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Spotless Rug! No one has come in and tracked mud? But then, there are specks of dirt around the rug. Perhaps the pristine rug was laid over the dirt?

Just wondering!

You had a lot of great ideas there, Alprova. And you may have answered my question, as to why the asterisk??

Clara, what can I say? You are always "a breath of fresh air."

I can't wait for the 'vanguard' to come online a little later and start crowing about their limited victories last night. Even though their real test won't come until next November.

And that is because I believe in fair play. I just wish more politicians (on both sides) did, as well.

Thank you for your time and attention, Woody

And on the other side, Welcome Fox News! Welcome spending cuts! Welcome Jesus Christ the libertarian! Welcome unborn babies! Welcome competition and freedom! Welcome GOP alternatives! One mark of hypocrisy is criticizing others for shortcomings one welcomes in oneself.

Here's my take:

WELCOME*

• Offer applies to ultra-conservatives only. Void to moderates like Olympia Snowe, Susan M. Collins, Arlen Specter, Lincoln Chafee and especially Dierdre Scozzafava,

There's going to be lots of crowing alright, as silly as it is to do so. I personally don't think there is too much to read into any of these early races.

What you will not read or hear about from Republican leaning blogs is that the currently empty NY-23 seat, held by a Republicans for 120 years, was lost to a Democrat. Dede Scozzafava, a Republican vying for that seat, dropped out of the race a few weeks (or was it days?) ago, then endorsed the successful Democratic candidate, Bill Owens.

This is the result of the struggle within the Republican Party for control. Conservatives, or those on the far right end of the spectrum, are finding their ability to control the Party weakening day by day, and they are scratching and clawing to regain that control.

We may well be headed for the birth of a third political party.

To me- an asterisk always symbolizes something that is conditional, or something that has limitations. In light of all of the recent in-fighting in the GOP between the moderates and the far right of the party- that's how I saw this cartoon.

So, I think OllieH has this one just about right, or at least he gave it the same interpretation as I did.

Can't help but notice how our paper decided to go with the Faux Snooze Version of the elections last night. Sweep? Really? Maybe in an alternate universe we can just dismiss NY-23. I find it interesting this was the race in which Palin decided to insert herself. Guess there weren't enuf real Merakins. $2 and 2 GOP govenors will buy you a cup of coffee in DC.

I do not share the belief that the Republican Party is becoming more irrelevant. I think there is a natural trend among swing voters to ride the pendulum of discontent as dissapointment with those in power grows each election cycle.

Several years ago, the Democrats were the ones doing the soul searching while republicans dominated the national political scene. The pendulum swung.

In this last defeat, the Republicans seemed lost. Party leaders admitted the party was lost. What we are seeing is a retreat to core values of the Republican party. We are seeing them run to the right. In doing so, they have clearly separated themselves from Democrats.

Time will tell if this is good strategy. I think the advantages for the Republicans are 1) it clearly separates them from Democrats, 2) sometimes, an uncompromised position seems firmly rooted and most correct making people feel they must be correct simply because they are at one extreme (there are liberal and right wing examples of this which prove the concept.)

However, the run to the right didn't help McCain. By selecting Sarah Palin as a running mate, the votes he shored up were those who were already so far right that they never would have voted for Obama anyway. He lost the middle and those who thought Palin was too extreme.

Yesterday, this swing to the right also probably helped propel a democrat, Bill Owens, into congress. The conservative party candidate got a lot of votes, but this is the first time more than a century that a democrat has won that NY Congressional Seat.

I haven't been following the governors races to know how conservative the newly elected Republican Governors are, but if national trends are an indication, they are probably more to the right than Republicans past.

So, Republicans continue to run to the right, the party becomes smaller initially, as they expel the RINOs and the independents and swing voters. But it's hard to predict what the final outcome will be. That pendulum of discontent is a powerful force.

A final thought.

In the last election cycle, in which Democrats too control, I don't think the Amercian voters just woke up to the idea that the Democrat party suddenly had all the answers and that the Republicans were wrong. Democrats will believe that at their peril.

They won partly for their ideas, partly because of the Bush legacy, partly because of the economy and partly because of the pendulum.

