Reid set out the issues that he is concerned about- the future of Medicare and the fate of the middle class. Then he says to protect these issues, the number one priority is to retain control of the Senate. Keeping the majority is the means necessary to the end of protecting Medicare and the middle class. This was to let potential donors know what the stakes are in the coming election.
McConnell said early in Obama’s first term, far removed from election seasons that the Republicans’ number one priority is to make Obama a one term president. Not for the sake of any issue, but simply for the sake of getting the White House back for their party.
A parallel situation to Reid would be a college football coach telling recruits that his number one goal is to get good recruits to beat his rival school. A parallel to McConnell would be a college football coach saying in March that his number one goal is to make sure that no players ever sign for that rival school.
It’s very telling that McConnell didn’t say “we must retake the presidency”, it’s that they had to ruin Obama. One-term presidents and their electoral failures are seen as historically illegitimate… witness Republicans’ hysterical glee when the subject turns to Jimmy Carter. That’s what they want for Obama. McConnell had no important ideas, no pressing agenda, no priority other than to ruin Obama.
And I don’t blame him for that… personally, I hoped for the ruination of the Bush presidency, for exactly the same reasons. But if I had my choice between ruining a presidency and getting my legislation passed, the smart choice would be to hold tight to the legislative branch. The fact that the Republicans repeatedly make the other choice is evidence that something much more personal and spiteful is in play.
And T.R. ran and won only once in his own right, in 1904; he first served most of McKinley’s second term. He chose not to run again in 1908, even though he would’ve been reelected in a landslide. He was defeated when he ran again in 1912.
So he’ not exactly saying he would cause a shutdown. He wouldn’t, for example, if Obama caved on everything, but he probably would cause one unless he got his way, including a repeal of the ACA.
So, yes, it is very important for the Democrats to maintain their majority in the Senate.
As Elendil’s Heir explained, Teddy Roosevelt was - in electoral terms - a one-term President who also managed to lose a (non-consecutive) subsequent Presidential race.
Context. Reid’s statement seems to refer to electoral priorities, assuming it is from a fundraising email (didn’t bother to check). Wasn’t McConnell’s from a legislative strategy meeting? How’s that the same thing?
Your overwhelming confidence just tickles me. Not that the odds aren’t in the Republicans favor – they are, by a small but significant margin, right now. But they certainly don’t support your overwhelming confidence.
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, TR – all two-termers.