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Most Americans tend to suffer from a major case of tunnel vision every four years. Yes . . . This is a leap year, which means Presidential elections. However . . . The presidency is not the only office up for grabs. There also a large number of congressional seats that will be decided, as well as the presidency.
The Republicans have two distinct, yet separate problems this election year. Hanging on to the White House, and keeping as many congressional seats as they can. The Democrats have two presidential candidates.
If Obama gets the nomination: It will be better for the presidential race. Obama is relatively unknown, and Republicans know that they can run their attacks adds against him, much more efficiently, giving McCain a better chance of winning the precedential race. However . . . If Obama wins the nomination. Most Clinton supports will turn out in the general election to support Obama anyway! If only to vote against McCain. This would be very bad for the Republican congressional races.
If Clinton wins the nomination: This is bad for McCain. The Republicans loose the White House, out right. The Republicans would have nothing to run against. However . . . It would be very good for the congressional races. Since most Obama supporters would most likely decide to not vote at all, since their man did not get the nomination. Which would mean (potentially) millions of lost votes for the congressional seats.
From the Republican perspective: Obama gives McCain a better chance of winning the presidency, but would cost the Republicans congressional seats. Clinton would win the White House, but the party would have a much better chance of retaining more congressional seats. It is a lose-lose situation for the Republicans.
From the Democratic perspective: Obama would essentially make the presidency a rubber stamp, for the Democratic controlled congress. For the first time in decades, congress would actually be able to get some over due, and much needed work done. Making necessary repairs to the country, from all of the damage that has been done to this country for the last quarter century, is the primary concern of the Democratic party right now. So the party wants Clinton to bow out, and let the presidential election work itself out. With any luck, the Democrats stand to gain enough seats to override most McCain vetoes, if Obama should lose.
For both parties: The presidential election is just a side show event. For most Americans: Suffering from ‘presidential tunnel vision! ‘ It is congress that is responsible for getting the work done, and the current stalemate has got to end, before it is too late.
The best that the Republicans can hope for, is a split. A Republican White House, to try to counter the democratic controlled congress. Which is why there is this split in the Republican cross-over voting. Fighting for the White House would almost certainly mean giving up the congress, but would give the Republicans some veto power over the congressional.
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So long, and thanks for all of the fish!!!
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