The Nothing Party

Reihan Salam nails it on the 2010 mid-term elections.

One wonders how many young voters will return. It's possible that 2008 saw an unusually high level of youth turnout that won't be replicated any time soon. If unemployment surpasses 10 percent and stays there for a prolonged period, youth unemployment will presumably be somewhat higher. These voters might not be inclined to actively and energetically support the party in power at that point. To be sure, it's not clear that Republicans will be able to win them over. A jobs-focused agenda would help. John Harwood suggests that Republicans will emphasize jobs on the campaign trail. ... But what exactly will the G.O.P. do to revitalize the economy?

Exactly nothing is what they'll do. Even if they gain seats in both houses of Congress, they are going to be without the power to do anything without having to deal with the Democrats. In all likelihood, the Dems will retain their majorities, so all they'll really have is filibuster power in the Senate. If anyone thinks John Boehner will turn Republican electoral House gains into substantive policy gains before 2012, he's smoking some serious crack.

What Republicans have failed to address is the fact that their party no longer stands for anything. Fiscal responsibility? Not since they (and their Blue-Dog Dem cohorts) have stood in the way of any meaningful health insurance reform. Anti-terrorism? Not by the Bush/Cheney standards. Social conservatism? Well, given the fact that the GOP is now owned by the Christianists, this is really all they have to hang their hats on. But really -- America has never really given a shit about this stuff.

Remember my prediction: Republicans out of the White House for the next generation, so long as Obama has the political capital he still has. At every turn, he has masterfully allowed the Republicans to paint themselves into a corner as the Party of No. In an economy that is on its way to recovery, what better campaign rhetoric can there be than to portray one's opponents as against everyting that helped America get back on its feet?