I am just as jubilant as anyone in regard to the death of Osama bin Laden, but I was a little surprised this morning to see some of my Democratic and Republican friends declaring President Obama's election as inevitable following bin Laden's death.
That would be true if the death of bin Laden leads to lower unemployment and gas prices while jump-starting the housing market and holding inflation in check.
But I can't blame the activists for holding out some hope. Even the most veteran operative is looking for what I call a "moment of political inevitability" when supporting or opposing a candidate.
That's an event which ensures that a candidate or President will be elected or defeated. Reagan's opponents hit him with Iran-Contra, while Bill Clinton's opponents had Monica Lewinsky. President George W. Bush faced an investigation into his service in the National Guard and the release of his DUI charge.
President Obama now has the "birthers" who had hoped to prove that he wasn't eligible to be President.
Why do activists hope for these moments? Because the ongoing work of persuading voters and defeating ideological opponents is HARD. A single "knock-out" blow is so much more attractive.
Backward and “Forward”
6 hours ago
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