Bring On the Non-Drama Election
By: WSJ
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Don't look now, but the political era of existential-crisis mongering may be reaching its overdue end. Thank Democrats for screwing the basics up so badly as to focus minds.
That's the takeaway of Joe Biden's breathless Wednesday speech. It used to be that if a president scheduled prime-time air to warn the nation of a "threat" to "democracy," from "dark forces," that has placed everything from our "personal freedoms" to the "rule of law" "on the ballot"—he'd be referring to something like World War II, and get a listen. The Biden speech got a shrug. Voters have sat through this apocalyptic movie many times now, and know its anticlimactic ending. Besides, they're busy searching for spare change to cover the rising grocery bill.
Not that the left isn’t giving it the old middle-school try. The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel warns we are in a “polycrisis,” of “war, extreme weather, contagion, concentration,” coupled with “poverty,” “homegrown dictators,” “obscene inequality,” “big money,” “election deniers,” “nativism,” and “oceans of disinformation and dishonesty.” Barack Obama told an Arizona rally this week that democracy “may not survive” the midterm election: “That’s not an exaggeration.” The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols recently tweeted: “The United States is facing the greatest danger to its constitutional system since at least the 1950s, if not the *18*50s, and millions of people are like: Yeah, but gas, man.”
Yeah, but gas, man. And hallelujah. Bring on the non-drama election.
For those counting, this is the fourth cycle Democrats have made histrionic claims of external threat, internal menace and political demise. Donald Trump became their foil, and no claim about him or his supporters became too absurd. Collusion with Russia! Institutions crumbling! Rule of law—gone! Climate melting down! Nation succumbing to nationalists, racists, misogynists, phobes of all kinds! Voter suppression! Minority tyranny! Insurrection! Along the way the left conjoined its agenda with the saving of humanity: If you want to rescue “democracy,” kill the filibuster, end oil, put the feds in charge of voting, censor “disinformation,” raise taxes, forgive debt, expand entitlements, and celebrate Disney ’s “Lightyear.”
Only Mr. Trump is neither on the ballot nor in the White House, an absence that has freed the collective American mind to refocus on the real, and worrisome, domestic policy issues at hand. Democrats have clarified matters further by governing in an aggressively ideological and unserious way. Democratic spending sent inflation raging, and recession looms. The stock market—meaning 401(k)s and 529s—is in the tank. The left’s assault on domestic energy feeds untenable energy prices. Their defund-the-police movement produces soaring crime. Blue-state school lockdowns set kids back by years. The border barely exists.
So yeah, but gas, man. In the recent Wall Street Journal poll, 64% of respondents said this midterm is “more important” than most elections. Asked why, the categories that got the significant majority of support included “we need change,” “current administration failing,” “anti-Democrat,” “fiscal issues,” inflation, crime and immigration. Only 13% listed “democracy in danger” and 12% “anti-Republican”—Mr. Biden’s audience.
So why keep ignoring the vast majority’s concerns? Mr. Biden gave the same speech in Philadelphia in September, and Democratic fortunes have declined nearly every week since. One obvious answer is that Democrats don’t have a good story to tell. Which gets to the other: The only agenda progressives will allow the president to sell is one that even the Biden White House knows is too toxic to campaign on.
What’s the president supposed to say? Elect Democrats, and we’ll spend a lot more money during this time of inflation! Elect Democrats, and we’ll raise taxes on the verge of recession! Mr. Biden could have pivoted long ago to a message that resonates with more of the electorate: pro-energy, pro-growth, pro-fiscal-rectitude. But his base would lose its mind. So Mr. Biden is left talking to them alone, using the “threat to democracy” to spur Democratic turnout.
There’s a potent lesson for Republicans, too. If this election is showing anything, it’s that most Americans are exhausted by hysteria, impeachment, live congressional investigations, conspiracy theories and politicians who keep wrecking standards and norms in the name of saving democracy.
