Each election season, as Republicans start to waver at the polls, out pops some new theme, meme, or extraordinary timed event, designed to take the spotlight from the Republicans' unblemished record of failure. It's become such a tradition that somewhere around the end of June, Democratic strategists start to chew on their fingernails. Sweat beads on foreheads. Eyes stare into the unfocused distance.
Sure, they think, we may be ahead now, but somewhere in a cave Karl Rove is tossing eye of Newt Gingrich into a steaming caldron. Any moment now, the vapors will condense into some horror that drives Democratic voters back -- back, I say! -- from the polls.
Maybe that will still happen, but this year there's a different breeze blowing in the autumn air, and if this breeze continues through October, it threatens to become a gale that sweeps congress clean. Democrats are stirring up their own pot o' Republican remover, and it has only one secret ingredient.
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The Democratic October Surprise -- A Spine
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Looking at the sections of the newly refined Democratic Spine, we can see that it's made up of three major areas. These are:
The Clintonian Region where Democrats no longer cede points to blowhard media pundits who are trying to set them up with attack questions just short of "when did you stop beating your wife." This region, exemplified by Bill Clinton's monumental ass-handing of Rove's Fox News sockpuppet, Chris Wallace. The Clintonian region allows every Democratic candidate to raise their chin, look their questioner in the eye and tell them that they will not get away with ridiculous, leading, prejudicial questions.
The Testorian Region is the core of the Democratic spine. This is where Democrats show that they're not willing to settle for compromise with idiocy and immorality. This is showcased in Jon Tester's clear response that he wouldn't "weaken" the Patriot Act, he would repeal this appallingly misguided legislation. A strong Testorian region enables Democrats to no longer fuss around with the details of programs that are fundamentally wrong -- whether it's the Patriot Act, illegal wiretaps, or the presidential torture approval act. With this bit of spine, they can stand straight and say "that is simply immoral, and it's not something we're going to tolerate in this country."
The Lamontian Region is at the base of the new Democratic spine. It's the base on which Democratic candidates are building a new, enthusiastic coalition of supporters who are willing to put their time and money into the proposition that there can be real change in Washington. The clearest example is Ned Lamont's smashing defeat of Joe Toady Lieberman. This strong foundation puts Democrats on their feet and gets them marching door to door, bringing the message that a new day is coming.
Sure, a Democratic spine might not be the kind of October surprise that we're used to seeing. No one made a behind the scenes deal with terrorists to free some hostages. No one baked a cake, sent a bible (with side order of weapons), or produced another "#2 man" from under some rock. The terror alert didn't even go up from... hey, where is the terror alert these days?
But there's one thing about Democratic spine: it's about the biggest surprise the Democrats can muster. After a decade and then some of playing rug to Republican jackboots, Democratic candidates are on their feet and in the face of those who want to paint them as weak and passive.
Surprise!