President Bush has the opportunity to put a little umph behind the fine piece of Republican stagecraft that occurred today in Congress.
In 1948 Harry Truman recalled vacationing members of the ’do-nothing’ congress to force them to vote on a slew of issues ranging from civil rights to social security; issues that had become part of Thomas Dewey’s internally unpopular campaign platform. When very little of substance happened--and Republicans were unable to offer the media a justifiable excuse for their vacationing in a time of perceived national need--Truman won a substantial public relations victory for his party, and points towards his eventual (but uncertain at the time) re-election.
With the current Democratic congress scoring below even Mr. Bush right now in public approval, this would be a perfect opportunity for Bush to call a special session of congress (with the vociferous support of John McCain audible in the background) to force the Democrats to pass an energy bill. One vote sent the congress on vacation, and there are still emboldened Republicans giving speeches in the darkened halls of Nancy Pelosi’s Pollitt Bureau at this moment: There’s no reason that that one vote shouldn’t be held over the heads of every congressional Democrat across the nation who voted to adjourn, at least from a tactical standpoint.
McCain's trying to distance himself from Bush, not be seen working with him. Bush, Sr.?--sure thats okay. But George W? I'd be very surprised if we see any photos of the two men standing next to each other before November. And so much of our energy problems are due to the Iraq fiasco, so I don't see how your idea helps Republicans or makes them look good. Just brings to light how far we've descended in the 8 years of Bush/Cheney.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean that McCain and W. should appear together, just that it could be profitable for Bush to pull a Truman on the Democrats. It would also be something McCain could use on the campaign trail, because as it is, he has very little, and uses that small quantity poorly.
ReplyDeleteI'd argue that McCain's best bet is to do nothing and see/hope that Obama's campaign implodes. Energy bills, immigration bills--those issues are too complex to use in a campaign. Both candidates would be better served to avoid these issues. If the stupid Dems had chosen Clinton, the race would have been over already, but Obama's got very serious weaknesses. Course, its honestly very difficult to look at McCain--he looks unhealthy and seems permanently...tight. Like his underwear's on wrong. Well, lets hope for an entertaining campaign!
ReplyDeleteI hope it will be an entertaining campaign. I don't follow any sports, so this is as close as I've got.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it would liven things up if someone sent McCain a thong...