They want a governing class that acknowledges their real problems, presents a sober plan for tackling them, engages in regular order and—more than anything—meets that baseline requirement of acting grown up. Should the GOP win one or both chambers of Congress, it will face intense pressure from some in its own base to engage in retribution politics, to follow Democrats into the fever swamps of nonstop drama.
Democracy isn’t on the ballot this year, but America does have a lot of economic and domestic problems that need solutions. Republicans have two years before the 2024 presidential election to prove they have a plan, that they can be better trusted. A tip: Don’t waste this opportunity.
Kimberley A. Strassel
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The democrat's strategy was to call their opponents "a threat to democracy." They never defended the Biden policies.
We may know early Tuesday night what the fate of the leftist controlled democratic party will be.
I'll be here and I'll be watching the event courtesy of Bret Baier & Martha MacCallum.
It all comes down to Tuesday night.
That is exactly what they are.
Dishonest gaslighting. In other words just another day at work for conservative pundits. Half the above paragraph is spent dismissing concerns about Trump , the other half belittles concerns about climate change and the social safety net.
Days after this election Trump is going to announce he is running in 2024 and start to dominate (not that he doesnt already) a large section of national attention and media.
My main concern about this election is not that the Republicans will gain control for two years . There will be a Democratic president which can veto any crazy thing the right votes for. My concern is the alarming stupidity and dishonesty we see from too much of the American people.
This election will not solve a single thing, but only set the stage for more humongous problems in the near future.
Days after this election Biden's DOJ could produce an indictment. That would end Trump running in 2024.
My main concern about this election is not that the Republicans will gain control for two years . There will be a Democratic president which can veto any crazy thing the right votes for.
And by the same token, the radical policies and appointments of Biden will be over.
This election will not solve a single thing, but only set the stage for more humongous problems in the near future.
In the 80's it took 3 election cycles to rid the country of bad ideas. It will take at least that to hold an evil ideology in check.
LOL. Absolutely not. Trump has already said he would run even if indicted. He will use an indictment as a sympathy card among his deranged following. Where have you been for the past few years?
Not only will Trump run if indicted, he will win the nomination.
No one in the Republican Party has the balls to tell Trump to get lost. No one. The only two people who did were kicked out of the party, Cheney and Kinzinger.
You are in a bubble Vic.
From a jail cell? Where will he be in 2024?
You are in a bubble Vic.
You are obsessed with Trump.
Fuck off.
If Trump runs you will support him. Dont fucking lie.
If Trump is the nominee I will support him.
Dont fucking lie.
I've only said it a thousand times. I've also said that I would prefer DeSantis. I want to make sure we win over the fucking left.
Donald Trump tried to overthrow our government. Why aren't you demanding that he be shunned out of conservative politics?
As soon as he appears to be getting the upper hand you will be 100% behind him Vic. We all know that.
I disagree.
Why aren't you demanding that he be shunned out of conservative politics?
In a strict sense, he is not a Conservative. He is a Nationalist and better still, DeSantis is a Nationalist who is also a reactionary!
As soon as he appears to be getting the upper hand you will be 100% behind him Vic.
I'll be 100% behind any Republican nominee. Right now my main choice is Ron DeSantis.
They still don't get it. They had power. They hurt people.
Think the myopic fools will realize too late that the economy, crime, and immigration are far more important to today's voters, or will it take the usual Democratic autopsy to convince them they really screwed the pooch this year?
Moderate democrats will, especially when they realize how many moderate democrats will be voting Republican on Tuesday night.
Can't wait to hear how the Democrats simply had a "messaging" problem and that voters were just too stupid to fall for the Democrats' bullshit again.
We'll have a lengthy discussion on just that Wednesday morning.
Then you dont know what the fuck you are talking about.
John, I'm sure Vic is so hurt by your classy response!
"If Trump runs you will support him".
Carnac the Magnificent has spoken!
I have been watching for the last seven years, have you?
Conspiracy theories like "Donald Trump tried to overthrow our government." are the result of the test subjects running the experiment.
I most certainly have. That's why I refuse to vote Democrat.