If the Democrats are smart, they will realize that all these forces were at play and will limit the amount of time they have in power. They need to be smart with this ephemeral rise and not place all the credit at their own feet.

Face it Libs. Last night was tough for you guys. You can spin all you want, but last night is a little look into what is going to happen a year from now. The Obama experiment is failing, and America will get back on its feet again in a year. NY23 was more of the Repubs shooting themselves in the foot than anything else. A minor setback at best. The best part of last night was seeing that dirty scumbag Corzine go down -- its pathetic that Obama would go up to NJ and support such a dirtball. You people are shameless.

All this stuff about the Republicans excluding moderates -- why do you care? If you truly believe we are doing something to hurt our party, then why not just sit back and watch us do it? You obviously understand that the Republican party trending conservative is very bad news for you guys. Reagan Conservative is going to be a phrase you guys are going to get really sick of hearing next year.

Good day.

Of course, our own arch-conservative, rolando, has often expressed how welcome moderates are in the Republican Party. Unless 'RINO' (Republican In Name Only) is, somehow, a term of endearment.

Great assessment moonpie. The biggest thing everyone can take away from your summary is that the American people, as whole, is a population of the middle who is asked to associate with political parties diametrically opposed to each other.

The NY-23 seat was very interesting in its development but no surprise in its outcome. Scozzafava was running as a republican, but some of her stances do run in the face of what many consider traditional conservative values - she is pro-choice, for gay marriage, for card check. She was running in NY, however, so their view of conservative isn't exactly the view of TN conservative. Regardless, there has been a hard push nationally for Republicans to return to core beliefs, which essentially removed the moderate Scozzafava. Her support of Owens after she dropped out is simply a move straight of Arlen Specter's playbook - move to the party most likely to assist you in remaining or regaining an office. It is just another reason why we need a clean sweep of Congress - both Republicans and Democrats. The entitlement has to end.

alprova wrote: "What you will not read or hear about from Republican leaning blogs is that the currently empty NY-23 seat, held by a Republicans for 120 years, was lost to a Democrat. Dede Scozzafava, a Republican vying for that seat, dropped out of the race a few weeks (or was it days?) ago, then endorsed the successful Democratic candidate, Bill Owens."

Wonder what the Democrat machine offered old Dede to drop out and endorse Owens.

Poor old Dede leans more to the left than most Democrats and she endorsed the Democrat candidate. The GOP neither needs nor wants that type of "moderate."

Every time a so-called moderate Republican gets involved, the Republicans lose. Specter, McCain, Scozzafawhatever, Snowe and Lindsay Graham, to name a few.

anniebelle wrote: "Can't help but notice how our paper decided to go with the Faux Snooze Version of the elections last night. Sweep?..."

annie, maybe you should look first, then shoot. The story and headline that the paper went with is an AP story. Gee, imagine that. Despite your less than clever attempt to paint it as some type of nefarious Fox News spin, it actually came from the Associated Press, that bastion of left leaning Obama worshipers. Even the liberal Atlanta Journal Constitution used that AP headline.

Nice try though annie. Maybe you can do better at misrepresenting something next time.

Walden, your 7:55 AM post...very well said.

moonpie wrote regarding Democrats in 2008: "They won partly for their ideas, partly because of the Bush legacy, partly because of the economy and partly because of the pendulum.

They won mainly because of an irrational media-fed hatred for Bush, and partly because a huge block of uninformed traditionl non-voters went to the polls for the first time because there was a candidate who looked like them and implied that "change" would mean more free stuff for them.

hey, OllieH, if the RINOs like Pastafazoola so desperately wannabe Democrats, lettum do an Arlen and leave. After all, Pasta showed her sour grapes and true "moderate" nature when she threw in with the Democrat...and took her RINO votes with her. But that's alright... Come next year you will need all the House votes you can get.

The most important impact that last night's results will have...

Moderate Dems (blue dogs, and others who are up for reelection in traditionally conservative districts) know with absolute certainty that they now have a clear choice to make:

A) Support Obamacare and get sent home next November; or B) Support something much more rational (and without a deadly socialist option) and probably get reelected.

What's it going to be moderate Dems?

