2010 Republicans: Then and Now

Six years ago, an Illinois Senator made history becoming the first African American to ever be elected to the White House. His powerful speeches about pulling out of Iraq, providing for the lower class and American minorities galvanized special interest groups all over the country. Weary from seemingly endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Barack Obama promised the nation he would bring them lasting change.

Two years later, that same CHANGE brought Republicans out to the polls in droves, upset and infuriated with Obama’s politics. Led by a host of flame-throwing candidates, the 2010 class of Congressmen shifted control in the House of Representatives BACK to the Republicans. What followed was a nasty battle of bi-partisan gridlock. State-by-Republican-state, lawmakers handcuffed Obama and worked as hard as possible to thwart his two years of what they called overreaching abuse of power.

It’s ironic, but now that it’s their turn for re-election, CHANGE is still at the center of the equation. Only, this time, it’s change of a different flavor.

In Michigan, Dan Benishek put up a TV ad, saying Obamacare made him so mad, it drove him to run for Congress. Four years later, raking in a decent coin, working on Capitol Hill, HE is up for re-election. But this time, he’s a little less passionate. Instead of embracing the road that got him into office, Benishek is pitching himself as a caring doctor and grandfather.

Elsewhere, in Ohio, Republican Bill Johnson railed against entitlement programs, handouts and screamed at Congress to quit spending too much. Now, also facing re-election, he’s the incumbent and he’s not as passionate. During four years on the Hill, he’s changed from a preacher to a philosopher. His new chill campaign softly says “before you can be a leader, you have to be a listener.”

Some political observers believe the House Republicans are making a concerted effort to reclaim a foothold on middle ground, hoping to reach across the aisle and pull some voters back into the fold. Or could it be that once a politician reaches Washington, his top priority shifts AWAY from the people he represents and he starts working to PROTECT his own job?

Incumbents are smart. They got elected once, and every year, they get a little wiser, a little more vanilla, and a little more toned down. We know it as “politically correct.”

When protecting self-interest becomes more important than leading a nation, Congressmen fail to change Washington and Washington starts to change Congressmen.