Wall vs. Wave?

Abstract

How did a wave of anti-Republican sentiment breach the wall of structural advantages available to the majority party? In 2006, as in 1994, we learned that structural advantages are not impregnable, there is no permanent minority, and all politics is local, except when it is national. Like House Democrats in 1994, House Republicans in 2006 could not govern the country, could not govern Congress, and could not govern themselves. In particular, in both elections the majority parties beat themselves due to their failure to control the mischiefs of faction within their own ranks. In managing such factions, each party faces a constitutional quandary: government or opposition, compromise or confrontation, policy or politics.

Recommended Citation

Connelly, William F. Jr. (2006) "Wall vs. Wave?," The Forum: Vol. 4 : Iss. 3, Article 3.
DOI: 10.2202/1540-8884.1136
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol4/iss3/art3