2010 vs. 2011

If everything holds up - which is shaky - yesterday's elections could be the worst for the Republicans since the '70s. Truth is, after the "values voter" jailbreak of 2004, they've had only one great year, and that was last year.

Why was 2010 so grand for the Evil Empire? Sure, it was the year of the Tea Party, but I warned you beforehand to keep an eye on those clowns. They're a joke, but a very dangerous joke. The forces of good lost in 2010 largely because we let the Tea Party and their friends in The Media define the debate.

I don't think that mistake was widely repeated this year. People have gotten their wind back.

Observers say 1994 was the first talk radio election. They call 2004 the first right-wing blog election. They say 2010 was the first Tea Party election. I think 2011 was the first Occupy election. If things continue at this rate, it will be the first of many.