For God's sake -- what is with all of the flame wars and recriminations? I spent a lot of time BEFORE the election criticizing Obama and the Congressional Democrats for bad policy decisions, and even worse political ones. But, once the election was over -- the first diary I posted was advice to the President on how to deal with the new GOP House.
I have also provided some more political advice for Democrats in various comments since Tuesday. Granted, I took a few snarky shots at Obama's (in my opinon) rather tepid and weak response to the election. And also to the DNC's. But...I am genuinely trying to provide useful advice to get out of this mess. (over)
I have seen a lot of diaries blaming one thing or another for what happened. I have seen many diaries highlighting the new GOP stupidity or various problems. What I have seen precious little of is genuine, intelligently thought out advice for Democrats and the President on how to fight back and win.
If we devoted half as much time and energy on coming up with creative and smart solutions and counter-strategies as we do to flaming and blaming one another -- we could actually help turn things around.
I am hoping -- nay praying -- that the President learns the correct lessons from this electoral defeat, and doesn't continue making the same mistakes that brought us to this point. Anyone suggesting that Obama and the Democrats in Congress didn't make any mistakes, should immediately be dismissed as out of touch with reality at this point.
And, defending the President's record, while admirable and understandable BEFORE the election when you are trying to influence the vote, seems rather obtuse and beside the point after the "shallack[ing]" the Democrats received.
But, be that as it may, we should all be trying to find ways to move forward and fix this. Just as folks asked what critics were doing to help win the election before Nov. 2 -- repeatedly -- I am now asking people to explain what they are doing NOW -- after the elction -- to fix what went wrong and regain momentum in our favor.
I know what I'm doing. I'm trying to come up with ways to fight back and reveal the GOP for the utter frauds that they are. Anyone care to join me? Or are you going to wallow in self-pity and recriminations instead?