Scott Brown Victory and Obama's First Year

Part 1: Scott Brown

A victory in Massachusetts? Who'd of thunk it. A year ago, a Republican getting into Ted Kennedy's seat wasn't even a dream, wasn't even under consideration. But now, the political atmosphere has changed, and it sure as hell doesn't like Democrats. Yes, Martha Coakley ran a campaign of ineptitude, yes she referred to Curt Schilling as a "Yankee's fan", and yes she managed to turn a 30 point lead into a 5 point loss. But there's more to it than just Coakley.

People elected Scott Brown because he is Scott Brown, he is for lower taxes and against new proposed taxes on banks. He effectively used the late President Kennedy's message for lower taxes and made it his own. Kennedy was promoting pro-growth policies, which is what the Obama Administration is completely failing to do by attacking business, treating them as disobedient children, and proposing such disatrous economic schemes as "cap and trade" and "public option". But its greater than Scott Brown, its Obama. After a year, Obama has failed to make progress on unemployment in this country, even after committing around $800 Billion (with warnings of dire economic consequences if this wasn't done quickly), and the Democrats placing blame on Bush is getting old, as they have been in the driver's seat for a year, enough time to make at least a dent in the economy. As Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) said about the situation in Massachusetts, "if you lose Massachusetts and that's not a wake-up call, there's no hope of waking up." Indeed, many of the Democrats, including David Axelrod, Obama's version of Karl Rove, are already attempting to minimize the unmistakeable impact of the situation.

Part 2: A Year in Review

This day marks the first anniversary of Obama's swearing in. Let's review what's happened and what results have been yielded:

What has Happened?

. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (now the statute of limitations is after last paycheck, rather than after contract was signed for anti-discrimination lawsuits).
. Stem Cell Research expanded.
. SCHIP signed (expanding children's healthcare through raising cigarette taxes).
. $800 Billion Stimulus.
. Credit Card Bill of Rights signed into law.
. Brings more troops into Afghanistan.
. Tries to bring to the House a potentially disastrous measure called the "Employee Free Choice Act", which would have enabled unions to know who did not support them in the card check process.
. Tried to shut down Gitmo, proves to be far more complicated a task than he or the Dems anticipated and it appears stalled now.
. Tried to get OPEC to reduce oil prices, answer was of course "no".
. Attempts to pass "Cap and Trade", but given the massive price the private sector not to mention the American consumers and workers would have to pay, it will probably not make it through.
. Flies to Copenhagen to push for the Olympics in 2016 to be held in Chicago, but Rio de Janiero is chosen instead.
. Went to Copenhagen for the Climate Conference, but negotiations fell apart because China won't play ball.
. Passes separate healthcare bills through House and Senate, but since the two versions are different, Congress is still negotiating.

If there's anything I've forgotten, please let me know.


Results?

. Democrats win by narrow margins in two special House elections in New York.
. Republican Chris Christie wins the Governorship of New Jersey while Republican Bob McDonnell wins the Governorship of Virginia.
. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) switches to Republican in a seat that hasn't been held by Republicans since Reconstruction.
. A Republican, Scott Brown, wins a seat in Massachusetts held by Democrats since John F. Kennedy defeated Republican incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. in 1952.
. The economy isn't better than it was a year ago.
. Obama's poll numbers are down.
. The healthcare plan is officially unpopular.

Overall:

2010 is going to be a fun year for Republicans, and this special election is a promising start.