Henninger Gets It

Republicans shouldn't celebrate, Daniel Henninger suggests in the Wall Street Journal: "What was learned Tuesday is that the American voter is absolutely, totally, unremittingly disgusted with both political parties." This is a point we have tried to make a theme of here at FutureOfCapitalism.com in posts like this one ("It can't be stressed enough that the issues in Washington aren't so much Mr. Bush or Mr. Obama or Democrat or Republican. Both parties and administrations are complicit and participating") and this one ("Politicians of both parties try to de-fund or shut up their opponents.") The results even suggested some disillusionment with Mayor Bloomberg, who is an independent. The idea expressed by Mr. Henninger may start to spread more when it can be boiled down to a single catch-phrase or word or Web url or bumper sticker. Something like: The problem in Washington isn't Republicans or Democrats, it's incumbents (or politicians.) Or throwthebumsout.com (which is taken). Or apoxonboththeirhouses.com. (which is available, as of this morning). The risk with this approach and those statements of it is that they flirt with cynicism or anger that can be dangerous or off-putting. On the other hand, the Obama campaign managed effectively to channel a lot of anti-Bush, anti-Washington anger the last time around. Ross Perot and Ralph Nader have tried similar campaigns with limited success, depending on how one defines success.