Another thing, its pretty hypocritical for Dems to bash Republicans for pushing moderates aside when you are doing the same thing with the Blue Dogs.

“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.”

RWR

Right on, Walden.

Absolutely true, that conservatives don't embrace the luke warm stands of Snowe, et al. And they were quick to cut ties with Specter who shifted parties. But this is hardly a Republican phenomenon.

Leading Democrats are continually outraged by the independent Joe Lieberman. I also recall one of Clay's health care cartoons portraying Obama as the ball carrier with Blue Dogs tackling his rushing attempt. Not a warm portrayal of those pesky moderates.

What one calls bipartisanship another calls selling out party values.

Incidentally, I think the asterisk means "let me see if I can place an absolutely benign mark on the cartoon and see if ya-hoos will argue over its meaning for hours causing loss of productivity and an increase of blood pressure."

SCOTTYM wrote: “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.”

Abso-darn-lutely. Republicans don't become a stronger party by becoming Democrats. RINOs need not apply.

Confidentially, (of course, this is a strange place to begin a sentence with confidentially) I find being a Moderate quite comfortable and educational. I usually tend to learn from the mistakes of others.

However, the biggest lesson most 'politicos' fail to comprehend is that 'political leanings' are okay to an extent. One must remember, that should someone lean too far in either (Left or Right) direction, one will fall. And that is the cold, hard truth.

Thank you again for your time and attention, Woody

dss- Love that last sentence. Do you think 'ol Clay would do that to us rubes? Anyway, I'm at home sick today so no loss of productivity for me!

Excellent post Woody. Even if you're an independent, libertarian, constitution, moderate, objectivist, or any of the other parties that sometimes throw a candidate in, everyone leans a little one way or the other. Being somewhat in the middle is never a bad thing. As Woody said however, leaning too far in either direction, that's a good way to fall. Personally, I don't claim either of the major parties. I have no respect for either of them as a whole, simply because they have no respect for the American people as a whole.

"Personally, I don't claim either of the major parties. I have no respect for either of them as a whole, simply because they have no respect for the American people as a whole."

Very good whoknows!

Does this URL add fuel to this fire?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/opinion/01rich.html?ex=1272949200&en=5047d6be0299fe4c&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=NYT-E-I-NYT-E-AT-1104-L21A

Wouldn't it be great if we had four parties: Liberal (AKA Processive - Socialist) Democrat Republician Conservative Then in September of the Election year the nation votes, and the two leading candidates from their parties will run in November. The winners will always be the Democrat and the Republican. This way the Libs will have show their true colors and quit masquerading as Democrats (Obama, Carter, Hillary, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, McGovern, Humphrey, Mondale. Teddy "Hic" Kennedy) Then McCain, Huckabee, Graham Etc. could run as 1960's type Democrats, which they are. The Conservative Party could have a chance to win but no way would the Libs win. How does this sound, makes sense doesn't it.

In the end this is nothing but The Outside Trying To Look In. Its funny that people on here that HATE Republicans and Conservatives (that are members of a group that love to shout Tolerance and Acceptance from the rooftops no less) seem to be the biggest experts on the Republican Party. I don't understand how that is. The only people that seem to think that the Republican brand is dead are liberal media types and foaming at the mouth Obamaites. See, I know something about the Republican party because I am one-I know nothing about the Democrat Party because I'm not one. Does that make sense? Can some of you check the hate at the door for an objective view?

Jhenry,

I've been an independent Independent for ages and have voted both ways since I could.

It is just that in this last decade or so, I've become VERY wary of both parties, but mostly because, in this period, the past ruling party has made so many unhappy choices and made so many mistakes, that I can only hope that the turnaround will bring better things.

I think that I have to agree that something has to be done about a 3rd viable party, only praying that it isn't fascist or communist or thinks it will rule by the "divine right of kings". (Should I have put that last in capital letters?)

I think I voiced this many blogs back. Clay has had many more opportunities to draw something to draw attention of the "Far Right". Their actions and demeanor on this blog seem to justify his cartoons.

Isn't it nice that you and I have the opportunity to express our feelings about the cartoons without fearing physical reprisal, incarceration, torture, cross-burning, and various other abnormal reactions to what we have to say?

