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“A” for Effort
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02/09/07 09:16 AM ET
Well, it’s finally over. The first 100 hours of the new 110th Congress have passed and not much has changed. The new Democrat majority is still spending money faster than a Vegas wedding, and talking big about the war in Iraq.
Yet a closer look at those first few items Democrats moved through the Congress reveals an interesting paradigm — the lack of demand for their passage by average Americans. Think about it — how many Americans do you know clamored for the passage of “non-interference” for Medicare Part D? Even the minimum wage polled less than 2 percent of issues Americans wanted Congress to address in 2007. Only the topic of ethics reform polled greater than 15 percent in a post-Election Day ranking among registered voters — and the new Congress made quick business of that topic.
Yet despite the relative lack of popularity for these “signature” issues, the new Majority’s move was a tactical success. Why? Simple, it showed progress — something lacking in an institution that personified ineptitude for much of 2006. So give the Democrats credit. Even playing these “small ball” tactics and moving legislation that Joe Six Pack can relate to is far better for your political future than simply doing nothing and blaming the other guy. Republicans would do well to borrow a page from this back-to-basics playbook.
Yet a closer look at those first few items Democrats moved through the Congress reveals an interesting paradigm — the lack of demand for their passage by average Americans. Think about it — how many Americans do you know clamored for the passage of “non-interference” for Medicare Part D? Even the minimum wage polled less than 2 percent of issues Americans wanted Congress to address in 2007. Only the topic of ethics reform polled greater than 15 percent in a post-Election Day ranking among registered voters — and the new Congress made quick business of that topic.
Yet despite the relative lack of popularity for these “signature” issues, the new Majority’s move was a tactical success. Why? Simple, it showed progress — something lacking in an institution that personified ineptitude for much of 2006. So give the Democrats credit. Even playing these “small ball” tactics and moving legislation that Joe Six Pack can relate to is far better for your political future than simply doing nothing and blaming the other guy. Republicans would do well to borrow a page from this back-to-basics playbook.
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