I write this as the Republican leadership flounders to keep its heads above sex and corruption scandals plaguing their party. Although Speaker Hastert wrestles to hold onto his job, he's just a historical comma in a Congress that's been in a coma. Surely conventional wisdom did not predict such a reversal of fortune.
Barely two years ago, hubris laden Republicans presumed that they had a permanent majority. If we flashback to the November 2004, we'll remember President Bush boasting that his victory, along with a compliant Congress, represented a mandate for his entire agenda. "I've earned capital in this election -- and I'm going to spend it for what I told the people I'd spend it on, which is -- you've heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror," Bush said.
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