I'm sure this isn't sufficient to answer your question.

Someone much more eloquent and thoughtful, even a moderate conservative would be able to do it better, I'm sure.

LOL. Palin goes out on a limb and endorses an "independent" and turns a traditionally conservative district in NY over to a Democrat. Haha!

BobMKE,

Perhaps we could form a party that would be called "Party for Humanity," that would reflect ethical behaviour, instead of greed and fear.

JHenry,

I, for one, do not believe one needs to be a Republican or a Democrat to have insight into them. I also know many people who have no insight to their own motivations.

I think it's natural for people and groups to recoil at other people's view of them, especially if that view differs from someone's perception of him/herself.

If I think you have the wrong perception of me and I tell you that you are wrong, I am very unlikely to change your perception.

I've had to give feedback to many people. When people try to argue that negative perceptions are not justified, I have to stop them and say, "You may be right. But like it or not, this is the perception. Arguing won't change that. What you must decide is are you willing to change your behavior to change that perception?"

Republicans have some justifiably negative impressions of Democrats and visa versa. Very often, we see defensive postures in response which only further entrench each side and make finding common ground more difficult.

Human nature is a bear, for elephants and donkeys alike.

You wish, ricardo. You have it backwards -- or twisted anyway. Gov Palin had nothing to do with the vote; we had a RINO who Arlened and took the Democrats' silver. She also absorbed 6% of the vote that would have gone to our boy in all probability had she bowed out gracefully -- but she took the silver. But at least she stayed bought.

Did you notice your boy won by only 4%? Six percent trumps it every time. But that's those idiots who blindly and without thought vote the straight party ticket. They are part of the problem...for the rest of us.

We did clean house again and you now have another traitor to her [former] party in YOUR ranks. Good luck with that. Snowe will be coming your way next...

rolando got me thinking about something....

I know switching parties is not too common, but which switch is more common, Rep to Dem or Dem to Rep?

Which is more common?

If one is more common, then why?

I will accept hyperbole and conjecture here, but would appreciate genuine non-partisan appraisal more.

Thanks for your last, moonpie. You are a breath of fresh air around here.

I wasn't always the curmudgeon I have become on this forum -- and others over the last 10 years or so [yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus]. Experience is a great teacher...as is the washpost.com forum. [Alprova would be right at home there, as would toonfan no doubt. Conservatives are outnumbered about 25-30 to 1.]

That is the forum where I learned the true depth of intolerance in about 90% of the liberals there. They have a deep, abiding intolerance toward anyone not marching in lockstep with them. There are a few of those here...but that is their problem, not mine.

I am intolerant towards those who are intolerant of other viewpoints [yes, that's a dichotomy]...I try to remain objective but I have a tipping point that turns to hostility; a few years spent in Wash DC does that to one. That and getting old and impatient with plain stupidity.

It is getting late and my warm milk is waiting...well laced with JD Single Barrel...and minus the milk. 'Til the morrow...

Oops, the one before your last, moonpie.

Maybe I missed it - but that door handle seems awfull low to the ground - for "The Little People"?

rolando proved Clay's cartoon completely correct, by writing, "hey, OllieH, if the RINOs like Pastafazoola so desperately wannabe Democrats, lettum do an Arlen and leave. After all, Pasta showed her sour grapes and true "moderate" nature when she threw in with the Democrat...and took her RINO votes with her. But that's alright... Come next year you will need all the House votes you can get."

If the Republicans keep alienating anyone who's to the left of Attila the Hun, it will be they who need every vote they can get next year. I don't see how making your party smaller is a strategy for success.

Tell that to the new governors of VA and NJ, OllieH. Getting smaller, indeed. :)

OllieH wrote: "I don't see how making your party smaller is a strategy for success."

Bringing the party back to its core values will bring back many who left, disgusted with the hijacking of the party by moderates.

How many people would bail from the Democrat party if its mission was to become more like Republicans?

Unemployment numbers just came out....10.2%!! Way to go Dems! Keep up the good work. Just keep ignoring the fact that you are supposed to be representing us and concentrate on that horrendous health care disaster that most Americans don't want.

...and get your resumes ready for 2010 and 2012. You'll need 'em.