Take Me To Post Comment Form If you remember our previous episode, the Tea Party partisans were celebrating wtih glee.

Republican Scott Brown had just won Senator Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat. We were told that it was just the latest wave of a Tea Party revolution. My own analysis of the facts turned up a different story. The victor was a populist, who although conservative, promised a strong independence from the party establishment in Washington, and had the good fortune to run against an opponent who
mounted an historically inept campaign. Any attempt to present these facts here or elsewhere were dismissed with the usual derision from the right, along with accusations of "denial".

It's a lot like my experience in other forums after the 2004 elections. I cited a USA Today article that pointed out, despite President Bush's reelection, Democrats made significant gains and Republicans should be careful. Yes, derision and arrogant predictions of a permanent GOP majority were the response back then as well. We know what happened two years later, don't we..

Similarly, the Republican victory in the New Jersey governor race was also portrayed as proof of the success of the Tea Party revolution. Never mind the shortcomings of the incumbent John Corzine, and he had plenty of shortcomings.

I had a hunch that the Tea Party narrative did not tell the whole story or even the most important part of the story in New Jersey. During the last two weeks of the campaign, the Republican candidate Chris Christie released a campaign video. The video contains no audio other than a recording of a speech with some inspirational words.

The speaker is President Barack Obama. How can it be a rejection of the President when you rely on the President's words in your campaign commercial? Moreover, in a commercial that was not released until the critical last two weeks before election day. I just don't get that rejection part.

Here is the Youtube of that commercial. See for yourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZGl9LRtVmg&feature=player_embedded


But far more important than campaign games, is the process of governing. On that front, what do we find?

Senator Brown has already been officially declared a RINO and a "traitor" because he did exactly what he said he would do. He cast his vote to support a bill that he believed would best serve the interests of his constituents in the very blue Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

I think that sets a new indoor world record for falling out of favor with hard core right wing partisans. It was less than month. Of course the judging panel appears to be on an accelerated schedule, having declared President Obama to be a failure after less than a year.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Govenor Christie finds out that campaigning and governing are two very distinct and different tasks. Despite his vow not to raise taxes, that is exactly what he is prepared to do.

Now let me be clear. I respect both of these men for making pragmatic choices about what is necessary and
best for the majority of the people that they serve. That is what is known as leadership. I have no doubt that in the future, I will likely disagree with many or even most of the decisions these men make.

But I can respect that opposing view when it is made in a context of integrity and honest appraisal of what is best for people, instead of relying on the unthinking knee-jerk hatred of the opposing party that is all too prevalent in today's politics. It will be interesting to see what the months and years to come will bring for both of these men, and other candidates who were portrayed as the vanguard of some Tea Party revolution.

I was never convinced that the Tea Party explanation description was entirely accurate. Based on these events, I am even less convinced.

Below you will find links to some information for context.

A story about Senator Brown's vote; a Fox interview with Chris Christie prior to the New Jersey election
where he promised not to raise taxes, a recent story about the possibility that he will raise taxes, and last but certainly not least, that old story from 2004 which provided strong evidence of a Democratic resurgence and was soundly dismissed by the right as liberal propaganda.

I am certainly man enough to admit when I am wrong. Also, man enough to talk a little smack when I'm right too.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/23/AR2010022303656.html

BOSTON -- A month after being crowned the darling of national conservatives, Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts is being branded "Benedict Brown" for siding with Democrats in favor of a jobs bill endorsed by the Obama administration


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,558084,00.html

CHRISTIE: Well, the signal difference between me and Jon Corzine is, he has said, last week in The Philadelphia Inquirer he won't rule out raising taxes again in the second term.

I'm going to cut taxes in my four years as governor.

CAVUTO: Would you rule out ever raising them?

CHRISTIE: I will not raise taxes as governor. You can't.

CAVUTO: Is this like a Bush moment? Or...

CHRISTIE: Well, it is Christie. And the Christie moment is, I will not raise taxes on the citizens of the state, which is already the highest tax burden state in America, worse than New York, worse than California.

Our people are suffocating under taxes and excessive spending. And they need a governor who is willing to say no to the special interests in Trenton, and no to spending, and yes to tax cuts. That is the governor I'm going to be.

Jon Corzine is going to raise taxes.


http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/gov_chris_christie_warns_nj_co.html


Gov. Chris Christie warns N.J. companies of tax hike to cover unemployment fund


http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/2004-12-14-dems-hidden-election_x.htm

Democrats had great success in state legislative races this year, even as they performed poorly in the presidential race and campaigns for Congress. Many Democratic gains came in the heart of Republican territory.