GVChamp,
see my earlier post:
moreover, i would say that even had the GOP not capitalized on the ACA fracas-- which i agree would probably be too tempting of a target to ignore-- they would have certainly picked up seats anyway in 2010 and 2012 just by not being in charge.
the big question now is if the tactical seat differential is going to be worth the decisive left-wing shift that the constant attacks on the ACA have engendered. if you recall, single-payer was considered too fringe to be even considered when Dems had a huge 2008 majority; now it is completely mainstream within the Democratic Party, and that's not least due to the Republicans running down the ACA.
it is somewhat akin to the current President, for instance. a Pyrrhic victory that will ultimately do significantly greater damage to the conservative cause in the long run.
I don't see what else the GOP could've done that would've been any better or won them anything they wanted.
a smarter, more tactically oriented GOP would have just shrugged and negotiated during the crafting of the ACA to throw in some more conservative ideas. instead, being in lockstep means that the Dems would also be free to ignore them.
or, failing that, when the GOP got into power this year, get rid of a few taxes, declare a victory, and go on to what they REALLY care about-- tax reform, which is essentially giving away goodies vice taking them away.
or, failing that, when the GOP got into power this year, get rid of a few taxes, declare a victory, and go on to what they REALLY care about-- tax reform, which is essentially giving away goodies vice taking them away.
the big question now is if the tactical seat differential is going to be worth the decisive left-wing shift that the constant attacks on the ACA have engendered. if you recall, single-payer was considered too fringe to be even considered when Dems had a huge 2008 majority; now it is completely mainstream within the Democratic Party, and that's not least due to the Republicans running down the ACA.
it is somewhat akin to the current President, for instance. a Pyrrhic victory that will ultimately do significantly greater damage to the conservative cause in the long run.
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