This has, to say the least, been a very interesting week. I feel that the election results have been a pure and simple denouncement by the American people of Bush's policy in Iraq. Ironically, this has brought in a new Congress, which, with the exception of budget approval, has very little voice in war policy.
What can the Republicans learn from this? Very little, I think. It was the neo-conservative far right who promoted the Iraqi invasion and the spread of democracy. It is also the very conservative religious right, which Reagan so ingeniously captured to gain election, that continue to be a thorn in the forming of traditional Republican policy. The Republicans have now placed themselves in a position where any policy movement to the left to where it has traditionally been, will result in any one of a number of Falwell/Robertsons who will jump in and run as independents and dilute the Republican vote. It will be interesting to see how McCain, a traditional Republican, deals with this.
I think one of the more interesting developments was Bob Gates selection as SecDef and the rumor that Rumsfield was on his way out before the General/Admiral uprising but Bush backed off, not wanting to appear that he was catering to the uprising. Gates is a true Republican conservative in relation to foreign policy and has been openly critical of both the invasion and the current handling of the war. This is going to be fun to watch because I am sure that he wants the victory with dignity that we all want and will have to go against Bush doctrine to pull it off.
But, to me, the most interesting development of all is VP Cheney's total absence in all of this. I don't think I have read one quote or seen him mentioned at all. Is he being hidden and pushed aside or is he hiding somewhere with his tail between his legs?