Matthew Hurtt

Many people this time of year take an opportunity to reflect of the past 12 months. Being a rather exciting election cycle, I figure I would list the Top 5 Winners and Losers of 2008.

Top 5 Winners of 2008

5. Joseph Cao - In a sea of Democratic victories at the federal level, one lone Republican stood out as the hope for the future of the GOP: Congressman-elect Ahn ‘Joseph’ Cao, LA-2. For those who are unfamiliar with the 2nd Congressional District in Louisiana - it’s New Orleans. For the first time since the 1890s, a Republican will represent New Orleans in Congress. Congressman Cao - like Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal - represent a growing educated minority base of Republican support (for those of you who think Republicans are all old rich white men). Cao will be the Congressman to watch as Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats kick off the next Session in January.
4. Sarah Palin - No one knew this time last year that a small-town Mayor-turned Alaska Governor (and female, to boot!) would be the Republican Vice Presidential nominee. Her down-home approach to politics and her “mavericky” style made her the idol of the conservative base of the Republican Party. Conservatives should watch Palin as she struggles to maintain relevant long enough to make it into the 2012 Election Cycle. (She’s not my favorite…)
3. Hillary Clinton - Hillary, a winner this year? Well, yes and no. While Hillary did not garner her Party’s nomination for President, she did manage to grab an appointment in the Obama Administration as the Secretary of State. Clinton represents a somewhat hawkish segment of the Democrat Party, so it will be interesting to see how she performs in an Obama Administration. Will she stay on good terms long enough to run for President again? Only time will tell.
2. Barack Obama - Yes, it was a triumph for the American people that the idea of a partially-black American will be President in January. Yes, he did shatter fundraising records and electrified an otherwise uninterested electorate. But was it Barack Obama’s platform or was it the color of his skin that drew some voters to the polls? As Obama runs to the center, he’s managed to leave many of his former friends behind, angering a sizable number of groups on the Left. Indeed, Barack Obama achieved a great victory in November, but at what cost?
1. TNGOP - What happened?! Was Obama’s presence on the top of the ticket a deterrent for many Southern Democrats? Was it the unified message of the Tennessee GOP? Whatever the case, the TNGOP definately won big in 2008 - taking the State House and maintaining the State Senate for the first time since Reconstruction. This truly is a historic victory for Republicans and the people of Tennessee. Let’s hope the House Republicans (and Senate Republicans) are ready to govern in an economic atmosphere that’s causing big cuts in state government.

Honorable Mention: Congressman Ron Paul - From Money Bombs to Ludwig Von Mises, Congressman Ron Paul waged a political war against the establishment in his bid for President early this year. His campaign hit fundraising records and garnered an internet following that still routinely blasts out information. In his wake? The Campaign for Liberty. But what makes Ron Paul an Honorable Mention for this list is that he predicted the financial crisis of 2008 - and no one in the MSM gave him the time of day. In 2009, Ron Paul be able to look back and say, “I told you so…”

Top 5 Losers of 2008

5. Hillary Clinton - Moving into the 2008 Presidential Primary, the Democratic nomination was essentially Hillary’s to lose… and she lost big. Not only did Superdelegates decide Obama’s primary victory, but Hillary’s name was bumped off the short list for VP. Grant it, she did manage to receive an appointment within the Obama Administration. Hillary’s strongest supporters (older white women) felt shafted big time. And when Obama picked Joe Biden, who received only a fraction of what Hillary won, for VP - their anger turned to outrage.
4. John McCain - For a campaign that was D.O.A., John McCain flopped around like a dying fish for several months. His “maverick” style made him the darling of moderates, but he was significantly-less-liked by conservatives (McCain-Feingold, anyone?), who just happen to make up much of the Republican base. The campaign effectively ended when he suspended his campaign to go to Washington to help pass the “Bailout” package (another thing that makes him a loser). John McCain, go home to Arizona and stay there. Retire. Visit your homes. Travel abroad. Do something non-political.
3. TNDP - Gray Sasser led this group of ball-droppers to defeat in the November Election Cycle. Barack Obama, who electrified voters across the nation, did nothing for down-ticket Dems in Tennessee. Republicans strengthened their hold in the Senate (19-14) and picked up 5 seats in the House, seemingly assuring a Speaker Mumpower come January. Jimmy Naifeh and the rest of the Democrats have no one to thank but Sasser and crew. The TNDP was virtually non-existent throughout the Election. The only significant act perpetrated by Sasser was that he stole an election from a popularly elected Democrat (who voted for Republican Ron Ramsey for Speaker) and handed it to the loser of the Primary Election. The great irony is that he subsequently handed both the State Senate and State House to Republicans!
2. Rod Blagojevich - Just when you thought you couldn’t trust your politicians farther than you could throw them, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (BLEH-goy-oh-vitch - I refuse to call him Blago) goes and ruins it for everyone. Story goes, the Governor attempted to sell Barack Obama’s recently-vacated Senate seat for pennies on the dollar… well, several hundred thousand dollars and even more pennies. Now, this scandal could rock the White House even before Barack Obama takes office, as Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is probably tied up in the scandal. Oooh.
1. America - Recessions, bailouts, and Obama - oh my! With the recent economic tumble, many Americans are wondering where to turn for help. In November, many of them turned to the arms of Big Government by electing Nanny-Statist (one of my favorite words) Barack Obama. Brace yourselves for more government programs and higher taxes!

Honorable Mention: President G. W. Bush - Many of the Democrat candidates for President wished they were running against George W. Bush, and they managed to capitalize on the shaky economy and the War in Iraq as they his Republican candidates with the “four more years” mantra. Ole Dubya got caught in the crossfire and became the scapegoat (whether he deserved it or not) of many of the nations problems.

Conclusion

This list is by no means exhaustive, but I feel like it’s probably a pretty spot-on summation of the Winners and Losers of 2008. Feel free to comment, make additions or subtractions, etc.