this time.
And unlike Osama or the democrats we should not retreat into a cave in the mountains waiting to sneak back years latter in a guerilla campaign filled with deceitfull propaganda and anti american bashing.
We must fight harder than ever for what truely matters to use and forget the past eklection its over and we must move on to retake this country for its own good.
And also unlike the democrats we dont have to lie and mislead and invent 911 conspiracies to do this.
William Amos on November 9, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Savage is an ass. He may be academically smart, but his brightness ends there.
Half his calls are by people who just totally suck up to him with stuff like “you’re the only true voice of the conservative movement”, and when he’s not taking those calls he’s either puffing himself up or ragging on other conservative radio talkshow hosts (jealous of their higher ratings, perhaps?).
He’s about as humorous as a compound facture, and he’s almost always angry and negative at everything and everybody. And often times he’s a flaming asshole to even his loyal callers.
I’ll give him his due – he sticks up for the troops with a lot of vigor. But other than that, he doesn’t have much of anything worth listening to.
thirteen28 on November 9, 2006 at 12:53 PM
I just love these ex cathedra type of posts. Giggles.
Read someplace that the R party is or has been a combo of 4 things: Main Street, Wall Street, Easy Street and Highway to Heaven. Seems to me that Bush et al are most interested in the second and third and have effectively turned off a lot the the first and fourth. Dems picked up a lot of moderates/middle class/suburban women (main street) and got about 25% of self described evangelicals, which sounds puny but I guess is a big pick up.
Think the plates are shifting.
honora on November 9, 2006 at 1:38 PM
M. Savage was brutal on Sec. Rumsfelt tonight.
Sorry, Tex, but when you set the radio station to Savage, you pretty much know what’s coming. He’s a first rate horse’s ass, and I would debate you on the “bright” part.
Jaibones on November 9, 2006 at 1:01 AM
He comes on right after Hannity. He is vicious and never
holds back. I don’t listen regularly but know his style.
He hates all politicians. . . He claims to be conservative.
Has a knack for ticking off anyone who doesn’t see it his way.
But to say he’s not bright. I have to disagree. “Sorry”
He’s good in respect that he keeps the pressure on conservatives
to stay honest. He’s was just brutal today.
Texyank on November 9, 2006 at 1:33 AM
Savage is an ass. He may be academically smart, but his brightness ends there.
Half his calls are by people who just totally suck up to him with stuff like “you’re the only true voice of the conservative movement”, and when he’s not taking those calls he’s either puffing himself up or ragging on other conservative radio talkshow hosts (jealous of their higher ratings, perhaps?).
He’s about as humorous as a compound facture, and he’s almost always angry and negative at everything and everybody. And often times he’s a flaming asshole to even his loyal callers.
I’ll give him his due – he sticks up for the troops with a lot of vigor. But other than that, he doesn’t have much of anything worth listening to.
thirteen28 on November 9, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Thirteen28,
You said it better than I can.
Thanks
Texyank on November 9, 2006 at 1:47 PM
So, from reading posts here; the new plan seems to be.
1) Kick out anyone not sufficiently “in” the party.
2) Complain about illegal voting.
3) Change… um, we’ll get to change later. Right now we’re thinning out the weeds, and complaining that the other side cheated.
Well, it worked for Democrats back in 94, err 96, err 98, err 00, err 02, err 04… hmm, best of luck for the next decade with that plan I guess.
Hmm, actually you need to complain that someone voted “against their best interests” and call them foolish and such. Oh yeah, Libertarians and claiming gridlock spending will be higher than Republican majority spending… nevermind you’ve got the entire plan in place.
Can you try to work on the high-minded condescending tone when talking to a “non-true believer”? That really worked well for the Democrats.
“If you don’t value the lives of all humans, born and unborn, take wytammic’s advice and join the party of death”
See, not quite condescending enough. Something to work on in the next 10-12 years.
Who wants to be the new Kos pushing losing psychotics who barely fit the narrow untenable extreme criteria for a “supportable” candidate? I nominate wytammic, but tiekitwist seems qualified as well.
gekkobear on November 9, 2006 at 3:25 PM
Bravo!!!!!
honora on November 9, 2006 at 3:30 PM
Have you noticed most people dont necessarilly agree with far left social policies? This is why it needs to be enshired in laws, codes, and rules because it is not natural to most people. You can make a philosophical argument social concervatives belong in the democrat party since they have in common they need this big government to enforce thier social views. It is simply a different social view then current Dems that they are trying to impose. Maybe I agree with you on social issues i still disagree it is governemnt’s job to enfore it.
A true concervative gov’t would not be trying to enforce social policies. This election was lost because (R) are not being fiscal concervatives and have failed on security and immigration. Bush pandered to religious concervaties for 6 years and he just lost this election
Resolute on November 9, 2006 at 8:45 PM