REPUBLICANS, ROCKY BALBOA AND 2008

No matter how many times I watch the Rocky movies, I cannot resist watching them again. I own all six on DVD and occasionally when I hit the mood I'll start with the first Rocky and continue until I finish with all six, however many evenings it may take to view them all. The original is still the best and in case you haven't seen number six, Stallone came very close to matching the emotion and thrill of the first.

Sure the story line in each movie is similar and some have called the latter Rocky's somewhat hokey. But you just can't help but stand up a root for Balboa at the end of each movie when he over comes the demons that he faces and comes out on top with a crowd pleasing, inspiring performance in the ring.

So by now your asking, "what in the world does Rocky Balboa have to do with Republicans and 2008 ?" Take a quick look at the 2008 Presidential and Congressional election as it is being analysed, scrutinized, partisonized, punditized, and maybe even Simonized by the media, political , "experts, " Democrats and even some Republicans.

There is almost a unanimous evaluation of the election giving Democrats the White House and increasing their majority in Congress. Polls show somewhat of a trend, Democrats are raising more money and everyone is talking about how Democrats will take the day on November 5, 2008. Like Rocky during the course of every movie, Republicans are being counted out, down for the count, never to get up off the mat again.

Then two unpredicted and even almost unimaginable elections in states that are Democrat strong holds take a surprising election turn. The two states are Louisiana and Massachusetts. Both liberal, both Democrat run states and both usually conceded to Democrats in every race.

Louisiana has elected only two Republican Governors since 1880...that is until now. Last Saturday Louisiana held the states gubernatorial election and with 54% of the vote conservative Republican Bobby Jindal became Louisiana's new Governor due to take office in January of next year.

Jindal ran on a platform of cleaning up the corruption that has plagued Louisiana for years and received national media scrutiny in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans. He ran as a social and fiscal conservative in a state that traditionally votes for moderate to liberal Democrats. Yet in an election season that has basically been conceded to Democrats this young, (only 36), conservative Republican won in a liberal Democrat state.

The other election was in Massachusetts. You know, the Ted Kennedy, John Kerry state. In a Congressional district that has not elected a Republican for more than 35 years conservative Republican Jim Ogonowski narrowly lost to liberal Democrat Niki Tsongas with only a five point margin. This despite several campaign visits for Tsongas by both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Bill Clinton. Two of the , "big hitters, " for Democrats.

What makes this election interesting is that Ogonowski ran on an anti-illegal immigration platform and conservative fiscal responsibility. Voters who have been life long Democrats who are disgruntled with the way Democrats are acting in Congress jumped ship and voted for a conservative Republican in a liberal state!

Could these two surprise elections and the strong GOP showing in both, one in victory and the other in only a slight loss, be a sign that Rocky Balboa, (the GOP), is getting the win sign from Adrian and with the musical strains of, "Gonna Fly Now, " running up the steps, flexing his muscles and preparing to defeat the heavily favored Apollo Creed for the Heavy Weight Championship ?

Time will tell, but it is not only way to early to count our Republicans but remember that we still have over a year for Democrats to continue with their do nothing Congress and the revelation of more Hillary funding scandals that may just take a bite out of her campaign when somebody finally sits up an takes notice.

Democrats are their own worst enemy. Their political and elitist arrogance will always lead them to believe that they are immune to scrutiny and regardless of the consequences can do as they please, legislate what they want, despite public out cry and get away with any and everything.

There is still quite a bit of water to go under the political bridge before November 2008. Republicans may be running behind in money raised now but as a life long RNC member I can attest to the fact that Republicans never raise large amounts before the primaries but the funds increase dramatically after the primary season and the nominee is better known.

Also Democrats who have the lowest Congressional approval ratings in history still have plenty of time to dip even lower before next November. You never know, Rocky may be the underdog now, but he's getting into shape and ready to take on , Creed, Clubber Lang , Drago the Russian and Mason Dixon to the cheers of the crowd, while fighting for victory!

Ken Taylor