Brown Win Could Help Save Democrats From Themselves
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 10:37AM 
(FLP Opinion) - The election of Scott Brown (R-MA) would actually help Democrats in the long run. It would force the party to move back toward the center and help recapture many of the moderate independents that may have abandoned them over the past twelve months. It would also greatly improve Barrack Obama's chances of re-election in 2012.
A Brown win could mean history repeating itself. Back in 1993 and 1994, the young Clinton administration arrogantly overreached on a number of far-left agenda items (Health Care, Gay in Military, etc.) and Democrats in Congress paid for it with massive losses in the 1994 mid-terms. This added up to Republicans taking control of the House and Senate and forced Clinton to move right to have any hope re-election.
This outcome proved fruitful for Clinton as his popularity improved dramatically with his move to the center. I'm concerned that Obama could realize a similar benefit if he is smart enough to see the writing on the wall and correct course.
However, that is no guarantee as Obama seems to be much more a leftist ideologue than Clinton ever was. Clinton was a pragmatist who, by all accounts, cared more about serving two terms and his long term legacy than anything else. Obama seems to care more about "fundamentally transforming this country" than either of those things.
In the end, I'm rooting hard for Scott Brown, but I'm aware of the potential collateral damage that could come from his victory.
Reader Comments (4)
Very interesting perspective. I'm not sure Obama is willing to come around though.
Once a Communist always a communist. They never change. Communism is a sickness of the mind. They are brainwashed.
I just don't think the guy would be willing to come far enough right to make a difference. That said, if he moved a millimeter, the press would make it sound like he moved five miles.
I have been saying the same thing, but I view Barack as an empty suit being run by others. They will run him into the ground to get their agenda across. Has anyone thought about what will happen next year in November and December if a whole bunch of Libs get voted out, they very well could pass some horrible legislation with no repercussions to themselves or their political careers.