possibly noteworthy wrote:
George Packer:

Have the Republicans run out of ideas?

It continue to be shocked to see opinions like this given all the talk of the permanent majority after 2004. I think Republicans over estimated their position in 2004 and this article under estimates their position in 2008. Do Democrats have ideas? About healthcare perhaps, but not about Iraq nor social security nor the economy. The fact that Republicans have been winning on wedge issues does go to show you that they don't have real issues to win on, but I don't think that Democrats are any more charged. The electricity in this year's Democratic campaign has more to do with the moral victory of electing someone who isn't a white male and ending an unpopular war. Are they going to unfuck the housing crisis? Its over their heads. Ultimately, you've got two complacent, corrupt, authoritarian groups, funded by people who benefit financially from the status quo, who spend all their time trying to figure out how to win elections and don't have any inclination to also bother thinking about where this country ought to go.

RE: The Political Scene: The Fall of Conservatism