Lessons from Arizona

Looking for voter motivations in the Grand Canyon State.

Jeff Taylor | November 9, 2006

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are also headed on the issue. o:p>  /o:p> /p>

And in passing, it is impossible to look at the tattered remains of Barry Goldwater's GOP in today's Arizona and conclude that Sen. John McCain now stands like a colossus on the national political scene. Yet here is The Washington Times headline, "McCain gains political capital in elections."

p class="MsoNormal">That conclusion seems to be totally based upon McCain's willingness to step up to the plate and blame the 2006 result on Bush's unpopularity. McCain immediately went on a TV offensive last night to position himself as the solution to all Republican woe, the '08 fix to the '06 breakdown. o:p>  /o:p> /p>

Yet McCain could not even help candidates like Graf, whom McCain endorsed late in the race with Graf trailing badly and despite their differences on immigration. That McCain's backing meant so little to his home-state GOPers again indicates McCain's weakness with the Republican rank-and-file that would have to nominate him for president. This small detail is repeatedly overlooked by network gabfest bookers and '08 handicappers. But do not expect that to stop the TV blitz.

p class="MsoNormal">Finally, Americans will get a very quick check on just how much out of practice the Dems might be after 12 years in the wilderness. A smart and clever party would immediately make plans for some mumbo-jumbo, sleight-of-hand action in Congress that would ditch their gloomy election rhetoric and begin to take credit for a strong and vibrant economy. o:p>  /o:p> /p>

The actual economy is fairly booming, with low unemployment, low inflation, and relatively low interest rates. Only $2 a gallon gas tells voters that things are not Pareto optimal, and they already blame George Bush for that anyway. Only a party with a death wish would embark on some macro-economic heavy lifting right now and thus supply a dazed GOP with something to rally against.

Yet, as incredible as it might seem, America may well have two stupid parties locked in needlessly mortal political combat for the foreseeable future. Hooray?