When Trouble Appears, I Am Not Slow

Mr. Yglesias makes an interesting point here. To me, anyway, since, this morning, there was a huge primer about the upcoming election in the local paper. Candidates, issues, dates, times, a decent guide to everyone who hasn't been paying attention and is now just realizing they've only got two months or so before it all comes crashing home. What struck me most was the fundraising. Not that the Democrats were outraising the Republicans by a wide margin. But that they had vastly more cash in hand as well. That hasn't been the norm for a long time now. It's typically been the Repubs who've had the money advantage in their favor. But every indication is that, this year, it's the Conservatives who are the ones who have an uphill climb in terms of public opinion and tactical advantages. One that they're not very used to overcoming.

The Republican Party is in pretty desperate straights, then. Ruined, like so many things, on the shoals of the current administration's ambition. It's going to get worse for them before it gets better. But it will get better which is why their distinguished competition needs to get their own acts together. What the Democrats have now is a chance, a slim window opened by happenstance, in which to redefine themselves and the national agenda for years to come. But like the fading glory of the 2006 election it's one they're not taking advantage of. Yet. And the question, for me, is why? Why have things become so mired in caution and despair when we could be making the most of this opportunity?

A large part (Although, I think, not all of it.) has to do with the defensive crouch. Democrats, liberals, are so used to being under the bootheel that it's become internalized. They start every game in a defensive posture. They play not to lose. All because they haven't realized that the odds have turned in their favor. And that's not a time to play things cautiously. That's the time to push your chips to the middle of the table and ram your advantage home.