I find this exceedingly odd. Why would Mitch McConnell take it personally that Democrats targeted his seat? And why would anyone expect that the GOP wouldn't target Reid in 2010? I guess Ted Stevens's emotionalism is rubbing off on everyone around him, like some sort of airborne pathogen. Besides, McConnell won, and it wasn't by like fifty votes. He won by 6%.
It does make him look more than a little weak, but the GOP is keeping him and Boehner on for reasons that defy comprehension. My suspicion is denial: most Republicans just don't want to face the amount of evil that their leadership has engaged in over the past decade, and I suspect that's why you're seeing Republicans talking feverishly about replicating 1994. But in 1994 the GOP had the following things going for them: they were not at a hugely disproportionate disadvantage on the economy. Bush 41 wasn't great, but he was better than the last Democrat in the office (Carter). The GOP was known for excellent stewardship of the military and the congressional Democrats were known for their corruption more than anything else. Plus, the country was still center-right back then. It isn't now. The only way the right is going to be back in power, short of reforming, is if Obama makes a mistake and/or is unable to turn the economy around. Basically, they have to hope that the man who ran one of the most disciplined campaigns in American History coughs up a play (or plays) so boneheaded it completely turns people off to the Democratic brand, and the most likely result of this would be the formation of a centrist third party rather than a Republican revival.
Mass denial. It makes sense. Center-right country. Not a mandate. Keep on a-sayin' it.
