Conservatives on the Move in Britian
May 3rd, 2008 by DavidAnderson
In yet another country, conservatives have gained ground. British local elections have sent a shockwave through the Labor establishment. After a turn left from Blair, the party has disconnected with the British people. Labor lost the Regional election in the Scottish parliament and now 300 municipal seats. Let those who think that a conservative setback means conservatism is lost, think again. A setback is ok. If you don’t have them, you get arrogant and out of touch. The difference between a setback and a defeat is the heart to fight back.
In the U. S., John McCain is increasing his poll lead vs. Senator Obama. All three candidates have negative associations pulling them down. McCain has Bush (43% say it weakens their likelihood of support), Clinton has her honesty, and 1/3 of voters say Rev. Wright makes them less likely to support Senator Obama. Senator McCain leads both candidates for now. In Senate races, Republicans have climbed back into the lead in Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado. If fact, only three states still look like sure trouble for the GOP, New Hampshire, Virginia, and to a lesser extent, New Mexico. Now that GOP House members are viewed as more conservative, their poll numbers are up. For three straight months the Democrat lead is in single digits which may mean a few seats gained. It can all change either way between now and November, but it does dispell the automatic negativism pundits gave the GOP’s chances a year ago.
In other poll numbers , the two Davids lead in American Idol. They poll on everything now days. Hillary aka Hilrod to Wrestling fans went for the country vote on CMT’s Top 20. It was an interesting move right before Indiana and North Carolina. I am sure that had nothing to do with her appearance. She pledged to bring more Country Music into the White House while tackling high gas prices. Is it just me, or are the candidates everywhere these days?
The so-called decline of conservativism proclaimed by the left always coincides with a lack of truely conservative candidates. Against the left-wing Obama, a real conservative would win in a cakewalk; unfortunately, we’re stuck with McCain, so it’s a toss-up.
Moderate Democrats have always done fairly well in Virginia (Robb, Wilder, M. Warner). John Warner’s seat is as good as gone; Mark Warner will win easily, joining another moderate Democrat in the Senate, James Webb.
David,
The Libertarians are on the move in the UK. I asked my namesake and relative an MP in England. We should note it is not doctrinal conservatives or tories, who are winning, it is the libertarians.
Have they added a crescent to the Union Jack yet?
I was wondering what had happened to all of the conservatives in New York.
Then I find out the new mayor of London was born there. Go figure.
Brian, I do agree that it isn’t quite Maggie’s party, but the core principles of limited government, freedom, and fiscal responsibility she championed, have returned.