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What a Difference a Year Makes
November 09, 2005

Popularity sure is fleeting...take a look at where we were just one year ago...

George Bush was reelected by a comfortable margin and woke up the next day arrogantly claiming his mandate and proclaiming that he had earned political capital and was now going to spend it.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was the most popular politician in the nation with many wanting to change the Constitution so he could run for President.

The Democrats were assumed to now be a permanent minority party and to have little to no chance of regaining the House, Senate or White House.

One year later Bush is one of the least popular Presidents in American history, Schwarzenegger has lost the support of California voters and the Democrats have won two highly contested Gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia...and if the Congressional Elections were held today, the Democrats would have a good chance of taking back at least one body of Congress, if not both.

There are lessons here for both parties...Mandates are fleeting, if they exist at all. Voter support must be earned every day, not just during elections. Don't take anything for granted. The electorate is often smarter than the politicians and the media give them credit for being. Arrogance and belief that you have absolute power is the kiss of death. And most importantly, a great deal can change in a very short period of time.

Posted by Michael Kempner at November 9, 2005 10:21 AM