Another election has resulted in the ousting of the party in power. That’s three elections in succession. It’s likely that 2012 could see the pattern repeated if Republicans can complete the sweep, as the Democrats did in ’08, by retaking the remaining chamber of congress and the White House. Is America really that divided? The answer is both yes and no.
Certainly it is true that party registration, with minor fluctuations, is split roughly evenly between Republicans, Democrats and Independents, with a spattering of marginal third parties. Mobilizing the base and party based voter enthusiasm clearly play a role in the swings of recent years. Mobilization, enthusiasm and split affiliation impact the whole, giving inordinate weight to Independents.
But, there is a common theme as well that moves the registration numbers in small variables, that inspires Independents and centrists from both parties in their desire to drive out the party in power in what is evolving into a four to six year cycle. Except for the hard core partisans, Americans want the country governed effectively. That desire for effective governance is a vision that neither political party can deliver. Nor could a third party, despite the hue and cry for an option different from Republican or Democrat.
The problem is not partisan, but systemic. Many on both sides of the aisle are dedicated, intelligent and talented people who enter politics with honor and a principled commitment to serve. The reality they face is different from the ideals that inspired their initial interest. Catering to a radical base either left or right, the pressing need for more and more cash and the heavy hand of special interest influence peddlers crush the best of principled intentions.
With the constant need to appease a radical base, raise cash and dole out favors to special interests who represent both the ability to fund elections and reach core constituencies, political leaders have little opportunity to govern in the best interests of the country or her people. Add to that the dominance of negative campaigning to secure election victories, and governance devolves to an irrelevancy. Calming recounting accomplishments is drowned out by name calling and accusations. It brought down the Bush II administration and the Republicans. Now the same is happening in reverse to the Obama administration and the Democrats.
Sadly, the critics who shout the negative epithets are too often right. What is accomplished, at least at the national level, is often an amalgamated hodgepodge cobbled together to please interest groups and radical party factions, not principled law making. The Democrats were hung out to dry on Tuesday largely because of the economy and health care reform. A stimulus package that bailed out banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, government employees and auto makers, but left home owners, consumers and private sector employment in the wilderness played to the various power brokers, but did little for the broad economy or the people who depend upon it. Health care reform, written to appease more interest groups than sticks can be shaken at, rather than being designed to provide meaningful health care to tens of millions of insurance-less Americans, resulted in a bill that pleased no one and left a majority of voters fuming.
None of this is new. It is not substantively different from the special interest driven flummoxing of the Republicans of 2000-2006 under the leadership of the Bush/Cheney White House. And the result is the same, or will be after 2012. Four to six years in power, followed by a voter exorcism. The radical base, the cash gatherers and the power brokers will be appeased. The country will not be effectively governed in the interests of the vast majority of its people, and the voters will respond in kind.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.