He is saying what the majority of them want to but won't.
Yep, two individuals who were dyed in the wool RINO"s.
Left out was packing the Supreme Court and ending the Electoral College. That is called Fascism John. The very thing the left is supposedly against.
Try taking out the trash on your side of the isle for a change; instead of ignoring it or glorifying it.
As for climate change and Trump.
Trump, (for those with TDS and are deaf, dumb, and blind), is no longer president. Brandon the human fuck up machine is. Who gave two very Fascist purely political speeches using his power of office to do so. In the first bathed in blood red light and flanked by two marines in full dress uniform he threatened to use the US military against those that didn't agree with them. In the second he tried to tied an illegal immigrant deranged lunatic (that was bitching about there not being any houses available for unicorns- definitely either on something- or typical California weird) with political views all across the spectrum, that attacked Paul Pelosi to Jan 6th and Republicans. Brandon couldn't help but speak out of both sides of his mouth trying to call for calm and peace; and turn anyone that didn't agree with Democrats into mindless cretins; or terrorist supporters out to end Democracy.
Democrats have done nothing to address climate change. Over population is the number one driver of climate change; but Democrats are allowing millions of migrants into our country across the southern border (with millions more coming)- with no plan on how to provide resources for them; or even US citizens that are hurting. Until Democrats secure the US border security and end all illegal immigration they can STFU about anything concerning climate change.
You are correct about one thing, Brandon can veto all Republican bills. What you forget is Brandon and the Democrats are already guilty of doing what they impeached Trump once on. Trying to force an allied country (Saudi Arabia) to help Democrats win an election (by forcing them to maintain increased oil production against their own best interests); by threatening to end US military aide. Using Democrat rules- that is an automatic slam dunk impeachment. Secondly- since Garland is a chicken shit, corrupt, partisan, asshole- who will not appoint a special prosecutor to the Hunter Biden criminal investigation that has direct ties to Brandon- Republicans can and should impeach Brandon for money laundering, accepting bribes from foreign countries, and everything else Democrats accused Trump of doing. Brandon, his administration, and Democrats can spend the next two years fighting impeachments (Mayorkas and Garland should be impeached as well).
Republicans need to stick with their contract with America and send bills to Brandon's desk (even if he vetoes them all). They also need to drag every last Fascist Democrat dealing into light of day. Let the American people see Democrats for what they truly are.
In 2024 voters will again get to decide between the awful Republicans; and the full on corrupt Fascist Democrats. What a great country we live in with Establishment two party rule.
Shouldn't you add "violence" to that list?
They really don't want to; otherwise Democrats will be forced to eat an overly healthy dose of the Summer of Love; and crime rates.
When it comes to violence leftists will not be outdone.
The never ending hysteria, negativity, paranoia, fear mongering, the sky is falling cackling, by these stupid leftist brain dead imbeciles is amazing. Their biggest mistake will be obsessing about Trump, instead of the issues that concern most Americans
They really think that the American people will buy that. For that to happen the entire country would have to become enamored with the likes of Derrick Bell. It's a pity that the entire nation didn't get indoctrinated, isn't it?
I watched Jordan Kleppers election special where he interviews people at Trump and other MAGA style rallies. The ignorance expressed by these people is terrifying. The fact that there may be tens of millions of them should make normal people completely depressed.
I don't have time for leftist comedians. As for the concerns of the common folk, I'm with William F Buckley: the only people I fear hold college degrees.
"I don't have time for leftist comedians."
Especially ones that cherry pick their interviews and are not very good comedians anyway!
Democrats are engaged in the same old dirty trick of trying to get voters to fight each other. We're not supposed to pay attention to Democrat candidates; we're supposed to worry about how our neighbors vote. Our neighbors are the threat. Democrats are trying to deliberately start a dog fight or a cock fight. Democrat politics is a blood sport.
