Political Popcorn by the Colonel

Observations and Questions

■ The President was judged on his record. The people said, "Looks pretty good -- four more years."

■ Romney won independents. That's good news for Democrats: they can win presidential elections without independents.

■ Incumbents are tough to beat. Clinton was re-elected after being impeached. Dubya was re-elected after being Dubya. Obama was re-elected after not (yet) fixing the economy.

■ What will the stock market make of probable two more years of gridlock in Congress?

■ Will we always have gridlock unless one party has more than 60 seats in the Senate?

■ Will credit rating agencies downgrade U.S. credit?

■ Will sequestration happen? (President said not.) If not, what will lift gridlock to stop it?

■ Is anybody saying that sequestration would be a blessing, with or without disguise? Are some people thinking it without saying it?

■ Tea Party's toast.

■ Marriage equality gains may prompt change of strategy: more referenda, fewer lawsuits.

■ After two billion-dollar campaigns, Indiana and North Carolina flipped. The mountain labored mightily and brought forth a mouse.

■ Citizens United did not transform U.S. politics; a phenomenal Democratic presidential ground game may have.

■ Questions for Republicans: going forward, what people, what policies? "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." --Albert Einstein

■ What will happen with Obamacare? Can it be implemented under conditions of gridlock?