Obama and the Hammer

On monday night conservatives across the country were treated to the sight of one of their former luminaries on national TV. Tom Delay, once known in political circles as the "Hammer" for his ability to keep wayward Republican legislators in line, made his debut on the popular Fox program Dancing with the Stars. Fmr. Rep Delay performed a 'sassy and sexy' salsa dance, sashaying his way across the stage while lip-syncing to the Trogg's 'Wild Thing.'

While it would seem that the sight of a seventy year old congressman in a modified UPS uniform tripping the light fantastic in prime time would make a little bit of a stir in the media, Mr. Delay's antics were overshadowed by President Obama's ultimatum to the democratic governer of New York state. Through a functionary, Obama is reported to have ordered Governer David Patterson not to run for reelection, citing his low polling numbers against putative Republican challenger Rudy Giuliani.

This leak came over the weekend, while Obama was preparing to travel to New York for a UN meeting. One can imagine the scene on the tarmac of the airport when the governor greeted the president; some already have. Now Patterson has said that he will run anyway.

This is an interesting juxtaposition: Obama and co., providing top down leadership, while Republicans while away the time playing mediocre politically-themed country music or learning the cha-cha. It's a sight that should strike fear into the hearts of Republicans everywhere. Democrats may claim that Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican party, but I'm afraid that the reality is much worse. There is no one leading the GOP.

It seems like every time someone in our party gains media attention it's for all the wrong reasons. Eric Cantor, with his Blackberry during Obama's address to congress. Joe Wilson, screaming invective. Mark Sanford rambling his way through an apology for an extramarital affair. John Ensign doing the same. Michael Steele yammering his way towards another verbal faux pas. Sarah Palin reaching new heights of incoherence. The list goes on.

Meanwhile, back at the White House, Obama and his top personnel are quietly mapping out an electoral strategy for the next eight years, picking and choosing candidates to run or not to run, articulating a national vision for the Democratic party. This is extremely dangerous for the GOP. The party that has a monopoly on competence in the public eye has a huge edge. It was a fundamental reason for the liberal landslide of 2008 and it will continue to be the deciding factor in each and every election that occurs under the shadow of a recession. The lesson to people who were watching this weekend was simple. Obama has a plan. Republicans have a dance routine.