We're not going to know the outcome till days after the election. The thing about in-person voting at the polls is that the voters also tabulate their votes. That's how the voting machines are designed to work. For mail-in voting someone else has to feed the ballots into the tabulating machines. And the folds and creases in mail-in ballots become another hanging chad. Don't be surprised that there is jockeying for placement of candidates on a fold or crease to squirrel the tabulation. There will likely be several hand recounts just like there was over hanging chads.
Apparently, the one thing that sunlight does not disinfect is hubris and y'all got a bad case of gaslighting each other's 'exceptionalism'. Highly amusing to outsiders.
Although Brazil seemed to have no problem with electronic voting, America seems to have endless problems from hanging chads, to intimidation, to gerrymandering, to "fixed" voting machines, to voter fraud, etc etc. I've never known Canada having a problem with multiparty poll observers, paper ballots and pencils and counting them by hand.
People who think it isnt possible for Trump to try and overthrow the government because he was part of it are dumbasses.
Trump tried to subvert another branch of the government and subvert and prevent the normal transfer of power from one administration to the next. Only an idiot doesnt understand that. Trump was told that the Eastman plan was illegal but tried to have it carried out anyway.
I dont know if people who deny these things just havent been paying attention or are just morons.
People who think Trump tried to overthrow the government and Jan 6th was a coup attempt are dumbasses. The FBI already proved Trump had no direct contact with the groups that "planned" the Jan 6th riot.
Bold line for those to lazy to read the article.
Really? As compared to Democrats weaponizing the IRS, DOJ, and FBI against their opponents. Successfully might I add. Democrats also want to do away with the electoral college; and national elections taking away the rights of states. Seems the Constitution doesn't matter to the Fascist Democrats. Throw in packing the Supreme Court; ending the filibuster; and trying to create a disinformation department under the DHS. Democrats want ne party rule- typical of all Fascists.
Pot meet kettle. Take care of your own Fascist Party first.
“Take care of your own Fascist Party first.”
As your own ‘fascist’ party runs roughshod across the country. State GOP majorities have already passed legislation limiting personal freedoms…and depending upon the outcome of the midterms expect federal action on similar legislation. Thanks be for the firewall that is the veto.
The effort to overturn the election results is the evidence that there was an intent to overthrow the election. What the FBI said about Jan 6th is almost entirely irrelevant to Trumps plans and intentions.
Do you know what the Eastman memo was? Do you know what the Raffensberger phone call was? Do you know what Trumps efforts to recruit fake electors was? Evidently not.
There isnt the slightest doubt that Trump tried to overthrow the government. He was told by his white house lawyers that his plan for Jan 6 was illegal and he tried to put it in motion anyway.
And the whole purpose of "stop the steal" was to cause chaos at the Capitol and cause Congress to either give the election to him or delay the certification long enough to allow him to put other plans to steal the election into play. This is not speculation, it is what happened.
Democrats and leftists really need to look up the definition of Fascism.
.
They have been exposing this since Bill Clinton was found to have taken Red Chinese money and was forced to return it... (the bundler went to prison)
The fact that the Communists have been supporting the Democrats in this country financially for decades now is no surprise...
Where there is a will, there is a way, The Chinese gave to the Obama campaign through untraceable Visa prepaid credit cards.
Great information. Let me give you some equally valid. China was actually behind the January 6 insurrection, and It wasn't Japan that bombed Pearl Harbor - those slanty eyes belonged to the Chinese, not the Japanese, doing a false flag invasion flying Japanese flags in order to start a war in the Pacific in order to provide balance for the one in Europe.
Got to watch out for those Commies, America's number one enemy. Give Tom Cotton access to the red button so he can push it to make sure there won't ever be another movie quiz unless you do one yourself.
Absolutely!!! {chuckle} the next thing you know they will be invading so they can catch all our dogs for dinner!
Duck Soup brother...
But the fact that the democrats have been taking Chinese government money for decades is unfortunately a fact that cannot be denied... Hell people have been convicted for it and are spending time in prisons, a lot of time...
Maybe somebody will make a movie about it. Here's a little cartoon about how things are going these days...gets lots of good stuff done, eh?