The World Around You

“We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent.” - Barack Obama

Entries for November 14th, 2003

Should Democrats Give Up on the South?

Regular readers of this blog would know my answer is an emphatic NO! The argument is raised once again by a piece posted on washingtonpost.com that will appear in their Sunday magazine. They are also holding a chat on the topic today. The column by Thomas F. Schaller is difficult for me to stomach. His weakest argument is put forward here:

While the Democrats can still claim a slight lead in southern state legislatures — 13 of the South’s 24 House and Senate chambers — that margin is dismal compared to the overwhelming one they held three decades ago. The GOP controls the North Carolina House, the Georgia and Kentucky Senates, and both houses in Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia — chambers that, not long ago, Republicans only dreamed of controlling. After the 1974 elections, the Democrats controlled 37 legislatures, the Republicans four, with eight states divided. Thanks in part to southern gains, Republicans now control 21 legislatures to the Democrats’ 17, with the remaining 11 divided.

The representatives that are closest to the Southern people are still majority Democrat! But Schaller just ignores his own facts and keeps plowing forward with his doomed analysis. The question isn’t whether or not the Democrats can win in the South, they probably can’t. The question is the cost/benefit of at least making an attempt, therefore forcing the current administration to put up a fight as well. Conceding states narrows the battlefield for both sides, and there is still no guarantee that the “swing” states are winnable even if you put all of your money into them. Because no matter how narrow the field, the Democrats are going to lose the money race. The only way to combat the money is to encourage broad support and not to cede any territory to the other side.

Roy Moore Ousting Coverage

Local coverage of the Roy Moore ousting:

The Montgomery Advertiser headline read:NOT ‘ABOVE LAW’

The Birmingham News goes with: MOORE KICKED OFF STATE’S HIGH COURT

The Mobile Register just says: COURT COMMANDS MOORE’S REMOVAL

Roy revealed more on the 700 Club about what his announcement will be in the coming days that will “change the course of this country”.

Lee Webb: You have promised to make an announcement in the next few days that in your words will change or alter the course of this country. Now you have many friends who are watching this program right now. Many who have prayed for you, who have followed your story. Why don’t you give us a hint of what that announcement’s going to be?

Judge Moore: Well that announcement will be about legislation under Article 3 of the United States Consitution that could be passed by Congress to restrict the federal jurisdiction of the courts from stopping states from acknowledging God. And that’s what this issue is about.

If that’s all he’s talking about I’m not as concerned. If it’s something that will have to be passed through the US House and Senate I feel much more comfortable in saying, whatever it is, it’s not going to happen.