The Tea Party Takes on Water

In politics, days follow each other, but are rarely the same. For two years now, the tea party and its auxiliary, the Republican Party, have fought against the health care reform proposed by Barack Obama. Now, in one of the most conservative districts in the state of New York, with a solidly conservative constituency, the tea party candidate, who just a few weeks ago was all but assured victory, has just been defeated by her Democratic rival in the legislative election on which no one would have wagered even $10. The reason for the victory: the voters’ fear of losing their health care coverage. Back to a stinging defeat.

Two months ago, Kathy Hochul, the Democratic candidate, was declared dead by everyone. The Republican Jane Corwin, who was chosen by the tea party, was assured victory in this 26th district held by Republicans for the past 58 years. (True, the incumbent, the very conservative Christopher Lee, had to resign his seat after a photo of him, partially dressed and sent to a woman, found its way onto the Internet …). But the GOP’s proposal to include Medicare (the health care insurance program for senior citizens) in its deep budgetary cuts has completely changed the game. Voters who protest against government encroachment now consider that big government is not so bad after all when the insurance that guarantees them access to prescription drugs and medical care is in jeopardy.

Kathy Hochul led her campaign all guns blazing, reminding voters that Paul Ryan’s plan was to eliminate the insurance for those over 65 that was created by Lyndon B. Johnson, and a significant portion of the Republican electorate voted for the Democrats.

State privatization, yes, but not when it affects services to which one is attached. In this electoral district carried by John McCain in 2008, one of the four that did not go to Obama, all the Republican leaders came to support Jane Corwin, including John Boehner, the speaker of the House, and a group financed by Karl Rove, former strategist to W., spent more than $1 million to support the former Wall Street finance executive. But in the end, nothing worked.

As Republicans and the tea party are starting to lose even on their turf, and the candidates ready to confront No. 44 start to flee, the re-election of Barack Obama appears to be more and more certain.