The major events that have led to the downfall of Republicans over the past two years--Iraq, Social Security, Foley, Katrina and Terry Schaivo-were not Republican "mistakes." As long as Republicans and the conservative movement maintain power, we can expect to see more reckless and theoretical uses of the military with horrible long-term results. We can expect to see more cover-ups in order to hold onto a single seat in Congress (or maybe even something smaller). We can expect more attempts to destroy Social Security and other cornerstones of successful governance in favor of private companies and large corporations who only care about making money. We can expect more incompetent and unqualified cronies in positions of real power. We can continue to expect a complete lack of accountability for high-ranking administration officials and private companies (unless they are pro-choice, in which case they better brace themselves). We certainly can expect the federal government to care more about whatever the latest fetish of the conservative base may be more than about being properly prepared and responsive in the event of a major national disaster. This is just how the conservative movement operates. These are not mistakes. All of these campaigns were conducted with the same political skill and using the same political machine that Republicans used in order to build their slim 50% + 1 majority.

The difference is that there are now forces much more capable of countering Republican campaigns than in the recent past. [...] Republicans haven't changed or grown less competent at politics. The difference is that they are facing much stiffer competition. Democrats and progressives have earned this lead--it did not fall into our laps.

I think this is correct, and goes along with what I've said in a number of posts, that these scandals and failures and incompetencies aren't each of them unique and unconnected to each other, instead, together they're the direct result of the mode and the means by which the Republicans have chosen to operate during this time that they've totally controlled the Federal government. That all these things should come to fruition (or reach their nadir, whichever way you want to look at it) at about the same time, just before a midterm election, may be fortuitous for the Democrats, but they were all bound to hit bottom at some time or another, and it's worth noting that we've had more than six years for them to fester and grow.

So Chris is right, the mistakes made by the Republicans are not, for the most part, about campaigning (since they excel at the techniques needed to get elected), but in how they chose to approach governance, policymaking and our relationship with the rest of the world. In that sphere, their corruption, incompetence, hackdom, and ideological outrageousness combined to create their current problems.