US commentator Charlie Wolf and I joined BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday morning to assess the outcome of the US Congressional elections, notably Republicans taking control of the Senate as well as extending their hold on the House of Representatives.
Wolf put out the standard Republican line, for now and for the next two years, of “Blame Obama”.
My perspective was different. I expressed concern over gridlock and negative politics in the US, and I cautioned Republicans that they cannot just heap scorn on the President if they want to succeed, including in the 2016 Presidential campaign — they have to put forth a positive agenda on economic and social issues.
Listen to discussion from 2:09.27
I think the President is a spent force, to be honest….I think the onus is on two other groups beyond Obama.
It’s on the Democrats, who will probably rally around Hillary Clinton and 2016. And the onus is on the Republicans to present a positive alternative.
In 1994 the Republicans had victories against the Clinton Administration and issued a “Contract for America”. Two years later, because they didn’t articulate it very effectively, Clinton swept in for a second term.
They have to do better this time.