> It's astonishing how a big unexpected victory changes the entire frame of
> reference in politics. The Dr. No strategy of the Repugs was seen as a
> loser until Mass: "What are they offering? The extremists are wagging the
> party." After Mass, it was seen as genius: they had all the enthusiasm, the
> Dems had nothing to show. Now that Obama has won healthcare, the whole
> frame looks like it might just reverse again. It's like a seesaw. Obama's
> do-nothingness now looks like steadiness and fortitude. What a difference
> success makes in politics. It's the true kernal in Rahm Emanuel's thinking.
> Success makes people see you as successful and makes them expect more
> success.
In turn, that suggests that the Reps did the best they could for themselves by trying to block anything and everything, no matter how sensible or otherwise.
-- Andy