Recent loss in Massachusetts is blamed on terrible campaign
Democrats and progressives may not see it now, but the election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts on Tuesday is a blessing in disguise.
Yes, a Republican significantly to the right of even John McCain is now sitting in the late Ted Kennedy’s seat.
But there are lessons to be learned from this election that Democrats would do well to heed.
Firstly, never take an election for granted.
Martha Coakley, the Democratic opponent of Scott Brown, took a three-week vacation after she won the Democratic primary in December.
Scott Brown was touring the state, shaking hands and speaking to whoever would listen.
Martha was checking her e-mail.
Next, we as Democrats need to stop pretending there are “liberal” and “conservative,” “blue” and “red” states.
This election has turned this idea on its head.
A state President Barack Obama won by a whopping 26 points in 2008 just elected a conservative “Tea Party” Republican.
There are only American states, and every American is an independent thinker.
Finally, Democrats in Congress need to do what they were elected to do: break the status quo.
Billions in giveaways to health insurance companies is not what I voted for.
I understand that Wall Street bailouts are a President George W. Bush precedent, but that is no excuse to continue to allow these (taxpayer-owned) giant corporations to give their CEOs tens of millions of dollars in bonuses — bonuses the taxpayers are paying for.
People often say “Where is my bailout?” and it is time you give them one; Michigan is desperate for jobs and the time has come for a national jobs bill.
Republicans are still promoting Bush-style tax cuts and war escalation. Real change will come from Democrats.
But it is up to each one of us to hold them to their word.
This election is how Massachusetts chose to do so. We will clean up our act and beat all expectations.
But resorting to Republicans is not the way to go.
Brad O’Donnell College Democrats President and Clinton Township junior
