Posted 6:39 AM by Gene

Republicans got a richly-deserved comeuppance. A party that scarcely twelve years ago stood on the precipice of reform had grown smug and old, wallowing in greed and corruption and the betrayal of its supporters' ideals. To be sure we might be less than satisfied that Democrats reaped the gain, but as we said three years ago, if the opposition stood upon principle the GOP would have gotten a far sounder pasting. The hacks, celebrating unbiasedly, have ascribed the defeat to EEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIL conservatism, a dubious notion given the many conservative referenda that passed (the South Dakota abortion ban being a notable exception, and that was flawed by its absolutism), but in the House especially the anger seemed more scattershot; and we cannot avoid the impact of personalities, such as that arch nincompoop Sen. Dennis Day, whose blazing stridency took half-a-dozen House members with him, or the blunderbuss Rep. Rush Limbaugh, or the equally deafening oaf Rep. Able Danger, not to mention the Caspar Milquetoast of Rhode Island. Already the Freepers were pushing Dennis for President. Of what? The Fraternal Order of Loudmouths? The party should have lost both houses outright; as it is, the Senate agony will continue into the new year, and in the courts -- thank YOU, LENNY!

As for the Dems, we suspect they will do what the Republicans have done these last few years, posture and preen. Madame Speaker-Elect is making the expected nice noises of reform and conciliation, but after two weeks it will be non-stop hearings on Bush's perfidy, and possibly his impeachment. If the Dems knew better they would hold off on the revenge and try to govern, and realize the scorn for Congress cuts both ways; but we don't expect Congresspoops to have sense, least of all Democrats. Certainly we don't expect leadership; most of the top House Dems are in their sixties and seventies, and know how to play the game on the public too well. Poor Dick Gephardt must have banged his head last night. Nor do we expect the GOP to control both houses again anytime soon; one look at their accomplishments under King Denny (who we hope will now be investigated for his REALTORING) and Dr. Wimp is enough.

As for the media types swelling peacock-like in their fatuous mode of triumph, as the tragic circumstances in Los Angeles attest, momentarily regaining power will not stop your slide into irrelevance. And to con-SER-va-tive types such as that infernal GOP parakeet Hugh Threeseats (whom we so call because his handlers instructed him to chirp their party would have a three-seat House majority) and the staff of NRO, we hurl a heartily earned SHUT UP.