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| Jolly's Win is Jolly News for GOP (and the USA) |
In a bellwether special Congressional
race, a long-time aide for a long-time Congressman, a flawed (and former
lobbyist) Republican David Jolly faced
off against Florida’s 2010 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink to
finish out the term of recently deceased Bill Young, who had represented the
district for forty-two years, the longest serving Republican in the House of
Representatives.
Pundits on both sides of the aisle considered this race as a potential harbinger for what the 2014 election turnout.
If that is the case, then the turnout is not looking good for Democrats.
Despite a Republican representative for the greater part of four decades, President Obama won the 13th Congressional district by four points (2008) then one point (2012), as well as carrying the state. Then again, the fact that the Democratic registration was favoring Sink should have sunk the chances of Republicans capitalizing on national Democratic demagoguery sinking the liberal party.
The Democratic Party sank many times over the campaign donations into Sink's campaign, and Republican Establishment leaders were beginning to prep for an unpleasant loss for their candidate. The entrance of a third-party Libertarian candidate was not helping things for the Republican candidate, either.
Yet on election night, the media called the race for Jolly. Sink sank, and Jolly swam to victory.
What are the implications of this race?
First of all, despite the hard-pressed protestations of the Democratic Party, including Debbie Wasserman-Shultz's argument that the district would stay Republican since the seat had been a GOP mainstay for decades, Obamacare is a strong selling point for Republicans this cycle. Not one GOP vote supported the final reconciliation of Obamacare in 2010, and the bill has been nothing but a dead body dragging down the Democratic ticket.
Second of all, a third party spoiler does not have to ruin chances for the Republican opposition in key races. The Florida 13th Congressional district race brought in big names for both sides, including former President Bill Clinton, and possible future GOP Presidential candidates Paul Ryan and US Senator Rand Paul. Paul the more libertarian candidate whipped up support for the Republican, despite Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby in the race.
Pundits on both sides of the aisle considered this race as a potential harbinger for what the 2014 election turnout.
If that is the case, then the turnout is not looking good for Democrats.
Despite a Republican representative for the greater part of four decades, President Obama won the 13th Congressional district by four points (2008) then one point (2012), as well as carrying the state. Then again, the fact that the Democratic registration was favoring Sink should have sunk the chances of Republicans capitalizing on national Democratic demagoguery sinking the liberal party.
The Democratic Party sank many times over the campaign donations into Sink's campaign, and Republican Establishment leaders were beginning to prep for an unpleasant loss for their candidate. The entrance of a third-party Libertarian candidate was not helping things for the Republican candidate, either.
Yet on election night, the media called the race for Jolly. Sink sank, and Jolly swam to victory.
What are the implications of this race?
First of all, despite the hard-pressed protestations of the Democratic Party, including Debbie Wasserman-Shultz's argument that the district would stay Republican since the seat had been a GOP mainstay for decades, Obamacare is a strong selling point for Republicans this cycle. Not one GOP vote supported the final reconciliation of Obamacare in 2010, and the bill has been nothing but a dead body dragging down the Democratic ticket.
Second of all, a third party spoiler does not have to ruin chances for the Republican opposition in key races. The Florida 13th Congressional district race brought in big names for both sides, including former President Bill Clinton, and possible future GOP Presidential candidates Paul Ryan and US Senator Rand Paul. Paul the more libertarian candidate whipped up support for the Republican, despite Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby in the race.
This time, Senator Paul can argue that
his influence helped a Republican win a seat in Congress, even if the
candidate-turned-Congressman does not support all his views.
Third, the Democratic Congressional leadership, which all but announced that they were giving up on the House just to hold onto the US Senate, have more reasons to rebuff any notion that they can win back the house, and may hemorrhage more seats. Two red state Democrats, Jim Matheson of Utah and Patrick McIntyre of North Carolina have announced their retirement, assuring that their GOP leaning districts will welcome a Republican candidate in November.
Third, the Democratic Congressional leadership, which all but announced that they were giving up on the House just to hold onto the US Senate, have more reasons to rebuff any notion that they can win back the house, and may hemorrhage more seats. Two red state Democrats, Jim Matheson of Utah and Patrick McIntyre of North Carolina have announced their retirement, assuring that their GOP leaning districts will welcome a Republican candidate in November.
Fourth, Republicans can and should play
up Obamacare’s $500 billion seizure from Medicare, which pays for the Obamacare
Medicare expansions. In a district where one out of four voters is a senior,
Democratic cat-calls of “GOP will toss granny off a cliff” are not going to
work.
Fifth, and this is according to Politico, the
Democratic Party is not only divided on life, on liberty, on gun rights, on the
role of the state regarding the invasion of our party, but the disparate, and
desperate Democrats trying to salvage their reelection chances have no idea how
to market the best strategy regarding Obamacare. Should they blame the
President for not going far enough in demanding a single-payer system (which
would only magnify the Obamacare debacle into oblivion), or should the stump
the line that Obamacare is OK, just needs radical surgery?
Sink tried the second approach, and sunk,
and that’s the better of the two options.
The Republicans are looking jolly good for
2014, and they can thank David Jolly’s jolly win in Florida’s 13th
Congressional District special election.
Yawn.
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